Creating Cozy Fantasy: A Journey from Video Games to Writing

Travis Baldry, a former video game designer and full-time audiobook narrator, unexpectedly wrote his own cozy fantasy novel. The idea began as a joke about a Hallmark movie set in the Forgotten Realms, but his story evolved into a heartfelt tale about a woman returning to her hometown and experiencing late-in-life changes. Travis wanted to break away from traditional fantasy conflicts and focus on relatable, realistic stakes. He aimed to create a book where people could come together without the interference of prejudices or historical accuracy. Travis' book, which features sapphic characters, gained popularity, providing hope for the queer writing community. His vivid descriptions and use of scents evoked powerful imagery, making the story deliciously immersive. Travis also narrated his own fiction book, finding it pleasant and easy. He advises authors to read their work out loud and incorporate natural dialogue to make it more accessible to narrators. Lastly, Travis reminds writers to embrace their own voices and breathe naturally while narrating.