I am thrilled to have interviewed author Malina Douglas, who shared with us details of her writing life, her book ‘Red Panda Warrior, Jade Mountain‘, which was released on 25th October 2021, and answered a few fun questions. This post contains affiliate links.

Malina Douglas weaves stories that fuse the fantastic and the real. She was shortlisted by the Four Palaces Prize and received an Honourable Mention from the Writers of the Future Contest. Publications include Cast of Wonders, Wyldblood, Sanitarium IV, Diet Milk, The Theatre Phantasmagoria, Tales from the Moonlit Path, Opia, Parabnormal, Eye to the Telescope and The Periodical Forlorn. Anthologies include Out of the Darkness by Wolfsinger Publications, Underdogs Rise, From the Yonder IV, Dragon Gems Summer 2023, N is Nautical, U is for Unexplained, Because That’s Where Your Heart Is by Sans Press, The Monsters We Forgot Vol. II, and A Krampus Carol. Before writing Red Panda Warrior, Jade Mountain, she visited China and lived in Asia for sixteen years.

I was hosting a writing workshop in Goa, India and set a timer for a writing session. A prompt I’d read that morning popped into my head, to write about East Asian women warriors, so that’s what I started writing about. I wrote a scene in which a young woman fights off demon bats in a bamboo grove. Over the following weeks I kept going till it grew into a novella. The first scene I wrote didn’t end up in the final book, but it served its purpose in kicking off the story.

Then I read about women warriors from history and discovered Princess Pinyang, a young woman who raised and led an army to help her father become the first Tang emperor. I was so inspired by her, I mentioned her in the book so that readers can get a sense of her life, and perhaps be inspired to find out more.

I developed the plot, characters and world as I wrote. Studying the craft of plotting and extensive reading gave me a sense of structure so I could feel my way through the rising tension to the climax and resolution. After writing the first few scenes, I researched Chinese history and chose to set the story during the Tang Dynasty because it was a unique time period when women had more freedom than ever before–or for a long time afterwards. Fashions relaxed while ceramics, art and literature flourished. Clay sculptures show women riding horses and firing bows and arrows. The capital of the Tang Dynasty, Chang’an had a thriving blend of cultures and religions, and I chose to set part of the story there, based on real details from accounts of the city.

I chose it at the end, once the novella was finished. I wanted a Chinese-style poetic title, so that’s why I called it
The final title, Red Panda Warrior, Jade Mountain, was chosen to reflect a sense of Chinese poetry, while conveying the setting, Xiu’s colour and an animal that plays a key role. As the warriors develop their skills, each is gifted a different colour robe and totem animal.

I searched a database of Chinese names and chose them based on the meanings. For each name of the six women warriors, I feel a different colour association that fits with their character and personality.

Xiu means luxuriant, beautiful, elegant, outstanding, which Xiu is not at all, but she can change… Her colour is red. Chenhua is Xiu’s best friend. Her name means flower and I associate her with softness and pale pink. Wei can be either feminine or masculine. As a feminine name it means both small and fern, while the male Wei means lofty and power. I associate this name with yellow. This character is soft but strong. Jian means build, establish, strong and healthy. She is brash and bold and I associate her name with growing plants and the colour green. Feiyan comes from fei, fragrant, luxuriant and yan, flames. Feiyan is swift and dexterous and her colour is purple.
Qiao means skillful, which is very true to her character. Her colour is blue and her nature poised and refined.

I researched online and read many articles and papers about women warriors and various aspects of the Tang Dynasty. During the editing stage, I read similar books such as Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin.

Based on the prompt of women warriors, It started out as historical fiction, and I researched the time period to add in accurate details. Then I added the myth of the Azure Dragon, part of Chinese folklore. With a dragon and other slight speculative elements, the book grew into historical fantasy, which I like even better. I also love reading this genre.

Ten months, from January to October. I wrote the first draft quickly, then added two thousand words during the editing process. Editing was the longest part, about four months as I went through the draft again and again and incorporated feedback from beta readers. I was working on other short stories in between, and building up to the launch also took a few months, building my website, finding promotion sites and planning the launch party. For the launch, I printed physical copies of the book and collaborated with a tea master to host a reading and Chinese tea ceremony.

Overcoming, discovery, transformation.

Editing can be challenging, especially when you receive conflicting feedback from beta readers or friends. Getting an agent is even more challenging and takes a lot of research, tailored query letters and waiting.

To feel inspired! Xiu is a character that anyone who has ever struggled or doubted themselves can relate to. Hers is a coming of age story, showing how we can overcome our fears and doubts, discover our talents and transform.

It’s rare to find a book focused purely on friendship and not on romantic love, but this book is, exploring the theme of friendship and how to overcome jealousy. It’s also a window into a fascinating time period that you don’t usually get to read about, so I hope you dive in and get to be transported!

I have a brand new totem animal, an iridescent gecko! Here he is in my potted vine. You can find an article about him and how to find your own totem animal on my Substack @iridescentwords.

Writing in the morning works best for me, and working on the same project daily keeps the momentum going. I like to write with a thermos of tea or hot chocolate and move my desk or change my writing location to stretch my eyes and get new inspirations.

At home or in cafes, ideally with inspiring views. This summer, I’ve been writing in the garden on a small table I can move around to sit in shade or sun.

I would write through the scene of battle, armoured and mounted on horseback.

Since owls are wise, he would share some wisdom. Trust that you’re on the right path, and what you are seeking will come in time.