Eldrosia Descent

Eldrosia Descent

What drives someone to seek a life in storytelling, even while juggling a full-time job and a newborn at home? This conversation between host Jim Hirtle and fantasy author John White gives a behind-the-scenes look at exactly that. John is a history teacher, new dad and debut novelist with a passion for sword and sorcery. His book, *Eldrosia Dissent*, took around three and a half years to shape, including an entire year spent on worldbuilding alone.

He talks about giving his fictional land roughly 2,000 years of history, complete with shifting maps, major battles and room for both past and future stories. If you like layered worlds, you’ll enjoy hearing how he keeps it all straight with a massive Google doc and even “maps within maps.” You’ll also meet Eric and his sidekick Liam, two characters whose very names were chosen through research into Celtic and Latin meanings.

Eric is part of a blessed human race, stronger and larger than average, while Liam is more like the everyday person, trying to prove himself amid political tension. John explains how their bond sits at the heart of the narrative and how sword and sorcery focuses less on “saving the world” and more on following heroes as they grow. There’s plenty here for aspiring writers too.

John admits the hardest part was staying organised and disciplined in a huge project, then being brave enough to cut pages he loved. His advice is simple: “Just start… the story stays in their head. It’s never putting down.” He shares how beta readers in his family and an editor from his school days helped shape the book, and how social feedback through reviews gave him confidence as a first-time author.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your own story is worth writing, John’s journey from sports-loving teacher to fantasy author might be the nudge you need. What’s the story sitting in your head that deserves a start today?