Congratulations for making it to the end of this book! I'm very happy that you got to read The Oceanuris Story: Complete Edition. (Also can be called The Oceanuris Story.)

And congratulations for making it to the end of the series of Oceanuris! (Which was its original setup, before the five novellas–based on the characters' subplots–were combined into the complete edition that you are reading today. One full novel. And my very first one.)

Thank you so much for reading. This is the first time I've ever conquered such a massive undertaking on my own–in terms of all the artistic projects I've ever done.

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This project was inspired by many artworks and people that I have been surrounded by around the time of brainstorming–which was around a year before I started in 2022.

I looked through many types of artworks (visual, audio, animation, etc.) and many of them influenced some of the ideas in the story.

Kelly Barnhill–known for her 2016 children's book The Girl Who Drank the Moon–has a particular style when writing her books. I always admired her writing style, and it was definitely a major inspiration source throughout.

While I was brainstorming and expanding the ideas in my head, I also listened to a lot of Faouzia's songs. CITIZENS (EP) was such a heavy influence, as well as her singles. Her music and singing are full of emotion and life, and super touching! The music even inspired The Oceanuris Melody (EP) to be created.

There are so many more things that inspired me throughout the making of Oceanuris. Like video games such as Honkai Impact 3rd, or articles related to symbolic objects and writing. And even from life itself–from the soul and playing pretend to describe certain actions.

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I would also like to mention here that the promotional animations were not done by me, but b. b. They really helped a lot! Thank you for your help, b!

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There were so many aspects and thoughts involved as I wrote and created Oceanuris. There was the brainstorming, the drafts, revisions, and finalizations for the story, the artwork, and the music. It was such a long ride, but I had so much fun.

The Oceanuris Story wasn't even really meant to be made in the first place. The characters were going to be discarded (or be included in a minor story of a completely different, major one). And at first this story was just meant to tell the events of these characters' lives. And then the story became about life.

It was the biggest project I have ever completed! And it was a journey to make in so many different ways.

And even so, I'll never forget the day it was first released and published on Wattpad. It was like a small debut party for me!

July 27, 2023.

Thank you to all who read the story. I hope it managed to make your day.

And I hope that you enjoyed it, too.

Wishing you all the best!

-Iyah