What makes a character feel real? In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, we chat about the little things that add up to big emotional depth in storytelling—like hobbies, quirks, and real-life flaws.

I talk about why your characters need lives before the plot starts, and how allergies, nervous habits, and sleepwalking belong in fantasy just as much as swords and spells do.

The reading today is Chapter 8 of Origin Curse—where Yoshiko works undercover on low-level supply duties while Asumi spies about the palace, all while watching her mother spiral into dangerous recklessness. For the first time, Yoshiko decides to step in—before it’s too late.

✨ In this episode:

• Why hobbies make characters more human
• What medieval IBS can teach us about fantasy realism
• A powerful turning point in Yoshiko’s journey
• The small cracks before everything changes

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget: your characters deserve to feel real.

#FantasyAudiobook, #OriginCurse, #FromTheAuthorsChair, #WritingTips, #CharacterDevelopment, #CreativeLife, #EpicFantasy

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, I talk about creative energy and when you write best—morning, night, or sneaky pockets of time in between? I share how switching from night writing to early mornings changed everything for me, and why giving your dreams your best energy first is a game-changer.

Today's chapter reading features Chapter 7 of Origin Curse—a big moment in the book, where we get the very first subtle glimpse of a second POV character who’s going to become very important later on. 👀

✨ In this episode:

• Writing routines: morning vs night
• Creative energy and owning your time
• A taste of what’s to come in the second POV arc
• A reminder that even small bursts of writing add up

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to follow the journey through Origin Curse and beyond.

#FromTheAuthorsChair, #FantasyAudiobook, #WritingTips, #CreativeLife, #OriginCurse, #IndieAuthorJourney, #EpicFantasy

Dragon-tier discipline, 3 am recording, and a big milestone—Chapter 6 is here!

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, I share a major writing update—I've officially submitted the manuscript for my next novel Iron Angels to my developmental editor! 🎉 Plus, I talk about what it’s really like working with a dev editor and how it can transform your story.

Then we head straight on into Chapter 6 of Origin Curse, titled Training a Dragon—where Yoshiko faces brutal, elegant, and survival-optional training under the watchful eye of her mother, the daimyō Asumi.

This was a long chapter, so it took me two 3:15 am recording sessions to get it done (yes, really 😅). I also talk about finding typos mid-recording, debating future edits, and the strange magic of seeing how much your writing has grown since you first wrote a book.

✨ In this episode:

• Why dev edits are game-changers for writers
• Behind-the-scenes audiobook recording at 3 am
• The growth you don’t see until you read your old work aloud
• A sneak peek at what’s coming next (including one of my favourite characters ever!)

🎙️ Whether you’re a fantasy reader, a fellow writer, or just love hearing how books come to life—there’s something in here for you.

📚 Listen now & subscribe for weekly chapters, author life talk, and creative tips.

#FantasyAudiobook #IndieAuthor #NoblebrightFantasy #FromTheAuthorsChair #AudiobookPodcast #CreativeProcess #WritingTips #OriginCurse #IronAngels