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”
Category Archives: Writer’s Craft
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
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”
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”
The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (4)- Number of wives
Chinese society is very hierarchical and one of the aspects that evidences this is the number of wives allowed between different social classes. The lowest class or commoners tend to practice monogamy while the wealthy have a wife and various concubines. And depending on the dynasty, sometimes merchants are considered to be a cheap socialContinue reading “The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (4)- Number of wives “
CCC days 4 and 5- the 4 Holy Beast Guardians (1) [Fate Core]
I’ve randomly come up with the following premise for a Chinese story but don’t intend to write it so I’m using it for the character challenge instead: The Kingdom was guarded by the Armies of the 4 Holy Beasts led by the 4 Guardians until an ambitious Emperor eliminated or forced away the 4 Guardians.Continue reading “CCC days 4 and 5- the 4 Holy Beast Guardians (1) [Fate Core]”
CCC day 3- Strong willed Jack (Numenara)
I got a little bored with Fate so I moved onto making a character for Numenara. I pretty much followed the guide except that I skipped out on starting equipment: Strong-willed Jack Might: 11 Speed: 12 Intellect: 13 (Edge: 1) Effort: 1 2 Cyphers Skills: Inability: Tricks of the Trade: Background: Initial Link to theContinue reading “CCC day 3- Strong willed Jack (Numenara)”
Moonlake's Fiction Space 