Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a deceptively simple question from a listener: how do you write an immortal character? If your hero can’t die, what’s left to fear...and how do you keep their story from feeling, well, lifeless?
We’re digging into the listener's character Equia, her mysterious soul-stripping backstory, and the deeper issue behind the question: what does immortality mean to a character, and what does it cost? From gods freezing time to cursed divine gifts, we break down classic (and subversive) examples from Pirates of the Caribbean, Invincible, Interview with the Vampire, Castlevania, and Logan. And we explore why immortality often fails when it becomes a cheat code instead of a challenge. Plus, we unpack how emotional truth gives immortal characters staying power, how to dirty up a too-clean origin story, and what really makes a power feel earned. Whether your hero lives forever or wishes they didn’t, this is the episode to help you build it right.
Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind.
Check out my new short story "Upon a Dream," which was published this past week in the Briar & Thorn issue of The Fairy Tale Magazine! Available to read online here.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.
Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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