My name is… 

The jump off line is actually from an introduction by Patrick O’Tauma and this is actually written 5 years ago. 

My name is Moonlake Ku. I am not born with this name, as a star was born into the sky. Rather, I chose it. I chose as a cloak, to pursue what I love, what I could not pursue under my mundane name. My mundane name was lovely too, or at least it has a pleasant ring to my ears. And it’s unusual, so unusual that nobody has pronounced it right on their own. I guess that’s what you pay for, for having an unusual name. But I do like unusual in this instance. Makes me feel special. 

My name is Moonlake Ku. I write fiction, fantasy, Chinese fantasy. I might be pursuing this as a career, or not yet, always going back and forth on this, but I am striving for quality, for excellence. Not as a means to feed myself. I’ve got other skills for that. Thanks to my other skills. Thanks to my daytime job. I don’t have to live pen to mouth. Can’t imagine how that will feel. Had never been poor. And I say this from a sole parent family. Mum raised me by herself even while she was married to my biological father. He never contributed money to raise me, nor loved me. Anyway, despite this, I had never experienced poverty. I was raised like a princess, got everything I ever wanted that money could buy. Hence, I didn’t have much materialistics urges now. I don’t want much expensive stuff, except for good food and just quality utility goods. 

My name is Moonlake Ku. I’ve been working on my WIP for 5 years now, which is longer than- is it J.K Rowling’s first Harry Potter? I forgot. I mean, I knew someone had been writing the same story for 15 or 20 years so that’s no big deal. I don’t think I will ever be a high productivity writer type. I don’t think I can write that type of stories. So far, I’ve always felt out of depth for stories, the novel stories, that I wrote. But I’m sticking to Irma Glass’ advice. I’m sticking to it so that my skills as a writer can someday catch up to my taste as a reader. I’m in this for the long haul. 

My name is Moonlake Ku. I would like to have debuted with at least one series before I die, before I pass from this life. Not for accolades, just to mark my presence. My once-been presence. Like a grave marker but better. Better in my mind anyway. A prettier image. After all, nobody has seen a pretty grave marker, or have they? I’ve never seen one in real life before. 

My name is Moonlake Ku. Writing does so many things for me, to me. I wouldn’t say that I have to write or else I can’t sleep. That was not the way it was between writing and me. Has never been. Writing is a choice for me. I didn’t realise this for long years. That it could be a choice. But now I do. I’ve given myself permission. I’ve chosen it. I’ve chosen writing. And I’m content with my choice. Truly content. Not as a second best substitute for happiness. I’m happy with this particular choice of mine too.