Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something different: I'm breaking down the opening lines of my own fantasy short story, “Songs for the Dead and Drowning”, to show exactly what goes into crafting voice, world, and mood from line one. From interiority to pacing to metaphor as worldbuilding, this is a deep dive into how fantasy prose can do the heavy lifting without getting heavy-handed.

We unpack why opening lines don’t need to scream for attention, how subtle choices build tension and character, and what it means to balance clarity with intrigue. I walk through the themes, structure, and sentence-level decisions that shape the story’s hook, and yes, I also critique my own writing with full transparency (and occasional self-roasting).

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt question from a fantasy author: how do you write a slow-burn romance in fantasy that keeps readers hooked instead of tuning out? If your lovers can’t be together (yet), how do you keep the tension crackling without stalling the plot?

We dig into the alchemy of slow burns: what makes them work, what makes them drag, and why pacing isn’t the same as being slow. From Kaguya-sama: Love is War to The Witcher, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Green Bone Saga, we unpack how romantic subtext, emotional intimacy, and narrative function turn subtle glances into story gold. Plus, we break down the do’s and don’ts of relationship development, how to avoid “convenient chemistry,” and why your romance should mess with your world, not float beside it.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to video from popular YouTuber Alyssa Matesic about the worst writing advice on the internet, but my commentary will be through the lens of the fantasy genre. From “Show Don’t Tell” to “Write Every Day,” we’re unpacking why common writing rules don’t always hold up in fantasy, and how to apply (or ignore) them without compromising your world, your story, or your voice.

Here's a link to Alyssa's full video, where you can also subscribe to her channel!

Want your question about fantasy writing featured on the show? Email your advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.