The Jed Herne Show

Jan 31 2025 44 ep. 25 mins 21

The Jed Herne Show Podcast artwork

Every week, I share the best writing advice that I've learned from publishing three fantasy novels and a bestselling video game.

My books include The Thunder Heist, Across the Broken Stars, and Fires of the Dead. I also wrote Siege of Treboulain - an epic fantasy video game. I also created the Wizards, Warriors, & Words, and Novel Analyst podcasts.

Topics include: plotting, structure, worldbuilding, dialogue, prose, characters, marketing, productivity, mindset, and lots more.

Download my free writing advice book, '5 Lessons That Transformed my Storytelling' - https://jedherne.com/lessons

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

How to Write Your First Fantasy Novel in 2025 (Full Guide)

Jan 31 2025 136 mins

In this episode, I share my full step-by-step process for writing a great fantasy novel. After publishing four fantasy books (and after helping many other writers finish their own stories), I've got a lot of share when it comes to the craft of storytelling. This podcast compresses the most critical lessons I've learned from 12 years of experience so far. Enjoy!Join my accountabilit

How to Write Compelling Character Dynamics in Your Fantasy Novel

Nov 20 2024 20 mins

In this episode, I share a 7-step framework for writing interesting character relationships in your fantasy novel. If you would like my personal help to write a great fantasy novel, check out my Fantasy Outlining Bootcamp: https://jedherne.com/outline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Write Unforgettable Fantasy Villains

Nov 08 2024 13 mins

In this episode, Jed Herne shares five principles to write better antagonists in your fantasy novel. Want to write better characters? Check out Jed's free 5-day course: https://jedherne.com/5-day-course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Answering Your Fantasy Writing Questions (Dialogue Tips, Writing Themes, Character Development, & More)

Oct 25 2024 132 mins

To celebrate my YouTube channel reaching over 100,000 subscribers, I'm answering 42 of your fantasy writing questions. Enjoy!Join my free 5-day course to write better fantasy characters: https://jedherne.com/5-day-courseJoin my First Chapter Mastery program: https://firstchaptermastery.com/Apply for my 7-week Fantasy Outlining Bootcamp: https://jedherne.com/outlineJoin my Easy Writ

10 Worst Ways to Start Your Fantasy Novel

Sep 07 2024 29 mins

I surveyed 367 fantasy readers to ask: what's the worst way to start a fantasy novel? In this episode, I share the top 10 most common responses - along with my tips for avoiding these bad opening mistakes. Want to write a great first chapter in your fantasy novel?Then check out my First Chapter Mastery program: https://firstchaptermastery.com/This program also includes the option t

7 Signs Fantasy Readers Will Love Your Magic System

Aug 07 2024 18 mins

In this episode, I cover seven principles that will make sure readers love your magic system. This is based on my experience of publishing four fantasy novels, and from critiquing hundreds of magic systems from other writers over the last few years. Get my 'Limitations, Weaknesses, & Consequences' inspiration resource: https://jedherne.com/magiclimits Hosted on Acast. See acast

15 Advanced Worldbuilding Techniques I Learned from Publishing 5 Books

Jul 27 2024 39 mins

In this episode, I share 15 advanced worldbuilding techniques I learned from publishing four fantasy books, along with my interactive fantasy novel, Siege of Treboulain. I consider these techniques ‘advanced’ because I don’t often hear them discussed. However, I have found them extremely powerful, so by the end of this podcast, you should have lots of inspiration for your own

How to Expand a Fantasy Novel That's Too Short (3 Steps)

Jul 17 2024 14 mins

In this episode, I'll show you how to lengthen a fantasy novel that's too short, without making it feel boring or slow-paced. Join my free course on writing better fantasy characters: https://jedherne.com/5-day-courseWatch my 70-minute video on writing character arcs: https://youtu.be/wfoV-e7RMRo?si=sGnBX1m9HkyzEZ0E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 First Page Mistakes New Fantasy Writers Make

Jun 24 2024 31 mins

There’s six huge mistakes that will kill your fantasy novel on page one. I know this because I’ve edited fantasy novels for 34 writers over the last year and half. Plus, I’ve read through hundreds of opening pages from other writers who have applied to work with me — and I see these same mistakes over and over again.I've also personally published four fantasy novels, and ov

This 1 Habit Helped Me Write 1 Million Words

Jun 09 2024 8 mins

In this episode, Jed Herne explains a simple 1-minute habit that helped him write over 1 million words as a fantasy author. Get my Writing Tracker here: https://jedherne.com/tracker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.