Hello, fellow disciples! We would like to present the interview with one of our runner-up winners for our Lunar New Year contest, The Immortals' Conquest.

You can read LMorthor's story, The Great Healer, here. Inspired by Prompt #9: Heal Me.

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What are some things that influenced your contest submission?

Asian Dramas particularly Korean and Chinese dramas. I binge watch them during my free time. It's sorta like my way of destressing after a long day of work.

Tell us about the main character of your winning entry. What inspired their creation?

My main character (Xiuying) is a young woman who knows what she wants to do with her life. When she set something on her mind, she makes sure she accomplishes it even if society might frown upon her actions. She is a risk taker, could be carefree and childish at times but it only adds to her charms. She was inspired by strong decisive women I have watched from various Asian dramas. 

What were some challenges you experienced while writing your entry?

Aside from not going over the word count, I think another one was how to give my story a good ending. It is my first time writing a fantasy. I usually write mysteries and thrillers and I generally end things tragically. I am quite surprised I was able to write an ending that isn't tragic.

What is your favorite myth or legend? Why? Please tell us from what culture it's from.

The Legend of Malakas and Maganda (literally The Legend of Strong and Beautiful) from the Philippines. It's a story about the first man and woman god created. It is memorable for me because it is one of those stories taught in primary schools. The unique thing is that they were supposed to have come out of a single bamboo that was split in half by a huge bird.

What is your favorite mythical creature? Why? Please tell us from what culture it's from.

My favorite mythical creature would be the Manananggal from the Philippine Mythology. A Manananggal can detach her torso from her lower half and then take flight during the night to eat infants. She particularly hunts pregnant women who are sleeping and uses her long, hollow and flexible tongue through the roof to suck out the fetus. Sometimes, she seduces men with her beauty and lures them to a private place before eating them alive. She usually eats the heart, stomach and/or the liver.This creature's name was derived from the Filipino word, "tanggal," which means "to separate" because of the Manananggal's ability to separate itself from its lower body.

What was one thing you learned from Asian mythology and folklore from this contest?

Asian mythology and folklore is so rich and fascinating. There are still some I am not familiar with and I am trying to learn them by reading Wattpad Asian Fantasy's Asian Mythology and Folklore. I hope they can add Philippine Mythology to their collection as well.

If you had the opportunity to do this contest again, what would you do differently?

I guess that depends on whether or not I enjoyed that time and place ... if so, I'd probably stay for a while and enjoy a well-deserved vacation. If not, I'd probably be more actively pursuing ways to get back home.

If you had the opportunity to do this contest again, what would you do differently?

Story wise, I think I wouldn't have done anything differently but maybe a little grammar editing wouldn't hurt.

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

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!