A Journey Through Fantasy: An Interview with Filipa Roque of Fantasy Wordsmith

edgoodwyn
Nov 13
7 min read

Updated: Dec 4

Hey Imaginarians! Especially to all my subscribers interested in creative writing and fantasy fiction, I have a special treat for you today: an interview with Filipa Roque of Fantasy Wordsmith! Filipa is a professional developmental editor and beta reader, and she has graciously agreed to share her insights with us today!

Meet Filipa Roque: The Fantasy Wordsmith

Hi Imaginarians and all subscribers of this talented author. I am a Portuguese fantasy fanatic with a degree in theatre and a never-to-be-finished master's in Fine Arts. When I reached thirty, a quiet sense of restlessness nudged me to seek something different. I stepped away from familiar paths and found myself in a whole new world, leaving my role as Director of Production at ZABRA.co. Nonetheless, with a bit more distance between us, the project remains dear to me, and I find myself loving it from afar.

Now, life has settled into something gentler. I spend my time as a freelance Beta Reader and Developmental Editor, wandering through the wild woods of Fantasy, discovering odd corners and hidden tracks. There is a quiet magic in helping stories find their shapes, walking alongside writers as their worlds take form, witnessing the slow unfolding of something alive.

My Background in Creative Writing

When I was pursuing my BA in Theatre, I took dramaturgy classes where we dissected books and plays, examining every present and missing aspect. We spent ages on creative writing exercises, and that’s where I first discovered my love for playing with words.

I also have courses in Developmental Editing, Writing Editing, Writing Fiction, Introduction to Teaching Creative Writing, and How to Read a Novel, among others. Some were simple but insightful online courses, while others were taken at renowned universities.

These days, I focus solely on novelists. It just feels right for me. Screenwriting doesn’t give me the same thrill anymore. After studying it thoroughly, the spark it once held has faded.

Why Fantasy?

You’ve told me you specialize in the fantasy genre—this is one reason I chose you for my own work. What is it about fantasy that keeps you coming back for more?

In fantasy, authors are free from the constraints of reality. They can create worlds from nothing and place characters in situations that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. I love watching them change and survive as their worlds shift. With each new project, I never know what might come up, and that unpredictability is thrilling.

Editing fantasy feels like coming home. When I reach for a book to read for myself, it’s almost always fantasy. There’s a quiet joy in working alongside authors who imagine unique worlds, losing myself in their stories and helping to shape the kinds of tales I would choose to read. It’s deeply satisfying to take a rough first draft and guide it toward something memorable. That chance to walk in worlds that only existed in someone’s imagination and to help bring them to life is what draws me back.

Favorite Fantasy Works

This is such a tough question! With much pain in my heart for all the stories I’m leaving out, in no particular order, I’d say: Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, A Chorus of Dragons Series by Jenn Lyons, and The Radiant Emperor Duology by Shelley Parker-Chan.

What Speaks to Me in Fantasy?

What draws me in most is when characters feel real—not just names on a page, but people who struggle with choices that change them. I’m swept along by stories where characters face tangled, difficult situations, and every decision sends ripples through their lives. I have a fondness for writers who touch on grand ideas, like identity and power, but weave these themes in so gently that it never feels like a lesson. In the end, it’s that honest thread of feeling that lingers with me, transforming a story into something unforgettable.

Collaborations with Other Authors

Besides me, what other authors have you worked with before?

I’ve worked with Brendan Noble, Adger R. Matthews II, Mauro Larreal, and many other talented writers.

Understanding Developmental Editing

What exactly is developmental editing, and how do you approach this work?

When I edit, my role is to engage with the heart of the story. I don’t scan for stray commas or awkward sentences; that’s for other types of editing. I focus on the bones and breath of the tale, examining how the plot winds through, how characters evolve, and how the pace carries or stumbles. I consider what binds it together, what gives it life, and what draws readers in.

When I offer my thoughts, I’m both the editor and a reader hoping to be swept away. I share what catches my interest, where it wanes, what I wish was different, and what makes the story glow or leaves it dull.

To put it into perspective, my reports analyze:

Plot Arc and Conflict
Chapter Structure
Character Arcs, Development, and Personality Consistency
Settings and Geography
Timeline and Chronology
Pacing
Magic System
World-Building Elements (Cultures/Societies, Mythical Creatures, Lore and History, Economies/Technologies, Languages/Dialects)
Unique Terminology and Invented Words
Plot Devices, Objects, and Artifacts
Mature Content and Sensitivity Notes
Inconsistencies and Revision Recommendations
Market and Genre Fit Evaluation

I dive deep into each author’s work.

Beta Reading Process

When you are beta reading, what is your process to help writers improve their manuscripts?

When beta reading, I put myself in the shoes of an average reader, allowing myself to be swept up in the story while watching for character realism, pacing, and the world’s liveliness. As I turn pages, I jot down my thoughts, pointing out what shines, what works, and what’s missing—perhaps even suggesting further exploration of those missing passages.

I strive to encourage authors to convey their intentions clearly in their manuscripts. Specializing in fantasy and its subgenres, I aim to maintain the spark for each story. Ultimately, I provide a fresh perspective, lifting an author’s spirits to dive back into their writing with renewed zeal and confidence.

The Challenge of Feedback

When you read King of the Forgotten Darkness for Netgalley, you liked it but hoped for more. This is one reason I reached out to you for the sequel, The Treacherous Fire. I like a challenge! To my pleasant surprise, your feedback for The Treacherous Fire was glowing! Can you share the points and dimensions of a manuscript you examine, so everyone knows how thorough you are?

It’s fascinating to watch a story grow and deepen over time. When I settle in with a manuscript, I examine it from many angles. I always start with the plot, asking if everything fits together and if there’s enough tension to carry me through. I want the story arcs to feel complete, not as though threads have been dropped.

Characters matter deeply to me. I look for what drives them, how they change, and whether their relationships ring true. If I can’t believe in the characters, it’s hard to care about their fate.

World-building is another crucial aspect. I want the setting, cultures, and magic to make sense and serve the story, not distract from it. The book’s pace is also vital. Sometimes a story should move quickly, while other times it should slow down to let moments sink in. It should never plod or rush past what matters.

Themes are essential as well. I look for those bigger ideas that echo through the story, whether it’s fate or power, and I want them to resonate by the end. Dialogue reveals so much; I listen for distinct voices that feel real, not just words on a page. The writing must draw me in, too. I notice whether the prose is clear and immersive, allowing readers to imagine rather than telling them everything and cutting the experience short.

I also consider where the book fits within its fantasy niche. Understanding how it stands apart or shares similarities with others is helpful. But most importantly, I want to feel something by the end. If there’s no emotion, then something is missing. Analyzing all these parts helps me provide feedback that can help a story become one readers will want to follow.

In my reports, I include:

Weaknesses vs. Strengths analysis
Revision Priorities to guide necessary edits
Identification of any plot holes or inconsistencies
Overall assessment of genre alignment and structure
Plot, magic, and world-building analysis
Pacing Overview
Answers to 37 fantasy-focused standard questions

The Evolution of Fantasy Wordsmith

You recently changed your website from Thoughts on Timeless Tales to Fantasy Wordsmith. What has changed about your new look and site?

ToTT began as a modest blog where I published reviews whenever I felt like it, long before I considered it a career. It was a passion project at first. As time passed, I wanted to take it further and explore freelancing. I made changes to the blog and started offering my services through a freelance platform, though their commissions took a fair (read: unfair) share of my earnings. Over time, as I built stronger ties with a handful of authors, a few reached out, asking if I might work with them privately, which would save them some hassle. That was the turning point; it unfolded out of necessity. I needed more structure, something that felt professional and steady. And thus, Fantasy Wordsmith was born.

Where to Find Filipa Roque

Honestly, I'm not a social media person at all. So, for now, you can find me at my website https://fantasywordsmith.com, at my blog https://fantasywordsmith.blogspot.com, and on my new Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fantasy.wordsmith.

Thanks so much for your time, Filipa! I hope to work with you again soon. In the meantime, I recommend any budding authors out there to reach out to Filipa for help with your manuscripts. You won’t regret it!

Thank you so much, Erik, for your interest in my work, my process, and my background. It means a lot.

If any authors would like me to answer something more specific about my services, feel free to email me at filipa@fantasywordsmith.com.