Story Secrets - "Fantasy Helps Us Discover Our Own World"

Story Secrets - "Fantasy Helps Us Discover Our Own World"

Author: Fr. Roderick Vonhögen February 14, 2025 Duration: 20:22

It’s Fantasy Friday, and I’ve got two things for you: an inspiring interview with fantasy author and illustrator Robin Rozendal and an update on my own fantasy novel.

Meet Robin Rozendal: I met Robin at the Fantasy Festival in Arcen, and her creativity blew me away. Here’s why:

  • Massive, Original World: Her fantasy books explore living cities—yes, cities with thoughts, emotions, and even mental health struggles. It’s a concept I’ve never seen before, and it’s brilliant.

  • Multi-Talented Creator: She’s not just an author; she illustrates her own books and runs two YouTube channels (in Dutch) about writing and videography. Her writing journey even inspired me to start my own Booktube channel.

Her world-building is next-level, blending human characters with sentient cities that communicate through emotions and memories. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will.

My Novel Update: Inspired by creators like Robin, I finally gave myself permission to write. I’m in month two of my novel-writing journey:

  • January: Focused on plotting, world-building, and character sketches.

  • February: Drafting phase with a goal of 3,000 words a day. Surprisingly, I often exceed that, hitting 5,000 words or more.

The story has evolved beyond my original outline, and that’s part of the magic. Writing isn’t just about getting words on paper; it’s about discovering the story as you go.

If you’ve ever wanted to write, consider this your sign: start today. You might just find a new passion.

Want more insights into my writing process? Check out my daily updates on YouTube: My BookTube Channel.

Check out Robin Rozendal's Channel on YouTube
Visit her website and order her books here


Ever notice how a great film or television show can linger in your mind long after the credits roll? There’s often something more happening beneath the surface, a resonance that feels almost spiritual. Story Secrets is where we pull on those threads. Hosted by Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, this podcast sits at a unique crossroads, weaving together discussions on faith, popular culture, and pure entertainment. Each episode takes a familiar story-whether from a beloved movie, a gripping TV series, or even a timeless tale-and gently uncovers the themes of meaning, purpose, and humanity hidden within. You won’t find dry lectures here; instead, Fr. Roderick brings a conversational and insightful perspective, revealing how narratives we enjoy in our leisure time can unexpectedly illuminate deeper questions about life, virtue, and connection. It’s for anyone who loves a good story and has ever wondered why it sticks with them. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful friend for a coffee after seeing a fantastic film, where the conversation naturally drifts from plot points to the profound. You’ll come away with a richer appreciation for the craft of storytelling and, perhaps, a new lens through which to view your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Story Secrets
Podcast Episodes
Story Secrets - "Dungeons & Dragons inspired my book" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:23
What if the color of your eyes determined your entire life? That’s the premise behind Gaby Raaijmakers’ fantasy trilogy, where eye color dictates everything—your job, your social class, even your future. Born with blue e…
Story Secrets - Cooking Monsters and Exorcising Spirits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:32
Editing my footage from the Elfia fantasy fair feels like stepping into a time machine. It’s freezing outside, but watching those warm, sunny September days again? Pure joy. Events like these are more than just fun—they…
Story Secrets - Review Of The Movie 'Carry-On' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:55
Not so long ago, my friends recommended a movie that had been sitting on my Netflix homepage forever: Carry On. At the time, I scrolled past it, thinking, Eh, maybe later. But when they described it as a non-stop, old-sc…
Story Secrets - Is Mara Jade Finally Coming to Star Wars Canon? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
When Disney took over Star Wars, they wiped out the entire Expanded Universe, leaving fans heartbroken. Years of novels, comics, and games—gone, or rather, rebranded as Legends. While some elements have slowly crept back…
Story Secrets - Severance Season 2: Does It Live Up to the Hype? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
If you’ve been holding your breath for Severance Season 2, exhale—it’s here, and it’s absolutely worth the wait. I’m Father Roderick, a priest and a geek, and today I’m diving into why this mind-bending series is still o…
Story Secrets - Fantastic Four & the Rise of Retro Heroes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:43
You’ve probably heard the talk: "Superhero fatigue is real." With some recent Marvel and DC projects underperforming, it's easy to see why. But hold on—there’s a fresh wave of superhero content that might just change the…
Story Secrets - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reboot: What We Know So Far [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:07
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is making a comeback. No, this isn’t just another reboot announcement—we actually have some fresh details about the new series, and they’re worth talking about. The big news? Sarah Michelle Gella…
Story Secrets - "We Needed Children’s Books To Recover" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:19
Some stories stay with you long after you close the book. Some characters feel so real that their struggles, triumphs, and losses affect you deeply—even if they’re entirely fictional. I recently spoke with authors Anaïd…