Who's your Robin Hood: T.K. Hall & 'Shadow of the Wolf'

Which was your first Robin?

Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding speaks with author T.K. Hall about Robin Hood and how this tale has changed with the centuries. We take our cue from the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring where Galadriel says 'History became legend. Legend became myth.' Do all Robin stories fall somewhere along that line?

Tim has offered, in his version, a mythic Robin connected to the wild wood. Listen in to find out how the story was inspired by a trip up the Amazon, as Julia and Tim discuss just how difficult is it to write a big fantasy trilogy. Tim will take us through his struggles since the first book was published in 2014 – as we know, writing isn't easy! We’ll end on a lighter note by discussing where Robin Hood might best fit in another fantasy world.

For more information on Shadow of the Wolf and its sequels, Dark Fire and Wildwood Rising, visit Tim's website at https://tkhallauthor.com/ and sign up for his newsletter at https://tkhallauthor.substack.com/

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0:00 Introduction to Mythmakers Podcast

0:53 Tim's First Encounters with Robin Hood

15:31 Tim's Struggles with the Second Book

16:47 Challenges of Writing a Trilogy

24:41 Influence of Greek Myths on Transformation

26:37 Robin's Transformation and Relationship with Nature

32:18 Handling Violence in the Story

33:56 Tim's Approach to Planning the Trilogy

35:48 David Fickling's Writing Wisdom

37:17 Learning to Allow Words to Flow

38:21 Publication Dates for Parts Two and Three

41:11 Imagining Robin Hood in Other Fantasy Worlds

Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!