All this has given me a strong sense that there are things outside my own experience, and has shown me how customs both unite and separate people. There are intrinsic, subtle meanings and connotations in every culture that are lost in translation. For instance, much of the significance of an Asian ritual like the traditional Lion Dance might escape a westerner. In the trilogy I'm currently writing, I've been influenced by all of the above. I've endeavoured to build detailed, convincing societies, and to incorporate some idea of the challenges of intercultural marriage into the main relationship.
Martial arts play a considerable part in the second and third books.
Several members of my family have had training in various Asian disciplines, and I've observed a lot from sitting through countless competitions. One family member studied under the masters in Japan. This has provided some insight into action scenes and how to construct them. For a variety of reasons, I've made the martial art in my books partly magical, the result of both training and inherent spiritual talents and powers. Often cultures lack consideration and don't explain to one another.