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”
Category Archives: Writer’s Craft
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”
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”
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”
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 “
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”
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
Moonlake's Fiction Space 