Page 39 - Reader's HouseMagazine - Issue 62

“THE MORE POWER YOU GAIN,
THE MORE OF YOUR IDENTITY YOU LOSE.”
BEHIND THE BESTSELLER
• Oxford Inspiration:
A chance discovery of an alchemy textbook at the Bodleian Library provided the perfect metaphor for Lu's exploration of class imbalances.
• Creative Shifts:
Transitioning to adult fiction challenged Lu to move beyond linear, first-person narratives into expansive, multi-generational perspectives.
• Corporate Magic:
The rival syndicates in Red City are designed to mirror the ruthless and careless nature of real-world powerful corporations.
• Humanizing Villains:
Lu approaches every character as the hero of their own story to ensure their motivations remain relatable to readers.
• Theme of Power:
A recurring theme in her bib- liography is the inverse relati- onship between gaining power and losing one’s identity.
or temptation. The goal is to ensure that even when a character does something despicable, their motivation remains understandable to the average reader.
Beauty Beauty Beauty A Career Sparked at Thirteen
While Lu has loved writing since child- hood, it wasn’t until she was thirteen that
she realized it could be a professional path. She recalls reading a newspaper article about Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, a teenager who had secured a major publishing deal at the same age. Seeing a peer achieve such a feat demys- tified the industry for Lu, making the dream of becoming a published writer feel attainable and concrete.
Beauty Beauty Beauty The Balance of Action and Emotion
Lu views action as secondary to character. She believes that high-octane sequences are only effective if the reader is emotionally invested in the people involved. Consequent- ly, her drafting process involves constant self-reflection: every scene must either deepen a character’s arc or lead to a moment that does. By letting character-building lead the narrative, she ensures that the action feels earned rather than arbitrary.
Beauty Beauty Beauty Themes of Identity and Power
Across her various series—from the dystopi- an streets of Legend to the digital landscapes of Warcross—Lu has noticed a recurring ob- session with the inverse relationship between identity and power. In her worlds, gaining power often requires a proportional sacrifice
of the self. This internal battle is central to Red City, reflecting Lu’s own concerns regarding what individuals are willing to surrender of their own humanity in order to “win” in the real world.
Beauty Beauty Beauty Influence, Research, and Sustainability
Lu’s storytelling style has been shaped
by a diverse range of influences, from the childhood gateway of Brian Jacques’ Redwall series to the works of N.K. Jemisin and Su- zanne Collins. Her research process is equally eclectic, involving everything from studying quantum physics and the stock market for Red City to using Google Maps to navigate 18th-century Salzburg for The Kingdom of Back.
To maintain her creative output without burning out, Lu adheres to a strict professional boundary. She does not write on weekends or evenings, reserving that time for family and rest. She emphasizes that the creative brain requires “input”—music, film, and art—to keep the “output” of writing sustainable.
Beauty Beauty Beauty Advice for Aspiring Authors
For those looking to break into dark fantasy or dystopia, Lu suggests looking inward at what “haunts” them about the human condi- tion. Since these genres often serve as a mirror to our own society, she encourages writers
to study the complex power structures of the real world and then exaggerate those elements in their fiction. By using personal fears and societal observations as creative fuel, writers can build fantastical foundations that resonate with truth.
Reader’s House II 39