The Art of Weaving Myths: Emily Wilson on Writing Historical Fantasy

In this episode of Digital Hammurabi, host Megan Lewis welcomes back writer and journalist Emily Wilson to discuss her latest book, "Gilgamesh," the second installment in her epic trilogy about the Sumerians. Emily shares insights into the continuation of the story, which follows the goddess Inanna, her attendant Ninshubur, and the hero Gilgamesh, while introducing new characters and voices. Megan and Emily also touch on the thematic elements of the series, including a brief discussion of the myth of Enlil and Ninlil, with a trigger warning regarding sensitive content. This episode provides fascinating insights into how Wilson approaches Mesopotamian mythology, particularly the complexities of weaving various myths into a cohesive narrative. Listeners are encouraged to catch up on the first book in the trilogy before the third installment is released in August 2025. Tune in for an engaging conversation about ancient history and storytelling!

Chapters

• 2:36 Inanna's role in Gilgamesh
• 6:17 Extra perspectives in mythology
• 10:58 Ereshkigal's fragmented reality
• 12:50 Challenging Mesopotamian myths
• 18:39 Is Gilgamesh the world's first book?
• 21:01 Gilgamesh's enduring cultural impact
• 26:23 Writing advice for aspiring authors
• 29:45 Writing difficult characters