Story Secrets - Drafting Dragons

Have you ever dreamed of writing your own fantasy novel but felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the task? That’s exactly how I’ve felt for years. But after speaking with Dutch fantasy author Cocky van Dijk, who turned a short story into a trilogy and co-runs the Zilverspoor publishing house, I learned that starting small is the secret to building big worlds.

In this week’s episode of my podcast, I met with Cocky to explore the fascinating world of her trilogy, De Schaduwkrijger (The Shadow Warrior). Its protagonist, Fenna, dreams of guiding dragon souls to rebirth—but instead, she’s betrayed by one and trapped in the underworld. This conversation wasn’t just about dragons or storytelling. It was a masterclass in perseverance, creativity, and using personal struggles to fuel your art.

Highlights From the Podcast:

•  Start Small: Cocky began her journey with short stories and writing contests before tackling a full book.
•  Write Through Struggles: She channeled a painful personal experience into Fenna’s journey, turning grief into a powerful narrative.
•  Create Space for Creativity: Waking up early, with coffee in hand, gave her quiet, focused writing time every day.

This episode reminded me that writing doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. It just has to start. Whether you’re creating dragons or dreaming up entirely new worlds, every word you write brings your story to life.

🎙️ Curious to hear more? Cocky's wisdom, humor, and love for storytelling are all in this week’s podcast. Don’t miss it—especially if you’ve ever thought, Maybe I should write a book... someday.