SON OF THE STORM author Suyi Davies Okungbowa talks about writing his African-inspired fantasy novel, world-building using cultural ideas unfamiliar to American / western audiences, and his "waypoints" approach to plotting.
New & Featured
Authors Caitlin Starling and Genevieve Gornichec discuss WALK AMONG US, a 3-novella story collection set in the world of VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE. We talk about writing for an established media IP, creative process for an audio-first anthology, and finding new spins on vampire tropes.
EYE OF THE SH*T STORM author Jackson Ford (aka Rob Boffard) talks about The Frost Files—his exciting, hilarious, psychokinetic science fiction series that also includes THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND and RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.
THE LAST WATCH author J.S. Dewes discusses her debut sci-fi novel. We explore her edge-of-the-universe world-building, its military/prisoner/found-family character dynamics, the "competence porn" trope, and her non-linear 'pantsing' writing method for the space opera adventure.
The Storytelling Craft of Science Fiction & Fantasy
FICTITIOUS is a YouTube show and podcast that delves into the craft of Science Fiction & Fantasy storytelling through interviews with authors and other professional writers. These conversations examine the writing process, techniques, and work habits of passionate creators and explore their most recent, and most popular, works.
Fictitious is hosted and produced by Adron Buske, co-produced by Wendy Buske, and is a Nerd For A Living production.
More Recent Fictitious Episodes
ODDITY author Eli Brown discusses his alt-history fantasy novel for young readers. We talk world-building in an 1800's North American setting, approaching sensitive historical topics, creating an objected-based magic system, and tackling themes of grief, trauma & agency for a middle grade audience.
GAME CHANGER author Neal Shusterman talks about his thoughtful & propulsive young adult sci-fi novel. We discuss the story as an 'empathy primer'—exploring a center-of-their-own-world protagonist who is not the hero—and why his writing process begins with a completely handwritten first draft.
THE BONE MAKER author Sarah Beth Durst talks about her dark (but hopeful) fantasy novel. We discuss this standalone story's exploration of second chances, the hero's relationship with the idea of being a hero, and how relationships evolve under the weight of time, duty, and trauma.
THE UNBROKEN author C.L. Clark discusses her brutal and complex military fantasy debut about a conscripted soldier returned to her homeland, and a princess in search of a turncoat. We talk about the novel's examination of colonialism, and the power imbalance at the heart of the story's romance.
A SONG WITH TEETH author T. Frohock discusses writing her long-running Los Nefilim dark fantasy series, which features 3 novellas and 3 full-length novels. We talk about the intricate world-building for the action-packed saga that sees angels and daimons as 1930s gangsters.
THE EFFORT author Claire Holroyde discusses her present-day sci-fi novel about an extinction level event, and the people trying to save Earth. We talk about balancing a large cast, using real science without bogging down the reader, and tackling real world problems in a fictional narrative.