Preface

Ten years ago, not quite to the day, I started to embark on the biggest adventure I could possibly imagine. It was a mix of an adventure, an understanding of what it meant to be human, a way to grow and learn, and to regain all the things I had lost along the way. In short: it was life. Plenty of writers think about the stages of their life as chapters, and it's not a stretch to say that the creation of Fantasy's Reality was the most important chapter in my life...and that it still is. It's the chapter that gave way to so many more, if only because it gave meaning to what I was doing and gave me a reason to keep going.

Very rarely did a day go by where i didn't think about this story in some way. The characters, the story, the future plans that never came about in the original, all of it still means the world to me.

And that's why I'm taking it up again. With pride.

Two big reasons that I kept holding back on doing this, depending on your mindset, may be the most important, or the most foolish.

1. At the time of writing the original, it was little more than a small, short story. After it grew bigger, I was afraid that I couldn't do the characters justice with my capability. I do believe that to be valid; I was a teenager that (while a fast and accurate reader) hated reading, and (while a fast and grammatically correct writer) had very little experience in creating what I did. But far beyond the fear of myself not being capable, I feared that I would let down all the characters that I kept close to my heart. I was not ready at the time to lay out their adventure. Ten years later, I've finished high school, graduated from university with a major in English literature, I've moved out on my own...and most of all, I've had so many experiences with not only writing, but learning what it means to create, beyond merely the art of words on your screen.

2. It was mostly due to my background and the seven years prior to creating Fantasy's Reality, but because I consider this word what most defines me, I was afraid to finish it. It was, and is, one of the biggest purposes for my life, if not the most important. So, for many years, I felt that finishing this story meant that, afterwards, it would be my time. My household and upbringing was definitely a big part of that mentality, and though I'm certainly not afraid of death, the only thing that this story and my passing have in common now is that I don't want this story to die.

So, I humbly ask for you to join me on this adventure once again. I am ready to create, to commit, and to show you what my life-and these characters-have taught me about my journey. The story will be following a very similar line, but I like to think things will be more detailed, descriptive, and heartfelt. If you've not read this before, worry not. I'll be leaving author's notes about the journey this story has gone on, from the very start. They're things I've discussed with no one else, but will help you see a bit of insight.

Lastly, I'd like to dedicate this story to several people, though not by name.

To a teacher and a friend that passed away nine years ago, at my age now: thank you for providing me a way to learn how to be an artist, in my own way, and that my emotions were never something to tuck away. I know you left behind so many people that remember you fondly, and as long as your lessons continue to shape us, you will never truly be gone.

To my family, it's always been a strange connection that we've shared. Much of my way of showing love is by what I do. I'm not one to celebrate the successes, but I have been the one there when times were rough. Perhaps that's just in my nature and upbringing, but the expectation of having another just being around, anytime you need them, may be one of life's most hidden treasures in plain sight. I hope you see that, or that you will, someday.

To the community that salvaged my life (and yes, readers, you'll find out what that community is later on in the story), if any facet of my life is something I'd consider 'what saved me from a fate I'd never wish on anyone', it is the time I spent with you all. This story may have been the faint spark, but that time helped give me life, faith in others, faith in myself, and the capacity to love again. I was far, far away from the ideal friend, and yet you still accepted me and gave me the understanding of what a family truly is.

To my first love, I never expect you to read this. But writing this down to show still means something, even after all these years, so write it I shall. Thank you for the experience of accepting someone who never deserved acceptance. It was only from what we had fading to dust that I realized why close relationships were so important and how to start building those with family and friends. It was never worth my toxicity and how I treated you, but know that I have started living again, and treating others with the proper love and acceptance that you gave me for as long as you could. Thank you. You will always be my friend.

To the readers of this story, new or old, I still think about your comments. I still go back and read them. I still, yes, STILL get messages, follows, and the like about this story, as recent as THE DAY AFTER I STARTED REWRITING THIS (November 12, 2020), and that shows me that my creativity and heart were not misguided. Thank you for trusting me, and I hope that starting this again, doing it the justice it deserves, shows that I believe in you all just as much as you believed in me.

And lastly, to all of my story characters. You all mean the world to me. I can't even begin to explain how important you are to me. All of you are a part of me, and all of you make me a better person. You were the ones I thought about in my darkest hours, you were the ones that kept guiding me forward. I'm ready to pay that back by doing my best to show you all grow and learn...what you did for me. I love you all.

Whew...okay. Now then, let's begin this story, shall we?

Fantasy's Reality starts now.