Writing Routine: How I Craft My Stories
A behind-the-scenes look at my daily writing process, from early morning brainstorming sessions to late-night editing marathons.
A Long Journey, Not a Continuous One
Although The SuperUnknowN was first conceived nearly thirty years ago as a graphic novel, it has not been a continuous three-decade project. Much of that time was shaped by different paths—most notably a twenty-year military career that left little space for creative work. The mindset that makes someone effective in uniform is not always friendly to imagination, and for a long season that part of life was intentionally set aside.
Writing is not yet my full-time profession. I still work full time and am completing educational commitments, but I approach the novel with deliberate discipline, putting hours into it each day. If a complete series can be written while balancing a career and study, then when those demands are finally behind me, the creative work should only become stronger.
Rewriting from the Ground Up
Over the last year and a half I have returned to the story in earnest, rewriting it from the ground up. The book now bears little resemblance to the version imagined decades ago. Some characters and plotlines remain, but the voice and structure have matured into something far more considered—closer to the story I was always trying to reach.
I don't believe in shortcuts. The manuscript has gone through numerous drafts focused on the foundations: the integrity of the world and the depth of the characters. My aim is not simply to finish one novel, but to build a setting strong enough to carry an entire series. The characters must be able to live longer than a single book, and the world must feel real enough to invite readers to stay.
Independence Through Romulus Press
To protect that vision I created my own imprint, Romulus Press. For now I am a one-man operation, and that independence matters. I've welcomed beta readers and collaborators for artwork and design, but the final work must remain my own. For better or worse, the book that reaches readers should be the one I intended to write.
Writing the Whole Series at Once
I'm also working across the whole story at once. While the first volume receives most of my attention, the second and third are being written simultaneously so the through-lines remain true from beginning to end. I don't want a finished book in readers' hands while knowing I need to rewrite what follows. The goal is to have at least a full draft of the entire series completed before volume one appears. When that first book releases, readers shouldn't have to wait years to see what happens next—volume two is intended to be finished by then, and volume three already well underway.
That commitment defines the routine: steady progress, careful revision, and the patience to tell the story completely before asking anyone else to step into it.