Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with melo_marl, the author of Not Good! The Villainess Is Muddled and Transmigrated Author: The Quiet Plum.

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

I'm inwardly a hopeless romantic and outwardly cynical. I love history, culture and writing and try to incorporate them all in my hobbies.

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

Hmm, a bit of both. I write an outline then things go off-tangent at some point so I'll have edit a new outline and rinse and repeat. Sometimes, characters just do things on their own and it's fun like that.

What are some things that influenced your story?

Ancient China, the then-current tropes in Asian novels (if you're familiar with translated Chinese, Japanese and Korean webnovels).

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Maybe my fave is Yin Hua Lei. My first child, if you would akin your works to daughters and sons. I was tired of reading common tropes of the Asian genre so I wanted to write one of my own. It had lots of ups and downs and oof moments. But I'm proud of her.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

I get lazy at the middle of the story most of the time. The real challenge for me is how to lead things to the climax. Connecting the climax to the denouement is as easy as breathing but the things in between the beginning and the climax always makes me want to tear my hair out.  

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

It's fun to be different. You don't have to always enjoy the common stuff. Try deviating, my stories' goal is always to deviate from the common stereotypes of the genre. And I want you to try and savor them even though I'm not too talented nor do I keep my update schedule (hehe).

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

This is a good question. I often write main protagonists like this but I've never thought about it if I were there. I'm not the OP kind of person so I'll probably find someone I can rely on and just breeze my life there.

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

I like my character's strong personality above all but I would like to learn to wield qi (inner force) like she does.

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

I'd even be willing to go through several worlds just to find my love. Finding someone to spend your every moment with just makes life more meaningful for me. 

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

I like the Filipino enchanted creatures folklore best and second is the Japanese yokai folklore. There's something about these creatures that just lure me. The idea of having a spiritual realm where all kinds of spirits and enchanted beings gather makes my imagination wild.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

If I were to give a specific answer, it's a local myth Mariang Makiling. It's about a kind goddess of a mountain who got furious at humans for taking advantage of her magnanimity, bountiful yields in the field, blissful rain, large livestock. But humans wanted more. They wanted to hunt all animals, want to cut all trees and want to dirty the nearby shores. In the end, she punished them all and never returned again. It has a strong impact in my childhood so it's one of my faves.

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, melo_marl! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!