On Writing THE DEFLECTOR
Nicole Liang
Having lived in four countries across three continents, my writing has been shaped by the crossroads of multiple cultures in more ways than I’ve realized. I grew up in Singapore, attended college in the United States, worked in finance in Hong Kong, and completed my MBA in the United Kingdom. Today, I write all around the world, even on my travels. These journeys—of change, adaptation, and integration—have not only molded the person I am, but also deeply informed the stories I create.
I didn’t quite realize that my international stints have influenced my storytelling until one of my first editors remarked on my use of American spelling with British punctuation—a small but telling reflection of how blended my literary identity had become. That discrepancy has since been fixed, but the essence of cultural hybridity remains embedded in my work. Instead of being something to smooth out, this has become a unique, defining element of my storytelling.
Even then, diversity for diversity’s sake, or merely in the name of representation, has never been contrived, but rather a natural extension of my lived experiences. Creating characters of varying skin tones and choosing names drawn from a spectrum of languages weave cultural diversity into the tapestry of the narrative. Emeraude’s pale skin and Salam’s dark skin, for instance, exist not as symbols but as organic traits. Meanwhile, many names have been chosen for their meanings. Mari signifies truth or reason in Japanese, love in Egyptian, and maternal qualities across several European languages, while Ethan conveys strength and, ironically, longevity in Hebrew. This internationality extends to places as well. Moira, the island, evokes fate or destiny in Greek mythology, with references to death, while Velum, the room, derives from the Latin word for veil or curtain. Yet, these details merely form the outermost layer of a world still unfolding.
Beyond the surface, other multicultural dimensions emerge through the characters’ mannerisms, interpersonal dynamics, and rhythm of dialogue, as well as the architecture and landscape of the world itself. Yong’s strict adherence to rules reflects Asian values rooted in discipline and collective responsibility, while Akari’s reverence for her mother draws from traditions that emphasize filial devotion. Ty and Emeraude’s heated yet humorous exchanges encapsulate Western styles of candid banter. The warm, crowded capital subconsciously draws from a blend of the colorful markets in Hong Kong and the white marble monuments and winding alleys in Rome. Across the Great Divide, the snowy, towering cliffs of the outskirts echo the Japanese mountains and Swiss Alps. These nuanced facets serve as the foundation for how diversity comes through in my work.
Mirroring my life experiences, my media consumption has been an amalgamation of East meets West. I draw equal inspiration from the quick-witted dialogue in Anglo-American novels and American TV shows, and from the moving lines in Korean dramas. While Hollywood movies and classic fantasy literature have informed the way I structure engaging stories and unravel shocking plot twists, Studio Ghibli’s animated films have influenced the way I build immersive worlds and evoke a heartwarming atmosphere within them. I am hopeful that this convergence of cultures will allow my story to transcend borders and resonate with readers across the globe.
Additionally, my personal experiences have significantly influenced The Deflector. I began writing this novel in 2017 by my mother’s deathbed. During the darkest time of my life, I found myself wishing for impossible gifts—the power to heal, to erase wounds, or to transfer life itself—anything that might bring her back.
While reality offered no such miracles, imagination did. Through fiction, I created a world where wounds could be deflected and pain could be eased. It became both an escape from reality and a refuge where I could process grief in ways I couldn’t yet articulate aloud. Writing The Deflector became not only an act of creation, but a cathartic and healing journey that allowed me to transform personal loss into something meaningful.
No matter how imaginative a fantasy world may be, readers ultimately stay for the people who inhabit it. Creating relatable characters is therefore essential to building rapport. I’ve grounded my characters in deeply human traits, imbuing them with fragments of myself and those around me, such that readers can recognize glimpses of themselves in Akari’s innate curiosity and compassion, Yong’s calm discipline and sense of honor, Ty’s reckless bravery and unwavering loyalty, Emeraude’s icy armor and sharp tongue, and Mari’s fierce protectiveness and nurturing nature, and feel involved in the choices they make and the consequences that follow.
Universal emotions further anchor the element of fantasy in authenticity, enabling readers to share the characters’ pain, growth, and transformation, keeping them invested from beginning to end. Akari’s youthful affection and aching grief, Mari’s unconditional love and underlying fear, and Zatori’s insatiable greed for power underpin an emotional and narrative arc that tests values and reveals inner lives, ultimately drawing readers into an adventure in an unfamiliar realm that nonetheless feels profoundly resonant.
As a final thought, I’ve written from my heart and told my story, letting what defines me—my lived experiences, both the highs and lows—inform the world I’ve created. Fantasy may be imagined, but its foundation is undeniably real. Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated by this genre and knew that someday, I wanted to build a complex, magical world that I could escape into and lose myself in, accompanied by multi-faceted, layered characters I could connect with, grow alongside, or simply befriend. I wrote The Deflector for my younger self, seeking to create a story that offers hope and wonder—one that lingers with readers long after the final page.
Nicole Liang
The Deflector
Paperback £23.99; Kindle £6.99—available via Amazon and to order in all good bookshops
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Nicole Liang has lived in four countries across three continents. Born and bred in Singapore, she completed her BA at Cornell University in upstate New York, served a stint as a trader in Hong Kong, and earned her MBA from London Business School. Nicole’s multicultural background, diverse life experience, and penchant for romantic fantasy have led to the birth of The Deflector, her debut novel and the first book of the Gifted trilogy. Besides writing, Nicole enjoys traveling, skiing, golfing, horse riding, practicing yoga, playing the piano, dabbling in fashion, and walking—or getting walked by—Tiara, her Shiba Inu.
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THE DEFLECTOR
Since sixteen-year-old Akari discovered her gift of deflecting wounds, escaped the Great Harvest, and moved from the capital to the outskirts ten years ago, she has grown accustomed to her new, simple life. However, the unexpected appearance of an Andelovian boy in Cheyvelenia has Akari uncovering her buried past and identity. As secrets unfold, she finds herself entangled in power struggles, threatened by dangerous enemies, and divided by friendship and love. Can Akari possibly be the future of Xylon?
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Category: On Writing
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