The Master Plan
I began writing this story about four years ago, gripped by an adolescent "Mulan" infatuation. And though at face value it's little more than a young girl's cliched Mary Sue fan fiction, over the course of writing it, this story has been a learning experience-- it has taught me things about persistance, personal change and growth, and most importantly, about writing itself. So much so that the characters and spirit of this supposedly paltry romance have earned my lasting affection and have interwoven themselves in my experiences in growing as an artist.
Now, it is finally complete. The story before you is full of inconsistencies, an erractic, sometimes lagging plot pace, overly flowery prose and incorrect historical allusions that would drive scholars to crucify me. In fact, it only REALLY begins to find its true purpose in the third act (how's THAT for unorganised writing!!) But I believe in its potential. I believe, after its first journey, it has the makings to one day be a fantastic piece of original fiction.
I title this version, obviously, as my first draft. I plan to leave it for a while and take time to research not only more of antiquated Chinese culture, but more significantly China's folklore and storytelling style. In my second draft I will turn the borrowed characters and situation into new ones, making the needed alterations and additions to do so, and craft it into a purely original peice. Hopefully, after enough rewrites and revisions, it will become the best it can be-- and as an adult author-- the best that I can make it.
I am not aiming to write an authentically Chinese tale. Being a modern white woman, I'd be a fool to think I could truly duplicate the voice of Imperial China. But to delve within the world of this rich and complex period to produce a fairy tale that honours it in my own voice could be all I wish to accomplish.
And so, I present to you, in all its rawness and unadulterated splendour, the first draft (and fan fiction incarnation) of "The Palace Guard"! Enjoy!
The font used for this page is "President". Get it here!
PART I
Bios-- Artwork-- story illustrations and character studies.Culture-- Chinese history and culture and its relation to the story.
