I loved reading about the alternative history behind Meljean Brook’s Iron Seas series on her website where she describes the real history of the Mongolian khagans or khans and their contact with the West via Marco Polo and then ties that in to the alternative history she created about the Golden Horde. So I thought it would be good to write up the alternative history of BUTTERFLY SWORDS and THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL.
My world isn’t as imagineered as a full on fantasy novel. In fact I was adamant in the fact that they are set in Tang Dynasty China. Not a fantasy world based on the Oriental trappings of China. I strive to try to be as authentic as possible in terms of culture, social climate, and political structure. I didn’t want to make up place names and customs and hide behind the fact that I made things up if something reads inauthentic. If it didn’t work, it’s because I didn’t sell it–not because it was meant to be fabricated anyway.
Of course wuxia, and really all similar chivalric tales, take place within a bit of a fantasy world. For the western equivalents, consider the Tales of Robin Hood or King Arthur. They’re a bit of historical fantasy. Historical romances are also really historical fantasies in the way authors have freedom to make up Dukes and Princes and Princesses. One of the reasons I feel so strongly that I’m truly in the right genre.
But one of the big leaps that I made that is not done too often in traditional historical romance is I altered the macro-history of my setting. Often authors will create imaginary kingdoms to satisfy the need to create wars and political conflict, but I had already decided this would not be a made up kingdom. So here’s the real history and my alternate history juxtaposed.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE REAL TANG DYNASTY AND JEANNIE LIN’S TANG DYNASTY?
In the real Tang Dynasty:
The rule of Emperor Xuanzong, named Li Longji, (712-756 A.D.) is often considered the pinnacle of the Tang Dynasty. Near the end of his reign however, the empire began to decline through many different factors including famine and several devastating military losses, costing Xuanzong several of the empire’s tributary nations. Throughout the dynasty, military warlords called jiedushi who were tasked with leading campaigns against neighboring kingdoms and maintaining order at the frontier had gained in power and influence. The jiedushi took over the military rule of their provinces, forming armies that were independent from the central imperial army. It was the combination of this military decentralization and the financial weakening of the central government that allowed the first strike in the beginning of the fall of the Golden Age.
The most popular telling has Emperor Xuanzong declining into decadence and extravagance in his elder years. He became smitten by one of his concubines, Lady Yang Yuhuan, who is more commonly known as Yang Guifei (Precious Consort Yang). Under her thrall, he ignored matters of state, appointed her relatives and other corrupt men to important governmental positions, and spent his days throwing lavish banquets for his consort. One of the men who gained the favor of the corrupt court was a warlord by the name of An Lushan, who was of Sogdian (ancient Persian empire) descent rather than pure “Chinese”. (During the Tang Dynasty, the population of the empire was a mix of ethnicities, much like the Roman Empire during its height.) An Lushan had gained prominence defending the northeastern border against the Khitans and between he and his sons, controlled several military districts and a sizeable army. One of the downfalls of the military system was that too many men were elevated to governorships from lowly field positions. As a result, the imperial government had to contend with and try to balance the demands of many powerful factions within its own borders.
In 755, An Lushan led the Anshi Rebellion against Xuanzong, forcing the Emperor to flee from the capital. During the tragic flight, the Emperor’s army refused to continue unless he executed his beloved Yang Guifei, blaming her and her inept cousin, Chancellor Yang Guozhong, for the downfall of the imperial government. The Emperor had Yang Guifei strangled and her body was buried by the roadside while the escort continued on to Chengdu in the South.
An Lushan took over control of the dual capitals of Chang’an and Luoyang and declared himself Emperor. Meanwhile, Xuanzong set up a separate court in the south, but he was a broken man. He recognized his son, Li Heng’s, ascension to the throne and took on the title of retired Emperor. The son mounted a campaign against An Lushan to try to recapture the capital and destroy the warlord’s forces, though it would take the reign of three Tang Emperors before the rebellion was crushed in 763 A.D.
The Tang Dynasty continues for over another century, finally ending in 907 A.D. though it never reaches the height of Xuanzong’s rule again.
In Jeannie Lin’s Tang Dynasty:
BUTTERFLY SWORDS and THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL take place during the period of the Anshi rebellion, though the alternative history changes the circumstances of the temporary fall of the Tang Emperors. Emperor Xuanzong is replaced by a fictional Emperor Li Ming, known as the August Emperor, who has died without leaving behind any direct male descendants.
Instead of An Lushan, a warlord named Shen An Liu has taken control during the unrest and Li Ming’s only daughter Miya has abdicated the throne and lives in exile. Emperor Shen and his sons control the largest military force in the empire, allowing them to maintain control of the central part of the kingdom, but his rule is constantly challenged by the other warlords, many who want to restore a Tang ruler to the throne.
The tragic figure of Yang Yuhuan was replaced by Precious Consort Ling Suyin, who survives the fall of Tang regime. Li Tao is a commoner who was given military command as jiedushi by the August Emperor.
In this timeline, Emperor Shen is seen as a usurper of low birth and mixed blood, though he does rule over the central government. A clear opposition government has yet to be established and the jiedushi are left to fight it out about who will control the empire.
It was a difficult decision to alter such pivotal events in the Tang Dynasty history to create this world. The intention was to be able to use pivotal figures such as Emperors and warlords and consorts and set their interactions during the tumultuous time that inspired me. I hope readers will realize that these stories are historical fantasy and not meant to be a historical reference.
For the upcoming tales that do not reference this alternative timeline, I’ve set the time period to the later part of the Tang Dynasty after 800 A.D. to differentiate them from these earlier tales.
As I’ve heard from readers that these stories have been the first taste they got of the Tang Dynasty, I encourage any history geeks to seek out the true events. The following resources were the basis for much for much of my research:
Benn, Charles (2002), China’s Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-517665-0
Hucker, Charles O. (1995), China’s Imperial Past: An Introduction to Chinese History and Culture, Stanford University Press, ISBN 0804723532
Lewis, Mark Edward (2009), China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, ISBN 067403306X
I always research in stages. First, I do some preliminary research before I start drafting. Then, once the work is done and I’m waiting for beta readers to comment (like right now), I research deeper into the areas of the book I know need to be fleshed out.
This last one has been quite an adventure! On a suggestion from some of my Tweeps, I thought I’d share for any history geeks out there.
First off, I looked into a diplomatic practice called heqin, or peace marriage. I explored several academic writings on the political role of the heqin brides as well as what sort of women were sent to foreign lands in these peace marriages. Everyone always thinks of China as being historically closed off, but in truth the Tang Dynasty was one of the most open periods in imperial history. Foreign relations with Korea, Japan, Tibet, Central Asia and all the neighboring kingdoms were at their height and the Tang empire had the most frequent use of peace marriages as a diplomatic option.
Then of course there was more research about Changan and the layout of the East Market, the North Hamlet, and the Administrative City. I went to my fallback book by Charles Benn as well as a few other resources.
Archery, which was implemented as part of the military exams during the Tang Dynasty, also played a key role. There were spectacular sporting events organized around archery called the Great Shoots. Nifty, huh?
And now I’ve bought entirely too many history books in order to delve into the political structure of the Tang government with its six ministries and a gazillion other offices. Talk about bureaucracy! I’m salivating to get my hands on Charles O. Hucker’s A Dictionary of Official Titles of Imperial China, but am making do with the Google Books preview currently as I try to search it out.
Today I’ve invited Victoria Janssen, fellow historical romance author, to come and discuss some of her research for the new release, The Duke and the Pirate Queen. What’s so fascinating about the book is that the heroine is a lady pirate from a fictional Asian empire.
Victoria’s blog is an interesting source of historical research, writing craft, and how to blend the two. If you like this post here, then definitely pay her a visit and check out her books.
I thought today’s post was very fascinating. Not only because it sent me off on my own excursion looking up pirate info, but because there’s been many a time I’ve had to decide to leave historical research on the cutting room floor so it’s interesting to see another author’s thought process.
Welcome Victoria!
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This is the story of how I did NOT use a great deal of my research.
When I began writing The Duke and the Pirate Queen I knew that the heroine, Captain Imena Leung, was of mixed race; her mother from a fictional empire analogous to China, and her father from somewhere else. I never did decide exactly where he came from, as he has only a small role in the novel; I suspect he’s from somewhere in this world’s equivalent to the Southern Pacific islands. I did know, however, that I wanted Imena to have fought pirates. And I wanted her ship to be attacked by pirates in the novel.
I began to research Asian pirates. I can’t recommend this book enough: Pirate of the Far East: 811-1639, for a concise yet detailed overview of that period, which includes not only details of pirate clothing, weapons, and tactics but fits those details into the appropriate geographic and political settings. I also read various accounts (in English) of Chinese pirates who encountered Westerners, and some further academic essays on how accurate those translations and compilations might be from an Asian perspective.
After all that, I had more than enough information to write about Asian pirates. However, I realized, too late, that I needed Imena to be surprised. I needed her to come up against something new to her that would throw her off-balance; since I’d already established she’d worked as a privateer for the Horizon Empire (the China analogue), she would already be familiar with the varieties of Asian pirates, and they would not incite much fear in her. I was, to use a nautical phrase, hoist on my own petard.
There was the added complication that, much as I enjoyed my reading about Asian pirates, when the majority of readers saw the word “pirate,” they would envision Pirates of the Caribbean. If I had the whole novel to set up my Asian pirates, I might have managed it; but I was focusing on the love story, which takes place mainly aboard ship, so the lovers are isolated from the rest of the world. By the time I realized the way I should have arranged the plot to use more of the research, I was too far into the novel to change it, and still make my deadline.
I finally decided to (mostly) use pirates that would bring to mind classic Hollywood movies, while adding just a few fantastical touches to make them fit better into the novel’s fantasy world. I used as much of my research as I could without letting my worldbuilding take over the romance.
The Duke and the Pirate Queen is set in the same world as The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom & Their Lover and features characters who appeared in that novel, Duke Maxime and Captain Imena Leung. Captain Leung is forced to abduct Duke Maxime, who is her employer, to thwart an assassination plot against him. He wants her. She wants him. Unfortunately, issues of birth, rank, and their own pasts are in conflict with their desires. And then there are the pirates, the storm, the hostile islanders…not to mention the sharks.
Excerpt:
“Sir. Pirates, sir. Closing fast. Roxanne recognized the rigging on their mainsail. They’re from the Inland Sea, she says. To the north of the Horizon Empire.”
“Bloody flux in a hurricane.” Imena yanked a tunic over her singlet and belted on her cutlass. “Your Grace, you’d better go below. No, go with Norris. Into the cubby, Norris.”
“Sir,” Norris said.
“No,” Maxime said.
“Yes,” Imena said.
“Pirates aren’t after me in particular,” he said.
“You’re a valuable hostage, and you’re wasting my time,” she said.
“They won’t have any idea who I am. I might be able to help.”
And if pirates overran the ship, she wouldn’t want him to be trapped and helpless. She had a moment’s vision of finding his corpse, mangled and leaking blood onto the deck. Imena threw up her hands. “Fine. Don’t cry to me when they slice your ballocks off and wear them for earrings. Norris, get him a cutlass. And some clothes.”
“No pistols?” he asked as they hurried on deck.
“One shot and you’re left with a short club. No, thank you,” she said. “Stay behind me.”
“What if it comes to a fight?”
“Stay behind me,” she reiterated, though she wasn’t sure what she would do if he refused. She wouldn’t order the crew to subdue him unless his life was in immediate danger.
On deck, the crew were being issued weapons. Chetri stood near the prow, feet braced wide, a cutlass on either hip. Imena followed the direction of his gaze and had no trouble seeing not one, but two ships approaching rapidly, hull-up. He said, his voice eerily calm, “They came out of the sun. We were lucky Kiesha and Ailf had decided to seek a little privacy in the upper nest.”
Imena calculated rapidly in her head, changed a few variables, and calculated again. “It’s too late to run,” she said, regretfully. “Chetri? Am I wrong?”
He shook his head. “The wind is their friend today.”
Roxanne slid down the rigging and trotted over. “Oars, captain,” she said. She took a stone from her pocket and began sharpening the tip of her hook. “They keep oarsmen down below, so there’s no chance of being becalmed. Most carry cannon.”
Despite her years of privateering, Imena had never encountered the pirates of the Inland Sea; only once had she heard of them encroaching on the empire’s sea lanes, and the single ship had been quickly routed by the navy. The tales she’d heard about the Inland Pirates had made her glad of her escape, but now she wished she’d had some direct experience of them.
“I’ve fought them,” Chetri said. “I was a boy, but I remember it well.”
“Weaknesses?” Imena asked.
Chetri shook his head, his earrings chiming. “That would depend on the captain. Some are no worse than we might be. Some drink all sorts of potions before they go into battle, so they feel nothing and fear no one. The maddest of them build an immunity to certain poisons, so they may hold poisoned mastic in their mouths and thus spit poison at their enemies.”
Imena said, “We’ll expect the worst. Chetri, you’ll take the offensive fighters, but hold them unless you see an advantage in attack. Roxanne, you’ll command defense.”
On the second morning, in a temporary lull in the work on the ship, Seretse set a blanket on the beach. Next to it, he laid out his tattooing tools, wooden handles with clusters of needles at one end. He’d recruited Annja to keep water boiling over a small fire, to supply him with a stream of clean cloths, which he used throughout the process to wipe blood and excess ink from his client’s skin. Annja would also clean the needled tools of blood after they were used. Maxime thus had an excellent excuse to wander over and chat with her. He wasn’t the only one who found the prospect of watching Seretse pound colored ink into people’s skins fascinating.
Most of the time was spent on Kuan, whose back was already covered with outlines of fish; Seretse was coloring in a section of the outlines with soft, steady strokes.
I’ve already mentioned that this last short story had me researching into Tang Dynasty poetry, the imperial exams, short story tradition, and student life. Can you believe all that for 15,000 words? I know readers will always say they wish short stories were longer, but for me, there’s something beautiful about opening up a time capsule and getting just a glimpse. Like one of those crystals you hold up to the light to watch the refraction of its many faces onto the wall.
A short story can’t capture everything, but neither does a full length novel. Nor a whole series of novels, for that matter. To me, a short story is that rare stone, cut in a specific way by the author, in order to catch the light just so.
But I digress! One of the areas of research I touched upon was the music of the Tang Dynasty. Specifically, the pipa. The pipa is a stringed instrument similar to the lute. The name is said to come from the sounds it makes “pi” “pa”.
I discovered there are two styles of pipa music: lyrical and martial.
Here is where my research gets muddy. There’s huge interest in reviving Tang Dynasty style music. Some sources indicate that the popular song “Ambush from All Sides”, which is featured in The House of Flying Daggers, was written in the Tang Dynasty. Other sources indicated that it was written in the classical Tang Dynasty style, but appeared much later. Now, does appeared mean appeared in print? Or that it was composed at that time?
A gold star if anyone can point me to a definitive source.
In them meantime, these two popular pipa songs gave me great inspiration for the mood of my latest short story.
The harder, martial style: “Ambush from All Sides” (aka Ambush from Ten Sides)
The softer, lyrical or civil style: “Falling Snow Decorates the Evergreen”
The whirlwind book tour is over! (Though I’m still appearing here and there.)
I feel like a great weight has been lifted and I get to put my writer hat back on. And I must say, it’s pretty darn nice to blog as MYSELF once again.
So I’ve been writing a new short story about a scholar and a musician in Changan; basically tackling the very well-worn and beloved trope of the scholar attempting the imperial exams. And though the length is going to end up between 10-15K, I’ve already purchased four new research books for it: a book on Chinese erotic poetry, a dissertation on the culture of sex in Ancient China, a book of translated short stories from the Tang Dynasty, and Barry Hughart’s Bridge of Birds. Okay, Bridge of Birds isn’t quite research, but my copy got hopelessly water damaged and lost in the move.
I asked myself, is it necessary to buy so many books for such a short story? Especially when I already have a decent reference library on Tang Dynasty culture, not to mention Google books and other references at my fingertips?
I’ve decided that it’s absolutely necessary!
I’m so unimaginative, I need research books to feed my brain. This is why I will never make any money writing. I have to consume so many orchids to distill them down into a concentrated vanilla extract.
BUT, I am collecting more interesting tidbits of trivia. For instance, the current book I’m reading, The Dragon King’s Daughter, is a collection of short stories. The foreword posits that the culture of the short story blossomed in the Tang Dynasty in large part to the exam culture. Students would often present essays and short writings to the official examiners ahead of time to gain favor. Poetry and writing were often given as gifts, even as payment occasionally. Talk about the value of the written word!
I was jumping up and down when I read that because I have my hero working on an essay that he needs to turn in as an assignment before he can take the exams. I didn’t know if this was true to the culture or not, but I figured, heck, academia can’t be ALL that different back then. Then sure enough, this historical tidbit ties in perfectly to my plot, pulling it even tighter.
And then there’s the whole cyclical pattern of things. The short story maturing as a form in the Tang Dynasty exam culture — and now I’m writing a short story featuring the exam culture. Doesn’t it all just feel right?
Karma.
P.S. Editing this post to see if it will post onto Facebook…Wish me luck.
The blog tour is nearing the end, but as they say on stage, you need a big finish right?
Today, I’m discussing my experiences as The New Kid on the Playground at The Pink Heart Society. For fun, you get to check out my alternative titles for Butterfly Swords. Come back to the PHS on October 26 as they discuss Butterfly Swords as their October book club pick.
I’m also discussing *ahem* Sex in Ancient China, an educational post that should be up Wednesday morning at Dirty Sexy Books.
And the final guest blog this week is something I seriously debated doing. It’s about promotion. I’m hoping it sparks discussion, because there’s a lot I’m still wondering about author promotion and the conventional wisdom seems to be that “you never know what will work”. I can’t seem to take that for an answer. I want to know what can be known!
So at Bria Quinlan‘s blog on Thursday, I’ll be going “Inside a Grass Roots Marketing Campaign” and discussing what I learned from the promotion of Butterfly Swords. It’s one of the rare times you’ll see my business mind emerge.
Review Round-Up: Butterfly Swords received a 9 1/2 star review and Top Pick from The Season. The Taming of Mei Lin received a 4 star review from Romantic Times in a web exclusive review.Requires registration to the RT site to view. Victoria Dixon also has a review of The Taming of Mei Lin on the Ron Empress blog.
Blog tour: I discuss setting as character as well as the concept of “jianghu” at the Romantic Times blog in their Around the World in Fiction feature.
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Today I’m very excited to welcome Linda Heenan to Warrior Women month. I found Linda while browsing sword fighting forums and was immediately struck by the fact that she had studied both Eastern and Western sword fighting techniques. Her website, Chinese Swords Guide, is a treasure trove of information.
Linda teaches sword fighting seminars and is active in re-enactment groups. Despite her busy schedule, she generously agreed to be interviewed for Warrior Woman month. Welcome Linda!
Jeannie: What first drew you to swordfighting? Linda:I’d never thought much about swords or any kind of martial arts until my children were in highschool. Then, one day, I was walking through the local markets and spotted a stall with swords for sale. I asked to look at one. It was only a cheap wallhanger but I didn’t know that then. As I held it, something seemed to grip me. It sounds weird, and I’m definitely not a person who goes in for weirdness, but I’d have to say the sword called to me. I knew in that moment I had a decision to make – either learn to use one properly, or never touch a sword again.
Later that week, I did an internet search on sword related subjects. What interested me most was a writer’s website. The roleplayers were writing a swordfight move by move. This seemed quite harmless, and a good way to get started. So I joined the site and began learning enough to write swordsmanship scenes. In the process, I met some writers who were into real swordsmanship and other martial arts. My character began to write jian swordsmanship at the suggestion of one of those writers. Then, two of them suggested I read teacher Scott Rodell’s book and get his DVD, to make my writing more authentic. I did this and liked what I saw so much, I decided to contact the author. I found him on a forum and expressed my interest in his style of swordsmanship. To cut a long story short, he became my teacher and fourteen months later, i met him at a seminar I’d organised for him in Australia.
Jeannie: How many different styles have you studied? Linda: I’ve studied three Chinese sword styles – jian, dao and miaodao, with Sifu Rodell. I’ve also trained in highlander broadsword, German and English longsword, with Paul Wagner. I’ve touched on several other Europenan styles and a lesson or two in Japanese. I also regularly meet with a 12th century reenactment group.
Jeannie: What would you consider the primary differences between Western and Eastern swordfighting? Linda: There are more similarities than differences. Many sword strikes are the same with similar swords from the West or East. This is not surprising. There are only so many ways you can use a sword. Chinese swordsmanship has some very clear differences in the way the body moves. While many styles from Europe and Asia use whole body movements, the Chinese styles are based in internal martial arts. The movements do not come purely from muscular action combined with stepping, as they do in so many styles. They follow taiji principles. This is why so many Asian sword styles are part of a complete martial arts system passed down from teacher to student in unbroken lineages. The empty hand skills flow on into the weapons training. In Chinese swordsmanship, all movements flow from the weighted leg, are directed through the waist, and out through the sword. It’s like turning on a hose. The movements flow with minimal muscular effort.
Jeannie: What would you say are the main ways studying the sword has changed your life or your way of thinking? Linda: Any martial art challenges discipline, character and determination. I was good at almost everything I tried, as a child. I was top of my class, always winning things, and believed i could acheive anything I wanted to in life. When I took up swordsmanship in mid life, I was not very good at it. I had to work hard and practise a lot. Also, I had the attention of a teacher for the first time in my life. At school, when you’re top of the class, the teacher leaves you to it, or uses you as an assistant, while spending all his time with the children who need help. So I flew under the radar. No one ever challenged me. When I began learning sword, that all changed. Suddenly everything was being scrutinised. I had to use a lot of determination to learn, put up with being a slower student and work very hard.
I also lost quite a lot of weight, regained flexibility, and improved my health. I’ve always been a person who thinks nothing is impossible if you really want to achieve it. Through doing sword, I’ve realised that is usually true. Sometimes the reality is, you can only go to your own best level. I’ve learnt that my best is worth enjoying and anyone can use a little to achieve a lot in life.
Jeannie:Let’s talk swords for a moment. They always like to compare weapons from different cultures in shows like Deadliest Warrior. I know the effectiveness of the sword depends on the its purpose and function, but what would you say is the ultimate sword? East or West? Linda: There really is no ultimate sword. The best sword is the best one for the job and the one the swordsman has the best control over. There is almost a cult following for the katana, for example, but a Chinese swordsman will nimbly step out of the way of a huge katana strike and come back with a simple cut to the top of the arm while the other sword is out of the way. I know. I did that to a 30 year trained katana swordsman when I was a two year beginner. Then he got angry and cracked a bone in my arm.
There is no best sword, only best swordsmen. If a swordsman can stay calm and in control, they win the fight, no matter which sword they are using as long as it is appropriate to the time. For example, when plate armour became common, slashing swords were of little use. Thrusting swords, solid, stiff, and pointed, almost like stakes, were the only things that could penetrate the armour. There are good swords for horseback battle, for formation fighting, and for individual battle. No sword can do everything.
Jeannie: In your opinion, what’s the best sword for an average woman who’s not that brawny? Linda:It is usually best for for a woman to choose a lighter sword – under a kilo. Men are a lot more muscular and can work with heavy swords more easily. If a woman is small and light, she might take advantage of the quick movements used with a rapier. I chose the jian. It is light enough to wield easily, good for both cutting and thrusting, and extremely versatile.
Jeannie: So….could a little gal actually take on a big strong guy like they show in the movies? Linda:Yes. A well trained woman with the right sword in her hand could definitely get the best of a man in a sword fight. Since she probably has less height and shorter arms, she would be best using a one handed sword and using her flexibility and speed. It has a lot to do with anticipating the move before it comes. In jian swordsmanship we use expressions such as he moves first but I arrive first. You have to use all of your senses to know what is coming, while at the same time, not committing to any particular strike until your opponent has committed to something that will take him momentarily out of the way. The harder he strikes, the longer it is to come back from the momentum. A good swordswoman lets the theif in the doof, so to speak, and then voids, leading the strike into emptyness, creating a hollow to attack.
Jeannie: What would you say is your favorite sword fight scene from any movie? How realistic is it? Linda: I love the first fight in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon because there is so much action. Of course, it’s not realistic. It’s almost magical. However, it does show off the athletic ability and speed of Chinese swordsmanship, and it does use my favourite sword. Although many movie swordfights are choreographed, there still has to be a lot of training and skill behind the movements.
Jeannie: Who’s your favorite Warrior Woman? Linda:Fu Hao, of the Shang Dynasty, stands out as a woman who achieved more than most. She rose above the accepted station of women to become a general in the early Chinese army. She led successful campaigns against attacking tribes, cared for her warriors and was a priestess of her day – another role usually left to men. The warriors and politicians of the Shang recognised her with the highest possible honour, burying her with over a hundred weapons. Among them, four battle axes, the symbol of greatest military prowess. Even after all this time, she is an inspiration to any women who think they still live in a man’s world. We really can be what we want to be.
Jeannie: Thank you Linda! I’ve learned so much more (and have so many more ideas for my stories) just from reading this interview. Leave any questions or comments and I’m sure Linda will respond when she has time.
In the meantime, this isn’t the first sword fight from Crouching Tiger, but it gives you a good view of the swords. Zhang Ziyi’s Green Destiny is an example of jian where Michelle’s double swords are an example of dao.
Also, check out the Warrior Women interviews with kung fu instructor, Mandy Sayah and stuntwoman, Luci Romberg.
Blog Tour: I’m guest blogging at VauxHall Vixens about Kung Fu Heroines!
Giveaway: Chances to win Cindy Pon’s Silver Phoenix, Stephanie Draven’s Poisoned Kisses, or a copy of The Taming of Mei Lin. Details at the Launch Celebration page. Drawing will be held 8pm CST on September 15.
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I’m pleased to welcome Luci Romberg: gymnast, stuntwoman, martial artist, competitive free runner, and NINJA WARRIOR!
Jeannie: Where do I begin? I’m such a fan….Can you tell us a bit about the experience of getting selected for Ninja Warrior and what it was like to compete over in Japan? (And my husband and I wanted to know if you get to do practice runs on the course before the actual run.)
Luci: First of all, thank you for your kind words. As far as Ninja Warrior goes, my Tempest freerunning teammate, Paul Darnell, pretty much told me we were going to make a ninja warrior submission video. I didn’t even know what ninja warrior was but I was definitely down for whatever. So we made the video, submitted it and I was voted top 3 videos so I got to go to Japan. It was my first time to Japan and it was an incredible experience. The people are amazing, there is so much to see and the course was so much fun. Unfortunately, none of the competitors are allowed on the course for practice. If we could practice just once it would be a lot easier. I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go not just once, but twice!!
Jeannie: Freerunning is one of the most exciting new sports I’ve seen. How long have you been doing it and is there any way to start if you’re not already a gymnast/super-athlete?
Luci: I have been freerunning for about two years. The great thing about freerunning is anyone can do it! All you need is a pair of shoes. People just need to get the courage, go outside, and start jumping around. Freerunning is about finding your own path and there are no rules. Although it is definitely not necessary, it makes it easier for individuals who have had gymnastics/martial arts experience as far as flips go. But honestly, anyone can do it.
Jeannie: You’re also a professional stuntwoman and gymnast. What’s the most memorable stunt you’ve been asked to do? Luci: For me, the most memorable stunt I have done was for a Shiseido commercial. Another stuntwoman and I had to barrel roll underneath a jackknifed semi that was going 30mph. It was pretty gnarly!!
Jeannie: I have to ask this since I’m a petite gal too. Do you get any flack for your size in your profession? It seems like in such a physical job, you must meet some…excuse me for saying…some pretty big jock egos. Luci: There are definitely some big egos in the industry I am in, but you have to look past that and focus on what your goals are and what you want to accomplish. You can’t let people like that bring you down. As far as my size goes, it is hard to get work because not a lot of actresses are my size and a lot of the non-descript stunts go to the guys. In order to overcome that I train hard, stay focused on my goals, and everything usually works out.
Jeannie: What are your tips for getting over those butterflies in your stomach when you’re competing or about to do a stunt? Luci: Whenever I’m about to compete or perform I always get nervous. I did soccer and gymnastics all through college so I am used to pressure and dealing with it. I just try to relax and focus on the task at hand. I also find visualizing a great tool in maximizing my performance.
Jeannie: What drives you to be such an action gal? Are you an adrenaline junkie at heart? Luci: I love movement! My mom and dad were both collegiate tennis players and really good athletes. Growing up I played every sport under the sun. My parents felt it was important for my brother, sister, and me to stay active so they required us to do at least two sports in high school. It made me the active, driven person I am today. I don’t consider myself an adrenaline junkie. Everything I do is well thought out and calculated. I don’t throw crazy moves that are out of my realm. I stay safe and let’s just say with freerunning and stunts they are calculated risks.
Fun Questions:
Jeannie: So….could a little gal actually take on a big strong guy like they show in the movies? Luci: If she is well trained it is possible. She would need to know the right places to strike and then run like hell. If she tried to all out fight him it is very unlikely she would be able to take him on for long because he is so much bigger and stronger. Fights scenes in movies are like a dance. Every move is calculated.
Jeannie: What would you say is your favorite fight scene from any movie? How realistic is it?
Luci: I love any Jackie Chan fights. He is so creative, entertaining, and he uses his environment to the fullest. I also love Ong Bak and Tony Jaa. He is so athletic and, like Jackie Chan, he incorporates freerunning and his environment so well. Like I said before, movie fights are completely choreographed and each movement is rehearsed.
Jeannie: Who’s your favorite Warrior Woman?
Luci: If I had to choose, I would say Xena. She is tough, badass but still feminine and sexy.
Blog Tour: Interview today at A Journey of Books where I say a couple things about the thought process that went into Butterfly Swords. Hopefully some are interesting.
Also at Book Junkies with an intervew and except for The Taming of Mei Lin.
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I met Mandy while studying Wing Chun under Sifu Eric Oram and Sifu Joe Sayah in Los Angeles. Mandy was a senior student then, while I was a white-sashed noob. I was always impressed with Mandy’s agility and precision during the training and sparring exercises, so I searched her out for Warrior Women month.
Sifu Mandy Sayah teaches wing chun kung fu in Mornington and Rosebud academies in Victoria, Australia, contact (03) 5975-9219, or www.wingchununiverse.com. Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu academies located in Mornington, Rosebud, Dandeong, and East Bentley, Victoria, Australia.
She graciously provided this interview along a few videos demonstrating the Butterfly Swords form and self defense techniques. Welcome Mandy! Jeannie: What made you decide to start studying Wing Chun? Mandy: I was a fan of martial arts films including Akira Kurosawa’s films, Sonny Chiba, and Bruce Lee. I always wanted to study an art for self defense and then I learned that Bruce Lee’s core art that he’d trained for 10 years before he left China was Wing Chun. Serendipitously Master Joe Sayah who’d learned from Grandmaster Cheung (the man who’d taught Bruce Lee along with his Sifu Yip Man) had moved from Australia to Los Angeles and opened up a Wing Chun academy ten minutes from my home. I did a class and was hooked at first pak sao punch!
Jeannie: It’s often said that Wing Chun is an ideal style for a woman. Can you expand on that? Mandy: Wing Chun does not rely on force or strength to overpower an opponent instead using deflection, positioning, and pressure point striking to win a fight. Wing Chun is ideal for men, women, and children who may have to defend themselves against a bigger and stronger adversary. It’s easier to fight someone smaller than you but what if you are faced with someone twice your size or 2 or 3 attackers? Wing Chun gives you a fighting chance with it’s use of pressure point strikes to disable opponents and economical movement making it very effective and deceptive. It’s deceptive how powerful it is and because of the economical movements it’s hard to see what’s happening– it’s very fast!
Jeannie: Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had to use your training? Mandy: Only once in 2000 when I was on an overnight train in Europe did I have to pak sao (slap) a man’s wrist away who was attempting to harass and touch a woman I was traveling with. I told him to leave her the f*&k alone and gave him the look that said he was gonna cop it if he came next to us again and he left us alone. Prevention is the best medicine and with heightened awareness I’ve probably prevented myself being a victim of crime by not placing myself in a dangerous position. Otherwise, I’ve just applied my skills during sparring sessions or tournaments I’ve competed in. On 31st July, 2010, I took 1st place in the women’s division of a Loong Fu Pai Tournament in Victoria, Australia. And I’ve competed in full contact kickboxing tournaments over the last 2 years as well.
Jeannie: What would you say are the main ways kung fu has changed your life or your way of thinking? Mandy: Practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu empowered me physically first which made me feel mentally stronger, safer, and more confident which carried over spiritually to give me greater peace and respect for myself and others. It really united the mind, body, and spirit in a positive way. When I want to master a kung fu technique first I have awareness of what I want then I try to master the technique through repetition which is hard work I have to do consistently in order to get the results I want. This is the same approach I use to achieve any goals in life see my book co-authored with Master Joe Sayah for more on this subject “Chi, Energy, & Prosperity”.
Jeannie: So….could a little gal actually take on a big strong guy like they show in the movies? Mandy: If she knows Wing Chun or some martial arts then ‘yes, absolutely.’ If she doesn’t know how to fight at all then she’s got to ‘Stun and Run’ – attack the eyes and groin and get out of there. Watch for yourself in this short clip, groin kick, eye gouge, palm strike.
Fun Questions:
Jeannie: What would you say is your favorite fight scene from any movie? How realistic is it? Mandy: Film ‘Return of the Dragon’ Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris in the coliseum in Rome, very realistic. The Bourne Identity – Bourne (Matt Damon) wakes up on park bench in Switzerland, disarms police of their weapons and puts them down – realistic if the person is a well-trained martial artist.
Jeannie: Who’s your favorite Warrior Woman? Mandy: Well, if you think outside the film box you’ve got the Virgin Mary stepping on the devil (symbolized by snake, good defeating evil), and amazing saints like Joan of Arc, and also Mother Teresa and St. Mary Mackillop who were super strong women who cared for less fortunate people with love and compassion winning the battle over their own selfish wants or desires and putting others first in a materialistic world that tries to get you to ‘spoil’ yourself. In movies, I love JeeJa Yanin the star of Chocolate (2008 action film) and I’ve been a fan of Wonder Woman since I was a kid, she’s beautiful, strong, fearless, and she deflects bullets off her wrist bangles while wearing the best costume ever!
Thank you Mandy!
If you have any questions for Mandy, go ahead and fire away. I’ll let her know to stop by and answer.
I leave you with a clip of Sifu Joe Sayah demonstrating the butterfly swords form. The fluidity and speed of the techniques is what inspired me to use the swords in my debut book:
I know that title sounds so comic book and outlandish, but this is a serious article, really.
Given that the legendary founder of Wing Chun is supposed to be a nun, I was immediately fascinated about the practice of teaching martial arts to sects of modern nuns and also the reasons behind it. I found this article really empowering.
