Why I am re-writing my first (two) book(s) AGAIN #

Dear Apprentice,

Recently I began documenting the production of my fourth book, Phrygian Nights. In three and a half weeks I nearly completed my goal of a 40,000 word first draft, though it’s looking like the book could actually be between 50,000 and 60,000.

I’ve learned much since I started writing books. My third book, Ashen Rider, is just about finished and will release in December, less than two months from now at the time of writing. I decided to release that book before my first foray into fiction books, What Lies Below, because it’s cohesive theming and strong command of language are leagues beyond that of WLB.

Ashen Rider made me a pro. What Lies Below only taught me how to write books.

What Lies Below has undergone significant editing and rewrites over the years. I’ve even split it into two books to solve multiple problems with it. But upon picking it back up to complete the last round of self-edits, I find that I’m not a fan of the execution of this story.

I’m not a self-loathing writer. I will tell anyone that I believe Ashen Rider is the best thing I’ve ever written… which is why I need to rewrite this story. I wrote What Lies Below (and now Those Left Behind) while I was going through my undergrad and learning how to be a writer. I wrote Ashen Rider after having become a rather competent writer. I want these books to stand as equals to Ashen Rider.

So another rewrite—yes, another, I did one back in 2024—is in order to pull these books into a decent duology that stands up to my other work.

Check back here often, I’ll release journals as they’re written.

Word Counts #

Second Rewrite Journal — October 2025 #

Sunday — 10/12 #

Dear Apprentice,

I began my rewrite with the prologue. Already relieved I decided to do this. I’m a far better writer now and luckily I’ve reached a plataue. During school, I was advancing faster than my projects could keep up with.

Gentle beginning, only the prologue to ease into the project.

High hopes.

Monday — 10/13 #

Spent too much time writing. No time to write this entry as a consequence. Let’s chat tomorrow.

Tuesday — 10/14 #

Work is busy, got done what I could.

Wednesday — 10/15 #

Driving all day for work. Got done what I could.

Thursday — 10/16 #

Admittedly, everything has been rather stressful. We went on vacation last week, which was a rest week following a three and a half week stint working on the first draft of Phrygian Nights. I’m behind on everything, very tired, and time to work on any project seems to be fragmented.

As of writing—before my daily writing session—I’m so fragmented I’ve probably sat down to work on some editorial seven times for a grand total of ten minutes. It’s been rough creatively.

What crop rotation (and journaling about the crop rotation) is teaching me is that I want to write my own books. I’m overwhelmed by Arcanist stuff and have decided to scale it back in the next year to accommodate a major promotion at my day job and my 14 months of graduate school coming up.

I’ve been putting out my feelers for the career path that would feed my family. Though I love writing, unfortunately, it’s just not going to do it.

This doesn’t have really anything to do with this project—aside from my erratic word counts. But it is what’s happening in my life and now I’m trying to re-evaluate how much time I spend pretending to be Mr. Publisher. I think my free-time is better spent working on my own writing and that of my close-knit community.

Update: No words written today. Intense stress, all free time spent editing a friend’s story.

Friday — 10/17 #

Not a bad session for less than an hour spent writing. It was a good day at work. A better day in general, compared to yesterday. It’s funny how anxiety convinces you the sky is falling and the next day you realize everything is fine.

Lots of panic for no reason. The relief of that has me feeling quite cathartic. In the mood to write, so I hope to write a few thousand more words this weekend.

Week One Word Count #