Barbarian Grunge

Barbarian Grunge explores the intricacies of storytelling through a blend of original fiction, in-depth analyses of writing techniques, author interviews, and reviews of diverse media. It delves into character development, the role of mundane in enhancing magic, adaptation challenges, and the emotional impact of story elements.

Storytelling Techniques Character Development Media Analysis Author Interviews Narrative Structures Creative Inspiration Community-Driven Publications

The hottest Substack posts of Barbarian Grunge

And their main takeaways

What Have I Been Reading This Year?

44 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
📚 Literature Graphic novels Video Games Novels Short Stories
  1. The author read and studied various types of content over the past year including graphic novels, video games, screenplays, novels, nonfiction, TV & film, short stories, poems, and for fun
  2. The author found inspiration from the works they read, learning from different genres and styles to enhance their writing
  3. Many of the works the author read were by well-known writers such as Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Stephen King, and Warren Ellis, among others

An Interview with an Author, Journal Founder, & Former Publisher: Garret Francis

56 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Garrett Francis begins his writing process with images that inspire him, building ideas and timelines before beginning to write.
  2. He approaches both novels and short stories in a similar way, focusing on developing characters and ideas based on images that come to mind.
  3. He aims for stories to have an overarching purpose or point, while also providing readers with multiple layers to engage with.

Fiction: Hunters

56 implied HN points • 01 May 23
⚔ Fiction Horror Short Story
  1. The natural order involves life eating life.
  2. Killing is a learned behavior, not instinctual.
  3. Real killers are cultivated beings, not born that way.
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BAIT, by Bret Easton Ellis: A Tale of Sharks and Revenge

11 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
📚 Literature
  1. The script BAIT by Bret Easton Ellis follows a unique story structure that creates a strong investment from the audience for revenge and then against the avenger.
  2. Bret Easton Ellis excels in character writing, making readers empathize with extremely vile characters while still detesting them.
  3. Suspension of disbelief in the script is handled in an unusual way, gradually making the audience accept extreme events as plausible through character consistency.

The Howl Society

1 HN point • 05 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Horror Community Feedback
  1. The Howl Society is a community of horror authors that welcomes newcomers, offers feedback on stories, and produces annual horror anthologies.
  2. Members of The Howl Society come from diverse backgrounds, making discussions lively and engaging.
  3. The anthologies produced by The Howl Society are community-driven, with themes, stories, and artwork decided through crowd-sourcing and workshops.

Dizzying Pressures in Jessica Knoll’s “The Favourite Sister”

1 HN point • 08 Feb 23
  1. The book explores the pressure and competition faced by successful women in a reality show setting.
  2. Characters in the story reflect the intense stress and emotions caused by the competitive environment.
  3. The inclusion of a murder in the story is debated, with some feeling it detracts from the narrative.