Benign Dystopia: Elder’s Vault follows a high priest and warrior who sets out on a mission to unlock the vault in an attempt to save his species from alien invaders. What was the inspiration for your story? 

When I was much younger, I was plagued by reoccurring dreams, and this is where the plot for the tale came from. At that time, I was bouncing between foster homes and felt as if I had little to no value, so these dreams were kind of a saving grace if you will. At first it was a bit unnerving, for they were not ordinary, or usual by any means. I had no idea why they were happening, and to this day, I still don’t. It wasn’t until I was adopted that they gradually subsided and were replaced by the much more mundane of night visions, which as a side note, don’t occur as frequently. In the roughly thirty or so years since their disappearance, they have yet to return, and I don’t have hope of them ever doing so. With that being said, I suppose the strange dreams I had as a youngling are the inspiration behind the overall concept of the story at large, for without them, I fear the tale wouldn’t exist.

I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?

The setting of the moon, Niushki, which plays a vital part within the story, in many ways is a reflection of how I felt during my early years. A barren wasteland with little to no order where trust and family are largely nonexistent. As I wrote however, the world quickly developed traits that were much more reminiscent of my twenties as a whole, where friends became adversaries and death was nothing more than a normality of life. But I found, in all of that chaos, somehow, that I had created a unique world of serenity that’s hostile by nature, which although alien, mirrors our own in many ways. It was actually this very concept of peaceful violence which brought about the novel’s title Benign Dystopia. All that said, the setting of the tale was mostly crafted from my very real experience of the one which shaped my own life, for better or for worse. And yes, although it’s unpredictable, dangerous, and chaotic at times; it’s also full of wonder, joy, and brimming with endless possibilities.

Benign Dystopia has some very interesting characters that have their character flaws but are still likable. How do you go about creating characters for your story?

To build character, I mostly observe and listen to the vast array of people around me. I’ve always been intrigued with what makes an individual different from the next, and as such, I do conduct a bit of people watching from time to time. I’m blessed though, for I’m surrounded by a variety of different cultures and age groups, which helps a great deal in the overall depth of the characters in my works. From their names, to the way they speak, think, and carry themselves, I have in a big part, the countless diverse individuals I’ve met throughout my life. I, of course, also put in a great deal of research into every aspect of the writing process, no matter what it may be, so I’m sure this plays heavy into the subject as well. Outside of that, I find myself delving into subjects such as psychology and the theory of personality on a daily basis. The teachings of philosophers such as Plato, Friedrich Nietzsche, Confucius, Carl Jung, and Aristotle are just some of the few I look to when evolving the psyche of any character, especially those of strong importance. Character as well as world-building are what matters most to me as a writer, and to that end, I spend a good bit of effort in making them as relatable as I can. This in tandem with authentic and engaging personalities, is what I believe make even the most flawed and, dare I say, vile characters, one of which readers would not only connect with on a personal level, but also enjoy.

When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?

The second book in the Elder’s Vault series, Tellurian Otherworld, is actually split into two parts, of which I call tomes. The first tome is titled: A Fool’s Tragedy, and has already been reviewed by Literary Titan. As to when it will be officially published, I am not entirely sure, but will certainly keep you up to date. The work will take readers to the world of Neldar, which unlike Benign Dystopia, is more of a fantasy than it is a science fiction. The story follows the same characters and picks up where Benign Dystopia ended, though it focuses heavily on the supernatural elements established within Benign Dystopia’s third part, which may upset those hopeful of immersing themselves in the space opera aspect built in the first book, but worry not, there is a method to the madness. But overall, Tellurian Otherworld, both tomes, will feature some fantasy in the form of wizards, dragons, fairies, and mermaids, as well as others; but it will also include otherworldly entities such as ghosts, genies, zombies, and nagas. When all is said and done though, my hope is that I’ve weaved a meaningful and unforgettable tale that’ll survive the test of time that all can enjoy. I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere too, but I digress, thank you and I wish you all a legendary day.

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