Author Archives: moonlakeku

I forgive you, life.

The jump-off line is just “I forgive you”, from Phase One by Dilruba Ahmed. The title is from I am talking to Life as an entity when I wrote this piece.  I forgive you for derailing my plan for a linear life and teaching me that everything is a choice.  I forgive you for notContinue reading “I forgive you, life.”

Embarking on the Game Publishing Journey

On the same day this post is released, my Moonlake’s Studio blog, the game design and publication counterpart to this blog, has already been released.  Because I am a planner, I’ve somehow constructed a 10-year publication plan that was originally a product pipeline. And the product releases in the first year kept expanding- from aContinue reading “Embarking on the Game Publishing Journey”

Moonlake’s Writing Updates- June 2026

This is really the year of change for me. The second novel project I announced back in March is now officially on the back burner, replaced by a novelisation of my current ongoing game campaign that has been switched from Fate Core to Cortex.  I started to use ChatGPT more frequently now on top ofContinue reading “Moonlake’s Writing Updates- June 2026”

Moonlake’s Book Discoveries- June 2026

Memoir The Dressmaker’s Daughter by Kate Llewellyn This is the first book going towards my mini-reading challenge this year and possibly my first official memoir (I had read a partial one from a beta-reader swap that I was in from being a women’s writer group some years back) but the book itself has nothing toContinue reading “Moonlake’s Book Discoveries- June 2026”

I didn’t know I enjoy…

The jump-off line is from Things I didn’t know I loved by Nazim Hikmet.  I didn’t know I enjoy stories featuring animals or emphasizing cuteness. I’m not much of an animal or cutesy person but I’m very much empathic. I can dive into others’ passions and what they enjoy, through reading.  I didn’t know IContinue reading “I didn’t know I enjoy…”

Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (2): Heroes versus Questors for Immortality

When we talk about “heroes”, we tend to assume a shared structure. But once you compare Chinese and Western contexts, the difference becomes clearer. Broadly speaking, Western stories tend to centre on the idea of a hero. Chinese traditions are less consistent on that front, and in modern fantasy, the structure shifts again. In theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (2): Heroes versus Questors for Immortality”

Broadening Horizons 2026

The Lord I left by Scarlett Peckham  This is the replacement Religious Romance novel I found but it’s actually more religious romance with elements of erotica. Not saying it bothers me but nothing about the story really speaks to me personally. But I mean, most romances don’t. I am only attracted to certain types ofContinue reading “Broadening Horizons 2026”

Revisiting the Character Grid

I had actually switched back into doing the character grid for the twin sister story (the other project is now officially on hold although now I am itching to turn my Fate-turned-Cortex game into a novel with a different campaign premise than the one I am running now and have started plotting it as aContinue reading “Revisiting the Character Grid”

Remarkable Woman in Ancient China (28)- Empress Dou Miao

Who is she? An Empress in the Eastern Han era, one of the six Empresses who reigned at Court during that era.  Notable life events: Moonlake’s thoughts on her: I just thought it interesting that she combines political acumen and jealousy (deemed a dismerit in women back in those days). Of course, it’s not thatContinue reading “Remarkable Woman in Ancient China (28)- Empress Dou Miao”