The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

por Richie Billing
LibrosComo hacer
Temporada 3

Can We Change The World With Our Writing? An Interview With Manda Scott

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Sunday Times Bestselling author, Manda Scott. Manda is well known for her historical fiction series, Boudica. And in June, her new novel, Any Human Power is hitting the shelves. Any Human Power is a fantasy story of a family at the centre of a global uprising. A band of young tech-visionaries in the real world are guided from the afterlife by their anthropologist grandmother Lan, as they find themselves at the heart of a terrifying, worldwide media storm. It offers a critique of aspects of our current society, social media culture in particular, and we chat all about it here. We also dive into the writing process and Manda’s style of storytelling, which is known as Thrutopian. Thrutopia is the art of writing engaging route-maps through to a world we’d all be proud to leave to future generations. The current global crisis is so overwhelming that, it’s tempting for writers to stick with what we know: dystopias, because it’s easy to imagine how bad things could be, or utopias, because we can leap forward and imagine something better as long as it’s somewhere distant. We talk all about Thrutopian writing, how writers can incorporate it into their storytelling, and how it has the potential to change our culture and hopefully the worst parts of our world. As always, you're bound to learn something new! JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers ABOUT MANDA SCOTT https://mandascott.co.uk/ ANY HUMAN POWER https://septemberpublishing.org/product/any-human-power-hb/ GET IN TOUCH thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com www.richiebilling.com Discover more writing tips and guides here And learn more about writing fantasy here
T3 · E6
28 may 2024
45:22

The Writing Process With Gabriela Houston

In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author Gabriela Houston for an honest chat about writing and publishing. Gabriela has developed a reputation for writing brilliant, Slavic-inspired tales. The Bone Roots, published by Angry Robot, is her latest book. We talk all about it, as well as Gabriela's journey through writing, what it's like to be traditionally published versus self-publishing, and more than a few honest assessments about the publishing process as a whole. Join Our Discord Community Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠ Resources ⁠⁠Creative Writing Tips For Beginners⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Advice On Writing Fantasy⁠ - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing⁠ About The Guest Gabriela Houston - ⁠https://www.gabrielahouston.com/ Buy The Bone Roots - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-bone-roots/ Richie Billing: ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com
T3 · E5
13 may 2024
42:09

The Writing Process With Salinee Goldenberg

I'm joined by author Salinee Goldenberg for a brilliantly honest chat about writing her debut novel, The Last Phi Hunter, getting published, and dealing with challenges like Imposter Syndrome. The Last Phi Hunter is a fantasy book unlike any other, with strong inspiration taken from Thai demon folklore. Sal tells us all about the process of writing the novel, creating the amazing setting and characters, and navigating the plot as a pantser. Learn More About Our Sponsor, Fictionary ⁠⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt Join Our Discord Community Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠ Resources ⁠⁠Creative Writing Tips For Beginners⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠ ⁠Advice On Writing Fantasy⁠ - ⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing About The Guest Salinee Goldenberg - https://twitter.com/salgo | https://www.instagram.com/gosalgo/ Buy The Last Phi Hunter - ⁠https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-last-phi-hunter/ Richie Billing: ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com
T3 · E4
28 abr 2024
42:05

How to Write a Children’s Fantasy Book: Characters, Worldbuilding, and Publishing (With Meredith Davis)

This episode explains how to write a children’s fantasy book, focusing on character development, age-appropriate storytelling, and worldbuilding, with insights from award-winning author Meredith Davis. You’ll learn how to create engaging stories for younger readers, structure children’s narratives effectively, and navigate the process of querying agents and submitting to publishers. Ideal for writers who want to break into children’s fantasy and create stories that resonate with young audiences. How do you write a children’s fantasy book that truly captures a young reader’s imagination—and stands out in a competitive market? In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author Meredith Davis, a leading voice in children’s literature and founder of the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. With an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Meredith brings deep expertise in both the craft and industry side of children’s publishing. We explore how to write compelling children’s fantasy, using her novel The Minor Miracle as a case study, and break down what makes stories resonate with younger readers. This episode covers: What defines a strong children’s fantasy story How to create engaging, age-appropriate characters Building magical worlds that spark imagination Structuring stories for younger audiences Common mistakes to avoid in children’s writing How to query agents and submit to publishers Insights into the children’s publishing industry We also discuss how writing for children differs from writing for adults, and what authors need to understand to connect with younger readers while still delivering meaningful, memorable stories. If you want to write children’s fantasy that captivates, engages, and gets noticed by publishers, this episode offers practical guidance you can apply straight away. OUR SPONSOR ⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt⁠ ABOUT OUR GUEST Meredith Davis - https://meredithldavis.com/books/ Buy The Minor Miracle - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721051/the-minor-miracle-by-meredith-davis-illustrated-by-billy-yong/ JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠
T3 · E3
14 abr 2024
53:06

How to Write Romantasy That Sells: Romance, Fantasy and Market Trends Explained

This episode explains how to write romantasy that resonates with readers and sells, focusing on blending romance and fantasy, crafting compelling character arcs, and understanding current market trends. You’ll learn how to balance romantic and fantasy elements, use popular tropes effectively, and position your story for success, with insights from editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Buckheit. Ideal for fantasy writers who want to write emotionally engaging, commercially viable romantasy novels. Romantasy is one of the fastest-growing genres in fantasy right now—but writing it well takes more than adding a love story to a magical world. In this episode, I’m joined by editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Buckheit to break down exactly what romantasy is, why it’s exploded in popularity, and how you can write stories that truly resonate with readers. We go deep into both the craft and commercial side of romantasy, including: What romantasy actually is (and what it isn’t) Why the genre is booming right now How to balance romance and fantasy without weakening either Creating compelling romantic arcs within high-stakes worlds Tropes readers love—and how to use them effectively Common mistakes writers make when approaching romantasy How to position your romantasy story for today’s market If you’re looking to tap into one of the biggest trends in publishing while writing emotionally engaging, character-driven fantasy, this episode will show you how to do it right. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR - FICTIONARY ⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt⁠ OUR ROMANTASY EXPERTS Jennia D'Lima: www.jenniaedits.com Lara Buckheit: www.larabuckheit.com JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠
T3 · E2
28 mar 2024
46:15

How to Make Fantasy Maps: World Maps, Battle Maps, and Inkarnate Tips (With Expert Cartographers)

This episode explains how to make fantasy maps, focusing on worldbuilding, map design, and using tools like Inkarnate to create professional-quality maps. You’ll learn how to design world maps and battle maps, draw maps freehand or digitally, and apply cartography principles to bring your fantasy setting to life, with insights from expert mapmakers Tyndall Doodle and Dread Maps. Ideal for fantasy writers, DnD creators, and worldbuilders who want to create immersive, visually compelling maps. How do you create fantasy maps that feel real, immersive, and visually striking—and actually enhance your worldbuilding? In this episode, I’m joined by talented fantasy cartographers Tyndall Doodle and Dread Maps to explore the art and craft of map-making in fantasy. Whether you're designing a vast world map or a detailed battle map for a tabletop campaign, this episode breaks down the key principles you need to know. We cover both traditional and digital approaches to fantasy cartography, including how to draw maps freehand and how to use tools like Inkarnate to create professional-looking designs. This episode covers: How to design compelling fantasy world maps Creating battle maps for DnD and tabletop RPGs Key principles of realistic and immersive map design Freehand vs digital map-making techniques How to use Inkarnate to build detailed, high-quality maps Common mistakes to avoid when creating fantasy maps How maps enhance storytelling and worldbuilding We also explore the creative side of cartography—how maps can inspire stories, deepen immersion, and bring your fictional worlds to life in a visual way. If you want to create fantasy maps that look incredible and elevate your storytelling, this episode gives you the tools, techniques, and inspiration to get started. OUR SPONSOR https://fictionary.co/fwt OUR GUESTS Tyndall Doodle: https://twitter.com/tyndalldoodle | https://www.instagram.com/tyndall_doodle Dread Maps: https://www.patreon.com/dreadmaps | https://twitter.com/dreadmaps JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠
T3 · E1
14 mar 2024
45:58

Fixing Bad Romantasy Writing: Enemies to Lovers Edition | Fixing Bad Writing

More From The Toolshed Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/ More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/ For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwriting In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, Richie Billing takes on a terrible enemies-to-lovers romantasy story and tries to fix it in real time. Expect bad fantasy romance, stolen magic swords, awkward romantic tension, a suspiciously convenient dragon and a practical look at how to make popular tropes work on the page. This is Episode 2 of Fixing Bad Writing, a writing craft series where Richie deconstructs a weak story draft, explains why it fails, edits it live, then presents a stronger redraft. This time, he steps outside his dark fantasy comfort zone to tackle one of the biggest tropes in romantasy: enemies to lovers. Romantasy might look simple from the outside. Put two attractive enemies in danger, add forced proximity, give them sharp dialogue and surely the chemistry will take care of itself. But good fantasy romance needs more than insults, cheekbones and “kissing probably happening soon”. It needs genuine conflict, believable character motivation, emotional friction and a reason for attraction to grow. Using a deliberately awful AI-generated romantasy draft, Richie breaks down common problems such as rushed attraction, shallow conflict, cliché dialogue, weak worldbuilding and the dreaded trap of insta-love. He then works through the scene as a creative writing exercise, showing how small editing choices can create stronger romantic tension, clearer character dynamics and a more engaging fantasy story. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Build enemies-to-lovers tension that feels earned Avoid insta-love and rushed romantic attraction Create better conflict between romantic leads Use dialogue to reveal character, not just flirtation Make romantasy tropes feel more believable Turn a weak scene into a stronger redraft Keep the fun of a trope while improving the craft This episode is ideal for romantasy writers, fantasy authors, romance writers, beginner storytellers and anyone looking for practical writing exercises to improve their fiction. Can you write a better “meet-ugly” than the original draft? Listen to the episode, take the romantasy writing challenge and try your own version.
T3
26 may 2026
29:15
Temporada 2

Halloween Special - Making Monsters

With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to tackle something spooky. In this episode—our last in series 2—we're diving into all things monstrous. I’m joined by writer, actor and producer Meghan Martin who’s a native of the monster-filled state of West Virginia. In our chat, we dive into Bigfoot, the mothman and more monsters that are said to stalk the forests of Appalachia. We examine the folklore, the surge in recent reports and explore the reasons why people are so fascinated by these tales—all to give you ideas and inspiration for when it comes to creating your own. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ABOUT MEGHAN MARTIN https://www.instagram.com/hellomeghanmartin/ ABOUT RICHIE BILLING www.richiebilling.com
T2 · E46
28 oct 2023
37:29

Indie Publishing Success With Michael R Miller

Michael R Miller is an indie author who's forged a tremendously successful career in the world of writing. Off the back of the launch of his new book, DEFIANT, Michael and Richie talk all about writing, the process, and how Michael's found success as an indie author. It's essential listening for anyone who wants to go down the indie route. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ABOUT MICHAEL R MILLER https://www.michaelrmiller.co.uk/
T2 · E45
14 oct 2023
46:40

Audiobooks: How To Get Started

As you may have heard, I have an audiobook coming out soon—in a few weeks in fact (called Pariah's Lament for anyone interested)I don't know much about audiobooks, so I decided to speak to someone who does—professional voice-over artist for movies, TV and audiobooks, Rachanee Lumayno.In our chat, we talk all about why audiobooks are so popular and why they're worth exploring as authors, how you can go about it, where to find narrators, how to do it yourself, the costs involved and much, much more. You're guaranteed to learn something new! If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt⁠⁠⁠⁠ JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠⁠ LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠⁠⁠⁠ ABOUT RACHANEE LUMAYNO https://www.rachanee.net/
T2 · E44
27 sept 2023
39:03
4 de 12