Myth and Magic: Recent Episodes
Neil Mach
Folklore and fantasy themes aimed at creative writers: to start writing stories and challenge your brain with exciting ideas, dip into this kitbag. Learn how fantasy worlds draw on real world history, mythology, and folklore. And there's weekly news from the world of fantasy fiction too, plus fabulous creatures, studies on folk tales, nature fables and lots more mythical, magical fun.
Which, if any, of your published works do you think was your worst book?
Have you yet produced your worst book? You should listen to this inspirational conversation with personal development author & paranormal thriller writer Bradley Charbonneau if you want to overcome your writing-related fears and learn to laugh at your mistakes. The self-described 'recovering perfectionist' has learned how to unleash his own creativity and has produced 33 books as he maintained a 2,808-day creative streak (over 7 years of writing every day.) Do you feel like you're being beaten in the game of failure simply because you've never dared address the true nature of success? For example, what does success look like to you? This interview is for you if you have no idea what any of this means or how it relates to your writing, but nevertheless you feel trapped in a creative rut and can't come up with the right words to write! On Myth & Magic we talk about how to write your worst book ever and why it's crucial to approach the idea of creation with a sense of inadequacy and incapacity. Failure will help you in the long term, and during this interview Bradley explains the hows and whys!
Which, if any, of your published works do you think was your worst book?
Have you yet produced your worst book? You should listen to this inspirational conversation with personal development author & paranormal thriller writer Bradley Charbonneau if you want to overcome your writing-related fears and learn to laugh at your mistakes. The self-described 'recovering perfectionist' has learned how to unleash his own creativity and has produced 33 books as he maintained a 2,808-day creative streak (over 7 years of writing every day.) Do you feel like you're being beaten in the game of failure simply because you've never dared address the true nature of success? For example, what does success look like to you? This interview is for you if you have no idea what any of this means or how it relates to your writing, but nevertheless you feel trapped in a creative rut and can't come up with the right words to write! On Myth & Magic we talk about how to write your worst book ever and why it's crucial to approach the idea of creation with a sense of inadequacy and incapacity. Failure will help you in the long term, and during this interview Bradley explains the hows and whys!
This week I chat with the Beyond the Pen podcast creator Maccabee Griffin. Each week Maccabee sits down with a new author to discover the real story behind their tale! But what is his own story? Find out here! Beyond the Pen is a podcast show that gives newly published and unknown authors a platform to tell the world about their projects — so today's interview is essential listening for anyone who is starting out on an adventure into authoring and anyone preparing for NaNoWriMo2022!
This week I chat with the Beyond the Pen podcast creator Maccabee Griffin. Each week Maccabee sits down with a new author to discover the real story behind their tale! But what is his own story? Find out here! Beyond the Pen is a podcast show that gives newly published and unknown authors a platform to tell the world about their projects — so today's interview is essential listening for anyone who is starting out on an adventure into authoring and anyone preparing for NaNoWriMo2022!
Mark Bradford is the Wisconsin based author of The Sword and the Sunflower. Mark is also a work-life & work-relationship coach, a podcaster, a public speaker, and a UAV pilot! His recent post-dystopian fiction title explores the aftermath of a catastrophe. It has been described by readers as "complex and interesting..." Find out more about this 'complex and interesting' author here on Myth and Magic!
How does a contest judge critique a manuscript for a literary prize? Here is valuable advice from an experienced judge at the highly respected North Street Book Prize. Annie offers practical tips, and she also chats about getting your manuscript ready for competition, the tendering process, and what contest judges look for. We also discuss the fantasy themes found in the novels of Joseph Conrad! This is an essential listen! Annie is an entertaining guest!
Jon DiSavino is a professional actor, podcast host, voice artist, and creator of Short Story Today, a new podcast show that combines his love of voice acting with his love of literature. We chatted about audiobook storytelling, creating good dialects for your narrative, Shakespearean fantasy, and what makes a story worth reading. A fun interview!
An interview with Los Angeles-based writer, award-winning composer, and sound designer Chris Porter who is the creator of a new audio sci-fi drama, SOLAR, with Jenny Curtis, that features Helen Hunt, Alan Cumming, Stephanie Beatriz, and Jonathan Bangs. We talk about ghosts, liminal spaces, and creating immersive literature!
Rise of the Ravenisha by P. Grace Lawson is a paranormal novel with action, humor, romance, and mystery. It encompasses fierce warrior women, power struggles, corrupt experiments, and were-panthers! In this show we discuss growing up in the South, and chat about poke sallet, gaited horses, great authors such as Zora Neale Hurston, and writing fantasy
Maryland historian Mary Kendall became a debut author with her tale of moonlit alleys, shadowy tunnels, and buried secrets. The Spinster's Fortune, a tale with gothic undertones, is about deceit in a family.
We chat about writing complex stories and weaving mystery into a manuscript
An interview with with the Pennsylvania based epic fantasy author J V Hilliard who recently arrived on the fantasy adventure scene with the first title in his Warminster Series. "The Last Keeper" is about a young boy who suffers prophetic visions. We chat about cryptids, fight scenes, and world building!
Short story author Shannon Lawrence has been described as the true queen of horror. She recently produced a nonfiction book “The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing". We chat about writing for anthologies, tips about writing shorts, and about how to come-up with ideas for horror!
An interview with tech founder Tanya Gough, who created the StoryBilder writing program. With a background in fantasy writing, Tanya takes a unique approach to teaching authorship and wanted to create a tool that would help writers with the theory & practice of writing as she aspires to provide a functional storytelling platform that will help authors manage & grow their plots!
What is hard fantasy? What is the so-called “Great Eagle Problem” that readers sometimes encounter in fantasy narratives? What does eucatastrophe mean? Also, why do some people resent artists and creatives? What bothers them about creativity?
How to get over a writing jam. Eight ways to overcome stagnation. What happens when momentum stops? Here's how to complete a semi-finished work
Today I discuss the healing magic and mythical wisdom of trees; and why you should describe their superpowers in your fantasy fiction
What's in a name? How to name a protagonist. Here are 7 ways to create an appropriate and memorable name for your principal character
My guest on the show is an author who has written half a million words! He is writing an organic epic… but what is an organic epic? Vance Neudorf is an award-winning author and podcaster, and creator of a 3-volume series of fantasy / science fiction audiobooks for young adults titled the Cor Series. Why is he writing an epic? Why is he giving his work away free?
This week I'm chatting with published author Melissa Sercia, who delivers racy and hot paranormal fantasies! We talked about writing a gripping romance, living in an urban fantasy world, and her popular Immortal Billionaire series of novels.
Who put the elf into Twelfth Night? Why is today so magical? Plus, what is the difference between propensity and plasticity in a character?
Many felicitations for the season... but who was Felicity? Also, in this episode, what is an epiphany? What are the pre-epiphany conditions? And five helpful & personal epiphanies that all authors should be ready for!
Here are 28 things readers don't want to see! Things that infuriate the reader! What we can learn from the best-selling authors of 2021
A spirited interview with super talented authors Marie Sinadjan + Meri Benson who collaborated to write Hotel Fen, a dark fantasy, that has loads of Norse mythology. We chat about the handcraft + ingenuity that goes into authoring as these two outstanding writers explain that they are composing music for the book, creating story-inspired treats, and designing artwork to accompany the project.
In the second half of NaNoWriMo we chatted with teen fantasy author Sarah Humpherys about taking the 50k word month-long challenge, and about landing herself an agent & publishing deal at the tender age of sixteen! Sarah also talks about world-building and the craft of authorship. Her new novel, titled Stone Cold, features themes on overcoming loss by making new relationships.
An interview with the New Mexico based fantasy author Cassie Sanchez. Cassie chats about writing love-scenes, creating tension and researching magic for her new novel, Chasing the Darkness, which features the angel of death.
This week I talk with award-winning English author Claire Buss. She chats about spice ghosts, the Gaia hypothesis, the golden squirrel awards, the rapid release strategy, author Wilbur Smith, and being the deputy editor of the Write On! magazine
Check out this engaging Myth & Magic interview with the editor of the latest Australian speculative fiction magazine — Etherea, for science fiction and fantasy fans!
An interview with paranormal investigator Dr. Kristy Sumner. She is a founding member of Soul Sisters Paranormal. Her team investigate paranormal activity using scientific methods. If you are writing about the spirit world, hauntings, ghosts, or poltergeists, you will want to listen to this informative and exciting show!
Paranormal: Why are ghosts found in haunted places? A study into haunting. Also, get creative — three easy ways to construct unique words for your fiction
Celebrating the 100th episode of the Myth & Magic podcast with the ten most popular shows so far. Also, break the yoke on your talent to take charge of your creativity!
What is the infinite transition process? How does it affect authorship (and a writer's reality?) Also, how to be proactive as a writer and what authors might learn from famous discoverers. Nine ways to be an adventurous writer.
How Göbekli Tepe gives us clues about how civilization begins. Are you brave enough to set your fantasy in 10,000 BC? Also, how to explore your para-other: three ways to change your regular line of thinking and become more creative.
The English fairy-tale landscape and how it inspires myth and magic. News about King Arthur's Stone. And why should you try to be an irresponsible artist — goof things up a little! Think like a monkey!
This week: understanding creative brain activity. Also, what we learn from J. R. R. Tolkien about writing epic fantasy, And the mysterious magic of the corn doll (also known as the corn mother)
Time to find the inner writer: where is your why? How do you fit into the creative puzzle we call authorship? Here's a little quiz to help you find a reason to write! Eight simple questions to find the human who sits behind the words...
What are Scissorhand Experiences? What makes a dynamic silver-screen character? Why do fantasy movies lead to the biggest breakthroughs in movie history? And, how can an author write a fantasy for the cinema? All these views, and more, discussed with film director Ali Khamseh
Talking about a new generation of horror with the talented storyteller, the 'Warning Woods' podcaster Miles Tritle. What makes a story scary? What are the essential ingredients of horror?
What is human-chauvinism? Are you guilty of writing chauvinistic fantasy? Also, entering the state of flow: do you get into the flow when you write (and what if you don't?) Plus, it's summer — but what are dog days?
What is audio drama? How does it differ from audio-books and podcasting? In my interview with English author Bibi Berki, we discuss audio storytelling and Bibi provides tips & ideas on how to prepare your fiction for audio
Interview with Generation Z poet and writer Rha Arayal, who talks about her encapsulated emotions and provides guidance on how to write intangible concepts
A useful definition of storytelling. Also, Project Cassandra, can fiction writers predict the future? Who was Cassandra? What is Kenning? Who were the filí ?
Fantasy author Birdy Rivers lives with two baby dragons (listen to the podcast to find out more!!) Birdy offers some helpful advice on world-building and suggests the best way to modernize a classic fairy tale...
This week the show is about the great problem of magic — it cannot heal nature. Magic has limits. But I think I found a solution...
How big was Gollum? How we can learn from Tolkien's ability to create monsters? Also, this is Litha's time. And what is a bugbear?
How to install a 4-part scare plan into your novel to make the story really terrifying! Plus, how to make your book pleasurable to read: Here's a helpful list of joyfulation ingredients
Interview with Somerset based British fantasy writer Sophy Layzell, the author of the YA dystopian novel "Measure of Days" and a theatre director, graphic artist and mum. Her next book "Upon All Men" is coming soon!
What is the point of mythological creatures? Why do humans dream-up things that scare them? Plus ten folk monsters you may not have met before. Also, what every experienced author has learned the hard way (good advice!)
The Canadian environmentalist & fantasy novelist talks about narrative responsibility and writing in the Anthropocene era. She addresses the main challenges facing writers and emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of place in fiction. She explains how to write metaphors and gives tips for writing action scenes. Nina also explains how courage & inspiration will help an author overcome fear to get the job done!
The mysterious mystique of the Maypole dance, the coronation of a May Queen, cutting the hawthorn wands, the May Day festivities and how all these ancient rites intertwine in a celebration and solemnization for the Goddess of Flowers.
Interview with Charles Sterling: The hardworking epic fantasy author chats about lazy fantasies and about writing a chapter a day to complete a book in a month —he also suggests offering free tea & biscuits to readers, so they visit a site more often — check the interview now on Myth & Magic
Warm-up exercises for a writing mind + how elves can help us understand the objective reality of what we cannot see
A useful list of scientific and pseudoscientific terms for parapsychological powers & abilities. An alpha-list of quasi-technical terminology for magical competencies. Also in this show: therianthropy and furry fandom plus the rise of the otherkin
Building belief: the nature of belief and how to establish unshakeable belief in your plots, in your characters and even in your author brand
Useful tips on audiobook narration + helpful advice on choreographing sword fighting scenes with Krista Wallace. Krista is an actor & vocalist (from Coquitlam, British Columbia) — and a successful author & storyteller. She narrates all her own work. More recently, she became an avid podcaster. Check out Neil's exciting interview with Krista here...
How to create unique exotic senses for your fantasy characters. Plus, the supernaturalism of ceramics... what are demon bowls?
Give your project a Nowruz spring-clean shake up! Six ways to revive a novel. Also, do your characters eat fear? How to use the hormonal cascade to convey a real sense of fear in characters. Also, discover genomic storytelling. Plus, how the syntony of recital will help give your story vitality.
What is the fluxus and how can authors use the principles of fluxus to revitalize their writing? Four tips to help you breathe new life into your project. Also, what is the dark triad and how can it help you write compelling megalomaniacs. Use the triad to describe truly cogent & utterly reprehensible evildoers!
What makes a good quest? What is transelemence? Can ghosts be seen in mirrors? Do mirrors act as portals to other dimensions? The definition of scyring. Also, tips on collecting magical items during heroic quests.
Manage your expectations as an author; What do you want from an authoring life? Where are you in the antholoxia? Are you the struggler? The dabbler? The disorientated? Here's how to get the best out of your potential
Is this dystopia right now? Are we living through a dystopian period? Here's a list of the essentials of dystopia. Also, where is your when? In what (historical) period should you set your fantasy? And, what is a Ceffyl Dŵr?
Who was the real Valentine? What do wolves have to do with Valentine's Day? What are Februa? And, what is the essential ingredient of fantasy? Poppins Paradox explored...
How insanely inventive can your monsters be? Be like Bosch in your monster creation and think surreal. Also, what is the curse of exoticism? How can you make your fantasy cogent & relevant without resorting to exoticism?
In search of the phoenix. Also, what does your protagonist worship? Why is documenting worship important for character development?
Are you playing the glad game? How the Pollyanna principle might help you develop a more authentic character. Plus: committing yourself to authorship in the New Year. Also, what is a wryneck? What has it got to do with bad luck?
Who is January? Is sacrifice about giving? How sacrifice can help your writing. Also, what is it like to be old? And how to use magical thinking in your novel
Six ways to supercharge your writing in the New Year. How to deal with criticism, neg feedback + the dreaded 2-star review and getting back your confidence to write. Also, Amazon warrior women — did they actually exist? Is Wonder Woman based on fact?
Where is Christmas? Strange overlaps of religions in Bethlehem. Also, the true story of Cinderella
Why does fantasy fiction so often focus on a theoretical "Disneyfied" mediæval Europe? Also, what is the most magical castle in Europe? And the true story of Little Red Riding Hood
How to deal with insomnia as a writer. Also, the true story of Snow White. And what are snow trolls?
Fairy doors are in the news. Why? What is the fairy council called? What are spriggans? How could green spriggans be related to the legend of King Arthur's Green Knight? Also, keep your imagination healthy during NaNoWriMo — here are seven tips that will help you overcome creative block
This week a special show for NaNoWriMo authors: Five exciting ways you can over-deliver on your novel. Also, working on applied writing with cause & effect
In preparation for National Novel Writing Month we discuss building a basic structure for your new novel. And how to avoid using the orphan protagonist trope in fantasy fiction
This week the fantasy writer's podcast chats to Wisconsin based Jean Lee, author of the "Fallen Princeborn" series of young adult novels. Jean is a busy mother, so how does she find time to write? What can she tell us about magical portals?
Will goddess Freyja help you create new things in October? How does a storyteller write acoustically? How will acoustic writing help in the development of your novel? How does a novelist compare to a recording artist?
The staleness of the Dark Lord trope and why you should use the “banality of evil” theory to create a truly realistic antagonist for your next fantasy fiction project. Also, a handy list of dark-lord flaws and a list of traits associated with psychopaths.
What is a chronicle? What makes a good chronicler? How to write a chronicle and why you should be careful when choosing to write a dead chronicle. Also, what are cup and ring markings? And how are cup markings related to cosmic worlds? Visit the Badger Stone to study cup marks and think about cyclical time.
How did the Phoenician port of Leptis Magna come to be in a grassy garden in Surrey, England where it would become known as the Folly of Augustus? Also, Rathlin Island is in the news — but where is it? And why would Rathlin be a great location for your next fantasy fiction title?
What is Hecate's Supper? Why should we celebrate the triple-bodied goddess of boundaries on the liminal night of September 16th? Plus, twenty things people hate about fantasy fiction!
What is adult contemporary fantasy? Interview with Amanda Fleet, author of the Guardians of The Realm series
What is a clootie well? Where is Albion? And, in news, the Old Apple Tree is declared dead. Plus, are you writing fantasy fiction?
Who were the Fir Bolg and Fomorians? What are the 13 treasures of island Britain? Also, what are celestial skyfish? Are they an undiscovered species or perhaps lifeforms from another dimension?
Snailbeach, the Stiperstones, and the diafol. Also, ABCs such as the Beast of Exmoor; and why Catholic monks are associated with witch thimbles
This week: Stonehenge sarsens from West Woods, near Marlborough. Plus, celestial trumpets and dhampir. Also, what are Clarke's three laws?
What is an elemental? Who was Paracelsus? How to be sure a witness had a truly phantasmal experience. Also, wulvers, and the beast of Bray Road.
What are nervimotional staples? And why, perhaps, aesthetics are worth considering when writing convincing characters. Also, how to create persuasive magic realism and visit the mystical Rollrights to see where the witch, Ursula Soothtell, turned a King and his men into stone.
How and why are dragon paths connected to tumuli? Who or what is goblinoid? Where do Tommyknockers originate? And what is a firedrake?
This week look at paracosms and the bardo and ask what an F.P.P. is and why having a fantasy prone personality will help you build convincing worlds for your readers. Also study the locus amaneus and learn why you should incorporate this literary device into your project
What is a witch? Learn how to identify different types of witch. Where does the middle-English word wicche originate? What is wicca? Who or what is the horned god? Who or what is the earth mother? Who was Cernunnos?
Where does fantasy begin? This week we examine the effect of liminality and ask, what is a recognition threshold? Also, when will crossover to an otherworld most likely occur? And what has this to do with rites of passage?
A definition of fantasy. Do you play with wonder & amazement? Here are useful game patterns that can help you write fantasy fiction. Do you employ experiential learning processes in your writing? What is constructive imagination? Are you still fanciful or are you becoming becoming aphantasic? Also, tips on how to be energetic in your thoughtgames. Plus, do you dare test your current project for novelty?
Who were the Saxons? Where did the Battle of Badon Hill take place? Why do some people declare they descend from Anglo-Saxons to justify ideologies based on patriotic Englishness?
And did King Arthur ever defeat them?
Everything you needed to know about angels and angelology. The angelic hierarchy and the difference between seraphs, cherubs and archangels
What is a damsel? What is the Godzilla effect? What is dark fantasy and what are the challenges in writing a good dark fantasy novel? What is the difference between a myth and a fairy tale?
Hidden within the physicality of rock & wood is the ineffable numinous nature of the universe. This is animism. Inanimate objects once spoke to our ancestors — does everything have spiritual essence? What is the difference between a warg and a direwolf? Also, this week —7 types of storyline
How did suspense writer Dean Koontz predict the coronavirus outbreak? An interesting article about the natural & supernatural abilities that authors might have to mysteriously predict the future. What role does the muse play in their divination? Also, what is the difference between an oath and a pledge? And what are the phases of a quest?
What is Beltany? How should you use threnody in fantasy fiction? The definition of knighthood. What is the Order of the Hatchet? Wildflower of the week: Henbane
What is an æsc? What is a maeven? Also, what makes a peasant? How should you describe the peasantry (serfs and villeins) that are found in your fantasy fiction villages?
Who was Hippocrates and what did he believe in? What are paranormal beliefs and how would you use them in your fantasy fiction? And the definition of a dragon.
Where does the word Easter come from? Who was Ēostre? What exactly is a King? What is genius loci and how would you use it to create atmosphere in your fantasy fiction? Wildflower of the week: Violet
What is epic? What are the ingredients that make fiction epic? Tips on how to write your own epic. Also, advice on creating chimaera and my own list of fabulous creatures for my bestiary. Plus in this show, anchorites & anchorholds. The wildflower of the week: bluebell
The definition of wonder and how to use the emotion in your fantasy fiction. Also, tips on how to use the wonder-equation to provide a truly wonderful reading experience for your audience. Plus: Create a robust & credible magic system for your fictional project. Wild flower of the week: anemone
The imagery of feathers. What is sorcery (maleficium) and how should you use it in your fantasy and fiction project? What is an existential crisis? New science about vampires. Wild flower: Primrose
Everything you need to know about using swords & swordplay in your fantasy fiction project. Also, how to use a talisman in your story. Plus, how many St Patrick's were there? What was he like? Who or what was Lorelei? What is Betony?
The definition of magic: What is sympathetic magic? What is ceremonial magic? Wildflower of the week: the enchanting Daffodil
In this show I provide indispensable advice for all fantasy fiction writers. I'm worried that some of you might have lost contact with the transmundane. So, l provide the definition of magical & give useful tips that will help you conjure-up bewonderment before your next fantasy project. Also, in this show, find out why reading Dickens is good for your mental health. And take a closer look at the Celts as we study the Roman invasion of Britannia
Visit Broadstairs on the mysterious & ancient Isle of Thanet to discover if Victorian author Charles Dickens was the world's first author-blogger and wattpadder. Was he the world's first successful authorpreneur? Also, what is Ash Wednesday? What does Shrove mean? Where does the word quarantine come from?
Discover the best route to writing your fantasy fiction project. Visit Jamaica Inn. Learn how the Romans absorbed the Greek civilization and eventually the enslaved became the masters
In this bumper edition we visit the land of Canti, and while we are in the Kingdom of Kent, we visit the haunted towers of Reculver. For your writing project, we analyze — in depth — the different types of P.O.V. that you might want to use for your fantasy fiction project and we talk about their advantages and disadvantages. And continuing the series on Rome, we look at the expansion of the Roman State.
How to conjure a truly three-dimensional fantasy character for your novel. Go out on an Apple Wassail in rural England to meet The Apple Man. Investigate the Pantheon of the Roman Gods as we continue exploring the foundation of the Roman civilization. Also, who is Numa? Did he have a water nymph as a girlfriend?
Look at seven fantasy plot-lines and discuss the plotter approach to compare it with the pantser approach. Decide which plot you will use for your next writing project. Begin a study into classical Rome by asking: who was there before the Romans arrived? Also, consider the possibility that we still live in "Roman times." And compare the Romans with The Borg from Star Trek!
This special New Year edition has tips for starting your own fantasy fiction project — I provide you with thematic suggestions to get you started. What is your big idea? Also, I look into Hogmanay, find out who Enki was and discover the ancient origins of January.
Is Father Christmas a deep folk memory of the ancient Yulefather? Are Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Saint Nicholas of Myra, and Sir Christmas all memories of this same pagan character? How do reindeer figure in the Christmas tradition? What is Yule? What is a Yule Goat? When is the Night of Mothers? Who is Zwarte Piet? Who is Krampus? Where do the Christkindl celebrations originate? And what's so magical about mistletoe? Also in this show: news on the Cottingley Fairies photos. And what is a psychopomp?
Visit Dozymary pool in Cornwall and discover why The Enchantress, Coventina, Vagdavercustis, Ceridwen, Viviane / Nimue and even Saint Brigid of Kildare might all be the same character: The Lady of the Lake.