In this episode of the WorldCraft Club podcast, James and Dave dive into the perennial debate about whether Star Wars is science fiction or science fantasy. Building on a previous discussion with Seth on genre from an author's perspective, they now explore it from a broader, more critical angle. They discuss various elements of genre classification, especially focusing on the definitions and roles of science fiction and science fantasy. The conversation touches on the differences in narrative focus between these genres, the historical roots of science fiction, and how genre categorization can influence both the creation and reception of imaginative works. The episode also covers the aesthetic versus thematic approach to genre and the idea of genre as a useful but ultimately flexible tool for both creators and critics.

Key Takeaways

• Both aesthetic (like spaceships and lasers) and thematic (social change, technological friction) elements are crucial in defining a genre. Authors should consider how these elements shape and impact their story.
• Genre definitions are useful but should not be restrictive. Authors should use genre tags flexibly to guide their creativity and storytelling, rather than feeling constrained by them. Remember, at the end of the day your genre helps readers choose your story. Let the critics worry about the nitty gritty.

Links and Sundry

• Dave's books! - Read them, now!
• Dave's Insta
• The WorldCraft Club's LinkTree where you'll find everything you need for life.

In this episode of The Worldcraft Club, host James and guest Seth delve into the complex topic of genre and its impact on storytelling and worldbuilding. They explore the dual-edged nature of genre as both a helpful guide for setting reader expectations and a restrictive boundary for creative expression. Seth shares his seasoned perspective on genre, discussing how it has influenced and sometimes constrained his prolific writing career. He argues that focusing on tropes rather than strict genre classifications offers a more flexible and rewarding approach to both creating and marketing stories. The conversation also touches on the emotional and professional challenges authors face when they're typecast into specific genres and Seth’s personal experiences dealing with this issue. The episode wraps up with practical advice for writers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining creative freedom by embracing tropes to avoid being boxed into a single genre.

1. Genre vs. Tropes: Genre serves as a marketing tool and a communication shorthand for readers, but it can be restrictive for writers. Instead, focusing on tropes allows for more creative freedom and can help maintain audience engagement across various genres.

2. Creative Freedom: Writers often feel typecast into specific genres by their audience's expectations. Transitioning to a trope-based approach can alleviate this constraint, enabling authors to explore different genres while maintaining core thematic elements.

3. Career Sustainability: For established authors, adhering to favorite tropes rather than fixed genres supports artistic expression and prevents creative stagnation, ultimately benefiting both the author's well-being and the longevity of their career.

Links and Sundry

• The only link you'll ever need - this is our linktree and has access to everything we have including the hallowed Worldbuilder's Journal and our Discord (weekly hangouts!)
• Here's a subscriber link to our YouTube Channel with tons of videos for your viewing pleasure.
• This specific episode on YouTube!

In this episode of the WorldCraft Club podcast, the hosts dive into the intricate relationship between worldbuilding and storytelling, particularly focusing on the concepts of systems and progression. They discuss how overly complex systems can overshadow character arcs and the importance of limiting the agents of change in a story. Using examples such as Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and the popular series Arcane, they explore how to effectively integrate technological advancements and political systems into narratives without detracting from character development. They also touch on the growing genre of progression fantasy, where the focus is on incremental changes and the evolution of a character's power over time.

Key takeaways for writers:

• Keep your systems few and directly relevant to the story where possible. Limiting change agents.
• Keep your systems simple if you must include them. All systems can easily grow out of your control and the simpler the better.
• For all systems its wise to include a character or significant story where possible to keep the reader's interest (and your own!).

Links and Sundry

• The only link you'll ever need - this is our linktree and has access to everything we have including the hallowed Worldbuilder's Journal and our Discord (weekly hangouts!)
• Here's a subscriber link to our YouTube Channel with tons of videos for your viewing pleasure.

Don't worldbuild at the cost of wonder!

In this episode of The WorldCraft Club, James and Dave delve into the origins of worldbuilding, tracing it back to ancient myths and fairy tales. They discuss how early storytelling, through tales of trolls, fairies, and elves, laid the groundwork for what would become known as worldbuilding, notably evolving with Tolkien's work. The episode explores the distinction between allegory and modern worldbuilding, examines Tolkien's impact, and considers the importance of wonder and mystery in storytelling. The conversation touches on different perceptions of creatures like trolls and elves across various stories and how worldbuilding today often seeks a balance between realism and the fantastical, inspired by the awe and imagination of ancient tales.

Links

• Dave's Books - Join Talon squad on an epic adventure across a galaxy full of danger and excitement!
• The Only Link You'll Ever Need - The WorldCraft Club LinkTree with links to our Discord, YouTube and of course the Worldbuilder's Journal.

In this episode of the WorldCraft Club podcast, James is joined by guests Max Moyer, an epic fantasy author of 'Zodak the Last Shielder', his brother Eli, and audiobook narrator Dallin.

They discuss the creative process behind the making of the 'Zodak the Last Shielder' audiobook, highlighting the collaborative effort required to bring the fantasy world to life through nuanced voice acting. Max and Eli share their journey from ideation to publishing, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of creating an audiobook. Dallin explains the artistry involved in narrating, from adopting multiple accents to add depth to the characters, to working closely with the authors to ensure their vision is faithfully translated into spoken word. The podcast underscores the value of collaboration in storytelling, inviting listeners to consider how different perspectives and expertise can enrich their own creative projects. The episode wraps up with where to find 'Zodak the Last Shielder' and an encouragement for storytellers to embrace collaborative feedback through friends, family, and collaborators.

Key Takeaways -

• Inviting others into your project can deepen your worldbuilding by interrogating it with new expertise and insights. Share you're work with collaborators and friends in a variety of ways from short stories to live readings to illuminate your setting.

Links -

• Zodak the Last Shielder - Available now on Amazon and other places fine books are sold.
• Dallin's ACX Profile - So you can check him out for your next project.

WorldCraft Club -

• Come create with us at our Discord!
• See everything else the Club has to offer.

Check out this episode on YouTube!

Adaptations are BIG right now! Live action interpretations of childhood shows (like Avatar the Last Airbender, or anime like One Piece) or books being turned into movies or comics, there is so much IP out there to be adapted. Today Seth and I talk through why a lot of these adaptations receive harsh criticism, how creatives should frame their work for adaptation, and why adaptations are even made to begin with!

Check out the only link you'll ever need < our link tree

In a WorldCraft Club first, we interview an animation studio, YGKrow, and talk about the process of animation and how it can enhance your worldbuilding. In this episode we explore the differences between the eastern and western approach to animation and what that reveals about the priorities of each.

Key Takeaways

• Ma (Space) - Leave room for your creation to breath. You don't always have to fill the air with more content if what you've already created is rich with meaning. What this can mean is that you shouldn't be afraid to linger on a scene or a worldbuilding concept that's already where it needs to be. Know what you're making and let your audience enjoy it without every detail being explored.
• Kinetic Spectacle - Feel free to create something that is straight from the heart. Your unique style. Your goal is not necessarily a realism but rather expression.
• Economy - You only have so many words you can fit on a page, only have so much attention from your audience that you can spend. Remember this and keep your content important or good, don't be afraid to throw out material you're not sure about. Kill your darlings.

Links and Sundry:

• Kanada School Video - a brief overview of the Kanada School, it's inspiring.
• Prince of Egypt Pencil Test - see what the animators were thinking.

Studio YGKrow's Stuff

• YGKrow's Website - Check out YGKrow's swanky website, don't forget to drop into their merch store to check out their latest designs.
• Kythera 0 - Their latest animation (at least until cucumber fairy comes out)
• Ned and Fred Don't Lose Your Head - I'm pretty sure this is the one Raz nearly died to make. We refer to it a lot in the podcast and I thought you might wanna check it out too, it's super fun. Also, this has some of my favorite voice acting ever.

WorldCraft Club

• The only link you’ll ever need - this will take you to our link tree which has access to our discord and other great stuff for you to check out.

Possibly the most important question a worldbuilder will never ask themselves: How do I make room for someone else to add to my world? Community is underrated but critical to the creative process. At some point your work will interact with others, whether it's your family and friends, writers in a group you're part of, a creative partner, or an audience, those people will have thoughts on what you made. Eli and Max Moyer join Seth and I on the pod today to talk about this super important and usually underserved skillset of giving and receiving meaningful feedback, establishing boundaries for your imagined spaces, and engaging in serious play.

Key Takeaways:

• A lot of writers talk to/form groups with/partner with other writers to hone their craft, develop skills and get feedback but have you tried reaching out to readers, fantasy enjoyers and others who can get onboard with your work and help you create it. Think about your circle and the kind of feedback your getting. Does it need to be broader?
• The humility to recieve feedback is important but it might be even more important to know when to stop adopting it. Boundaries around your work and clear goal will help you to fully understand what you're trying to make.
• Serious play might be the best thing I heard in this podcast. At the WorldCraft Club we're big fans of making stuff to share. Having practical outputs for your creativity. Honing skills requires play though, the sort of play that helps you enjoy the stuff your making with others on hand to share in the experience. In short, creating for the sake of creating does you more good than you might know.

Links and Sundry:

• Bandersnatch by Diana Pavlac Glyer - the book Eli mentioned about the creative collaboration of the Inklings that informed the works of C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien.
• Creativity by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (spelled just like it sounds) - the other book Eli mentioned about identifying creativity and how it operates within cultures.

Moyer Brothers' Stuff

• Max's writing - If you wanna learn a little bit more about Max and grab a free download of his novella Throne Born set in Yiduiijn while you're at it, this is the place to go.
• The future online home of their world - Currently this site will just direct you to Max's writing but pretty soon there's gonna be all kinds of stuff on here.

WorldCraft Club

• The only link you’ll ever need: https://linktr.ee/worldcraftclub - this will take you to our link tree which has access to our discord and other...