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”
Author Archives: moonlakeku
Small kindnesses
The jump-off line is from Small Kindnesses by Danusha Lameris Small kindnesses:
Broadening Horizons 2026 (1)- Religious romance
I have decided on religious romance for the romance part of this year’s Broadening Horizon Read. I was reading The Italian by Anne Radcliffe. But then I decided to abandon it- it was published in the late 1700s so had some archaic English that I don’t quite take to and plus the pace is reallyContinue reading “Broadening Horizons 2026 (1)- Religious romance “
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons
I am starting a new post series that compares elements of Chinese fantasy versus Western fantasy. For the very first post, I am going to focus on dragons. When we say “dragon”, we are often assuming a shared idea. But that assumption doesn’t really hold once you compare Chinese and Western contexts. Broadly speaking, theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons”
Ideas: Recycling and Autobiography
I think I alluded to this topic of ideas generation before but I didn’t have enough material to actually blog about. But I think now I can start to talk about this in light of my recent experience of letting the WIP that I had been working on for about 10 years go and redevoteContinue reading “Ideas: Recycling and Autobiography “
What I don’t remember (aka Not…)
The jump-off line comes from What Belongs to Us by Marie Howe. Not the birthday cakes that I once cherry picked for my birthdays. I remember them looking cute or pretty but no exact details. Not the stamp set of animals I once had. Not even my childhood closet- all the princessy dresses I usedContinue reading “What I don’t remember (aka Not…)”
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”
Moonlake's Fiction Space 