My first book is out!
"Can Artificial Butterflies Reach the Sky?" is a story that has been in my mind for a long time. The characters changed, the ending changed, the theme and message changed too, but eventually my little creation became something that could finally be published. This story means so much to me, which made writing it even more stressful. I’ve been so attached to it for so long that I was terrified of not being able to express it the way it deserved. There were so many scenes I deleted or rewrote. I kept wondering how much I should explain, what I should focus on, how I could convey my characters’ emotions in the most powerful way. I was anxious all the time. No matter how many times I revised it, I couldn’t feel fully satisfied, and I eventually realized that I probably never would. Still, I hope this version can warm your heart, even just a little.
Originally, my plan was to write short stories set in the world I created. This one was meant to be part of a collection. It was going to be told from the perspective of a reporter, through their reports and columns, and the main character was going to be Mina. But later on, I decided I wanted to publish it as a separate story instead.
Because I really love both Angelica and Mina. In the original worldbuilding in my head, Mina was a minor side character. She was always smiling, the main character's (a police officer) cheerful best friend... But the more I imagined her, the more depth I realized she had. Besides this short story, I wanted to write a longer novel for her. Things changed at this point; almost all the characters and stories took shape in my mind. And they still do. In my main story, Angelica was someone from her past, reappearing years later as a singer and forcing her to confront herself. But this plot never happened either.
From this point on, this part is mostly for those who came here after reading the book and want to learn a little more.
In the original version, Angelica was an adult who never grew up and spent her years in pain. She even had a dissociative identity disorder, and was just one of many interesting(?) cases in my sci-fi, detective-themed book. But over time, I spent more and more time with her, and I didn’t want Angelica to be forgotten so easily... Besides, for some people, continuing to live does not necessarily mean a happy ending. Of course, it's a controversial thought, and a bit depressing too, but I find myself thinking about it sometimes. You’ll probably see this theme come up again in my future books. Can death be a salvation? Well, but why should I be the one excluded from this whole world?
The title Can Artificial Butterflies Reach the Sky? felt a little too bold at first, and I was scared that the answers to the question it asks wouldn’t satisfy the reader. Later, I realized that my goal was not to provide answers. I wanted this story to ask you questions too. I hope the questions have reached you, and you can find the answers within your soul.
So... You've probably realized I'm not done with this universe yet. My next book will be long, very long... about Mina and Remi. Rather than the childlike atmosphere here, it's a toxic “love” story that will disturb you. I hope you can still root for them, though. They've both suffered so much, and they deserve to be happy now...
Lastly... I'd love for you to listen to the songs I listened to while writing “Can Artificial Butterflies Reach the Sky?” I usually draw my inspiration from music, and I'm one of those people who can't do anything without music... You can access the list here. I thought the lyrics and overall atmosphere of the songs fit the story, and if you have any suggestions, please let me know! Not just for this, but I really enjoy communicating with readers. We're all people who love literature, so I hope you feel comfortable talking to me and don't hesitate to share your thoughts.
Email: olinsdia@gmail.com
Instagram/TikTok: diaolins
Comments
Post a Comment