In this episode…
I dive deep into one of the most essential—and most misunderstood—elements of storytelling: the protagonist. Specifically, what a character must do to carry a story, earn reader trust, and deliver a hero moment that actually lands.
This episode breaks down the three critical role functions every protagonist must fulfill: challenger, driver, and hero. I explore why character is the vessel through which readers experience worldbuilding, plot, and theme—and why a weak system or unclear purpose leads to passive characters with no agency.
Using examples from Red Rising, The Rage of Dragons, A Game of Thrones, and The Stormlight Archive, I examine different story types—emboldening, gritty, tragic, and harmonious—and how each one sets distinct expectations for win–loss dynamics and reader trust. We also explore antagonistic systems (not just villains), story questions, pre-stories, and why breaking reader trust is far easier than earning it.
If you’ve ever been told your character is “likable but boring,” this episode explains exactly why—and how to fix it.
The three role functions every protagonist must fulfill
Why stories need an antagonistic system, not just an antagonist
How worldbuilding establishes a status quo worth challenging
Character as the vessel: why readers imprint on characters faster than worlds
The importance of agency and why passive protagonists kill momentum
How purpose and the inciting incident drive story forward
Understanding the story question and why it’s usually a yes/no answer
Reader trust: how it’s built, reinforced, and instantly betrayed
The difference between subverting expectations and breaking trust
Emboldening stories vs. tragic stories vs. gritty revenge stories
Why tragic heroes always receive warnings
How win–loss dynamics define story “vibe” and emotional payoff
Characters who create their own problems—and what that signals to readers
Multiple protagonists and how each must still fulfill all three roles
Primary vs. secondary protagonists and how much readers will forgive
Harmonious storytelling and protagonists with opposing but valid goals
Why change—of character or system—is the engine of meaningful story
How plot, character, and worldbuilding must work interconnectedly
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson
A Vengeful Realm (Series) by Tim Facciola
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In this episode…I’m diving into one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of worldbuilding: social structure. I know, it sounds boring. But the truth is, social systems are the glue that makes a story feel real. When everything fits together—values, power, family, government, belief—worlds stop feeling like a list of ideas and start feeling lived in.This chapter builds on everything we’ve talked about so far: magic systems, religion, myth, values, geography, climate, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Once those foundations are in place, social structures are where the interconnectivity really starts to show. We look at how governments are formed, how family units function, and how both reflect (and reinforce) a culture’s values.I break down why cohesiveness matters more than complexity, and how layered social systems naturally create conflict, theme, and reader investment. We explore powerful examples from The Fifth Season, Red Rising, and A Song of Ice and Fire—stories where social hierarchies don’t just exist, but actively shape identity, loyalty, fear, and power.We also talk about factions, fandoms, and why readers want something to belong to. From Hogwarts houses to color-based castes to knightly orders, if you build meaningful social divisions, readers will come—and they’ll stay. When social structures align with the world’s values and systems, stories resonate longer, spark conversation, and invite readers back again and again.If you want your world to feel cohesive instead of cobbled together—this episode is for you.What We Cover:Why social structure can make or break your storyHow social systems emerge from values, magic, religion, and geographyGovernment, family units, and hierarchy—and why they must alignCohesiveness vs. complexity in worldbuildingHow fear, power, and control shape societiesWhy readers crave factions, houses, and identityThe difference between “having ideas” and building a living worldHow layered systems reinforce theme and meaningWhy believable worlds create stronger fandomsHow social structures turn readers into advocates for your storyBooks, Shows & Series Mentioned:The Fifth Season — N.K. JemisinRed Rising — Pierce BrownA Song of Ice and Fire — George R.R. MartinHarry Potter — J.K. RowlingStormlight Archive — Brandon SandersonConnect with Tim:Instagram:@timfacciola_theauthorApply to work with me:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejci7iaHU3--TT8TOo82boYj7OsUIap3FscyQ4Qc2f8Z0EkQ/viewformRead A Vengeful Realm:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK143ZK2Everything else:https://linktr.ee/timfacciola
In this episode…
I’m diving into one of my absolute favorite parts of storytelling—magic systems. Hard magic, soft magic, hand-wavy mysticism, rule-heavy power structures… all of it. I talk about why I love magic and tech so much, how they shape the stories we tell, and how they can become some of the most memorable parts of a book.
We walk through what actually separates a hard system from a soft one, why the difference matters, and how both approaches come with huge strengths (and a few pitfalls). I also get into the way magic and technology can mirror each other, why limitations matter more than abilities, and how magic should always serve the story—not the other way around.
I share examples from series like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mistborn, The Greatcoats, A Song of Ice and Fire, and more, plus a look at how the magic works in The Eventual Realm—where everything revolves around balance, cost, and the consequences of power.
If you love building worlds, designing systems, or just nerding out about how magic shapes everything, you’re going to enjoy this one.
What actually defines a hard vs. soft magic system
Why magic exists on a spectrum—not two separate boxes
How rules and limits make magic feel believable
Why soft magic can carry big emotional and thematic weight
How Avatar: The Last Airbender uses bending to reinforce the theme of balance
Why Mistborn and Stormlight are great examples of “toolbox” magic
How GRRM’s soft, mysterious magic works because the story is about politics
Finding the right level of complexity for your audience
How magic changes a world—from daily life to economics to warfare
Why every ability should come with a cost
How tech often functions as magic with different clothes
When “simple” magic systems are actually the strongest choice
Behind the scenes of The Eventual Realm:
Magic derived from the gods
Elemental abilities balanced through physical consequences
Shadow, light, blood, and healing magic—and their mental/emotional costs
Why balance is at the center of the entire system
How to make your magic support your story’s heart and themes
Why writing for yourself first leads to more authentic worlds
Understanding market trends without letting them dictate your story
Traitor’s Blade / The Greatcoats — Sebastien de Castell
Ashes of the Sun — Django Wexler
Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Warbreaker — Brandon Sanderson
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Kingkiller Chronicle — Patrick Rothfuss
A Song of Ice and Fire — George R.R. Martin
Star Wars
The Eventual Realm — Tim Facciola
Instagram:
@timfacciola_theauthor
Apply to work with me:
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Read A Vengeful Realm:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK143ZK2
Everything else:
https://linktr.ee/timfacciola
What We Cover:Books, Shows & Series Mentioned:Connect with Tim:
In this episode…
I dive deep into one of my absolute favorite elements of storytelling: how religion, myth, and legend shape a fantasy world’s values, conflicts, and characters. When authors treat belief systems as living, evolving, culture-shaping forces—not uniform, unquestioned monoliths—their worlds instantly feel more grounded, nuanced, and emotionally resonant.
I explore why meaningful worldbuilding isn’t about inventing a “cool religion,” but about understanding how belief drives behavior, how myths live on even after the gods fade, and how faith can be a source of purpose, community, division, or even weaponization. From saints who embody singular virtues, to gods who walk the earth, to prophecies that fracture entire cultures, I break down what makes fictional religions feel real and why they matter so much to immersive storytelling.
You’ll hear examples from series like The Greatcoats, Hall of Smoke, A Song of Ice and Fire, and The Demon Cycle, plus a behind-the-scenes look at how religion, prophecy, and factional conflict shape the world of A Vengeful Realm.
Why fully uniform, unquestioned religions make worlds feel flat
How belief systems reflect a society’s values—and shape every part of life
Using myths and legends to make a world feel lived-in and historical
How faith, trust, and dogma differ—and why those differences matter
Building religious conflict: factions within factions, denominations, and schisms
The power of “quibbles”: prophecies that mislead through ambiguity
Why characters with different interpretations of the same prophecy create rich tension
How religion can be weaponized for power, control, or cultural dominance
How fictional faith allows readers to explore sensitive themes without shutting down
World-specific swearing and why it works best when rooted in culture and belief
The role of myth in shaping values across generations
Why characters should engage with belief—whether they accept or reject it
How I built religion, prophecy, colonization, and zealotry into A Vengeful Realm
Exploring characters freed from their inherited beliefs (like Zephyrus)
Why intentional, layered value systems make worlds feel real
“Take what serves your story, leave what doesn’t”: building with purpose, not excess
Traitor’s Blade / The Greatcoats Quartet by Sebastien de Castell
Hall of Smoke (Series) by H.M. Long
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
The Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett
Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia (briefly referenced)
A Vengeful Realm (Series) by Tim Facciola
Instagram: @timfacciola_theauthor
https://www.instagram.com/timfacciola_theauthor/
Apply here:
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Everything Else:
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In this episode, I break down how even small, intentional choices about geography and climate can make your sci-fi and fantasy worlds feel more grounded, immersive, and emotionally resonant. Whether your setting spans continents or takes place in a single city, the physical environment shapes culture, tone, and character psychology — even when it's not a major plot driver. I explore how subtle climate cues, consistent geography, and environmental logic create realism that lets your magical or speculative elements shine.
You’ll hear examples ranging from minimalist settings to expansive epics, including how everyday weather patterns shaped A Vengeful Realm, and why climate-driven tension in stories like The Fifth Season, Mistborn, and A Song of Ice and Fire becomes unforgettable.
Why even “low-climate” stories benefit from environmental consistency
How small geographic details make a world feel lived in
Using climate to set tone, reinforce theme, or foreshadow change
How oppressive or unusual environments shape culture, psychology, and myth
What The Fifth Season teaches us about climate as conflict
How Mistborn uses environmental oppression as atmospheric storytelling
Why Game of Thrones is proof that grounded, familiar geography still transforms character and culture
Creative spins on geography (like tidally locked worlds) and how they generate story potential
When to keep worldbuilding simple — and when to lean in
How I used nightly rains and divine influence to shape atmosphere in A Vengeful Realm
How to make your world itself feel like a character
“Take what serves your story, leave what doesn’t”: building intentionally, not exhaustively
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R.R. Martin
The Ring Dweller Series by Brady Hunsaker
A Vengeful Realm (Series) by Tim Facciola
Instagram: @timfacciola_theauthor
https://www.instagram.com/timfacciola_theauthor/
Apply here:
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What We Cover:Books Mentioned:Connect with Tim:Are you a writer looking for support and community?A Vengeful Realm (3-Book Series)Everything Else:
In this episode, I break down how applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to entire societies can make your sci-fi and fantasy worlds feel more authentic, cohesive, and full of natural conflict. I share how a world’s priorities shape culture, character motivation, and the pressure your protagonist pushes against — with clear examples from across the genre.
What We Cover:
How Maslow’s Hierarchy applies to worldbuilding
Why societal priorities create believable cultures
How world needs generate organic conflict and stakes
Using world structure to shape your protagonist’s journey
How to layer world, plot, character, and theme together
Practical examples pulled from well-known SFF stories
How I used this framework in Ghosts of Rheynia
Books Mentioned:
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Will of the Many by James Islington
The Black Coast by Mike Brooks
Ghosts of Rheynia by Tim Facciola
Connect with Tim:
@timfacciola_theauthor | https://www.instagram.com/timfacciola_theauthor/
Are you a writer looking for support and community?
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejci7iaHU3--TT8TOo82boYj7OsUIap3FscyQ4Qc2f8Z0EkQ/viewform?pli=1
A Vengeful Realm (3 book series):