Several years ago, I attempted to write a fantasy novel set in a fictional Asia.  However, I realized that I ran into several issues.  Although I am Asian-American and raised in a bi-cultural/bi-ethnic family, I realized that the only fantasy novels I have ever read were set in a fictional, mostly caucasian, western world.

    It seemed easy to talk about tunics, dresses, swords, etc. and make it sound generic, but would it be the same if I talked about kimonos, kaftans, and scimitars?  What if the main characters were not caucasian?  Have we unintentionally created a world where 'white' was the norm and made the 'other' too 'exotic'?  Or perhaps I am overly thinking this and I am just lacking in literary imagination.

    This writing is my personal challenge.  I want to explore diversity in every way and see how far and how big of a world I can create through my writing.