I’ve made a great deal of progress on the second draft of my epic fantasy novel. Slowly but surely, I’m working my way through my editor’s questions and suggestions. I’m excited to keep you updated on the process today and, one day, share the final result with you.

Halfway there…?

Current progress: 50% complete (page 92/184), as of 2/9/26
Previous update: 13% complete (page 23/174), as of 12/6/25

I’m currently halfway done (with the second draft). I expect I’ll need to write a couple more drafts after this one, however. The road is long, but the process rewards us at every step.

If you ever feel lost in while writing, or that you’ve taken your story as far as you’re able, I can’t say enough about the benefits of hiring a good editor. Every question and piece of advice from my editor has illuminated the path like little lampposts guiding me through the darkness. More than a few times while writing this draft, I’ve felt a deep sense of overwhelming gratitude thanks to her help.

I never anticipated the story would grow so large and so deep. Every character and setting needs thoughtful details. Unique cultures need building from the ground up. Magic systems need explaining.

Here’s a sneak peek for those wanting to look behind the curtain…

World Building, Cosmology, & Magic System

I’ve created a cosmology tied to dreams. This includes a Spirit House, a purgatory-like place that exists in the real world where souls go when they die, appearing as spirits. Here, they must fulfill their earthly duties before passing onto the afterlife, keeping dream magic alive and well. Any threats to the Spirit House would be existential.

I’ve developed a magic system centered around dreams. A select few dreamers possess magical abilities, granting them additional strength and the power to vanquish evil spirits and people possessed by Shadow, a equal but opposite dark magical force. New levels of strength and magic can be reached by following your dreams in the real world, tapping into one’s true essence, and the skilled use of powerful artifacts. The same goes for the Shadow.

In this world lives a fractured group of mountain clans living within vast tunnel systems subsiding on cavernous beasts, mushrooms, and insects. These people live in darkness to better harness dream magic. That is, until the Great Sundering severed them from their dreams… it is only through the Prophesy that they might one day reconnect.

There’s much more to share, but I will leave it at that for now. I don’t want to give away too much.

Eventually, I will need alpha and beta readers. If you want to help in crafting this book, send me a message.

Traditional Publishing?

In other news, an agent recently contacted me about wanting to read the opening chapters of whatever I’m working on. This could be one giant scam. I’ll have to do more research and communication before diving deeper, but it’s still interesting. I never intended to pursue traditionally publishing, but if it comes to me, I’m willing to at least consider it as an option.

Until then, I’ll keep writing and connecting to readers directly.

Wishing you the best.

Cheers,
David

This blogpost is part IV in an ongoing series of AuthorLog Book Updates:

I. I Started Writing a Fiction Book (Dec 2023)
II. The Story of my Upcoming Fiction Book (Aug 2025)
III. The Legend of Taro (Dec 2025)
IV. Halfway There? (Feb 2026)