The Quill & Candle — Episode 4: The Walk That Wrote a Novel
This is the episode where it all comes full circle.
Ten months ago, I came to Glendalough in Ireland and had an idea for a fantasy novel. Now, I’ve returned—after two weeks of hiking, dictating, and dreaming through the Irish wilderness—with a finished first draft.
In this episode, I take you with me on my final writing walk through the Wicklow Mountains. Along the way, I share:
How walking became my most powerful writing tool
How ancient ruins and fairy gardens ended up shaping my fantasy world
What a real day looks like on a writing retreat (spoiler: it involves instant noodles)
The method I used to write 45,000 words while still exploring, thinking, and resting
This isn’t just a recap—it’s a living snapshot of what it means to create in rhythm with nature, and to trust the story to find you as you go.
Whether you’re a writer, a creator, or simply someone curious about how books are born in the wild—I hope this journey inspires your own.
🕯️ Read the full newsletter version here: The Quill & Candle #4 📬 Subscribe to daily flash fiction & behind-the-scenes writing life at: https://fatherroderick.substack.com 🎧 Looking for creative tools & tips? Try my second Substack: https://storytellerscompanion.substack.com
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The Quill & Candle — Episode 3: A Writing Retreat in Ireland
I’m back in Glendalough, where the idea for my fantasy novel was born. A year ago, I was walking along the ancient pilgrim paths here, and my imagination just ran wild. What if the old stories about saints and miracles were all true? What if the forests hid elves, wild beasts, and unseen magic?
That spark turned into the book I’m now finishing. Being here again, surrounded by lakes and monastic ruins, I feel why I wanted to write this story in the first place. Because stories have always been the oldest form of magic I know. They transform how we see the world, lift us out of our everyday struggles, and connect us to something bigger.
In this episode, I share:
The moment this book idea came to life.
How the history and legends of Glendalough shaped my story.
Why I think stories themselves are a form of real magic.
If you’ve ever wondered where ideas come from or how places can feed your creativity, you’ll want to hear this one.
Welcome to another cozy, story-rich episode of The Quill & Candle, where fantasy, faith, and long walks collide in unexpected (and often hilarious) ways. In this episode, I recount a memorable visit to a fantasy festival held—of all places—in a decommissioned church… complete with protestors at the door and cosplayers on the catwalk.
✨ What’s inside:
My encounter with protestors yelling “Don’t lose your soul!” (spoiler: I went in anyway)
Reflections on why fantasy and faith aren't enemies—and what the Bible has in common with epic fantasy
How three long walks gave birth to three brand-new story ideas—including:
A children's trilogy about a cat, a dragon, and pirates
An interactive "choose-your-own-adventure" story blending Star Wars, Middle-Earth, and anime
A sci-fi short inspired by a tired museum worker and some unruly school kids
Behind the scenes of this week’s short stories, from magical cauldrons to underwater wishes
A book review of The Cat Who Saved a Library by Sosuke Natsukawa—and why its message matters more than ever
🎧 Listen now and let me know what you think in the comments.
📬 Prefer your stories in bite-sized form? You can subscribe to:
The Daily Scroll for a brand-new short fantasy story every morning: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-daily-scroll
The Quill & Candle for this weekly podcast, book recs, writing updates, and more: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-quill-and-candle
Thanks for being part of this journey.
—Father RoderickPriest. Storyteller. Daily writer of strange and magical things.
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
The Cat Who Saved a Library by Sosuke Natsukawa
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (anime)
How to Train Your Dragon (live-action adaptation)
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The Quill & Candle — Episode 1: A New Weekly Show!
Welcome to the very first episode of The Quill & Candle, a weekly show where I share what it’s like to write fantasy stories as a Catholic priest—and what I’m learning along the way.
In this launch episode, I reflect on one month of daily storytelling and how a simple habit—walking in the woods and dictating ideas into my phone—has become a wellspring of creativity.
You’ll hear:
How I accidentally became a Substack writer
Why I’m writing both epic fantasy and children’s stories set in Rome
The strange method that helps me finish a short story every single day
The real-life inspiration behind one of my scariest stories, The Leech
And a book review of The Cat Who Saved Books—yes, it features a talking tabby
Whether you're here for cozy fantasy, story magic, Roman elephants, or the creative chaos of writing life, I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair.
🎧 Listen now and let me know what you think in the comments.
📬 Prefer your stories in bite-sized form? You can subscribe to:
The Daily Scroll for a brand-new short fantasy story every morning: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-daily-scroll
The Quill & Candle for this weekly podcast, book recs, writing updates, and more: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-quill-and-candle
Thanks for being part of this journey.
—Father Roderick Priest. Storyteller. Daily writer of strange and magical things.
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Story Secrets - The Pie Runner
Running has been a part of my life for years. I still remember the pure joy of crossing the finish line in my first half-marathon—and the wild mix of exhaustion and exhilaration when I completed a full one.
But time marches on. Recovery takes longer, keeping my pace requires more effort.
During a training run, an idea popped into my head. I recorded the elements of the story with an app on my watch. That is why I sound so out of breath!
You can compare this very early version of the story to the final result on my Substack page: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-pie-runner
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