The Novel Analyst Podcast: Creative Writing Advice & Author Interviews

My in-depth thoughts on Shadows of Self (Mistborn, #5) by Brandon Sanderson.Email: jed@jedherne.comBooknest Reviews: https://booknest.eu/review-2/jed--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabriel Bergmoser and I sat down to discuss The Hunted (his latest thriller novel) in depth. This is the third time I've interviewed him, and somehow he keeps getting better. The Hunted is my favourite book of his and it was enthralling to dive into the mind of its creator. Enjoy!   Buy The Hunted here:  https://www.gabrielbergmoser.com/novels.html  @gobergmoser www.gabrielbergmoser.com  ------------------------------ Let me know what you thought on twitter: @jedherne  ------------------------------ And if you'd like to try my own books, check out Fires of the Dead - a fast-paced fantasy novella, perfect for fans of The Hunted: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I chat with Rob for the second time to discuss his latest grimdark fantasy trilogy, The War Eternal. The trilogy follows Eska, a young magician struggling to reconcile her urges for revenge with her longing for human connection. The books include: Along the Razor’s Edge The Lessons Never Learned From Cold Ashes RisenWe also talk about overcoming doubts, Rob’s techniques for building captivating fantasy worlds, and which of his characters he’d share isolation with. Enjoy!Show Notes:My BookNest review of The Lessons Never Learned: https://bit.ly/jedreviewsRob’s twitter: @RoboftheHayesRob’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHeresyWithinRob’s blog: http://www.robjhayes.co.uk/***My twitter: @JedHerne--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red Country is an innovative and captivating work, merging the fantasy and western genres into something new and fresh. A big part of its success are Abercrombie's vivid and immersive descriptive language. This episode dissects how to write setting descriptions that make readers feel like they're part of your story's world. Show Notes:My fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars, is free on Amazon until 01/05/2020! Get it here: https://amzn.to/2Ya3WEfPrevious episodes on Joe Abercrombie's books: Episode 50: Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - A Simple Way to Craft Compelling Characters Episode 7: The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie - Exploring Theme Episode 2: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie - Characterisation through Contradiction--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to write stories where readers' decisions affect the outcome? Kate Heartfield is an author of several historical fantasy and interactive fiction stories, including The Road to Canterbury, and The Magician’s Workshop, published by Choice of Games. Her fiction has won or been shortlisted for the Nebula, Locus, Aurora and Crawford awards.Twitter: @kateheartfieldWebsite: heartfieldfiction.comShow Notes:The Magician's Workshop - her interactive fiction story set in Renaissance Florence.Jed's twitter: @jedherneJed's email: jed.herne1(at)gmail.com--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob J. Hayes is the author of the Amazon Best Selling The Heresy Within, the SPFBO-winning piratical swashbuckler Where Loyalties Lie, and the critically acclaimed Never Die. Website: www.robjhayes.co.ukTwitter: @RoboftheHayesShow Notes: My grimdark fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, just became the #1 bestseller on Amazon's 'Fantasy Adventure Fiction', 'Sword & Sorcery', and various other charts. Read it here: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead My Novel Analyst episode 46 on Never Die by Rob J. Hayes: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/46--Never-Die-by-Rob-J--Hayes---Choreographing-Excellent-Ensemble-Casts-easrko Novel Analyst episode 41 on The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/41--The-Ember-Blade-by-Chris-Wooding---Nailing-the-Opening-48-Pages-e96cua--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I analyse the brilliant dynamics behind Rob J. Hayes' eclectic crew in his wonderful grimdark fantasy book, Never Die. Enjoy!Show Notes:Listen to me read chapter 1 of my latest fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/Sneak-Peek---Chapter-1-of-Across-the-Broken-Stars---My-Upcoming-Space-Fantasy-Novel-ea9cnk/a-a1b1bre (Or just scroll down in this podcast feed to find it manually). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy a copy here: https://jedherne.com/brokenAnd if you buy a copy before midnight Feb 9th, email your receipt to jed.herne1@gmail.com  to receive free bonuses, including: The unedited first draft (which was 20 000 words shorter than the final novel) My original outline A free companion short story Other behind-the-scenes looks into my process.Enjoy!Full Blurb:Leon has a secret. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space.He failed.Now, Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim…Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation?Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An in-depth look at creating interesting, cohesive magic that improves your story in meaningful ways. Show Notes:My interview with Justin, author of Master of Sorrows: https://novelanalyst.com/2020/01/07/justin-call-interview/My upcoming space fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49125250-across-the-broken-stars--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Call graduated from Harvard University in 2012 with a Master's in Literature and Creative Writing. He has studied fantasy literature for almost two decades and is the author of Master of Sorrows, Book 1 of The Silent Gods tetralogy. Justin is also the CEO of Broomstick Monkey Games and co-designer of the games Imperial Harvest, Royal Strawberries, Royal Scum, and 8 Kingdoms. He currently lives in Park City, Utah with his wife, his two sons, his Great Dane (Pippa) and his St. Bernard-Mastiff (Herbie).Show Notes:https://justintcall.com/https://twitter.com/Justin_T_Callhttps://justintcall.com/master-of-sorrows/Justin's top writing-advice books/resources:- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder- The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell- The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell- The Writing Excuses podcast- 101 Habits of Highly Effective Writers- 101 Habits of Highly Effective ScreenwritersJustin's top books/authors:- 'Crowfall' by Ed McDonald- Book of the Ancestor Series by Mark Lawrence- Anything by Brandon Sanderson (I second this suggestion). My notes:Half-Baked Stories podcast@jedherne (Twitter, Instagram)jedherne.com--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cohesion and resonance. More than anything else, they're what will elevate your story above the rest, and leave readers thinking long after the final page. Show Notes:Send me your questions: https://jedherne.com/question/Or: jed.herne1[at]gmail.comListen to my in-depth analysis of an amazing fight scene: https://novelanalyst.com/2019/10/16/38-words-of-radiance-by-brandon-sanderson-giving-readers-chills/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For months, I’ve been struggling with how to write a series. See, most of my ideas come to me as stand-alone books, but this current project felt like something bigger than one novel.A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany.Now, I think I’ve cracked the code on writing a series.And today I’ll share it with you.Show Notes:Lessons from the Screenplay video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4x9mplwN3Lo My interview on A Writer’s Explorations A huge Q & A writing talk I gave to primary school studentsMy previous episode analysing Skulduggery Pleasant Book 6 – Death BringerDerek’s 2010 blog article that I quotedThe Anatomy of Story by John TrubySave the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake SnyderSEND ME A QUESTION:jed.herne1(at)gmail.comOrJedHerne.com/Question--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.