The Fantasy Writer’s Journal

Follow the journey of writing a fantasy novel, from draft one to publication.

A semi-regular blog where I talk about my writing updates, the creative process and the ups and downs of life as an aspiring fantasy writer.


M.M. Irada M.M. Irada

A Comedian and a Bestseller (#05): When a Scene Just Isn’t Funny

It’s on brand that my first blog post of the year is arriving in March. In this instalment, I’m deep in scene 13 of Project Hollow, battling a humourless office scene, writerly self-doubt, and the terrifying possibility that I might not actually be funny. From fumbling wizards to rabbit-shifter taxi drivers, humour usually sneaks into my fantasy romance naturally—but this time I’m having to hunt it down.

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M.M. Irada M.M. Irada

On Fire (#04): Creating Conflict Between Rival Characters

Writing a fantasy romance novel means building characters who clash, challenge each other, and slowly evolve. In this update on Project Hollow, I share my progress, the struggle of crafting distinct character voices, and what I'm learning about my writing process.

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