Tad Williams on Tropes, Tolkien, and Telling Better Stories | Friday Conversation 158

This week on Friday Conversation, we sit down with legendary fantasy author Tad Williams, the mind behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Otherland, Shadowmarch, and more.From Shakespeare to Tolkien, from tropes to subversion, this conversation dives deep into the craft of storytelling and what it means to write in a genre where readers already know the rules.We explore:Tad’s relationship with Shakespeare and The TempestThe origin of Caliban’s Hour and re-framing classic storiesWriting in a post-Tolkien fantasy landscapeThe challenge of tropes—and how to break themThe difference between “architect” and “pantser” writersWhy fantasy readers are harder to surprise than everThe hidden mechanics behind Memory, Sorrow and ThornAnd what it really means to keep readers off balanceThis is more than an interview, it’s a masterclass in storytelling from one of the most influential voices in modern fantasy.Send us a message (I'm not able to reply)Support the showPage Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumFilm Chewing PodcastSpeculative Speculations Podcast Support the podcast via PayPalSupport the show by using our Amazon Affiliate linkJoin Riverside.fm Co-Hosts:JarrodVarsha ChrisJoseCarl D. Albert (author)Thomas J. Devens (author)Alex French (author)Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)