Serein Choo's Blog, page 11
February 7, 2024
Year of the Dragon
I finally finished the Chinese New Year (CNY) or Lunar New Year Phone Wallpaper and I am sharing this on my kofi shop (for free to everyone). Head to the link here and just download it.
Free to download so, if you want this as your phone wallpaper, please go and download it Haha. Thank you and Happy CNY to you (and everyone who is celebrating). Counting to reunion dinner on 9th Feb and then CNY/Chor Yat on 10th Feb.
Link: https://ko-fi.com/s/6f0356189a
Do not give up dear author
Just writing out some thoughts here today.
I have been an avid reader, which in turn leads to myself writing my own stories. I want to see more books in the genre I write in, Chinese Fantasy but part of me, knew that my story is not the best fit either romance/enough adventure or action. It’s too much of a mix of so many things. Therefore, I know that my book will not be chosen or able to be published traditionally, so instead of keeping waiting forever for that one day; I took things into my own hands. I decided to go on the journey of self-publishing.
If you have read my previous post, then you should know that self-published market is growing and expected to have a hopeful future.
Although according to the survey, so be prepared to face some challenges. Not everything is a rainbow and sunshine once you cross that meadow.
33% of self-published authors make less than $500 per year.90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies.20% of self-published authors report making no income from their books.However, up till now I think self publish is the easiest way to get a part of yourself (i.e your story/book) out there. It’s actually what comes after self-publishing is the hardest part, marketing to get book sales, make people interested in your book. Begging to have a look, read if possible. If I have to go down to that level, then yes, so that more people would know of my book. However, the main problem is that, I don’t even have that audience for me to beg to. In this era, if you aren’t popular on social media, without a large following, it’s going to be extremely hard (especially so when you don’t have a traditional publishing house backing you up-one of the reason why authors alike tries so hard to get a contract with them).
But hey, you gotta start somewhere especially you decide to go down on the path of a self-published author.
Start a social media account (share writings, pre published thoughts, editing, try to hype your book, cover reveals, etc), do tik toks (become a bookstagrammer etc), post longer videos on YouTube about writing.
After doing this for around a year (not the Youtube part I am just too shy to start one), my following is still small, like tiny.
Will my book flop again once it’s published?
Most likely. I am already expecting it.
However, writing is my passion. Even if no one buying it, no one appreciating it.
I just glad to know that I have done my best and published my story to the world.
Whether the world will like, hate it, or ignore it.
It’s up to the world to decide.
All I need to remember : My passion is writing and my dream is that I hope my books can bring to other who shares the same love. It’s like a way to spread some myself to others.
So, a note, an encouragement, if you may,
“DO NOT GIVE UP DEAR AUTHOR”
to myself & to others authors alike.
February 5, 2024
C Drama Review: A Journey to Love 一念关山
“When the emperor is captured, two assassins from rival agencies embark on a crisis-filled mission to rescue him.”
Description taken from Viu.
First off, I really miss Liu Shi Shi. It’s been so long since I saw her starred in a drama and if you follow me, you know how much I adore traditional/historical/period drama. I am so happy to see her acting again and this drama.
It’s been quite some time, that I actually enjoyed a long (more than 30 episodes) drama, there’s content in each episode, not those draggy type where it’s just filler (to make more episode). The pace was okay.
The part where two rivals coming together nicely, not forceful, it was a smooth transition. There’s also characters, they are all good in their own way, but the friends were for me a bit of just supporting. It’s not like they aren’t good but maybe there’s too many of them, that I really didn’t focus much on them so when something happened to them, I really didn’t pay much attention.
I really like Li Tong Guang character, RenXin’s disciple. His character’s slyness and love for his master was good points to me; how he has this two sides to him, evil and good. There’s this one scene that he said, “Kill me then,” which was unexpected (for me) yet expected (for his character) to say. I prefer him over Ning Yuan Zhou (until the last bit there) but I also understand that Yuan Zhou would be the better fit for Ru Yi as well since he’s a kid and seems childish and immature at time.
Fight scenes and the war scenes were quite nice, and yeah, all the actors depict their characters wonderfully. P.s It was nice to see something different, where it was the heroine that chases our hero instead of the other way around (it was nice change of pace).
Spoiler Alert (Beware turn around if you haven’t watch it yet).
I really like everything about the drama – there’s enough love scenes, not overly sweet and feels force. All of them shows growths not stagnant – our heroine, RenXin/Ren Ruyi learns to rely on others, the princess learns to be independent and I was so proud of her close to the ending as she was able to stand on her own and even propose to the emperor and later decided to change her groom to another. (Even the emperor shows growth from a selfish person to understand the suffering of others.)
Only thing that I want to complaint though is why it’s not a happy ending. Since following them on this journey, to save the emperor, I grew to love all of them. I know since there’s many of them, I would understand that one or two of them would die but seriously ALL. I mean ALL.
I really would love to see them happy and not all of them dying sacrificing themselves for the better good. I was really sad but at the same time, it’s not lie I wasn’t expecting it because when the show didn’t end at ep. 36/37, I know that it wouldn’t have a happy ending.
The ending where a young boy appeared, without explaining much and having a sister, I mean I don’t think it means RuYi survived. (She can’t have another husband after Ning Yuan Zhou and have another child. They were so in love, it did be weird).
Seriously the ending would have been better and I would rate this 4.5 if they had rewritten the ending.
This story for me – 4/5 ✩
February 4, 2024
Quote of the Day
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others; read a lot and write a lot.”
Stephen King (Author)
Which I am doing as much as I possible can 
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer: Quote doesn’t belong to me.
February 3, 2024
ONC 2024 (Wattpad)
From CanvaThis is another popular contest to spark up some creativity. Hosted on Wattpad by Open Novella Contest | Ambassadors, for four years straight, it’s pretty similar to NanoWrimo but with less pressure, lower word count (40k), and offers a more flexible timeline (12 weeks) (1st February – 30th April) for participants.
On Wattpad, you can also see your rankings (which is not available on Nano). So, you can also see how your story ranks too, which is quite fun. And they give you some prompts to choose from, which also helps compare ideas/stories with different authors; it’s exciting to witness how a single prompt can blossom and evolve into a myriad of diverse ideas and stories.
The contest is separated into 3 rounds and if you didn’t make into the next round you can still continue, you will get a participation sticker to put on your book cover and you wouldn’t be able to win any prizes (cover, reviews, shoutout and others).
If you are interested, you can check out the link here to the prompts.
(If you choose not to participate, the prompts can still serve as inspiration to ignite your own creative writing endeavors).
Wattpad link to the contest, for more information: https://www.wattpad.com/1410910150-open-novella-contest-2024-introduction
February 2, 2024
A Retelling of Night: Word Count 38,687 Words
Nanowrimo (2023) “A Retelling of Night” – The story is still ongoing, and while updates may not be frequent, rest assured that the creative journey continues. Recently, the characters YiGuang (female lead), YeLan, and DuCheng have united, plunging into the vibrant atmosphere of a magical parade in celebration of the Mother Stone (intriguing, isn’t it?). Perhaps you can read more about it next year. I anticipate a longer completion time compared to other projects, as my primary focus this year revolves around working on and publishing “Flower and Coin.”
Currently researching about magical beasts so I can write them into the story If you have any suggestions of strong powerful Yao, or even calm ones, please comment. I would love to know.
#ARetellingofNight #OngoingStory #MagicalAdventure #CharacterMeetup #CreativeJourney #StoryProgress #WritingUpdates #FantasyNarrative #MagicalParade
See you again in the next update ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )
(NaNoWriMo ID: sereinchoo)
February 1, 2024
Convincing you to read Empty Crown
Start scrolling and discover what do you need when reading this book, Empty Crown, a Chinese Fantasy (written in English) by Serein Choo.
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January 31, 2024
Quantity will Make up for Quality
Do you know about the book Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows? If yes, did you know that she wrote 20 contemporary romance novels (for Entangled) before Fourth Wing? Read more through Link.
Imagine that, other than Rebecca, Ray Bradbury stands as one of the most quoted authors, generously sharing his insights into writing and the keys to success in this industry. His most valuable advice, in my view, emanates from his book “Zen in the Art of Writing,” where he emphasizes the importance of scheduling dedicated time for writing and maintaining a daily writing routine.
According to him, consistency in writing daily is crucial, as quantity can compensate for quality over time.
In fact, quantity is what leads you to quality.
In essence, the more you practice writing, the better you’ll become and that makes all the difference when it comes to separating yourself from other writers.
So don’t stop writing, make writing a habit – quantity will eventually leads to quality. The more you write, the better you will be. It’s a fact that authors evolve gradually over time as they refine their craft, rather than magically mastering it overnight.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
I have fondly read a few Japanese literature pieces and find them truly mind-compelling. So, I picked up this book hoping to have a great time, and this book didn’t disappoint. I really love it. It has a slow start, but it gradually builds up. Since there are a few characters, one by one, I get to know about them, and slowly profile them in my mind.
Here’s a little blurb on the back of the book:
“In a neighborhood in Tokyo, seven young people wake up to find their bedroom mirrors shining. Placing their palms on the surface, they are pulled through into a wondrous castle, where they encounter not only each other, but also their taskmaster: a bossy young girl in a mask, named Wolf Queen.”
The mystery that surrounds them, they are not like constantly in life and death situation but still it was a good read. The characters give us more perspective on the issue at hand and each of them, their characters were distinct and loveable in their own way.
And the author was great at hiding clues and misleading us (the readers). It never cross my mind. (I can guess few of the character’s background stories but not all of them).
“Houses just like the one she lived in; tall condos, apartment buildings that looked, from where she stood, like matchboxes. In the distance, she could catch the lights flickering in the supermarket.
They are all out there there somewhere.
Every one of them, in the same district as her.”
Lonely Castle in the Mirror, by Mizuki Tsujimura (2022)
The peak of the story for was great – and how everything comes nicely together at the end. There are some loose ends (not all the characters are talked about but it gives enough space for imagination, to fill it up by ourselves).
I would recommend anyone to pick up this book.
January 29, 2024
C Drama Review: Story of Kunning Palace
“The Chinese drama “Story of Kunning Places” is based on Shi Jing’s novel “Kunning,” directed by Zhu Ruibin. The cast includes Bai Lu (“Ordinary Greatness,” “One and Only”) , Zhang Linghe (“Love Between Fairy and Devil,” “Flourish in Time”), and Wang Xingyue (“Delicacies Destiny”). Jiang Xuening (played by Bai Lu), cunningly becomes queen but is forced to commit suicide during a palace upheaval. Her dream is to escape power and control her life. But somehow, she became a study mate in the palace, the student of Imperial Tutor Xie Wei (played by Zhang Linghe). They strategically save the Yan family from the “Blood Crown Ceremony” crisis. After the turmoil, Jiang Xuening becomes involved in a plan to eliminate rebels. She and Zhang Zhe (played Wang Xingyue) infiltrate the enemy camp, but they can’t stay together. As the State of Yue invades, Princess Shen Zhiyi (played Liu Xiening) pursues a diplomatic marriage. To rescue her friend, Jiang Xuening joins Xie Wei in a campaign against Da Yue. Amid crises, Xie Wei protects Jiang Xuening at great cost, and a romantic bond develops. A larger conspiracy emerges, revealing the truth of events involving the Southern Prince twenty years ago. Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei join forces, uncover the truth, and their love prevails. The series will be available on iQIYI International (iq.com).
Description taken from IQiyi.
The description for this story is quite long, haha. Anyway, here’s the review. I finished the entire drama because of Bai Lu, one of my favorite actresses, and also the male lead, Zhang Ling He, an up-and-coming star.
The story itself was interesting. I liked the premise of the protagonist getting a second chance at life and vowing not to repeat her regrettable past (becoming empress, pushing away her childhood friend, being scheming and manipulative, and displaying jealousy).
I want to mention that I enjoyed seeing different scenes, particularly the crowning ceremony for Jiang XueNing’s childhood friend, Yan Lin. It was something new for me, so it was refreshing to watch. During the ceremony, there was talk about obtaining the emperor’s seal, which intrigued me.
The deviousness of the characters was okay. It wasn’t the greatest display of cunningness and acting (they looked the same almost at every scene), but it was still enjoyable to watch.
The romance between Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei is better than Jiang Xuening and Zhang Zhe. She is afraid of him, but at the same time, the tension between them is good. Zhang Zhe and the female lead feel more like friends than a couple, so the chemistry is somewhat missing for me (which is why he is the second male lead, and I am okay with that).
I really like Yan Lin’s character, a young man who learns the truth yet still continues to love and live valiantly.
In addition, the director exhibits a keen understanding of interpersonal conflicts. A good example of this is when Xie Wei and Zhang Zhe collaborate despite differing views, driven by a shared goal.
Spoiler Alert (Beware, turn around if you haven’t watched it yet).
I feel like her past memories and experiences aren’t quite useful or shown enough throughout the drama. Yes, she used it to make money and help her friend and knowing some palace rules (but that’s about it).
It feels like everyone got what they deserved—the princess is back in her country, her childhood friend Yan Lin was reinstated, and the Evil Southern Prince and Duke died.
I was a bit sad that the girl she helped, Fang Yin died. Other than providing her with money and serving Jiang Xuening with utmost loyalty, she didn’t have a big role. But when she died, the happy ending somewhat felt incomplete.
Both the female and male leads are happily married (with children), and then the author wakes up from her dream/finishes her story and in real life meets Xie Wei as well (it’s cute, although there’s nothing going on, but I love these kinds of scenes).
Bonus episode – Wedding scene between the female and male lead.
It’s a story that I would recommend, but that’s mainly because I love Bai Lu blindly. The story itself is passable, better than most, but not to the point where it surprises me and makes me say, ‘You must watch this.'”
This story for me – 4/5 ✩
