Updated 12/2022
I had no intention of ever joining the Open Novella Contest craziness, but one of the writers I follow had posted about her joining, so I thought I would check it out. Reading through the prompts, I found this one, and it sparked my imagination:
2. That moment, you realize you just saw something that could cost you your life. Now all you can do is try to outrun them. From The Prompts Open Novella Contest 2022
I didn't succeed at writing a novella. My vision turned out to be too long for that. But I'm still happy with the world I created.
This story is inspired by the Chinese Wuxia Bromances, The Untamed and Word of Honor, and the danmei novel The Untamed is based on: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi Book1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. (Word of Honor is also based on a danmei novel by Priest called Faraway Wanderers, which does not yet have an authorized English translation.) This story is not, however, fan fiction. I haven't delved into that genre yet.
I am not Chinese or of Chinese heritage. I cannot write a novel based on culture and literature I did not grow up with without doing much more research than I am ready to do. So this is a fantasy novel in a world based loosely on ancient Wuxia China but with fantasy elements of my own. I am paying homage to the genre, not appropriating a culture, so I won't pretend to be who I am not. I do appreciate cultural advice, especially if I make an error that is offensive or just too jarring to be ignored.
Thank you to my book club friends who are helping me to make this story better. I love you all!
#PIPBK
#JamBC (I am no longer participating in this group because of my too busy life, but it is a great club!)
#BobaBC (now closed)
YOU ARE READING
The Emperor's Head
AdventureThe Emperor reigns supreme, or so he wanted everyone to believe. But cracks, some ancient and others new, threaten to destabilize the Empire. Despite the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Crown Prince, Jun had never considered rebelling agains...
