I have come to a point, realising that I should be taking my career as an author more seriously. And because most of my time are now spent on writing, I figured that I should dedicate some kind of a “Devlog for writers”. Obviously, the best reference I’ve got would be Brandon Sanderson’s Weekly Updates. Although… I don’t think I am at the stage where I can update my writing career consistently every week. So I settled with a Monthly Updates for now. As for the future, we shall see!
Anyway, first up! The second draft for A Crown for the Promised a.k.a Unhallowed Crown #1 is finally completed sometime on May 6th, 2025. For this book in particular, I have been slowly typesetting the manuscript into a 5.5×8.5 Paperback Format. I also have an epub ready for the manuscript which is open for anyone who would be interested in beta reading my novel. Please head over to ARCs for more details and you can even download a sample before deciding to commit on the Beta Read.
Speaking of careers as a writer, I now have a dedicated Instagram Page for all things authorship. Do give it a follow. I am thinking if it’s possible for me to also share my World Journal in this account as well in the future. Would definitely love to explore that.
Since the completion of Unhallowed Crown #1, I’ve been making a slow progress on Unhallowed Crown #2. I have a target for completing the first draft (March 31st, 2026). It might change, depending on how hectic the Game Publishing side becomes.
Of course, slow progresses may be attributed to the publishing efforts on Legions of Kadmon. I honestly really hate to use this as an excuse, but it really is taking a lot of my time and mental toll. I think I should try and delegate jobs better, maybe hire more professionals. But hey, cost is a real thing and I’ve gotta prepare and consolidate materials every time I decide to hire someone.
Alright so updates in details!
Unhallowed Crown #2
Before I can talk more about Unhallowed Crown #2, I will go through briefly how I outline / pre-write my book.
During the course of writing ACFTP, I realised that I can’t work with a full outline. I can’t go into an extensively outline detailing every bit of scenes. It kind of suck away the joy of writing for me. I usually outline my book through a one liner. So here’s how it usually work:
- I divide the book into 3 Acts.
- For each acts, I’ll set the beginning state and the end state of my characters. For example, Kilgore reaches level 9. Michael reaches level 7, etc.
- Only after, I will start adding chapters and sequences that happens in the chapter. It’s another one liners designed to remind me what I want to write. But the details on scenes come and go as I write.
- Usually this process will add on and it will give me clarity on the number of chapters I’ll be having for each acts. But I will only continue to pre-write after I completed that act. In other words, no outline for Act 2 until I’ve finished writing Act 1.
That said, pre-writing for Act 1 of UC2 is done. Right now, it is adding up to 18 Chapters. My goal is to keep the book around the same length as the first, so… about 200,000 words. Using this as a gauge, we are now up to 10% for First Draft of UC2.
Snippet of the Month
From a Michael’s Chapter in Unhallowed Crown #2 (Draft 1):
“My stance is not yours, Michael.” Branwen twirled her sword in a moulinet. The exact same thing she told Michael not to do. “I can do this, but not you.”
“But why?”
Branwen let out a long sigh. “Hold this.” Branwen handed Lifekeeper to Michael.
Looking at the sword’s marvel was usually enough to put Michael into a trance. How could a blade be so… empyreal? Everytime Magna’s light struck the blade, the colours twisted, shifting into a claret then mauve then azure. A mixture trapped in an eternal dance, ripples of colours eddying along the fuller of the blade. Holding the sword by the polished black leather hilt, Michael’s heart palpitated before the steel quillons. Scribed on it—etched in the most elegant cursive Michael had ever seen—was the words ‘None Shall Perish’.
“How is it lighter than wood?” Lifekeeper’s weightlessness plunged Michael into a disbelief.
“It’s Draxarian. Your sword will never be as light as mine. You keep twirling your sword, I can assure you, you’ll damage your wrist. So… uh- uh, don’t do the things I do.”
Reading Journeys
On May 2025, I managed to complete these books. I’ll leave a rating and just a brief comment:
Season of Storms by Andrzej Sapkowski
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Psychological Fiction
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2013
Season of Storms is like an appendix to the Witcher Saga. But most of the book’s content feel like Mister Sapkowski’s way to canonize the world that CD Projekt Red had built. The book feels like a cash grab, suffering from a plot that doesn’t go anywhere. Although, I am still very much in love with his writing style.
“The road to your destiny is before you. A quite different road is before me. The story goes on, the tale never ends.”
The Lastest of Words by Louigi Verona
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Humorous Fantasy
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2024
The Lastest of Words in its heart is a story of adventure. In the middle of all absurdity and ridiculousness, therein lies a story of embracing the fun side of living even though most of the time, it is impossible to predict the future presented to us. Really love the message Mister Verona tries to tell in his book. At first, it could be very difficult to figure out what’s going on because of the Dialogue Driven narrative, but the book became a page turner towards the later half.
“And the truth is devastating, shocking and uncomfortable. But ultimately, healing.”
We Who Wrestles with God by Jordan B. Peterson
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Applied Psychology
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2024
We Who Wrestle With God is Mister Peterson’s take of the biblical stories of the Old Testament. His Psychology background actually helps ground many concept of the bible that many deemed fictional. It gets very insightful and it is worth a read. In a way, it also teaches us how to read stories. Not just for entertainment but also to be inspired by it—one way or another.
“We must do the best we can with the talents that have been granted to us, and in spite of our multitude of faults…”
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
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Romantasy
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2019
A Court of Silver Flames might be my favourite entry to the ACOTAR series. In fact, it might be the first Romantasy book entering my Favourite shelf. Looking past the Romantic aspect of the book, it is a story about self-healing, overcoming personal traumas and forgiving oneself. Amazing read!
“Everyone deserves happiness. The road there isn’t easy. It is long, and hard, and often traveled utterly blind. But you keep going. Because you know the destination will be worthwhile.”
Joshua Dharmawan 