Behind the Scenes
Author's NoteBecause I have been writing since a very young age, my initial goal was to create fiction wherein strong, but naïve young women took the lead. However, over time, my books have become less a tale of feminism and more a reflection of reality.
The Empress' Consul was written to highlight the power young women have despite humble upbringings. It is a coming-of-age story of a young girl named Reila who struggles to understand her place in the world after being forced to live and work in the imperial palace. The book truly was written by a young adult (myself) and reflects the conflicts that I went through in my teenage years. It touches on puberty and on love, on responsibility and making difficult, life-changing decisions. The novel is meant to be a fictious reflection of reality. Of course, magic isn’t real and Power doesn’t exist, but by adding those qualities, the harsh themes within the book are softened and made palatable. The Empress' Consul and its sequel, The Regent's Daughter, are meant for young adults, specifically teen girls, but not because the romance between the protagonist and the Crown Prince makes them swoon. The novel is meant for them to feel strong, empowered, emboldened. It’s meant to acknowledge the qualities that most identify as weaknesses within women and set them proudly before critics. |
Beginnings & InspirationsBecause I have double major in International Relations and Asian Studies, I shamelessly drew much of my inspiration from China, Japan, Tibet, and India. Architecture, customs, clothing, and colors were all taken from Asian history to reflect different regions of the fictitious world.
The Forbidden City in China formed the basis for the Shiin palace grounds while a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architecture was used to add detail. Words were borrowed from the Japanese language, as I am moderately proficient in it; other instances of italicized words were simply made up using similar syllables and sounds. Below are links to locations and places that inspired me. |
A Split - 6 Years Post Original Publication?!
Originally, these two works were one. The idea to split them (and the sequel) came from a publisher who thought that because they were geared toward young adults, a shorter adventure would garner more attention.
Of course, determining where to split the story was a difficult one. Separating the book when it was meant to be read as a single entity seemed like a daunting task. Splitting the book to create two pieces each with a title, introduction, new book cover, and entirely new feel was intimidating. Nevertheless, it was completed and a full quartet was born!
Of course, determining where to split the story was a difficult one. Separating the book when it was meant to be read as a single entity seemed like a daunting task. Splitting the book to create two pieces each with a title, introduction, new book cover, and entirely new feel was intimidating. Nevertheless, it was completed and a full quartet was born!
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