I recently noticed something strange while comparing two novels I’m outlining. One began as a completely original idea.The other grew out of a virtual tabletop RPG campaign. I expected them to feel fundamentally different. Instead, after months of outlining, they were starting to ask remarkably similar questions. There is a whole school of writing adviceContinue reading “When a Story Stops Belonging to Its Premise”
Author Archives: moonlakeku
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, whatContinue reading “My name is… “
Changing Stance on Comfort Authors
I think I did mention obliquely before that I had changed my stance on comfort authors over the years. And I’m blogging about this now because I’ve run out of other topics about reading. Digression but I’ve always had trouble with one of the 4 topics I blogged under at different times, the recent candidateContinue reading “Changing Stance on Comfort Authors”
Remarkable Women in ancient China (29)- Zhang Xiugu
Who is she? The first person in Chinese history to dissect a diseased human body Notable life events: Moonlake’s thoughts on her: The only thought I had is that to pursue knowledge, people from ancient times had made much personal sacrifice across different places and places due to human prejudice. And that is quite sadContinue reading “Remarkable Women in ancient China (29)- Zhang Xiugu”
Mini Reading Challenge 2026
I have finished my mini reading challenge this year, splitting my attention between two keywords: water lily and lotus. Of the four books, I think I slightly prefer Torn from Troy because it’s closer to what I usually read. The Dressmaker’s Daughter is interesting in showcasing a modern era before me that I don’t quiteContinue reading “Mini Reading Challenge 2026”
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity
Ghost stories exist in almost every culture. They appear in different forms, wear different faces, and follow different rules. Yet beneath these differences, ghosts often represent one universal idea: The past is not truly gone. The dead leave behind memories, obligations, regrets, and unfinished relationships. When a ghost appears, it is a sign that somethingContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity”
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”
Moonlake's Fiction Space 