moonlakeku

The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (5)- Subtlety

Besides a general cultural preference for subtlety, it plays an important role for etiquette. In particular, it features heavily in communications but also relates to the concept of humility, which is a virtue as deemed by Confucianism. In terms of communications, there are a lot of things left unsaid or implied. Double entendres are aContinue reading “The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (5)- Subtlety”

Moonlake’s Writing Updates- March 2026

I am currently co-outlining two novel projects and both feel a little autobiographical in nature to be honest (and from this, you can probably tell that I’ve put the thieving friends idea that came from ChatGPT on the back burner. Can’t say that it surprises me). The project currently coming out slightly ahead is actuallyContinue reading “Moonlake’s Writing Updates- March 2026”

Follow your own Voice

This jump-off line is from Start close in by David Whyte. Follow your own voice. It calls to you. Listen to it and follow it. But listen carefully. Make sure it’s your own. The mind is a tricky place. Things enter there and get scrambled. You might mistake something as your own, easily. So beContinue reading “Follow your own Voice”

Moonlake’s Book Discoveries- March 2026

Mystery The Perfect Alibi by Blake Pierce I vaguely recalled that I had read this author before (of a different protagonist) and I was so-so about it. And the second read still makes me feel the same. It’s not really bad but I’m just not engaged with either the main character or the plot. ForContinue reading “Moonlake’s Book Discoveries- March 2026”

Upcoming trip to Greece and Italy

I have an upcoming trip to Greece and Italy in October and my home bases this time are: Our main interest in Greece would be Santorini and we are only doing 1 beach in Chania, the one with pink sand. We feel like we wouldn’t like Athens much except for the Plaka neighbourhood but weContinue reading “Upcoming trip to Greece and Italy “

Remarkable Women in Ancient China (27)- Deng Sui

Who is She? Notable Life Events Why is She Remarkable? Moonlake’s Thoughts on her: I’m a little time constrained and didn’t read her long biography in details so I couldn’t see much personality but again, we definitely have a highly capable educated woman in her. English reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deng_Sui

Gaming and writing- Fate session planning adapted to novel outline

Since I last blogged about GMing, I’ve actually started a brand new Fate game rather than dragging the carcass of that old game left by the Fiasco. But that’s not the main point of this post. In outlining the twin sister story, I’ve kind of hit a wall in the sense that I can summariseContinue reading “Gaming and writing- Fate session planning adapted to novel outline”

Mini Reading Challenge 2026- Waterlily

This is my set theme for this year. A cursory search on my local library catalogue turns up a memoir, a couple mysteries and the remaining spot is still empty. The memoir is The Dressmaker’s Daughter by Kate Llewellyn. The mysteries are Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lyn Barnes and Deep Water by Peter Corris.Continue reading “Mini Reading Challenge 2026- Waterlily “

Writing pile 2026

I am going to bring back the concept of having a writing pile for myself. As my last post referred to, I’ve now decided to run three rather than two projects side by side. The twin sister story is still going to be the primary project since I’ve already started to outline it since theContinue reading “Writing pile 2026”

CCC day 31- Thieving Friends (Fate Accelerated)

For the last day of CCC, I’m really short on the premise so I’m just going to grab a novel idea that is not active, generated by ChatGPT, about two thieves who escaped an executioneer’s wagon and then was cursed to age differently. Ye (Night) Aspects: Approaches: Careful+3, Sneaky and Forceful+2, Clever and Quick+1 Stunts:Continue reading “CCC day 31- Thieving Friends (Fate Accelerated) “