Sarah Campbell
asked
Kayla Cunningham:
How much of your historical background influences your fantasy writing, and do you research specific eras or cultures while worldbuilding?
Kayla Cunningham
Absolutely—my background in history is the foundation of everything I write. I have a degree in history and have spent my life traveling and visiting historical sites around the world, soaking in cultures, architecture, and the stories that shaped civilizations. That firsthand experience fuels my worldbuilding in a way that research alone never could.
When I create a fantasy world, I’m not just inventing castles and crowns—I’m thinking about how real systems of power and rebellion have worked across history. I draw inspiration from empires that rose and fell, resistance movements that began in the shadows, and the lives of ordinary people who survived injustice, oppression, and change.
I often research specific eras—Imperial China, the Roman Empire, pre-colonial African kingdoms, feudal Japan, medieval Europe—depending on what I’m building into the narrative. I’m fascinated by how belief systems, justice, gender roles, and class structures shape people’s decisions. That level of depth and realism is something I strive to bring into every story I write. I absolutely research specific eras and cultures, especially when I’m developing political structures, belief systems, or punishment and justice systems (like in Blood Oath). The goal isn’t to copy history—but to echo it in ways that add depth and emotional realism.
Fantasy, to me, is a powerful way to reimagine history. It lets us ask, What if?—while still grounding us in the emotional truths of the past. I believe fantasy gives us space to reimagine the past, confront uncomfortable truths, and explore what it means to resist, endure, and rise. And history provides the blueprint. So yes—every kingdom I build, every uprising I write, and every broken system my characters fight against carries the weight of real-world echoes.
When I create a fantasy world, I’m not just inventing castles and crowns—I’m thinking about how real systems of power and rebellion have worked across history. I draw inspiration from empires that rose and fell, resistance movements that began in the shadows, and the lives of ordinary people who survived injustice, oppression, and change.
I often research specific eras—Imperial China, the Roman Empire, pre-colonial African kingdoms, feudal Japan, medieval Europe—depending on what I’m building into the narrative. I’m fascinated by how belief systems, justice, gender roles, and class structures shape people’s decisions. That level of depth and realism is something I strive to bring into every story I write. I absolutely research specific eras and cultures, especially when I’m developing political structures, belief systems, or punishment and justice systems (like in Blood Oath). The goal isn’t to copy history—but to echo it in ways that add depth and emotional realism.
Fantasy, to me, is a powerful way to reimagine history. It lets us ask, What if?—while still grounding us in the emotional truths of the past. I believe fantasy gives us space to reimagine the past, confront uncomfortable truths, and explore what it means to resist, endure, and rise. And history provides the blueprint. So yes—every kingdom I build, every uprising I write, and every broken system my characters fight against carries the weight of real-world echoes.
More Answered Questions
Xiao-Mei Williams
asked
Kayla Cunningham:
I LOVE THE FACT YOUR COUPLE IS AMERICAN GIRL AND CHINESE/KOREAN MALE. Not enough writers do biracial couples -- Especially not Amreican and Chinese. In fact, it is not heard of. Your book is unique because of this and it may be the first I read that covers this couple in college age. I can tell you did lot of research on Asian culture. Why did you decide on this biraciacouple--Chinese/Korean male and American female?
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