Writing is so terribly human.

A writer dedicated to telling impactful stories through multiple mediums, and encouraging others to do the same. No Ai. No gatekeeping. Just me and you, and the stories that live in us.

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Hello there!

I'm Tadhana Joy, a queer Filipino writer who explores many forms of storytelling. From video game writing, fiction writing and non-fiction essays, to playing and creating Tabletop Roleplaying Games and campaigns, I do my best to create worlds and characters that tug at heartstrings and sit with you in the sobering dark.

Below you will find my portfolio of works, any upcoming projects, and links to my socials where I talk about TTRPGs, books I'm reading, and writing tips.

Hello there!

I'm Tadhana Joy, a queer Filipino-American writer who explores many forms of storytelling. From video game writing, fiction writing and non-fiction essays, to playing and creating Tabletop Roleplaying Games and campaigns, I do my best to create worlds and characters that tug at heartstrings and sit with you in the sobering dark.

Below you will find my portfolio of works, any upcoming projects, and links to my socials where I talk about TTRPGs, books I'm reading, and writing tips.

Fiction Works

Video Game Writing Portfolio

TTRPG Content

Non-fiction Works

COMING SOON

Poetry

Upcoming Projects

Blog Posts

Follow me on Instagram: @tadhanajoy

IM GOING TO #gencon !! Hope to see y’all there!

If you like regency romance with a side of magic and scandal, The Secret Ways of Love and Magic is for you! We have a stacked cast with @neonsaline @vixiebelle @graphical_ronin @dannyrmendoza @castle.writes @pj.megaw @diabetic_dm and me as the GM wheee!

I can’t wait to meet all my fellow BIPOC ppls ❤️

Come see us in our full regency glory as we join the publishers of Good Society at their booth! It will be gloriously good fun 👑😊🎉

As the Co-Creator of this Filipino TTRPG setting, the most terrifying part isn’t the Demons in the book, but the vulnerability in the project itself. Fictionalizing pieces of my family’s personal stories and experiences and then sharing them with strangers??? Ah! Scary! But I didn’t want to give up on making something meaningful just because I was scared! So here I am, with an amazing co-creator @jesse.t.william and our stellar artist @c.efferin_art . Here’s to being afraid and doing it anyways!

#fantasy #barkadanttrpg #filipinohorror #indiettrpg ttrpgcommunity

Fantasy, survival horror, and Filipino inspired. #barkadanttrpg is pulling from a lot of different genres and themes, how do we put it all together?

1) Through the well designed TTRPG system: Legacy & Saga, a system that easily builds plot around expounding consequences and player decision. (very helpful for the horror aspect)

And 2) Through the restrictive nature of the city’s culture, physical dangers, and power structure via the demons and domineering Mages.

#ttrpg #filipinowriter #indiettrpg #filipinoamerican

Co-creator: @jesse.t.william
Artistic Director: @c.efferin_art
Editor: @zombiefighter89

This is Clara, the Artistic Director for Barkadan: City of Noise and Plenty. She had the task of taking Barkadan's original lore, putting it together with Filipino iconography, and making a visual style that suited the world! She used multiple mediums when she saw fit--watercolor for the Flora and Fauna, pencil for the Races, and digital for our landscapes and page centerpieces. Because of her, there are so many meaningful details in the art of this setting book and we can't wait to share them with you!

Any questions for our Artistic Director? Comment them below!
#indiettrpg #filipinowriter #fantasyttrpg #horrorttrpg #filipinofantasy #dndtiktok #ttrpgtiktokt #gencon

The Lanterns in Barkadan: City of Noise and Plenty (A Filpino-Inspired TTRPG)!

This is just one of many details to come about this city and the setting I've built with @jessetwilliam. What are your thoughts based on the little snippet here? Let me know!

Art & Music by: @c.efferin_art
Co-creator: @jesse.t.william

#TTRPG #TabletopRPG #IndieRPG #TTRPGCommunity #RPGDesign #StoryGames #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #FilipinoCulture #PhilippineMythology #FilipinoFolklore #AsianCreators #DiasporaStories #IndieGame #horrorttrpg

Barkadan: City of Noise and Plenty is a survival horror & high fantasy Tabletop RPG setting book featuring a bustling city where demons and mages alike prey on communities barely holding themselves together. Inspired by the vibrant culture of the Philippines and the disjointed, uncanny, aspects of the Filipino-American experience. #indiettrpg #tabletopgames #dndtiktok #ttrpgtiktok #fantasytiktok
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In collaboration with @Jesse T William🍉
Art by Clara Efferin

What's in a name? Well, turns out you can put a lot in it! I personally, really enjoy sneaking in meaning into something as simple as a name of a location/city. Players will overlook it, but that's okay! It's more for me (the GM) anyways! #indiettrpg #filipinowriter #fantasyttrpg #horrorttrpg #filipinofantasy #dndtiktok #ttrpgtiktok #gencon

Just a little encouragement from one GM who wants to get better at her craft to another! #dndcharacter #indiettrpg #ttrpgtiktok #tabletopgames #dnd5e

Just your friendly neighborhood GM tip! #dnd #ttrpg #dnd5e #ttrpgcommunity #kidsonbikes

Beep boop a friendly neighbourhood GM tip! #dndtiktok #indiettrpg #ttrpgtiktok #tabletopgames #fantasytiktok

Wanna level up your writing skills? Start by making narrative zines! Zines let you experiment, find your voice, and build your storytelling confidence--without the pressure of perfection. Your next great story starts with a stapled stack of pages. #zinemaking #creativewriting #DIYZines #indiepublishing #writingprompts #storytelling #booktok #writersoftiktok

CHARACTER AGENCY! It's such a simple concept but its so easy to lose track of. But remember, your characters aren't just puppets--they have wants and needs and the power to shape the story. If you're forcing the plot onto them instead of letting their choices drive it, you're robbing your story of real tension. Honor their agency, let the narrative come alive! #writingtips #characterdevelopment #storytelling #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #fictionwriting #narrativedesign #indieauthor #writingprocess

A great TTRPG character isn't just cool--they fit into the story. Think about your campaign's tone and theme? Is it a serious campaign about redemption and survival? Is it a gritty camping about corruption and the failure of a higher power? Is it a silly campaign just about getting to the next town! Build a character who challenges or embodies those ideas and watch the roleplay magic happen! #TTRPG #dndcharacter #roleplayingtips #dnd5e #ttrpgcharacter #storytelling #dunegonmaster #gamemaster #dnd #fictionwriting

Your setting isn't just a backdrop--it's a living breathing character with its own history, personality, and secrets. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by worldbuilding, ask yourself: What does this place want? How has it changed over time? What does this place need? Treating your setting like a character makes its history feel organic, not like a textbook. #ttrpg #worldbuilding #DMtips #storytelling #dndhomebrew #fantasyworldbuilding #dungeonmaster #gamemastertips #fantasy

Even though I consider myself more of a writer than a painter, if my mom wants cherry blossoms then god-darn it shes gon' get it. #art #painter #impastopainting #artistsofinsta #acrylicpainting #artistsoninstagram #illustration #design #photooftheday #fashion #arte #instagram #sketch #beautiful #artoftheday #fanart #nature #like #picoftheday #draw #follow #photo #music #style #contemporaryart #handmade

“Dear Amy for Interdimensional Concerns” is a surreal, horror-comedy zine with a splash of sci-fi silliness. Five letters, five unusual situations, a whole lotta questions. Comment 🚀 for a digital copy!

#zine #zinemaking #writersofinstagram #writerlife #storytelling #poetrycommunity #poetrylover #shortstorywriter

Remember, even if something is not written into the rules of how to play a game, IF IT FEELS RIGHT FOR THE STORY, you should do it anyways!!! #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons #e #rpg #tabletoprpg #dice #tabletopgames #dungeonmaster #pathfinder #d #tabletop #fantasy #dnddice #tabletopgaming #criticalrole #dndart #dicegoblin #dndcharacter #diceporn #roleplay #polyhedraldice #handmadedice #diceset #art #roleplayinggame #resindice #rpgdice #dndmemes #pathfinderrpg

Throwback to when I went to the Ren Faire with my mushroom girlfriend #dnd #ttrpg #dndhumor #dndmemes

There are a billion and one stories in the world. How do you make the one you're writing...significant? How you make one that people will remember?

#tabletop #fantasy #dnddice #tabletopgaming #criticalrole #dndart #dicegoblin #dndcharacter #roleplay #art #roleplayinggame #rpgdice #dndmemes #pathfinderrpg

Do you think about the first scene? SETTING THE TONE for the beginning of a session can do wonders for making a game feel CINEMATIC and ENGAGING for players! It can make them feel immersed and encourage them to buy into the world you set up for them. #FantasyAdventures #TTRPG #CreativeRoleplay #Writersofinsta #DND

Creating emotional investment is an art, and you can master it! #dnd #ttrpg #dungeonsanddragons #rpg #tabletoprpg #dice #tabletopgames #dungeonmaster #pathfinder #d #tabletop #fantasy #dnddice #tabletopgaming #criticalrole #dndart #dicegoblin #dndcharacter #diceporn #roleplay #polyhedraldice #handmadedice #diceset #art #roleplayinggame #resindice #rpgdice #dndmemes #pathfinderrp

Even on the drive to work I am thinking about worldbuilding #dnd5e #dnd #ttrpgs #ttrpgcommunity #writersofinstagram #writingtips

How to bring a character to lyfeeeeee #dnd5e #dndcharacter #ttrpgs

Oh yeah, I’m bringing back this kind of boring ass posting #dnd #sessionplanning #ttrpgs

It’s important to remember how aesthetics of a location affect the feeling of a story! #dnd5e #startplaying #ttrpgs #ttrpgcommunity

My version of session planning #dnd5e #ttrpgs #ttrpgcommunity #fantasyrpg

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Writing is so terribly human.

Hello there!

Hello there!

COMING SOON

Blog Posts

Rats with Wings: Kids and Pigeons

Follow me on Instagram: @tadhanajoy

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