Uprising

PREFACE

Copyright © 2018 by genscott.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author.

✦ The inspiration for this story has been a long while coming. Ever since I was 13, I've been yearning to write something detailed, long, and wonderful...something that completely absorbs the reader into the world, where you can just open the story, glimpse the first paragraph, and immediately you're transported to a separate reality. You see the dragons in the sky, feel the sword grasped between your calloused hands, and suddenly you're no longer a simple human on Earth, you're a gladiator fighting for a valiant cause. Then someone taps your shoulder, and you jolt a bit in disorientation, realizing that, in fact, you've been in your room the whole time. I'd love to create a story that has the sheer literary power to do that. Quite a tall order, right? However, I've found that my motivation for writing has been so lacking that I can hardly start a short story without struggling to find the passion to complete the second chapter, or moving past designing the cover, etc. It's highly discouraging, compounded with the fact that I'm always second-guessing myself and always pouring energy into the smallest details.

So I'm starting this story with every intent to go as far with it as I can go, and to give it my best efforts to self-improve my work ethic. I highly believe that this story has potential, if only I get off my lazy butt and actually write it.

✦ This story's background is strongly influenced by Central American culture, linguistics, and tradition, but is heavily based in Mexico. This is mostly due to the fact that I grew up very close to the Mexico–United States border, and even though I'm not Hispanic myself, I've come to fall in love with Mexico's beautiful customs. I'd like to say that I understand a good part of Mexico's language as well, though writing is a different matter altogether. I do realize that a good majority of high-fantasy novels aren't based in Central America, or Mexico for that matter, so I have no clue how this is going to turn out - at the moment, it's just an idea I really want to pursue. Again, I am neither Hispanic nor fluent in Spanish; please forgive me if I make any mistakes, and if you could politely let me know how to amend them, I'd be more than happy to.

✦ At the end of every chapter, short translations of new terms will be included in the form of excerpts from Los Idiomas del Mundo - Edición Fantástica, which means "The Languages of the World - Fantastical Edition". Any new locations, flora, or fauna will be also translated from Criaturas y Lugares del Mundo Oculto, or "Creatures and Places of the Hidden World". I wish to include the translations for those who do not speak Spanish or are not learning the language and do not understand the meaning behind the terms I'm using. I like to be as thorough as possible, you see.

I was hesitant about including an introductory index because there are some terms that I'd like to be revealed with certain companion chapters, but I also wanted to expand on certain terms and definitions without making the chapters that contain them extremely convoluted. 

I ended up including it though, because my excitement for the former overwhelms my hesitancy for the latter. Feel free to skim the descriptions, or even to skip them altogether if you'd like. I'm including it for the readers who enjoy referring back to an index to expand on lore and details. The introductory index will contain most of the same terms, excluding only common phrases used in passing dialogue. However, this time they will be followed by a bit of history or a brief synopsis (sort of like a modern day encyclopedia). I'm sorry, but I always tend to overcomplicate things needlessly. It's pretty much inherent. 

✦ I'm also inclined to let you know that comments and thoughts feed the beast, so please do not hesitate to let me know what you think! 

Without further ado, enjoy the story!