Myth and Magic

Myth & Magic Episode 28

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

Myth & Magic Episode 27

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

Myth & Magic Episode 26

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?

Myth & Magic Episode 25

The definition of magic: What is sympathetic magic? What is ceremonial magic? Wildflower of the week: the enchanting Daffodil

Myth & Magic Episode 24

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

Myth & Magic Episode 23

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?

Episode 22

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

Episode 21

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.

Myth & Magic Episode 20

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?

Myth & Magic Episode 19

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!

Myth & Magic Episode 18

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.

Myth & Magic Episode 17

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 psy...

Myth & Magic Episode 16

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.

Myth & Magic Episode 15

Discover why Harry is a warlock and not, strictly speaking, a wizard. Delve into the earliest origins of Wōden Wizard mythology before examining the definition of a warlock and touch upon witch trials in early-modern Scotland. Take a look at Daemonologie. Think about the Roman roads of Britannia and how they probably influenced the Kingsroad (and other straight roads) in fiction. Also, as a fantasy writer, think about Chekhov's Gun. Wildflower of the week: The Wake Robin.

Myth & Magic Episode 14

What is the definition of a wizard? Here we examine the origin of Merlin the wizard and see how he is curiously connected with all later wizards — both imaginary and real — from Faust to Nostradamus, to Doctor John Dee and Sir Edward Kelley — and onto Gandalf, Dumbledore, The Doctor (Who) and even Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Also in this episode we look at The Staffordshire Hoard and learn how this discovery might explain dragon gold.

Myth & Magic Episode 13

This week we look at how boundaries between our earthly world and the netherworld become blurred during the liminal period of Hallowe'en and during Diwali. we also discover the origin of Jack o' Lantern and look at Yalis. Magical plant: Neeps.

Myth & Magic Episode 12

Take a closer look at the life of Roald Dahl to see how his lifetime experiences probably helped to shape his fictional worlds. Also study, in some detail, the historical differences between a Duchy, a County and a Shire — to learn how these administrative terms began, so you can use them confidently in your own fantasy fiction title.

Myth & Magic Episode 11

Think about keywords for your Gothic fiction project. Go on a pilgrimage to Whitby, North Yorkshire where the very first person to write in the English language - the Anglo-Saxon poet Cædmon - once sat upon the clifftop to create his song. There's exciting news about Andrzej Sapkowski's series: The Witcher Saga. And we define what it is to be Bohemian. We take a closer look at Bogles or Boggarts. The wildflower of the week is Hops.

Myth & Magic Episode 10

Prepare for a trip to Whitby by learning about the origins of vampires. Think about the season of Asgard Fall and find out why Pirates tend to speak with a zummerzet or mummerset accent. Look at Conkers dropped from a Horse Chestnut tree, also known as Buckeye.

Myth & Magic Episode 9

This week we consider creating toponymy for your notional world by first visiting Ad Pontes and then providing tips on naming places when you begin your world-building. We also visit Old Windsor and look at Britain's Minsters. We learn about the Forbes list of Best YA Fantasy Novels Of All Time; We study therianthropy, we check-out Skinwalkers and take a closer look at Selkies and Finnfolk. The magical wildflower of the week is: Bulrush.

Myth & Magic Episode 8

Start prepping for NANOWRIMO as you begin plotting your fantasy fiction novel, and look at the various stage of a Hero's Journey and consider Markstein's criteria when constructing your fantasy universe. Visit the Celtic Way and consider the race of Celts. Discuss the Guardian list of the 100 best books of the 21st century and imagine what books might be added to Gwyneth Paltrow's (empty) bookcase. The Wildflower of the week is Blackberry.

Myth & Magic Episode 7

Go high onto the moors and heaths this week when I travel to Exmoor to explore how moorland habitats have been used by fiction writers to convey the sense of wilderness, wildness and magic. Learn about Pixie mythology and visit the ancient village of Withypool where Lorna Dorne was written. I think about using scrying in fantasy fiction plots and talk about floating timelines. I also examine ABCs also known as phantom cats or mystery cats. The magical wildflower of the week is Morning Glory.

Myth & Magic Episode 6

This week I visit the tower that inspired the story of the trapped maiden in a tower: Rapunzel. I visit Chateau Brametourte, in Lautrec, for my daughter's wedding. I look at Apotropaic marks a.k.a. witch marks. I also consider cryptids and I discuss the work of Michael Swanwick. My wildflower of the week is the Sunflower

Myth & Magic Episode 5

This week I describe four darkly magical castles of England before I head off to France to stay at the 11th century Chateau de Brametourte. I visit the Cerne Abbas Giant to see the big cleanup, I think about Indigo Children, discuss synchronicity and look at the cockatrice. The magical wildflower of the week is Belladona.

Myth & Magic Episode 4

This week I visit Oakley Court castle, where the Rocky Horror Picture Show was filmed. This leads me to think about how science fiction differs from fantasy fiction. I discuss the origins of science fiction, a genre that goes back further than you might think! I also discuss standing stone circles and introduce fantasy fiction fans to the remarkable similarities between aliens and faeries. And, anyway, what's the official definition of a fairy? I congratulate Zen Cho, the author of “The True...

Myth & Magic Episode 3

This week I consider Old Father Thames and have a conversation about other river gods and later go deeper into the river Naiads. I visit the Lammas Fields and look out how, at Lammastide, the local medieval monks potentially inspired our image of Father Time and also, even, death. I discuss the Grianan of Aileach and talk more about the Wanderer (Woden) who probably inspired the fictional figures of Merlin and later Gandalf. I also discuss the bildungsroman genre of fiction. My magical word ...

Myth and Magic - Fantasy Writers Kitbag

This week I take a trip to Shrewsbury in the Welsh Marches via The Wrekin — the landscape that inspired Tolkien's Middle Earth and there I talk about the Horned God and the origins of the Arthurian legends. I visit Eaton... the "real" Hogwarts for my birthday and I discuss the life of Toni Morrison (RIP). Later I discover the magical power of True Names and study the three types of myth. My fabulous creature of the week is: the Swan Maiden. My wildflower of the week is: Chili Pepper

Myth and Magic - Fantasy Writers Kitbag - Episode 1