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**Worldbuilder’s Anvil**

Do you have visions of fantasy world’s dancing through your head? Are you a gamemaster that wants to tell stories in your world? Are you a fiction writer who wants your next setting to be your best?

Do you want to build better fantasy worlds?

Then the Worldbuilder’s Anvil podcast is for you. Learn to create the physical world, characters, cultures, kingdoms, races, species and monsters. Learn it all, with some banter to boot.

Join Michael and Jeffery on the weekly podcast that looks at storytelling, game mastering, pop culture and life through the lens of fantasy world building. Subscribe TODAY!

Listen to new episodes every Monday and BUILD BETTER FANTASY WORLDS.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 288 Why should you use more one-dimensional characters? Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

Episode 288 Why should you use more one-dimensional characters? Today's Topic They all cannot be Jayne

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What makes a character multidimensional
- Flaws or traits that suck
- Shades of Gray… not that … maybe that
- Contradictions
This should not be your main character
- Wonka was so much better than Wonka
When They work
- One off character, Maybe in Red shirts
- When the main character is made better
- When it is for a time, which could be the entire story
- Add dimension to your main character(s)
- Two many complex characters in story
When they don't work
- Most villain in 80's action movies
- Plot is only about the main character
- Story lacks subtext

Worldbuilding Task

Take a character you love, and cut the depth right out of them

Real world task

Identify one way you need to take better care of yourself. Do one thing everyday to get a step closer to achieving it.

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

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HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

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https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

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http://gardul.com/Amazon

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https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

Episode 287 What we would love to see in the future of TV Fantasy Jul 21, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Is game of Thrones it?

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What we want to see on TV Fantasy
What has been done well
- From the perspective of today
What has not worked
- Budgets do not meet the ambition – GoT
- Not much Pure Fantasy
- Cheesy or Epic or Both
What we like
- Stranger Things
- Altered Carbon
- GoT
- Lucifer
- Good Omens
- More if you include Supernatural and Comic
What was bad
- Earthsea
- Riverworld
- Any Syfy I can think of
What we would like

Worldbuilding Task

Create a list of the Fantasy Show you would like to see

Real world task

Join us in the undercroft and let us know what you would like.

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-287-what-we-would-love-to-see-in-the-future-of-tv-fantasy/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

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http://gardul.com/Amazon

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https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

Episode 286 Secret Episode: Starting a new setting in cWoD Jul 07, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Starting a Classic World of Darkness Setting

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

Nashville
Theme to Nashville By Night
Geography (Map in ShowNotes)
Points of Interest
- Downtown
- Badlands
- Picket
- Centennial Park
- grand ole opry(Ryman Auditorium, House and Gaylord hotel)
Politics
- Prince - William Cowper
- Seneschal – Black Prince of England Brujah
- Keeper of the Elysium – Toreador
- Keeper of Centennial Park – Brujah Hessen General
- Sheriff - Nosferatu
- Harpy- June Weaver
Clans
- Brujah – German – Audrey Murphy
- Gangrel - Franklin
- Malkavian - Brentwood
- Nosferatu - ??
- Toreador – Broadstreet Ella Fitzgerald
- Tremere – Belmont / Hillsboro
- Ventrue -Midtown/Vanderbilt
- Caitiff - Bakerstown
- Assimite – Centennial park or Downtown
- Ravenous - Franklin

Worldbuilding Task

Start a new setting

Real world task

Do not suck peoples blood! Really

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-286-secret-episode-starting-a-new-setting-in-cwod/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

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https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

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http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

Episode 285 Bloodlines 2! The blood is life. It says so in the bible Jun 30, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Bloodlines 2 Speculation and news

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

From Dracula to the word of darkness
The Children of Cain
White Wolf Games
Bloodlines
Bloodlines 2 – Why It can be great
What we know for reading PC Gamer
- March 2020? Will they stay close to Cyberpunk 2020
- Based off 5th Edition
- Seattle
- 25+ Hours
- Story packs and Expansions will follow
- Not all clans are playable
- Banu Haqim(Assamites), Nosferatu, Gangrel, Ministry(Set), Giovanni, Lasombra, Ravnos, and Tzimisce
- Thin Blood, Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, Ventrue, and Malkavian
- Mod support

Worldbuilding Task

What would vampires look like in your world?

Real world task

Do not suck peoples blood!

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-285-bloodlines-2-the-blood-is-life/ ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://vtmb.fandom.com/wiki/Clan

https://www.pcgamer.com/everything-we-know-about-vampire-the-masqueradebloodlines-2/

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

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https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

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https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

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http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

Episode 284 What can worldbuilder's learn from how religion formed Jun 23, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic It is the stone of Figgleniz

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

Dealing with the dead
Surviving /Understanding the world
The growth of symbols
Basic Religions Type
Shamanism and ancestor worship
Pantheism
Polytheism
Monotheism
Monism
Dualism
New Religions

Worldbuilding Task

Breakdown your religions

Real world task

Employ the strategy of deadlines

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

History of Religion

Links

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https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-284-what-can-worldbuilders-learn-from-how-religion-formed/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

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https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

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http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

Episode 283 Realism is the wrong goal… in fiction Jun 16, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Why do people think realism is even possible, stick with believable.

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

The Search for realism
- Cultures
- Races
- Magic?
- Technology
What is wrong with it?
- The world is messy, the audience wants to understand
  - Stranger than fiction
  - Vladimir Demikhov & Experiments in the Revival of Organisms
- People often make choices that are contrary to their character
- Nature and natural selection are hard to understand or guess at
- Takes too long
You should replace the search of realism with believable
- Make approximations that seem real to you
- Share your ideas and test them on people to see if they call it believable they might even use the word realistic.

Worldbuilding Task

Give up on the search for realism and start producing work.

Real world task

Explore a local town

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-283-realism-is-the-wrong-goal-in-fiction/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Demikhov

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our Facebook Page )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Join our Facebook Group )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

((((((((((((((((((((((( Support us by using our Amazon Affiliate Link )))))))))))))))))))))

http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Affiliate Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stephan King On Writing https://amzn.to/2WtUGtW

Episode 282 Hobbits in Space Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Writer's block can happen to anyone!

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What if the hobbit from Middle earth made it into space?
- Thanks to James in the undercroft for the episode idea
Who would make it out of the shire?
What would be an interesting time period to look at
What would be a great job for them?
Advantages
- Less space for crew quarters
- Less oxygen
- Comedy gold
Disadvantages
- Much more food space
- Endless trouble
What would they do?

Worldbuilding Task

Think out your hobbit in space story? Share it in the undercroft

Real world task

Block your work creatively, work, and chores

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Check out Writer's Block Course

Jeff Goins Writer's Manifesto

Brendon Buchard

Stephan King On Writing

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-282-hobbits-in-space/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Check out Writer's Block Course https://joseph-michaels-business-academy.thinkific.com/

Jeff Goins Writer's Manifesto https://goinswriter.com/writers-manifesto/

Brendon Buchard https://brendon.com/

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our Facebook Page )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Join our Facebook Group )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

((((((((((((((((((((((( Support us by using our Amazon Affiliate Link )))))))))))))))))))))

http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Affiliate Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stephan King On Writing https://amzn.to/2WtUGtW

Episode 281 Season 8, Game of Thrones story fixes are all wrong Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

Episode 281 Season 8, Game of Thrones story fixes are all wrong Today's Topic Winter is dead, long live the winter

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What are the problems with many of the story fixes
- Game of Thrones was inspired by the past.
- It was meant to take a Tolkien like story and subversion
- Execution caused most of the problems, not what happened.
Daenerys should be queen and/or
Jon Snow should be King
- No just know
John Snow should have killed the Night King
- Not as such
Kings Landing should not have burned
- Who could be king
- Gendry
- Ellaria Sand
- Sansa Stark (The starks are the White Roses)
Bran should not be King and John Snow should have at least hugged Ghost
- Okay, cannot argue that
Lessons for storytellers
- Beware of breaking tropes
- People seem to want Disney Fantasy
  - A little messy and scary at the beginning and tied up in a neat bow at the end
- Monday Morning Quarterbacks will appear either way if your story becomes popular
- Use character development not shock to change the course of a narrative.

Worldbuilding Task

Create a better story to share and execute it!

Real world task

Michael called it! Send your thanks

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-281-season-8-of-game-of-thrones-story-fixes-are-all-wrong/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Check out Writer's Block Course https://joseph-michaels-business-academy.thinkific.com/

Jeff Goins Writer's Manifesto https://goinswriter.com/writers-manifesto/

Brendon Buchard https://brendon.com/

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our Facebook Page )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Join our Facebook Group )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

((((((((((((((((((((((( Support us by using our Amazon Affiliate Link )))))))))))))))))))))

http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Affiliate Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stephan King On Writing https://amzn.to/2WtUGtW

Episode 280 Do I have a Writer's Block? (And how to overcome it) May 26, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic Writer's block can happen to anyone!

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What is Writer's Block
What we tell ourselves
- I am not good enough
- The work is not good enough
- I am just too lazy
- I do not have the time
- I am too stupid
- I am not a writer
- …
3 Areas of Writer's Block
- Imposter's Syndrome

"Stop asking if you belong and start asking if you're being of absolute service every day." – Brendan Burchard

- Fear
- - Prep
  - Start working especially when your brain is screaming stop you are …
- Lost
- - Research just want you need to do
  - Find a structure you understand
  - Start
Fixing it
- Define the Problem
- Find three solutions, one would be do what you are doing now
- Figure the probably good and bad result of each
- - Effect you and your relationships
- Pick the one that most suits you

Worldbuilding Task

Start Writing for 15 minutes when you feel blocked

Real world task

Get outside and do something in nature

Michael's Resources

Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show

Check out Writer's Block Course

Jeff Goins Writer's Manifesto

Brendon Buchard

Stephan King On Writing

Links

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.gardul.com/blog/episode-280-do-i-have-a-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-it/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Check out Writer's Block Course https://joseph-michaels-business-academy.thinkific.com/

Jeff Goins Writer's Manifesto https://goinswriter.com/writers-manifesto/

Brendon Buchard https://brendon.com/

HowToWorldbuild.com

HowToWorldbuild.com/soon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/worldbuilders-anvil/id956705643?mt=2

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our Facebook Page )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/GardulStories/

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Join our Facebook Group )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://www.facebook.com/groups/undercroft/

((((((((((((((((((((((( Support us by using our Amazon Affiliate Link )))))))))))))))))))))

http://gardul.com/Amazon

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Jeff on Twitter )))))))))))))))))))))))))

https://twitter.com/JefferyWIngram

((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Affiliate Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stephan King On Writing https://amzn.to/2WtUGtW

Episode 279 Not Auntie Tia Ant Zombie Overlord May 20, 2019

Show notes

Today's Topic No Tia, Comenzar los debates

Michaels Special 200th anniversary episode focused mainly on Season 8 Episode 5 of Game Of Thrones.

Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast Show flow

What we talked about
- Season 8 Episode 5 of Game of Thrones
Why reading/watching bad stories is more important than good stories?
What we ignored
- Do video games help or hurt creatives?
- What is the worse trope in fiction?
  - nah
- Why Mike is a superior name?
  - Mike will never let this happen
- Do video games help or hurt creatives?
  - Maybe later
- Should you create on vacation?
  - Maybe later
- Why people from Indiana are just better at everything?
  - Joke topic we will never cover it