Writing and Killing Unicorns
What does it mean to be a writer? Am I bragging if I tell people I am a writer? Am I a failure or scared if I don't? Writing and Killing Unicorns is a raw and unapologetic look into what it means to be a writer and how a crumbling world could affect the craft and the writer, hosted by me, Karen. Hollywood would have us believe books can be written in five minutes-that inspiration is this magical creature. It's time for those lies to die. Writing is hard, and scary, and fun, and healing. I will discuss the joys and fears of being a creative with the written word in a world that is literally crumbling at the seams. Through self-understanding, research and the help of people in the business, let's learn together. And remember: if you have a pen in your hand, no matter what, you're write.
Writing and Killing Unicorns
Whole New World: Into The Unknown with LaDarrion Williams
Welcome to Writing and Killing Unicorns, the podcast where we dive deep into the magic and mayhem of storytelling. In this episode, we’re stepping into uncharted territory with LaDarrion Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Blood at the Root.
Fantasy is a genre built on imagination, but getting published in it is a whole different kind of adventure. LaDarrion takes us through his journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author, sharing insights on world-building, crafting immersive settings, and making magic feel real. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring a fantasy world to life—or what it takes to break into publishing—this episode is for you.
🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✨ The moment LaDarrion knew writing was his calling
✨ The winding road to publication in the fantasy genre
✨ How Blood at the Root was born—characters first, or world first?
✨ The art of world-building and why it’s essential to storytelling
✨ Techniques for creating believable magic systems
✨ The balance between deep lore and reader immersion
✨ Avoiding info dumps while making a world feel rich and lived-in
✨ The biggest challenges in world-building—and how to overcome them
✨ A sneak peek at what LaDarrion is working on next!
📚 Books & Resources Mentioned
- Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
- Bones at the Crossroads by LaDarrion Williams
🔮 Follow LaDarrion Williams
Stay updated on LaDarrion’s work and upcoming projects:
🌐 linktr.ee: @ladarrionw
📖 Instagram: @itsladarrion
📖 Twitter/X: @ItsLaDarrion
🎧 Subscribe & Stay Connected
If you love the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Follow us for more behind-the-scenes insights and future episodes:
📲 Instagram: the_krnelson
📩 Got questions or topics you want us to cover? Email us at writingandkillingunicorns@gmail.com.
📢 Next Episode: "Am I Stuck with This Genre?"
Feeling boxed into one genre? In our next episode, we explore the uncertainty many writers face about whether they should stick to the genre they’re known for or break free into something new. We'll discuss the pros and cons of genre-hopping, how to transition without losing your audience, and whether you really need a pen name to switch things up. Don’t miss it!
#Fantasy #WorldBuilding #LaDarrionWilliams #BloodAtTheRoot #WritingPodcast #MagicSystems #AuthorLife #GenreHopping
Remember: There are no shortcuts to writing. Only the craft.
