Day Leitao: Crafting Worlds of Adventure, Magic, and Heart

Day Leitao is a captivating voice in the world of young adult fantasy, known for crafting immersive universes filled with rich characters, gripping plots, and a blend of magic, action, and romance. With a unique flair for storytelling, Day’s novels pull readers into fantastical realms that reflect the complexity of emotions and relationships we experience in everyday life. Her compelling characters, often caught in high-stakes adventures, offer a relatable look at the human spirit, weaving themes of growth, courage, and self-discovery.

A native of Brazil, Day’s love for storytelling began early in life, nurtured by a passion for reading and a curiosity about different cultures, languages, and worlds. This global perspective is evident in her writing, where she skillfully incorporates diverse influences and perspectives into her stories. Her path to becoming a full-time author reflects the resilience of her characters—dedicated, ambitious, and unafraid to take risks. After earning her BA in Radio and Television/Cinema in Brazil, Day immigrated to Canada, where her journey as a writer truly began.

In Canada, Day encountered challenges familiar to many immigrants, including the difficulty of securing a job without perfect French and Canadian experience. Undeterred, she decided to return to her academic roots, this time pursuing a BA and MA in Literature, which, by the way, she says were useless for improving her craft as a writer, but hey, she got Canadian degrees and could apply for better jobs! She honed her craft on her own, by reading books on plotting and prose, and created her distinctive narrative voice by merging Brazilian cultural elements with Western fantasy traditions. Her stories appeal to her desire for adventure, fantasy, and dynamic characters, which has earned her a growing, devoted readership.

Now, let’s dive into a Q&A with Day Leitao, where she shares her insights on writing, her creative process, and what’s next for her in the world of fantasy storytelling.

Q&A:

How do you approach writing magic systems in your books? What are some key elements you consider to make them unique and believable?
I like to approach magic as an extension of the characters, and their relationship with magic is an extension of who they are. I think I end up with a soft magic system, without very clear rules, but it’s what fits the stories. That said, I do some brainstorming before starting the story, and I think at that point I try to create a sort of rigid magic system that makes sense for that world.
How do you handle writer’s block or periods of low creativity? Are there any specific strategies you use to get back on track?
Sometimes it’s hard. There’s so much anxiety about writing. For me, it can simply be that I need to spend more time brainstorming, and more time letting ideas simmer in my mind. I learned to value this period. And then the classic “just sit and write” still works.
Could you share some insights into your writing process? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you stay productive and creative?
I try to write early in the morning, at six, before leaving for work and getting my son ready for school, but sometimes it's hard. Then I write here and there, with some more words at night. I should incorporate some rituals, now that I'm thinking about it.
How do you create complex and relatable characters in your novels? Are there any specific techniques or inspirations you draw from when developing their personalities, motivations, and arcs?
My writing is very intuitive, so I have some ideas of the type of characters I want, and then they walk in, and they have their own ideas for their stories and personalities. I roll with it.

Your fantasy worlds are richly detailed and immersive. Could you share your process for world-building? How do you balance creating unique settings while ensuring they resonate with readers?
I don't know. I hate descriptions. Hate, hate, hate them. And I skip them when I read, so I can't even learn to write decent descriptions from reading because I never read them.
That said, some readers want to feel grounded in the physical world, and I can see that it makes sense for someone who's very visual, for example. What I try to do is sprinkle descriptions throughout, and tie them with the character's emotions; curiosity, awe, fear, so it's still interesting for me, and hopefully interesting for readers like me.
I don't think my worlds are detailed and immersive. Sometimes things are a background blur because I'm more interested in the emotions of the characters, but I think it's fine, if it fits the scene, and goes well with the viewpoint character.
What advice would you give to new writers?
This is so hard. I used to think I was full of advice, but more and more I'm realizing that each person has their own path, and they're all beautiful. Perhaps I would tell them to keep walking and don't quit, but quitting is fine too.
Quitting sometimes requires courage, and some people need to try out things to realize they're not for them.
I guess my advice would be for them to find their own path.
That said, everyone needs guidance, right? There's more writing advice out there than anyone can possibly absorb, and not all advice serves everybody. So I'd tell them to filter the advice carefully, and not simply listen to everything people say, even famous writers. All advice is made up. It's a system or a tool that works for some people, or sometimes doesn't even work, but sounds cool. It's still a tool, and you can decide if it serves you or not. That said, do read books on writing. They can be super helpful. Just filter what you read.
What future projects or ideas are you excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek into what you’re working on next?
I'm writing book two in the series Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom, and I'm excited for it. We'll get to know more characters from the series, and I hope readers like them!