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Authors J.A. Ironside and M.E. Vaughan talk about books, films and all aspects of speculative fiction, from the nuts and bolts of writing it, to its (occasionally) obscure origins.
Episodes
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
It isn't just the Disney Princess which has undergone a transformation over time: the Disney villain has likewise evolved. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at how Disney's villains have changed from the earliest incarnation - the Wicked Queen in Snow White - to more recent films such as Moana and Frozen. What makes a Disney villain compelling? Who (the dragons' opinion) is the best Disney Villain? And more importantly, who gets the best Villain song? Join us this week to find out.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
A trope which has seen a rise in popularity lately - whether in romance, urban fantasy, sci-fi or a number of other genres and sub genres - is that of 'enemies to lovers'. Two people start out at odds: either they hate each for a variety of reasons or they're on opposing sides in a conflict. Events conspire to throw them together and a romantic plot or sub plot happens, fuelled by its very unlikeliness it seems. This week the dragons take a look at why this trope is so popular, delving into development of conflict and character arc as well as common 'way stations' the trope needs to hit in order to work successfully. They also take a look at a few examples where it doesn't work and why.
Under the microscope this week: The Black Magician series by Trudi Canavan, Opal Cohen Series by Maria V Snyder, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and many more.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Friday Nov 19, 2021
This week's episode combines subjects that are dear to the dragons' hearts - storytelling and martial arts. Jules and Madeleine discussed fight scenes in a previous episode, however a properly choreographed martial art scene is a miniature story unto itself. From looking at the history connecting martial arts with entertainment to examining ways to incorporate this in writing to examining how martial arts scenes are used to layer nuance, characterisation and even humour onscreen, the dragons have got you covered. On the slab this week: Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Enter the Dragon, Daredevil and many more.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
IT'S THE DRAGONS' 300TH EPISODE!
To celebrate, this week Jules and Madeleine are reflecting back on their own writing journeys (so far), examining a few more weird occurrences that happened recently in the writing industry, and answering the writing questions they get asked most often. Talking about many of the things they wish they'd known when they started out, this is an episode for writers - both veterans and newbies. And there are plenty of laughs along the way.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
The dragons would never argue that discrimination in many varieties does not exist. Nor would they argue that it hasn't been an influence in publishing over previous decades. However, with the umbrella genre, YA, and various sci-fi and fantasy publishing houses leading the charge, just how bad is gatekeeping now? Is it possible that we are creating new gatekeepers who are rigorously excluding writers by accident? Is our 'BOLO' mentality when it comes to discrimination, now starting to taint ordinary if occasionally unpleasant human interaction? This week Jules and Madeleine talk about many aspects of the publishing industry, including why discrimination is not always the reason your book is not picked up by publishers. One for the writers hoping to be published soon this week. As always the dragons welcome comments and constructive criticism.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
In the fourth and final episode of their 2021 Hallowe'en specials, the dragons move from the cheerful subject of serial killers to the charming topic of cannibalism. Don't be deceived into thinking Jules and Madeleine are delving into spatter punk, however. This weeks episode moves from biological imperatives (occasionally advantages) of cannibalism to religious and social observance to real life examples, before looking at how and why this practice is such a short cut to horror. If you've ever wondered why certain individuals eat their own species, this is the episode for you. Likewise if you've ever wondered why it's such a staple of horror fiction.
CW: As usual, please use your own discretion when choosing whether or not to listen to this episode. It's not especially gory but may contain mention of upsetting topics. If you're not sure, there's probably something in the dragons' back catalogue you'd prefer.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Continuing their spooky October theme, this weeks the dragons look at horror of the mundane rather than supernatural kind. A large segment of horror films jives off the trope of a remorseless human monster, intent on killing others for no other reason than that's what they're into. Jules and Madeleine take a walk down the darker streets of the human psyche, and examine real life serial killers and the horror films they helped to inspire. What is it about slasher films that fascinates us? And why are human monsters far more disturbing than supernatural creatures? Find out in this week's episode.
CW: vague description of some seriously upsetting real life incidents. Please proceed at your own discretion.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Continuing on the Spook-tober theme, this week the dragons take a look at a classic trope in gothic and horror fiction: possession. Made more popular in the genre by films like The Exorcist, possession is an unsavoury subject, combining body horror with psychological terror. But where does the idea originate? What part does the human understanding of 'souls' or religion play? And what about the alleged 'true story' status some speculative fiction featuring possession is based on - is there any truth to the claim? Jules and Madeleine take a deep dive into the origins of the trope, citing several 'real life cases' and drawing parallels with popular fiction. On the slab this week: the Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Exorcist, Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series and many more.
CW: Some of this discussion centres on familiar and religious abuse, as well as mental health issues.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 08, 2021
Friday Oct 08, 2021
In this second episode of the dragons' spooky-a-thon, Jules and Madeleine take a look at a selection of the most haunted buildings in Britain and Ireland. Once again following a murky, sometimes sordid and often bloody path through history, they examine the ghost stories that have grown up around these buildings, compare subjective experiences from witnesses and speculate as to why some houses and inns acquire their reputation for being haunted. From the Ancient Ram to Sudeley Castle, this is an episode to listen to with the lights on ;)
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Friday Oct 01, 2021
Friday Oct 01, 2021
It's October! 'Tis the season - the spooky season :)
Kicking off this year's run up to Samhain/ Hallowe'en, Jules and Madeleine revisit the subject of cursed objects. Following a trail through history, folklore, mythology and urban legends, the dragons take a look (once more) at what makes an object 'cursed' and how this feeds into the realm of storytelling. On the slab this week - cursed cars, the origins of the word 'taboo', murderous sarcophagus lids and many more.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic