Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Up until I was in my early 30’s, I was a very different person. I had experienced success very early on, both in terms of a career and in my personal life, however, depression and self defeatism formed during my childhood eventually tore that all apart. After losing everything, I finally woke up and realized I hated who I was – how I acted – how I spoke, but in this realization I discovered something else. None of that was actually me; it was like an automated me. So who am I? This is when my conscious self finally emerged and life part 2 for me began.
I became hungry for understanding. I began to read and research everything, eventually delving into topics such as ancient history, mythology, etymology, quantum mechanics, symbolism, philosophy, occultism … if it was controversial I wanted to know more.
This is when my ability to lucid dream began.
As I would go through various articles, I realized most of them were regurgitations of each other … and many times they were wrong. Each simply tried to capture clicks without actually trying to understand the topic they were presenting. One article would have two pieces of the puzzle … another two other pieces. Why isn’t anyone actually putting this all together into one complete article? So this is how my writing began. As of today there are a couple hundred of my articles that still exist, but eventually I gravitated towards writing this book.
What I experienced in dreams combined with what I began to understand needed to be expressed in a more complicated form. That is what the Ghost of War series is meant to be: my theory of everything wrapped in an awesome fictional plot. Not only is it meant to explain what I think all of this is, but actually how to overcome it.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Ghost of War: Game of the Gods”?
I would say forcing myself to immediately take notes whenever I experienced inspiration was the challenge. For example, I often would wake up from a dream knowing I should write it down, but due to it being in the middle of the night and all I can think about is going back to sleep would justify not doing anything by saying to myself yea I’ll remember it tomorrow … and then completely forget it by morning.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
My two favorite authors are HP Lovecraft and Michael Crichton. They were the two authors I got into as a child. I read Jurassic Park at least 5 times before it was a movie. Lovecraft definitely had lucid dreaming experience, while Crichton was very good at providing research. There are so many other books though I would recommend.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Salt Lake City. I love everything about it. The happy hour/brunch options, the night life, the legit coffee shops, the outdoor options, including park city nearby for skiing. People there are chill.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
I initially spend my time fleshing out an outline. From there I pick whatever part I feel like expanding, and go from there. I cannot write in a linear fashion. After the Ghost of War series, I have two other book ideas ready to go – both from (shocker) dream experiences. Eventually my dream journal will be its own book.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Ghost of War: Game of the Gods’?
It did take close to 4 years, only because I was dealing with life issues – still writing articles … basically not completely dedicating myself to the idea. Once I embraced it, it came out pretty quick.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
Paperback and within the next week an audio copy are available on Amazon, while a pdf is on my publisher’s website: https://korsgaardpublishing.com/
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Ghost of War: Game of the Gods’?
The title slowly came to me as I wrote the book. It’s hard to explain it without giving away information about the main character and the overall plot. The cover was before all of this Ai art generating apps came out. That would have been useful. It is meant to hint at simulation/matrix theory. “Everything is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.”
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Well having the ability to not only lucid dream, but to exit dreams into the astral plane obviously really helps. I’m also big on psychedelics. I don’t see or treat them as drugs, but rather temporary reality hacks. I take them very seriously. One of my favorite things to do is to rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere, take some mushrooms, and just explore the woods … at night. I love it.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
I’d rather answer this question by giving my own advice. Write like how you speak. Ignore the masses and go against the grain. Do what feels right and trust your gut. If you feel stuck, start writing something else. Write what currently inspires you, don’t force it.
Buy Ghost of War on Amazon
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