Author Feature: Fufu_Blufu
Looking for something new to read and short on money? You're in the right place, where I'll be featuring aspiring authors and their (free!) work!
This month meet Fufu_Blufu, writer of fantasy adventure Imbalance!
Because of the war between the water and fire districts, there had almost been an imbalance of the harmony of elements, which many think wouldn't be that big of a deal. Many, except for the elementalists themselves. Cast out due to their strange abilities, they will have to put the past behind them and learn to work together with their opposing elements.
Meet Fufu_Blufu and read an excerpt of the book below!
Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. How long have you been writing, and how did you get started?
"I've been writing for about a year now, got started around this time in 2020, being in the middle of a pandemic, I thought, "Why not try something new?" So I gave it a try, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable experience."
Why fantasy specifically? Is it something you write often, or is this your first venture into the genre?
"Fantasy in my opinion is one of the most versatile genres out there, the stories and plots can vary no matter what. It's my first go at writing a big novel like this and I decided that I would go with fantasy because one, it's my personal favorite genre and two, I felt like it just fit my style."
What are your goals for your writing?
"My main goal for the book itself is to get it professionally edited and to have it sold in stores, and if fate has it in store for me, I would love for the book, and the series, to become a bestseller. Even if that doesn't happen, I believe that it isn't just about making masterpieces, it's about enjoying the creation of the book."
What inspired Imbalance?
"Imbalance was initially inspired by drawings my friend made. The drawings were basically of my friend group, but in hanfu. She described the drawings as following Chinese culture, and I was interested, so I started learning more about folklore and legends, and the characters in the drawings became the main characters in the story itself. I feel like that's what sets my story apart from certain others, the fact that some of the characters are designed based off of real people."
Who is your favorite character in it and why? Tell me a little about them.
"My personal favorite character is Selva, and not because he's the character that was designed in my image, but because of the lore I gave to him. Just his overall demeanor and attitude are fun to put into the story because I can kind of put myself in his shoes when I write scenarios that involve him. He's generally withdrawn, quiet, and serious, unless he's around somebody he trusts, in which case he opens up more and becomes more energetic. Selva is an experienced fighter, and wood elementalist, obviously from the Wood District, which he was unfortunately banished from. (I can't say more on the topic without spoiling the story) A few people that read the story have told me that they sympathize with him, and I do as well, on a personal level."
Elemental magic is such a commonly used thing in fantasy stories, what sets yours apart?
"Elemental magic. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me "Is this an Avatar fanfic?" when I tell them about the story. It is a widely used thing in fantasy, but I feel like what sets mine apart from other stories is that it's not what people expect it to be. It's not Avatar. Normally when someone hears "elemental" they assume water, fire, earth, and air, right? Well Imbalance is different in the sense that it leans towards the Wu Xing elements, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, which come from Chinese culture. It's not an Avatar inspired story at all, actually. It's funny because a few months into writing, I realized "Hey, people might mistake this for an Avatar fanfic or something."
It took me a bit to realize that, and it's become sort of a habit to clarify with people that it is not a fanfiction. It has its own unique style, and as for elements being a commonly used thing in fantasy, what gives Imbalance that unique spin is the Wu Xing elements, and the characters don't rely solely on the use of the elements to help them, either."
Do you have anything else you'd like to say to the readers?
"I have a lot to say to the readers, but to sum it all up, thank you all. I never dreamt that the story would get to where it is today, and knowing that people love it as much as I do is inspirational to me, and it keeps me writing, and coming up with new ideas. Thank you for your support, and I couldn't have done this without your help."
It was obliterated. Everything, as far as the eye could see. The smell of blood and smoke filled Selva's nose, and he shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He had sensed multiple energies coming from the district, but the one he was tracking was stronger to him. He knew that Greni had a better sense of calm energies, which is why she had gone to try and find the other source. Selva was skilled at sensing violent, powerful energies, and this one that he was feeling was like a roaring inferno. He could feel anger, fear, and sadness resonating from the energy, and it was growing stronger and stronger the closer he got to it. He felt strangely connected, drawn to the source of these negative emotions, but he didn't know why. He did know one thing, though. The energy was coming from someone like him