Where Good Writing Meets Great Fantasy: Young Voices, Big Imaginations

Source: The Place Charlestown

There’s something energising about listening to young people talk about the stories that shape them. In the latest episode of The Placed to Speak podcast, produced through the Place Based Abilities Program, a group of passionate participants explore where “good writing meets great fantasy and visual media”. What unfolds is thoughtful, funny and surprisingly insightful.

Hosted by Riley and joined by Jason, Quinn, Dom and Emily, the episode dives straight into the heart of storytelling: when did we fall in love with reading, and why does it matter?

For some, it started early. For others, like Riley, the spark came later, around age 10 or 11, proving that there’s no timeline on discovering a love of books. Emily shares her pride in recently finishing a book cover-to-cover, a milestone she speaks about with quiet confidence. Quinn traces his reading journey back to the COVID lockdowns, when online novels opened entire new worlds. And what worlds they are.

From Brandon Sanderson and Leigh Bardugo to Wings of Fire and Lord of the Mysteries, the group speaks fluently in the language of fantasy: dragons, steampunk cities, mythical beasts and intricate power systems. Quinn enthusiastically describes epic sagas spanning thousands of chapters. Emily lights up discussing authors who write characters so vividly you can “picture it in your mind.” Riley reflects on how powerful it is when writing allows you to build a complete world inside your head.

Dom offers a perspective many readers will relate to: sometimes pictures make all the difference. Graphic novels and cartoon-style storytelling help him connect more deeply. “For me, I’m able to see the pictures and stuff, it’s a lot more fun to read,” he explains. His honesty brings balance to the conversation and reinforces an important message that stories don’t belong to just one format.

The discussion moves seamlessly between literature and visual media. The group debates graphic novels versus traditional books, the role of fan art, and the difference between fan art and fan fiction. They explore whether seeing a character visually enhances the experience or risks “ruining” the image you’ve built in your own imagination. There’s also a lively critique of book-tomovie adaptations. How to Train Your Dragon earns strong praise as a rare example of a story successfully reimagined for the screen. Other adaptations spark frustration, with participants noting how changes to characters, tone or target audience can disappoint loyal readers. Their analysis is sharp, respectful and impressively nuanced.

What stands out most is that these young people are not only consumers of stories, but creators too. Dom recreates classic cartoon scenes and shares his art online — Emily experiments with animation-style drawing. Riley speaks candidly about the challenges of developing a personal art style. Even those who claim they “aren’t strong artists” demonstrate creativity through ideas, critique and storytelling insight.

Throughout the episode, personalities shine. Quinn’s encyclopaedic knowledge of fantasy worlds. Emily’s thoughtful reflections. Dom’s candid humour. Riley’s reflective hosting. Jason’s steady questions guiding the conversation forward.

This is exactly what the Place Based Abilities Program is designed to foster: confidence, creativity and voice. Give young people a microphone, and they’ll show you just how deeply they’re thinking.

If you’ve ever argued that the book was better than the movie, drawn your favourite character, or disappeared into a fictional world for hours at a time, this episode is for you.

Listen now on Spotify and step into a world where imagination leads the way, https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xNHllY8mTU5THbkgHCBo3?si=yvpUDbbZTSyEXpipScoiTQ.