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d_elfe I just read your Tristan and Isolde, and leave a short review. It's good! A bit fast but it's okay. I like it as it's not too draggy.

I hope everything is fine with your hubby, and I hope that you can finish your novel too. Take care!

Thanks a lot for your kind words and reviews.
Calligraphy, wow, I'd love to see your works.

I'll store both your novels for later, hoping to read some of it ! An author's note seems simple enough. I think I'll do that, thanks for the advice. It's true we all have different backgrounds and cultures.
As for Saxon's history. I don't know much about them, excpet that they took over Great Britain over the course of the 1st millenia. They came from southern Denmark/northern Germany and were probably unhappy with their lot :p A bit like the Vikings.

Wulin_Jianghu I've also done a bit of research on some popular "historical" dramas(e.g Legend of Yunxi and In a Class of Her Own) on both Google and Baidu and found that on Baidu I got the same results as The Rise of Phoenixes. Costume, not historical.

cough yeah, historical genre in WN is not really that specific in terms of having to be in real history or something like that, so many write alternate world (including me got to admit this haha)

Tho, I still had my fair share of researching about the time period even though I'm not following the real history. Cultural differences, habits, manner of speaking, everything are different from modern eras and it might not be so easy for people to immerse in the story with so many differences to their real life. Different eras also have their differences such as the development of technology and so on. Thanks to these, this genre is not so popular.

Regardless, I like writing this genre (and still had to admit that I prefer to write alternate world because strictly following history is hard. Especially how to make it interesting. I'm more afraid of tarnishing those historical figures more than anything quite a stupid reason haha)
I did read some translated Chinese novels outside WN (will not mention where since I can't promote other sites here) that's said to be in historical genre and some are also in alternate world since the name of the kingdoms are different from history.

I find that immersing in another era is pretty interesting. It's like immersing in another culture, really.
I'm French, and when I travel to Japan it's like I change world entirely. And there's internet today, which tends to blench the differences.

I understand how difficult it is to write stricly historical, because you don't want to mess up real life characters. Usually, the easiet is to actually insert fictionnal characters, and to make them meet historical ones, but only once in a while. Like a beacon, but not too close.
But honestly, it doesn't give much freedom beceause the main events are set.

I've seen some pretty good stuff with Ruroni Kenshin actually, where the characters are historical, but some liberties are taken. Like Saitou Hajime, for example.
I wouldn't know how those mangas would be classified though :)

Sorahana True. Writing a novel that takes place in an actual dynasty or period in Chinese history is quite hard as you have to follow the events that have happened in that period. Hence, you need to create alternative worlds like fictional dynasties and periods and kingdoms.

I'm honestly surprised at the people who are able to write a good novel that's based off of real, historical events. They truly are worth many people's admiration.

I'd have to admit, historical romance/fiction/fantasy is actually one of my favorite dramas. Honestly, I have a stronger connection with the historical/costume genre than the modern genre for some reason(I mean I've never watched a Chinese drama that takes place in a modern setting; I only watch historical, costume and fantasy dramas). I guess I'm just build different. But I think that's because I haven't experienced the world yet so(understandably) I can't seem to strongly connect with them compared to fantasy and historical(I like watching historical and costume dramas because of the long-haired men and stuff like that as almost my entire family were born in mainland China; something that's different from modern dramas).

Wulin_Jianghu
I've learned a bit about wuxia, but I'm still confused about the 'ancient costumes' genre. Is the latter closer to historical, in a sense?
And, I don't know if authors around here don't know the difference. I think it has more to do with the options the platform offers.
Like, if I choose the generic 'fantasy romance' (talking about the female classification here) I can put everything that has a pinch of supernatural or magic. So it has transmigration, isekai, fairies, vampires, werewolves, witches, demons (Western and Eastern), etc. Both from past, present, and future.
But wuxia is always set in a period and setting close to the classic China idea we have (if that makes sense) so it's natural to classify it as historical... since the author wishes to make clear it involves long-haired Gods, Heavenly Emperors, long sleeves flowing dresses, scenes under the full moon by a waterfall next to a willow tree , and so on.
I think it would be different if we had a 'historical fantasy' genre here.

SrtaA

Wuxia as the word meaning, it composed of the elements: wǔ literally "martial"/"military" and xiá literally "chivalrous", or "hero". A martial artist who follows the code of xia is often referred to as a xiákè literally "follower of xia. So basically the genre of wuxia is talking about the xiake (follower of xia) who is following the code of chivalry (Xia) usually requires these xiake to right and redress wrongs, fight for righteousness, remove oppressors, and bring retribution for past misdeeds. Often times, wuxia is always set in ancient China - as the wuxia or xiake theme is actually has been around even during the Warring States Era (7 BCE - 221 BCE). But actually there's no restriction for that. I remember there's an Andy Lau's version of wuxia in modern setting.

Wuxia genre is just not easy in modern setting. Because there's law and police. While the xiake tend to be the dark justice heroes. They had to act in Xia code in a time where they could not rely on the law and government to give justice to the people.

Therefore in wuxia genre : the main theme is always fighting for justice. If you're watching Chinese series, The Legend of Condor Heroes, Return of Condor Heroes, The Dragon Sword and Heavenly Sabre, they are all in this WUXIA genre.

While in these past few years, there's another new genre called Xianxia - in which Xian means fairy. This is the genre which involves: long-haired Gods, Heavenly Emperors, long sleeves flowing dresses, scenes under the full moon by a waterfall next to a willow tree (as you mentioned in your post :D ) in Chinese series, this is like : The Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, Three Lives Three Worlds, The Pillow Book, The Untamed, etc.

While, there's also this ANCIENT costume genre -- usually they're just romance talking place in ancient setting. But sometimes even the ancient setting is not clear. Most of the time the author didn't put specific time. It's just in ancient time....don't know when.

Apparently, there are many people who don't know the difference between the genre though. Some people think that as long as there's sword, with the main characters with long hair and robes as wuxia, or historical :D

BlackBellyGodGirl I'm honestly surprised at the people who are able to write a good novel that's based off of real, historical events. They truly are worth many people's admiration.

Actually, if we really read the history books, there are so many gaps that historical fiction writers could fill between the gaps.

This is what the great authors like Jin Yong (Wuxia genre) did, Er Yuehe with his books about the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperor. He romanticised and make the history books easy to read in historical fiction genre. There's some fiction element - in which he filled the gap in what the history books doesn't provide. He didn't change the history at all. Although he made some wild guess about the fiction parts. Sun Haohui is another great author who romanticized the history of Qin Empire. He wrote his historical fiction books based on historical books and archaeological findings.

For example : the history book mentions that Emperor A died in a sudden heart attack. There's no other explanation what cause the heart attack. And the historical fiction author 'fictionized' the story as : the emperor saw his wife cheated on him, that's why he got heart attack :D

d_elfe : You are welcome. You do a good job! Btw, you can also post pictures in the comment section. In case if you want to show some things from your novel.

I write my novel in WN because I was so much inspired by a 2500 old poems that I worked on my calligraphy. Chinese calligraphy is not easy for me, it takes a long time for me to write. Therefore, although I have finished the first part of the novel (in which it's inspired by the poem), but I have not finished writing the poem itself in a perfect calligraphy style. Perhaps someday when I finish, I will post the calligraphy of the poem on the comment section.

Wulin_Jianghu I'm so glad you explained!
I have a hard time remembering Chinese words, I need to try harder. I was refering to xianxia. That's the dramas I usually watch.
In fact, my mom like them even more than I do. She can't pronounce the names (just as me) so she used to say " the prince", "the general", "the gal with green dress", "the princess", "the nasty guy", "the big boogey", (that's the best part, when she's usually refering to the handsome demon lord, etc LOL). She's 65 and discovered Asian dramas recently, and is obsessed. She really squees over the guys!

SrtaA Hehehehe You mom seems to be a handful :p My parents are the same whenever they watch something foreign, they put tags because they can't remember the names.
This being said, Chinese is a very subtle language with sounds we have no hope to reproduce (us french). so I understand the need of a 'tag'.

Wulin_Jianghu Pictures in the comment section, I had not thought of it !
And yes, please post your calligraphy, that's be awesome. I used to calligraphy some elvish names when i was in school ( and so very bored) but not the traditionnal way. I so admire you for doing it the ancient way !
I'm struck with embroidery now :p It soothes the mind.

And yes, I think that somehown you can do historical, stick to the main lines, and invent all the rest in between as long as it is consistent.
Have any of you read 'The Pillars of the Earth ?'. Great historical novel. Very very british.
Or seen 'The royal affair ?' Danish, this one, with liberties but a strong historical setting as well.

Funny how there actually is a classification of 'historical', 'knighthood' and 'fairies'. Is that summary pretty accurate ?

SrtaA wow....your mom is so cool!

I honestly seldom watch xianxia - since I'm more wuxia :D LOL. But I know xianxia could be really cool. And yeah, the name pronunciation is a big hindrance for people who are not familiar.

Btw, I just checked your novel, but have not started reading it. Gosh...271 chapters WOW!!!! how do you get the energy to write such long chapters? I salute my fists and say : Peifu...peifu (means : admire) --> just like in that xianxia series :D

d_elfe embroidery is very cool! if you visit Chinese museums, they often have embroidery clothing sections and embroidery paintings. You may want to spend hours just to admire their beauties. You should learn embroidery if you have the chance and opportunity. Now with youtube and online, you may be able to find learning sources.

I will post my calligraphy of the poem in my novel once I finish it. Meanwhile, I post my sketch of Lord Ejun Zixi - the handsome prince on my novel chapter 11. https://www.webnovel.com/book/records-of-the-immortals_17011867105133305/the-immortalized-yue-maiden_46336718881744018

The poem was made for him. Lord Ejun Zixi was not a significant figure in history, but his name is immortalized for more than 2500 years because of that poem. When I learned about the poem, I couldn't help imagining how handsome/stunning he was. :D :D

I have not read The Pillars of the Earth or The Royal Affair; will try to read them when I have time. I'm more into Chinese historical fiction since I'm familiar with ancient Chinese history. I was supposed to take a study in ancient Chinese history. But the pandemic changes everything :( So instead of writing a thesis on history, I have to be happy with writing historical fiction.

Wulin_Jianghu wow, I used too think 271 chapters made a too short novel for Webnovel standards.
But, to be fair, this novel just wanted to come out of me.

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Sometimes inspirations strikes ! But still, 271 chapters... phew. It's in my reading queue anyway :D

SrtaA I've put Persia Wooley's in my reading list. No, I didn't know her. I read the lady of Avalon by Marion zimmer bradley, It was great, and not. I don't know how to define it. It just felt off, but was really interesting and it inspired me for one of my Arthur fictions.

Wulin_Jianghu Beautiful sketch ! What did you use ? I love black and white so much. I don't draw well, so you've got all my admiration. Your novel is in my reading list as well, so you'll get some comment at some point... this year :p
As for embroidery, I live right next to a famous school that makes some traditionnal brittonic pattern, and more traditionnal stuff. I went last year but it's closed at the moment.
https://www.pascaljaouen.com/ecoledebroderie

The royal Affair is a movie with the delicious Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander.
Pillars of the earth is honstely good, but you have to love the period to appreciate it. Don't take a dive into that if you don't feel like it, because it's pretty brutal.
Historical Pride and Prejudice is much more fun. And Pride, prejudice and zombies beats it all !

PS: I can watch Oblivion with my mum, but forget traditionnal chinese. That's too bad.

SrtaA I know that 271 chapters is a bit short for Webnovel standard, but think about that not all webnovel readers are teenagers who have a lot more of free time, 271 chapters are very long. Just imagine if one chapter takes 10 minutes of reading, and that would take 2710 minutes or 45.1666 hours to read :) So I could not imagine how many hours you have spent to write those :) Good job though :) Keep up the good work!