And often, the smothering love between parent and child are displayed in the warring desires of duty and freedom within the protagonists. Family, both blood and found, also plays a role in the fantasy stories I create. And their romantic tension is conveyed in glances and mere grazing of a fingertip (or the popular ‘wrist grab’). The characters in my head include heroes whose core personalities are anchored by the desire to avenge their slain families because filial piety and honour go hand in hand, and spunky heroines who are quick with the dagger and quicker with their words.
I think of gilded imperial palaces full of mysterious and secrets, and complex political intrigue amongst kingdoms and factions.
Instead, my imagination conjures up scenes of duelling swordsmen atop lush bamboo forests and midnight alliances formed on darkened hip-and-gable rooftops with the waning moon in the background, and of long sleeves fluttering with every gesture. A post shared by June CL Tan the truth is, when I think of fantasy, what comes immediately to my mind isn’t elves or orcs or even fae.
