I recently finished drafting a contemporary thriller that sprang from a curious seed of inspiration: an anonymous story from Chinese folklore. It features a peasant’s desperate escape from assault and a chilling twist of mistaken identity. Personally, each project starts with an idea that captivates and lingers in my thoughts, for a few weeks at least. This initial idea often reveals the core theme, or a distinct image, or a gripping plot twist, or an irresistible character that one wants to get to know more deeply; something to run with.