How To Write The Future

Beth Barany
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

The How to Write The Future Podcast offers fiction writing tips for science fiction and fantasy authors who want to create optimistic stories because when we vision what is possible, we help make it so. By science fiction and fantasy author and fiction writing coach, Beth Barany.

  1. 2d ago

    217. How A Character's Breathing Reveals Their Emotion in Your Novel

    “It all starts with awareness of yourself and noticing how you're feeling at different moments and how you're breathing and your emotional state, how we tie them together in our own awareness.” - Beth Barany Did you know the five senses play an important part in making a connection between your character and readers? In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “How A Character's Breathing Reveals Their Emotion in Your Novel” host Beth Barany shares how you can create a deep emotional bond between your characters and readers, when to use breath and emotion cues, and provides writing examples in prose using breath as a technique to hook your readers. Beth also shares the inspiration behind the episode and shares about her Edit lab, a monthly membership with exclusive perks. ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. She helps science fiction and fantasy novelists write, revise, and publish stories that matter by blending practical craft guidance with a commitment to imagination, possibility, and how stories shape our world. RESOURCES You finished your novel? Now what? Get the 30,000-foot view with our Edit Your Novel Checklist: http://edityournovelchecklist.com/ Get the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ Join the Edit Lab! https://bethbarany.com/editlab Support the podcast! https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany * Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  2. Aug 3

    216. How to Restart Your Writing after a Break

    “Do not make yourself wrong. Life is busy. We have multiple commitments that we're juggling, all of us.” - Beth Barany In this How To Write the Future podcast episode titled “How to Restart Your Writing after a Break,” host Beth Barany shares the emotional turbulence of coming back to writing after a break and why feeling anger can be a powerful tool to use in your writing. She also offers tips to use timed writing and helpful prompts, which are available to download free here. Sign up for your “10 Ways to Generate Ideas” ebook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/10-ways-to-generate-ideas/ ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves. RESOURCES Sign up for your “10 Ways to Generate Ideas” ebook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/10-ways-to-generate-ideas/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  3. Jul 27

    215. Make Your Environment Writer-Friendly

    “I really like to have physical objects in my environment to inspire my creativity so that when I look at them, the story comes to mind very easily.” In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, “Make Your Environment Writer-Friendly” host, Beth Barany shares how you can create a unique surroundings that will inspire and motivate you in your writing. From crafting a collage and displaying physical items to using a corkboard, Beth shares ideas that are great to help get listeners be more creative in their writing space.  ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. She helps science fiction and fantasy novelists write, revise, and publish stories that matter by blending practical craft guidance with a commitment to imagination, possibility, and how stories shape our world. RESOURCES Writing practice. “I can do this.” (Step 2): https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2024/11/18/writing-practice-i-can-do-this-step-2/Writing Consistently: Facts and Myths: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/12/22/writing-consistently-facts-and-myths/How To Plan Your Writing Life: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2024/01/01/how-to-plan-your-writing-life/Get Writing: Seven Ways to Get Out of Your Own Way: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2023/07/24/get-writing-seven-ways-to-get-out-of-your-own-way/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  4. Jul 20

    214. How to Self-Coach Toward Your Writing North Star

    “What you want is to be able to look at your goal, what you've written down, and have a really clear picture for what that looks like.” - Beth Barany If you self coached, could you be more efficient with your writing time? That’s exactly what How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany is sharing today in the episode titled “How to Self-Coach Toward Your Writing North Star.” Beth shares what the writing GMC stands for and breaks down each area explaining how you can create your best in your storytelling, From defining your big goal, how to find your motivation, to even handling conflicts, Beth also shares an example of a quick-timed exercise at the end of the episode, which is great for when you’re feeling stuck in your writing. ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. She helps science fiction and fantasy novelists write, revise, and publish stories that matter by blending practical craft guidance with a commitment to imagination, possibility, and how stories shape our world. RESOURCES The Writer’s GMC: Know What You Want https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2007/02/01/the-writers-gmc-know-what-you-want/ This episode is adapted from The Writer’s Adventure Guide by Beth Barany https://books2read.com/writersadventureguide SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  5. Jul 13

    213. Editing Your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel: Genre, Tropes, and Character Arc

    “Identify in your own book what are the tropes that you're using that are identifiable by any reader. And notice if they're all working for you.“ - Beth Barany In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, “Editing Your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel: Genre, Tropes, and Character Arc” host Beth Barany explains why the “Edit Your Novel Checklist” is a great resource for writers who have finished their rough draft, encourages you to think about your reader and genre expectations, and provides an example and walk-through of a story showing you how to problem solve issues with your character arc. This episode also includes discussion of book tropes; how to hone in on the biggest problem in your story; the next stages of your story writing; and whether that stage includes beta readers or an editor. Get your Edit Your Novel Checklist here: http://edityournovelchecklist.com/ ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves. RESOURCES Support the podcast! https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany Get the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  6. Jul 6

    212. How To Use Notion AI for Developmental Editing

    “ My end goal is to be able to say to the writer, "Here's where you're weak, here's where you're strong.” - Beth Barany In this forward thinking How To Write the Future episode, titled “How To Use Notion AI for Developmental Editing” host Beth Barany shares how authors can use AI ethically to help them in their writing, explains how she uses Notion AI for her clients, and includes a detailed work-through and the step-by-step analysis of how it works.  ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves. RESOURCES Support the podcast! https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany Get the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ Join the Edit Lab! https://bethbarany.com/editlab * SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  7. Jun 29

    211. Write the Future: Our Five Themes

    “Writing craft is about meaning and the reader experience. I really don't teach rigid rules because language is evolving constantly, and it's all about choices.” - Beth Barany In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “Write the Future: Our Five Themes” host Beth Barany shares the five themes often discussed on the podcast which include writing craft tips, helpful advice, walkthroughs, and interviews. Beth also explains why she believes our personal creativity can be used to reshape humanity and shares the one thing that she believes beats “the hustle” every time. The five topic themes: World buildingCreative Process & MindsetPublishingMarketingAI EthicsDo you have a question on one of the topics above? Then Beth invites you to get in touch and your question could be shared in an upcoming podcast episode. * ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves. * Support the podcast! https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany Get the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/  Join the Edit Lab before the price goes up! https://bethbarany.com/editlab * SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

  8. Jun 22

    210. Crafting a Compelling Villain: Goals, Motivation, Conflict

    “In addition to your villain's goal, they need a motivation. They feel like they're the hero of their own story. They have a good reason for wanting what they want.” - Beth Barany In some stories long after the final page is closed, the villain often captivates the reader over a hero.  Their backstory, portrayal, beliefs and even down to certain acts of heroism, but how do you make your villain compelling? In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “Crafting a Compelling Villain: Goals, Motivation, Conflict” host Beth Barany, shares how to craft a compelling villain to engage readers, drive the plot of their story, and ways to build an depth conflict within their journey. Use the steps outlined in the episode to plan and draft out your villain and apply it to your story. Support us! https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany Get the workbook: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/  Join the Edit Lab before the price goes up! https://bethbarany.com/editlab ✶ GET SUPPORT FOR YOUR FICTION WRITING BY A NOVELIST AND WRITING TEACHER AND COACH Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/ ✶ ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. Through her services and products, she guides novelists to write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to bright imagination, deep meaning, and wide-open possibilities. She calls writers to create with hope and courage—and to speak truth through art, even when it stretches them into a new version of themselves. ✶ ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST How To Write The Future is a podcast for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to imagine better worlds—and write stories that bring those futures to life. Each episode offers practical craft guidance, creative prompts, and big-picture inspiration to help you draft, revise, and publish with purpose. -------------------- SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

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About

The How to Write The Future Podcast offers fiction writing tips for science fiction and fantasy authors who want to create optimistic stories because when we vision what is possible, we help make it so. By science fiction and fantasy author and fiction writing coach, Beth Barany.

Information

  • Creator
    Beth Barany
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    217
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beth Barany
  • Show Website
    How To Write The Future

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