So interesting to hear it was K dramas that got you inspired! When we were in East Timor all last year we didnt watch any TV (not enough internet to make it worthwhile) and the only thing i missed were the K daramas
Loved reading about your writing journey, Leanne. It's very inspiring. I've been blocked writing fiction for a while now and what you said about publishing and your values really landed with me. I have to ask myself -- often --- if I really want what I really want in my writing life. Truthfully, I miss my carefree novel writing days when I wrote the books I wanted to read and wasn't trying to please anyone but myself with them. 🥰 I'm very glad you're back in the saddle and indulging in your favorite indulgences for the good of your soul and your writing practice. Also, happy to have crossed paths with you here in Substack-land. And thanks again for introducing me to KDrama. Second Male Lead Syndrome ... yes, please.
I would have sworn up and down that what I really wanted was to be published by a NY publisher, and I did really want it, I just didn’t foresee how it would go after that. And in reaching that goal I learned a lot about writing that I still use today, so it’s not all bad, you know?
Really fun to read, and it’s so cool to see how one type of art can kick-start us in ways we don’t expect. K-dramas are really popular in China, where I lived for over ten years, but I confess I never really got into them there, I think because when they were Korean with Chinese subtitles it was just a bit too much of a stretch for my Chinese reading speed. I did have a stab at a really popular one a few years back. The Chinese title translates as “You who come from the stars” and it was about a cute guy who was actually an alien, but sadly I never saw how it ended..
Oh yes, I’ve seen that one. That was very sweet, and hey, now you could watch them with English subtitles? Give “Crash Landing…” a go. You have to suspend your disbelief for the first couple of eps but after that you’re in their world and it’s just so well acted.
That was fascinating to read about your writing journey and what inspired you to start writing again. And I think you're absolutely right, having the chance to just play and have fun with writing, rather than having the stress of deadlines and sales targets, is what makes things like Substack and self-publishing so attractive. I don't think I've ever seen a K-Drama. But I just checked Netflix, and 'Crash Landing on You' seems to be available. So I guess that's my weekend viewing sorted out! Haha... 😎
Enjoy! Be prepared to believe the unbelievable at the end of the first episode (btw, give it at least 2 before you chuck it, episode 1 is almost always a set up episode) and if you have a partner, they’ll appreciate watching it with you, imho.
Oh I was close to the same age (maybe 14 or 15) with my first novel, which will never see the light of day. I haven't watched much anime, but I love that they inspired you!
That sounds very ambitious, what a great idea. I love it!
Mine was very cheesy about an orphan girl adopted by the rich family Gray and bullied by the Gray siblings and falling in love with a handsome young man, of course. As mentioned, I was watching too much anime.
I loved reading this. ❤️
Aww, thank you!
I like the Joseon tales myself and some of the modern ones. "Crash Landing on You" was great!
So interesting to hear it was K dramas that got you inspired! When we were in East Timor all last year we didnt watch any TV (not enough internet to make it worthwhile) and the only thing i missed were the K daramas
I didn’t get to watch any on my (much shorter) trip either, except for “King the Land” on the tour bus!
Love this reflection! I only watched a couple of episodes of Crash Landing on You, but this makes me want to get back into it!
You totally should. You’ll fall for all the characters!
YAY! I got all tingly by the elevators! 🥰
Loved reading about your writing journey, Leanne. It's very inspiring. I've been blocked writing fiction for a while now and what you said about publishing and your values really landed with me. I have to ask myself -- often --- if I really want what I really want in my writing life. Truthfully, I miss my carefree novel writing days when I wrote the books I wanted to read and wasn't trying to please anyone but myself with them. 🥰 I'm very glad you're back in the saddle and indulging in your favorite indulgences for the good of your soul and your writing practice. Also, happy to have crossed paths with you here in Substack-land. And thanks again for introducing me to KDrama. Second Male Lead Syndrome ... yes, please.
I would have sworn up and down that what I really wanted was to be published by a NY publisher, and I did really want it, I just didn’t foresee how it would go after that. And in reaching that goal I learned a lot about writing that I still use today, so it’s not all bad, you know?
Really fun to read, and it’s so cool to see how one type of art can kick-start us in ways we don’t expect. K-dramas are really popular in China, where I lived for over ten years, but I confess I never really got into them there, I think because when they were Korean with Chinese subtitles it was just a bit too much of a stretch for my Chinese reading speed. I did have a stab at a really popular one a few years back. The Chinese title translates as “You who come from the stars” and it was about a cute guy who was actually an alien, but sadly I never saw how it ended..
Oh yes, I’ve seen that one. That was very sweet, and hey, now you could watch them with English subtitles? Give “Crash Landing…” a go. You have to suspend your disbelief for the first couple of eps but after that you’re in their world and it’s just so well acted.
That was fascinating to read about your writing journey and what inspired you to start writing again. And I think you're absolutely right, having the chance to just play and have fun with writing, rather than having the stress of deadlines and sales targets, is what makes things like Substack and self-publishing so attractive. I don't think I've ever seen a K-Drama. But I just checked Netflix, and 'Crash Landing on You' seems to be available. So I guess that's my weekend viewing sorted out! Haha... 😎
Enjoy! Be prepared to believe the unbelievable at the end of the first episode (btw, give it at least 2 before you chuck it, episode 1 is almost always a set up episode) and if you have a partner, they’ll appreciate watching it with you, imho.
I've also just realised 'Squid Game' is a K-Drama, so I have seen one after all. Haha! This sounds great too, though. I'm looking forward to it... 😎
So cool to get a sneak peek into your mind and learn what inspired your writing. It makes me curious about your stories.
This article reminds how my first attempt at writing a novel with 13 was inspired by Japanese anime stories like Candy Candy, Sandy Bell…
Oh I was close to the same age (maybe 14 or 15) with my first novel, which will never see the light of day. I haven't watched much anime, but I love that they inspired you!
What was your first novel about?
A young female knight out to prove her worth amongst the men of the world.
That sounds very ambitious, what a great idea. I love it!
Mine was very cheesy about an orphan girl adopted by the rich family Gray and bullied by the Gray siblings and falling in love with a handsome young man, of course. As mentioned, I was watching too much anime.
Oh yes there was much falling in love to be had in mine too!