Dissecting Dragons

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 109: Into the East - Fantasy Settings Tolkien Never Used

Episode 109: Into the East - Fantasy Settings Tolkien Never Used

 

For most of us the word 'fantasy' conjures up a rugged, natural landscape with a more historical seeming setting (usually medieval) and possibly Alpine mountain ranges in the back ground. This is certainly one fantasy setting and thanks to the Grandfather of the fantasy genre, J.R.R.Tolkien, it's often the default setting. This week the dragons delve into fantasy worlds set elsewhere than the Western world. Exploring the questions of diversity and race in conjunction with setting and discussing what exactly makes a good fantasy setting, Madeleine and Jules talk about some of their favourite non-European set fantasy books. On the docket this week - Across the Nightingale Floor- Lian Hearne, Marvel's Black Panther, Shadows on the Moon - Zoe Marriott and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 108: It Must be the Weather - How Nature Reflects Art in Speculative Fiction

Episode 108: It Must be the Weather - How Nature Reflects Art in Speculative Fiction

 

Writers use various literary devices as shorthand - a way of saying as much as possible and building chains of association withou resorting to lengthly passages of unnecessary descriptive prose. One of these much used but largely undiscussed devices is the weather. This week the dragons delve in to scene setting using the natural worl, the weather and the seasons. From the fairy tale of Snow White to Disney's Frozen, from tornados in Stephen King's The Stand to mists, fogs and rain, Madeleine and Jules have got it covered on how to add an extra dimention and emotional depth to a scene using that most British of small talk topics - the weather.

 

Tite music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 107: The Balance of Power - Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Publishing Industry

Episode 107: The Balance of Power - Sexism and sexual Harassment in the Publishing Industry

 

In the wake of campaigns such a #MeToo more and more industries are looking to their own ranks in a re-examination of how well they all navigate such murky waters. Recently Ann Ursu published the results of a survey on sexual harassment in children's publishing. The results were shocking, leading to the School Libraries Journal to publish a list of alledged offenders. Neither the survey nor the list make easy reading but the conversation is an important one and this week the dragons are joining it. From the SLJ list itself to general sexism in publishing, particularly speculative fiction, M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside present their viewpoint.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

 

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 106: Kali-ma, Inanna & Anath - The Creator-Destroyer in Myth and Speculative Fiction

Episode 106: Kali-ma, Inanna & Anath - The Creator-Destroyer in Myth and Speculative Fiction

 

This week the dragons delve back into the mists of time to unearth the archeype of the primorial earth goddess. Don't be decieved because these goddesses are depicted with sheaves of corn that they are all about fertility and free love - they really aren't. From the Semetic Goddess Anath to the Hindu Kali, from Sekhmet, goddess of slaughter and medicine and war to Ceridwyn, Welsh godess of poetry, wisdom and retribution, these are the great destroyers and their myths are often bloodier than that of their male counterparts. Looking at how these drak goddesses are enjoying a resurgence due in part to works such as Naomi Alderman's The Power, SFF authors M.E.Vaughan and J.A.Ironside talk about their favourite creator-destroyers.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 105: The Book Hangover - Fictional Worlds that won't Let You Go

Episode 105: The Book Hangover - Fictional Worlds that won't Let you Go

Anniversary Episode!

Available for download now from Itunes, Googleplay and Podbean

Join the dragons as they celebrate their 2 year anniversary. This week SFF authors Jules and Madeleine take a look at an affliction suffered at some point by all lovers of speculative fiction - the book hangover. What happens when you love a book or film so much that you just can't entirely emerge from that world and deal with reality? Drawing on personal experience of both consumiung and creating speculative fiction, the dragons tackle the problem with their usual wit and incisiveness. On the slab this week Avatar, The Dresden Files, Harry Potter and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

 

Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 104: Bones, Boyd and Cottle - The Physician Archetype in Speculative fICTION

Episode 104: Bones, Boyd and Cottle - the Physician Atchetype in Speculative Fiction

 

One of the most enduring character tropes in SFF fiction is that of the healer or doctor. From the many physician of the Star Trek fantasy, to the ubiquitous wise woman or herbalist in fantasy, there is someone who can cure your ills in a spec fic setting - or end your troubles for good. So what aside from the obvious (the fact that we all need a doctor at some point in our lives) makes the character so appealing? And just how have popular versions of the character affected the archetype as a whole? In triage this week - Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, The Seven Waters Trilogy, Outlander and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 103: Best Served Cold - Revenge Arcs in Speculative Fiction

Episode 103: Best Served Cold - Revenge Arcs in Speculative Fiction

 

This week Madeleine and Jules delve into the shadiest of character motivations - the revenge arc. We've all seen it at the beginning of a fantasy novel. If the quest doesn't get going when a boy is handed a magic sword, then the MC sees someone they love murdered in front of them and swears vengence upon the perpetrator. In the dragons opinion there are revenge arcs that really work...and those that really don't. Join us as we examine why that is. Cooling on the slab this week - Batman (of course), Maria V Snyder's Glass Series, Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 102: Squibs and Mundanes - Representation of Disability in Speculative Fiction

Episode 102: Squibs and Mundanes - Disability Representation in Speculative Fiction

 

This week the dragons explore the growing trend towards exploring physical and mental disability within the context of speculative fiction. An important movement which has gained traction over the last few years, it has certainly had some ups and downs. Drawing on their own personal experiences both with disability and with writing representative characters, Jules and Madeleine match this against popular examples in the genre, examining where the representation has worked and where it hasn't and why. On the slab this week - Carve the Mark - Veronica Roth, Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them (and by extension Harry Potter), Six of Crows- Leigh Bardugo and Ironside's Unveiled Series.

 

Title Music - Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic 

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 101: Back on the Broom - More Enchanting Children's Fiction

Episode 101: Back on the Broom - More Enchanting Children's Fiction

 

This week, the dragons are delighted to welcome back children's author, James Nichol. The Apprentice Witch , James' first book, was released 7th July 2016 and was a huge hit. In the year and a bit since he's been very busy working on the next book in the series and has come back on the show to tell Jules and Madeleine what he's been up too. This episode looks at mid-grade children's fantasy (aka older junior fiction) and just why it is such an important contribution to library, classroom and bedroom bookshelves. What should good children's fantasy be able to do and what is probably best avoided? In the cauldron this week - The Apprentice Witch & A Witch Alone (of course), Dianna Wynne Jones, Who Let the Gods Out? - Mazz Evans, A Girl of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave and many more.

(Read the first chapter of A Witch Alone)

 

Title music: Ecstasy - Smiling Cynic 

Dissecting Dragons: Episode 100: So You Want to Be a Writer? - Celebrating 100 Episodes of Dissecting Dragons

Episode 100: So You Want to be a Writer? - Celebrating 100 Episodes of Dissecting Dragons

 

In this anniversary episode, the dragons take a short stroll back through the previous 100 episodes and look at just how far they've come on their own writing journeys. SFF writers Jules and Madeleine ahve learned a lot since starting this podcast in February 2015 and there are plenty of tips, tricks and pearls of wisdom on all aspects of writing and publishing, but especially on those writing within speculative fiction. 

 

A huge thank you for all those who have supported us over the last (almost) two years. This episode is for you.

 

Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic