Ideals and Perseverance

This is the first novel I have ever written.

Before I put pen to paper, I thought it would be a light and easy task. After reading so many stories, I felt that writing was nothing extraordinary—I could do it just as well myself.

But once I truly began, I realized how challenging every idea, every plot twist, every description, and even every word could be. Comparing my work to that of others, I felt all the more inadequate.

Nevertheless, since I have started telling this story, I am determined to give each character the ending they deserve. Rereading my own writing from the beginning, I see many flaws—this being my first attempt, the pacing is far too slow. At first, I didn’t even know how to break the narrative into proper sections; today, I spent an entire afternoon rearranging it. In my eagerness to highlight character traits, I neglected the momentum of the plot.

This has left me a little disheartened. In my heart, stories of time travel shouldn’t be as simple or effortless as copying lyrics, books, movies, or romancing a few starlets. What I hope to portray is a grand, sweeping era, filled with vivid, extraordinary figures of flesh and blood. I know this is a daunting task, but I will not give up.

This might turn out to be a slow-burning book, perhaps even plain in its language and plot, but it will have an ending—it will not be abandoned. This is a promise I make to myself, and to everyone who has ever added it to their collection.

Though there may be few who pay attention, I will persevere.

Thank you all.