Dissecting Dragons

Part 1 of a 2 part episode The dragons are back and gearing up for spooky season. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at the thorny issue of 'details'. Speculative fiction can, by it's very nature, require extensive world building which in turn requires plenty of detail. But how do you know what to include or exclude? How much detail should you go for? Is there such a thing as too much detail? On the slab this week - The Book of Strange New Things - Michel Faber, Fire & Hemlock and Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones, Lorna Doone - R D Blackmoore and many more.    Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Please note this episode contains spoilers for all the shows and books mentioned! It's the human in superhuman which is the interesting aspect of the superhero genre, which is why the genre is so good at holding up a dark mirror to the worst aspects of humanity as well as being aspiration. This week Jules and Madeleine delve into the murky waters of dark superheroes looking at parallels between fame, money, consumerism and politics. How are superheroes the new pantheon of gods? Isn't a dark superhero just a villain? And why are writers drawn to telling these stories?  On the slab this week - The Boys, The Umbrella Academy, Velveteen vs by Seanan McGuire and many more.   This is the season finale but the dragons will be back in September.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Not every story can be or needs to be high octane intensity. In fact some of the best books are objectively quiet affairs. Low stakes does not mean low story or lack of compelling reading or viewing experience however. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at why low stakes can be just as enthralling as high stakes, and in many ways can provide deeper connections between the reader and the characters. How do you make a low stakes story compelling? What are the dos and don'ts of writing low stakes? And how do you keep a reader's attention focused on your MC when the world isn't ending? On the slab this week - Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness, Swordheart by T Kingfisher and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Myths and stories from the classical world have always been popular inspiring works of art, poetry, books and plays across centuries. Lately, Greek mythology has enjoyed an even bigger revival powered by the era of the 'feminist retelling'. However, while many of these books may be enjoyable stories in their own right, they are almost always bad retellings of the original source material - although 'original' is a relative term. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a frank look at why this happens, why overlaying a modern lens over literature that is several thousand years old is often doomed to failure and how you can find a balance between anachronistically modern and incomprehensively contemporaneous with the original. On the slab this week - A Thousand Ships - Natalie Haynes, The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller, The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Every profession has at some point suffered from misrepresentation in fiction, however the inaccurate way writers are often depicted in screenplays is especially ironic. However, the dragons do acknowledge that exaggeration and outright fabrication often make for better storytelling so with that in mind, Jules and Madeleine take a look at the main writer character types used in fiction. From tormented geniuses to hardbitten hacks, this tongue in cheek episode is full of characterisation ideas if you ever want to include a writer character in your own writing. On the slab this week - Argylle, Limitless, The Help and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

If you're a long term listener, you'll already be aware that the concept of 'genre' is mostly just a tool to aid categorisation, especially when it comes to selling books. That said, there are points on the timeline that are considered recognised emergence points for specific major genres. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at the evolution of fantasy: where did the idea come from? When did it diverge from fairy tales and folklore? And how did it become the speculative fiction power house genre it is today?   Part 2 of a 2 part episode.   Title music - Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

If you're a long term listener, you'll already be aware that the concept of 'genre' is mostly just a tool to aid categorisation, especially when it comes to selling books. That said, there are points on the timeline that are considered recognised emergence points for specific major genres. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at the evolution of fantasy: where did the idea come from? When did it diverge from fairy tales and folklore? And how did it become the speculative fiction power house genre it is today? Part 1 of a 2 part episode. Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dinosaurs and prehistoric megafauna have been capturing human imagination for centuries. Certain myths may well have been partially shaped by the discovery of dinosaur bones, whilst our progressing understanding of the dinosaurs 180 million year reign and how it ended, has coloured our understanding of our own place in the natural order.  No surprise then that dinosaurs should appear in so much fiction - both written and staged or filmed. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at why these creatures hold such fascination for us, and why they have bled into fantasy and science fiction in a way that cannot be erased. Under the microscope this week: Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton, The Palaeontologist - Luke Dumas, Dinotopia and many more.    Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic 

Storytelling is a powerful tool for exploring difficult issues - both in terms of catharsis and also at a distance. This is especially true for death and bereavement. While the dragons have discussed grief in speculative fiction before, this week they are examining bereavement as a storytelling mode in its own right. How do you write bereavement in a way that isn't overwhelming, off-putting or just false? What are the popular tropes which explore this issue? And just why might you include it in sff anyway? On the slab this week - Fruits Basket, Star Trek: Discovery, A Symphony of Echoes - Jodi Taylor and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

It's time for another episode in the fairytales in focus series and this week the dragons are delving into one of the best known and (inexplicably?) best beloved. The tale of the Sleeping Beauty has gone through many permutations over the centuries and most likely has an oral tradition that was even older. It has been co-opted by Medieval Romantic poetry, pops up in Norse sagas, and was even used as code for aspects of Gnostic Christian movements. So what is it about this story which is so enduring? Is it the cursed child theme? The political coding in some versions? Or does it resonate with something even deeper? Find out in this weeks extended episode. On the slab this week - The Witchwood Knot - Olivia Atwater, A Long Long Sleep - Anna Sheehan, Tchaikovsky's ballet and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic 

The villain who redeems themself is a highly popular trope, but so is it's mirror and sister trope - the hero who becomes the villain. Operating on the assumption that no one is born 'bad', this trope is an engaging look at how someone might gradually descend into villainy and not even realise until after they have arrived.  This week, the dragons discuss how to tackle this storyline in a way that is believable and leaves your reader feeling satisfied by the story rather than cheated. On the slab this week - Star Wars, Breaking Bad, Dune - part II and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Nineteenth century novels remain rich fodder both for adaptation and complete reimagining. However, it is rarely as easy as writers and screenwriters believe to strike the balance between respect for the source material, alteration to provide accessibility for a modern audience and presenting the themes which made the book a classic in the first place. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at what can go right and what can go horribly wrong when using classics as the basis for your story. Under the microscope this week - Ill Will - Michael Stewart, Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding, Persuasion and many more. (This is part two of a two part episode)   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Nineteenth century novels remain rich fodder both for adaptation and complete reimagining. However, it is rarely as easy as writers and screenwriters believe to strike the balance between respect for the source material, alteration to provide accessibility for a modern audience and presenting the themes which made the book a classic in the first place. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at what can go right and what can go horribly wrong when using classics as the basis for your story. Under the microscope this week - Iron Mask - Tina Connelly, Jane Steele - Lyndsey Faye, Wide Sargasso Sea and many more. (This is part one of a two part episode)   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

From unlikely and surprisingly hardy explorers to accidental time travellers, adventure fiction combines the best of wonder and thrilling pace. Understandably seen as popcorn fiction by some due to its focus on pacey events and in-the-nick-of-time rescues, adventure fiction has a surprisingly long and distinguished pedigree. This week Jules and Madeleine travel back through the adventure fiction family tree, tracing it's origins forward to the slick Hollywood blockbusters and fast paced modern reads. Above all, the dragons focus on why this type of content is fun and engaging - something which various genres are capitalising on. On the slab this week - The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas, The Lost City, Indiana Jones and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

After a brief sabbatical, the dragons are back with an all new set of episodes!   This week, Jules and Madeleine delve into the folkloric symbolism and the physical reality of the seasons. Many writers overlook the importance of the seasons, and the various levels on which we interact with them, which means they miss an easy  opportunity for world building, character development, atmosphere and symbolism. How do seasons work in your fantasy world? Does your protagonist follow an agricultural, astrological, or personal calendar? How does the season reflect the mood? Can the changing of the seasons be symbolic of the character’s journey? These are all worth considering! On the slab this week - George R R Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire, Tamora Pearce - Circle of Magic, The Hamartia Cycle and many more. 

An interesting slant on both the animal companion and the soul mate tropes, is the 'soul bonded animal' trope. It's been popular in sci-fi and fantasy for many decades but is reaching new levels of popularity with the recent wave of new fantasy.  But what is it about being emotionally and psychically connected to an animal - especially a fantastical animal - which captures the imagination? Why is it so much easier to swallow than the equally intense (in a different direction) fated mates trope? And just how can the soul-bound animal companion help move on the story and shape the main characters arc? Follow the dragons down the rabbit hole this week as they delve in to all these questions and more. On the slab: Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros, The Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey, Hid Dark Materials - Philip Pullman, Faebound -  Saari El-Arifi and many more. Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Heroic fantasy better know as Sword & Sorcery, is one of the oldest forms of modern fantasy. It's arguably the progenitor or at least co-parent of both Noblebright and Grimdark, as well as influencing several other subgenres of sci fi and fantasy. And yet despite this, despite its greater accessibility than Epic fantasy, Sword & Sorcery does not enjoy an unblemished reputation. This week the dragons take a look at why and whether that grimy reputation is deserved. In addition, what is is about Sword & Sorcery that so easily captures the imagination? How has it evolved over the decades? And is it pure esca[ism, or are there deeper themes? On the slab this week: Robert E Howard's Conan the Barbarian, Xena Warrior Princess, Ladyhawk, Silverglass by J F Rivkin and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Have you ever noticed how often a lynchpin character is not, in fact, 'the chosen one'? Or how many times a simple, mundane skill or a knack for being friendly and straight forward saves the day while high powered, flashy characters flounder? This week Jules and Madeleine look at why a 'kitchen hero' - someone who thinks about things like seeing to the horses' hooves or foraging for edible plants or sewing or organising - is an essential character in sci-fi and fantasy. These characters usually don't possess cool powers or above average ability with a sword. Often they're the ones every is surprised made it as far as they did. And yet, when you really pick apart their story arc, you discover that the entire mission would have failed without them. On the slab this week: Lord of the Rings, Heart's Blood - Juliet Marillier, Swordheart - T. Kingfisher and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Aesthetic movements becoming literary genres is not a new thing; nor is the waxing and waning in fashion of those aesthetics. One such example which is enjoying something of a renaissance is 'cottagecore'. The celebration of a back to basics simple, rural life with emphasis on low conflict and high crafting has reached a huge level of popularity. Not surprising considering the recent slew of socio-economic and geo-political events over the last half a dozen or so years. But how do you add an aesthetic to your writing? What makes cottagecore so versatile and able to overlay a variety of genres? And is it technically a genre in it's own right yet? Find out in this week's episode. Under the microscope this week: Practical Magic, Bloom - Delilah S Dawson, Kiki's Delivery Service and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

The dragons are starting the year with the controversial take that sometimes the film adaptation of a story is better than the book. Obviously this is a bold take as any book worm will tell you, but is there any truth in it? How much is down to personal preference or accessibility of story? How much is a result of what media you engage with first? And are there stories where the adaptation goes in a completely different direction and does better with the original material than the book? Find out in this week's episode. On the slab - The Witches of Eastwick - John Updike, Wicked - Gregory McGuire, Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine and many more.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic