Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Myth and Magic

Folklore & fantasy themes aimed at creative writers: to start writing stories and challenge your brain with exciting ideas, dip into this kitbag.

Learn how fantasy worlds draw on real world history, mythology, and folklore. And there's weekly news from the world of fantasy fiction too... plus fabulous creatures, studies on folk tales, nature fables and lots more mythical, magical fun.

Oct 30, 2019

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.


Oct 23, 2019

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...


Oct 16, 2019

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...


Oct 9, 2019

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.


Oct 2, 2019

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...