Dissecting Dragons

J.A. Ironside & M.E. Vaughan•dissectingdragons.podbean.com

Authors J.A. Ironside and M.E. Vaughan talk about books, films and all aspects of speculative fiction, from the nuts and bolts of writing it, to its (occasionally) obscure origins.

Last refreshed: February 16th, 2026 at 6:14 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 376: In that Time In that Place - the Monomyth and Other Storytelling Modes

Most writers at some point become familiar with the idea of the monomyth and the work of Joseph Campbell. However, despite the misleading name, the monomyth is not the only blueprint for all storytelling. While it's very prevalent in almost ever story in the Western world, there are several other storytelling modes which privilege different aspects of a story for a variety of different reasons. This week, Jules and Madeleine take a look at other kinds of story templates, travelling through the m...

May 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 376

Episode 375: The Batcherlorette - Bookish Edition

Every so often the dragons like to break away from writing technique and storytelling analysis and do something light and fun. This week they have a list of contenders for the hand of an imaginary batchelorette. Our would be suitors are drawn from the most highly sought after romantic male leads of fiction - from Mr Darcy to Edward Cullen. But just what is it that makes any of our romantic hopefuls appealing? Find out as Jules and Madeleine gently poke fun at them and weigh their finer qualities...

May 12, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 375

Ep 374: Her Fatal Curiosity - Tracing the Origins of Bluebeard

Welcome to another 'fairytales in focus' episode. This week the dragons are tackling one of the most gruesome popular folk stories. The story of well known wife murderer 'Bluebeard' has inspired a lot of Gothic and horror fiction, but its own origins - while comparatively recent - are somewhat unusual. In addition, while it's often slammed for being a truly sexist story, digging into the folklore suggests that its 'moral' was probably lost in translation. Jules and Madeleine track the story's gr...

May 05, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 374

Ep 373: Circe Morgana and Rosaline - The Problem with Feminist Retellings

Retelling a well known myth, fairytale or historical event from a marginalised, often voiceless character's perspective is not a new idea, however it has gained a lot of traction and popularity over the last few years. This is especially true of 'feminist retellings'. Whether the term 'feminist retelling' is more of a marketing term or a true reflection of the contents is up for debate however, and is further complicated by the fact that the word feminism means different things to different peop...

Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 373

Episode 372: Truth Fiction and Outright Absurdity - More Strange Author Mysteries

Sometimes the lives of authors are stranger or more fraught than the books they write in true truth is stranger than fiction style. Following on from a past episode which tracked the strange deaths and mysteries of four well known authors, the dragons present to you four more authors who lived unconventional lives which were at odds with the time they lived in or even their own storytelling. Tune in this week for a discussion on V.C. Andrews, Thomas Hardy, Wilkie Collins and Emily Dickinson. Tit...

Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 372

Episode 371: Breaking the Stained Glass Window - Language Storytelling Absolutism and Censorship

Every so often the dragons like to catch up on some of the more bizarre or annoying happenings of the writing world. A certain recent article tipped the scales this time so in this episode Jules and Madeleine are looking at attitudes and trends which have been in the spotlight recently. Is there any benefit to 'scrubbing' beloved but somewhat dated children's fiction? Is there such a thing as a writer who writes too much? What constitutes boring in terms of real life people and fictional charact...

Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 371

Episode 370: Running with th Wolves - Werewolves in Folklore and Speculative Fiction Part 2

In last week's episode, Jules and Madeleine examined the werewolf in folklore, it's transformation from noble guardian to monstrous predator, and why everything you think you know about werewolves is in fact wrong, This week, the dragons take a look at the werewolf in film and literature. From desirable outlet of wildness to expression of uncontrollable rage, the werewolf has been a favourite monster for decades. This episode considers why. On the slab this week: In the Company of Wolves, An Ame...

Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 370

Episode 369: Running with the Wolves - Werewolves in Folklore and Speculative Fiction Part 1

In a previous episode, the dragons discussed shapeshifters in folklore and fiction, however they did not devote much time to the European, UK and Irish cryptid - the werewolf. In part one of a two part episode, Jules and Madeleine follow the changes this creature undergoes from early Medieval times to the modern day. Like many aspects of folklore, the werewolf has been shaped by historical events and changing mindsets, and is in many ways more representative of the broad sweeps of European histo...

Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 369

Episode 368: Help I’ve Written a Book - What to do next when you want to get published

Considering that writing and publishing are completely so closely linked, they couldn't be more different in terms of execution for the author. Assuming you manage to be one of the small number of people who actually finish writing a book, you may well find yourself bewildered as to what to do next. Drawing on their decade of experience in the industry, Jules and Madeleine use this episode to give you an overview of your options including why one path might be more suitable for you than another....

Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 368

Episode 367: To Like or Not to Like - Writing Likeable Characters in Speculative Fiction

A strangely contentious issue when it comes to writing is whether or not your main character needs to be likeable. The vast majority of readers would probably argue in one direction while many subsections of the writing community would argue the opposite. For a subject where it's clear everyone's mileage varies, it's interesting that the question causes such a division and even anger. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at what a 'likeable character' is in writing terms, as well as how you...

Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 367

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