Episode 159 of Speculate!–Roundtable Discussion with Monte Cook, Shanna Germain, and Patrick Rothfuss

Summary:       <br> Welcome to Episode 159 of Speculate! The Podcast for Writers, Readers and Fans.  In this episode, our second joint production of Speculate and <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron">Greg’s Twitch channel</a> (under the moniker Arvan Eleron), we return to the world of Numenera and <a href="https://inxile-entertainment.com/">inXile Entertainment</a>‘s <a href="https://torment.inxile-entertainment.com/">Torment: Tides of Numenera</a> as we speak with world designer <a href="http://www.shannagermain.com/portfolio_2/numenera/">Shanna Germain</a>, world creator <a href="http://www.montecookgames.com/">Monte Cook</a>, and bestselling author and Torment contributor <a href="http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/index.asp">Patrick Rothfuss</a>.  Having already looked at some of the gameplay and mechanics in our first Numenera episode, here we concentrate more directly on the parts of the world connected to writing and narrative, focusing on worldbuilding, character development, and the translation of a world from tabletop RPG to literature to video game and back again.  This conversation was so much fun and gave us so much material, we had to split it into two parts, the second almost exclusively with Pat alone.  If you’d like to see the video version of this, head to Greg’s Twitch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ArvanEleron">YouTube channel</a>, and if you liked what you saw and heard, don’t forget to check back next week when we’ll post part two of the show.  Thanks for supporting us here and via our Patreon, and thanks as always for listening to and spreading the word about the show!<br> ADDITIONAL NOTE: The time for Hugo nominations is just about over, and we’re pleased to see that Speculate has made several <a href="http://www.nerds-feather.com/2016/01/2016-hugo-longlist-part-4-nonfiction.html">long lists</a> for Best Fancast.  We would dearly love to see the show get nominated for that honor this year, and so we wanted to remind all of our loyal listeners that if you have enjoyed what we do over the years and are so inclined, we would welcome your support. If you’re a member of last year’s, this year’s, or next year’s Worldcon, you’re eligible to nominate, and can do so <a href="http://midamericon2.org/the-hugo-awards/hugo-nominations/2016-hugo-awards-nominations/">here</a>—but only before the end of the day on Thursday, March 31st.  So please go and <a href="http://midamericon2.org/the-hugo-awards/hugo-nominations/2016-hugo-awards-nominations/">nominate now</a>, and if we’re on your list under the <a href="http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-categories/">Best Fancast category</a>, we would be most grateful!<br>