Page Chewing
Page Chewing is where books, comics, and conversations collide. From in-depth chats with authors and artists to lively discussions with fellow readers, we explore the craft of storytelling, the worlds we love, and the ideas that stay with us long after the last page.
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 Tempest
- The origin of Caliban’s Hour and re-framing classic stories
- Writing in a post-Tolkien fantasy landscape
- The challenge of tropes—and how to break them
- The difference between “architect” and “pantser” writers
- Why fantasy readers are harder to surprise than ever
- The hidden mechanics behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
- And what it really means to keep readers off balance
This is more than an interview, it’s a masterclass in storytelling from one of the most influential voices in modern fantasy.
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Co-Hosts:
Thomas J. Devens (author)
Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)
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