Here we are, the beginning of September of 2026, and I am close to finishing the 1st review of my 1st draft (I’ve been saying this for weeks now, but the final chapters were kind of rushed the first time around so there’s some cracks in the foundation that need to be filled), which, once done, becomes the 2nd draft. Then another review after that, making it the 3rd draft. Then another review, and perhaps another after that. However many it takes to get it where I want it, and fix all the minor shit like spelling errors and what-not. I’m not using an editor because I can do it myself. After all: “If you want something done right…” And the editor thing has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with time. I’m not spending weeks and months trying to hunt one down, vet them, all the communication back and forth. No fucking thank you. Again, I can do it myself. Not to mention, my book is a cross genre amalgamation, and an editor might try to pigeon hole it into something it’s not meant to be. Plus, I can use AI to help with proofreading and corrections. As for how I use AI, there’s actually a chapter in the book where I talk about the use of AI during its creation and evolution. For now, I’ll say that I use AI like a brain surgeon during surgery asking for a scalpel.

The book is currently over 500 pages and almost 160k words. However, it’s not a dense slog of prose from cover to cover. It’s quite deceptive. I don’t want to say how or why, as that would only spoil things.

All right, onto the Cordyceps metaphor! Basically, as you may or may not already know, not only have I found my true calling and passion in writing, but most especially in writing 2nd person. I absolutely fucking love it! I get to be personal with the reader. Just like how I am in my videos. I get to worm my way inside the reader’s head and do whatever the fuck I want while I’m in there! Thus, my 2nd person book is like Cordyceps taking control of an ant. Except, my book won’t kill the reader. Again, I can’t say anymore than that without spoiling things.

If you’ve seen how innovative and creative I am on YouTube, pfft, that’s child’s play! YouTube and film, while great at expressing certain things, are severely limited. YouTube is intellectually suffocating when it comes to what I want to express. With writing, as I’ve said before, there are no limits to how I can express myself. As a writer, I get to play god. Especially in the new weird, bizarro, meta-fictional, satirical horror, dark humor genres that apparently my writing style falls into. And in 2nd person no less!

My creative mind was meant for writing. It’s a shame it took 54 years to figure that out. But hey, I’m very fucking lucky that I got a second chance. I’m fucking grateful to still be alive, are you kidding?! Actually, I was on the cusp of realizing I should’ve been a writer back in my early 30’s during the early 2000’s, when I was writing a bunch of short-form lyrics and poems, which are what this book was originally going to be about, until it became a monster. It’s no longer primarily about me and my writings (which are incorporated into the narrative). It’s now primarily about the reader, and the book. Like most 2nd person books, I guess (I’ve only ever read Joe Dever).

I can’t get this thing out fast enough, but I’m taking my time to make sure it’s as near-perfect as I can get it, without falling into the trap of perfectionism, which I think I’ve let go of, for the most part.

Thanks for being patient! We’re getting there, day by day!

Best,
Paul aka ER