Dan Hanly - Fantasy Author
@danhanly.com
Welsh author of Dark Fantasy and Mystery.
Buy my debut novel 'The Great Leap' today: amzn.to/455s8rI
Buy my debut novel 'The Great Leap' today: amzn.to/455s8rI
This one terrified me as a kid. It's about kids dying on farms. I didn't even live deep in the countryside, I lived in the Valleys which were quite dense towns. youtu.be/YLAfDrFUBkA?...
Never Rest [1990s UK School Farm Safety Film]
YouTube video by Nate Lanxon Drums
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This one terrified me as a kid. It's about kids dying on farms. I didn't even live deep in the countryside, I lived in the Valleys which were quite dense towns. youtu.be/YLAfDrFUBkA?...
Yeah I don't get that. I think it's because America has water fountains everywhere, whereas in UK or Europe, there are just taps, and you can just ask for it
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Yeah I don't get that. I think it's because America has water fountains everywhere, whereas in UK or Europe, there are just taps, and you can just ask for it
Or even something as simple as Americans reacting to the "how it works" of the UK plug and socket. They're like "wait, there's a switch to turn it off and on?"
November 12, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Or even something as simple as Americans reacting to the "how it works" of the UK plug and socket. They're like "wait, there's a switch to turn it off and on?"
And I do!!
One I enjoy seeing is watching Americans react to Football chants Vs American football chants. The difference is astounding and the UK fans say the wildest stuff. Not a fan of either sport, but I do love seeing the American reactions anyway hah
One I enjoy seeing is watching Americans react to Football chants Vs American football chants. The difference is astounding and the UK fans say the wildest stuff. Not a fan of either sport, but I do love seeing the American reactions anyway hah
November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
And I do!!
One I enjoy seeing is watching Americans react to Football chants Vs American football chants. The difference is astounding and the UK fans say the wildest stuff. Not a fan of either sport, but I do love seeing the American reactions anyway hah
One I enjoy seeing is watching Americans react to Football chants Vs American football chants. The difference is astounding and the UK fans say the wildest stuff. Not a fan of either sport, but I do love seeing the American reactions anyway hah
That's awesome, thank you!! Really helpful.
November 12, 2025 at 9:44 AM
That's awesome, thank you!! Really helpful.
That'd be awesome if you wouldn't mind. Because I want the executioner's instruction to be technical in a way that demonstrates he has an objective distance, yet the explanation should be morbid in an almost funny way. I need to know the correct way, so I can adapt it to the character
November 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
That'd be awesome if you wouldn't mind. Because I want the executioner's instruction to be technical in a way that demonstrates he has an objective distance, yet the explanation should be morbid in an almost funny way. I need to know the correct way, so I can adapt it to the character
Since I started writing a years ago, there have been numerous points I've looked at my search history and got genuinely worried I've been flagged in some database somewhere 🤣
November 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Since I started writing a years ago, there have been numerous points I've looked at my search history and got genuinely worried I've been flagged in some database somewhere 🤣
Ah damn, maybe I'd best try a few keyword searches to find it! That sounds ideal. It's definitely for my writing, definitely definitely I swear.
November 11, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Ah damn, maybe I'd best try a few keyword searches to find it! That sounds ideal. It's definitely for my writing, definitely definitely I swear.
I still want to make my readers uncomfortable, just as much as I want them to laugh, or cry, or throw their fists in the sky in victory. But, I don't want to make my readers fall into psychological distress. I write for my readers, and whilst I want to challenge them, I don't want to harm them.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I still want to make my readers uncomfortable, just as much as I want them to laugh, or cry, or throw their fists in the sky in victory. But, I don't want to make my readers fall into psychological distress. I write for my readers, and whilst I want to challenge them, I don't want to harm them.
So, I've revised both The Great Leap to include content warnings, and made sure they're included in the initial release of Stone Cold Blood.
Even with this, I'm unlikely to get things right on the first pass, so I wanted this thread to show a willingness to learn and adapt.
Even with this, I'm unlikely to get things right on the first pass, so I wanted this thread to show a willingness to learn and adapt.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
So, I've revised both The Great Leap to include content warnings, and made sure they're included in the initial release of Stone Cold Blood.
Even with this, I'm unlikely to get things right on the first pass, so I wanted this thread to show a willingness to learn and adapt.
Even with this, I'm unlikely to get things right on the first pass, so I wanted this thread to show a willingness to learn and adapt.
So, my view has flipped. I'm pro-trigger warning, pro-content warning. This isn't a reluctant adjustment of my view, this is a passionate flip. I think all media should have an easily accessible list of triggers.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
So, my view has flipped. I'm pro-trigger warning, pro-content warning. This isn't a reluctant adjustment of my view, this is a passionate flip. I think all media should have an easily accessible list of triggers.
Once I understand this, my other argument about the trigger warnings being spoilers completely evaporates. Spoiler or not, I want to make sure that I protect my readers as much as possible - it's my duty as a writer to prevent unneeded psychological harm.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Once I understand this, my other argument about the trigger warnings being spoilers completely evaporates. Spoiler or not, I want to make sure that I protect my readers as much as possible - it's my duty as a writer to prevent unneeded psychological harm.
In understanding this, you can probably see why I would want to protect my readers. I may be okay with making someone uncomfortable, but I am 100% not okay with making people experience full blown psychological distress.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
In understanding this, you can probably see why I would want to protect my readers. I may be okay with making someone uncomfortable, but I am 100% not okay with making people experience full blown psychological distress.
Trigger symptoms are intense: Flashbacks (reliving the event), severe panic attacks, and physical distress like a racing heart or shaking. There's a strong, overwhelming urge to flee or hide. Your body is signalling danger.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Trigger symptoms are intense: Flashbacks (reliving the event), severe panic attacks, and physical distress like a racing heart or shaking. There's a strong, overwhelming urge to flee or hide. Your body is signalling danger.
A trauma trigger causes an involuntary reaction. It's the brain's "fight/flight/freeze" survival system activating, bypassing conscious thought. It feels like you're reliving the trauma right now, even when you're safe. This is often a core sign of PTSD.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A trauma trigger causes an involuntary reaction. It's the brain's "fight/flight/freeze" survival system activating, bypassing conscious thought. It feels like you're reliving the trauma right now, even when you're safe. This is often a core sign of PTSD.
My thinking was entirely flawed. I believe this is because of the prevalence of the word "triggered" by those who didn't really understand it. People get "triggered" about an incorrect coffee order, or people being "triggered" by someone having different political views to them.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
My thinking was entirely flawed. I believe this is because of the prevalence of the word "triggered" by those who didn't really understand it. People get "triggered" about an incorrect coffee order, or people being "triggered" by someone having different political views to them.
The other dimension was that I didn't want to spoil aspects of my story. Sometimes a trigger warning is a spoiler, and I felt like including content warnings would ruin the story for those who didn't necessarily depend on them.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The other dimension was that I didn't want to spoil aspects of my story. Sometimes a trigger warning is a spoiler, and I felt like including content warnings would ruin the story for those who didn't necessarily depend on them.
The mistake I made was thinking that a trigger was just someone feeling uncomfortable about a topic, perhaps because it reminded them of something they've been through. For me, that was part of the point of reading, to be challenged and sometimes that involved you being uncomfortable.
November 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The mistake I made was thinking that a trigger was just someone feeling uncomfortable about a topic, perhaps because it reminded them of something they've been through. For me, that was part of the point of reading, to be challenged and sometimes that involved you being uncomfortable.
This explains my sniffles since last week! Although, I think my social anxiety kept me from getting it too badly, I tend to hide from people quite a bit. I hope you recover well, and quickly; the situation you're in sucks.
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
This explains my sniffles since last week! Although, I think my social anxiety kept me from getting it too badly, I tend to hide from people quite a bit. I hope you recover well, and quickly; the situation you're in sucks.
I've self published for the last few years, but I'm about to embark upon my first traditional publishing journey with a new standalone novel, so I'll definitely be paying close attention to learn what I can!
November 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I've self published for the last few years, but I'm about to embark upon my first traditional publishing journey with a new standalone novel, so I'll definitely be paying close attention to learn what I can!
Ah, your speech was great in the room! They are always such human moments, and that in itself is worth celebrating. Congratulations on your win! Well deserved
November 5, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Ah, your speech was great in the room! They are always such human moments, and that in itself is worth celebrating. Congratulations on your win! Well deserved