Welcome to SFFWorld Jesper, many thanks for giving us some time here.
First of all can you tell us a bit about your Keystone Bone trilogy?
Certainly. Our hero, called Aea, lives in a protected forest realm, but misses her family who is believed dead. When she discovers that they are still alive, she faces a tough decision. If she leaves the symbiotic shelter of the forest to go find her mother and sister, she will not only risk her own life, but also that of her unborn child. You see, it’s only the forest that keeps the deadly disease, the Field Blight, at bay.
Aea finds herself in a race against time, while an ancient demon lord begins his revenge against a world that imprisoned him eons ago. Even the great dragon, the last of his kin, will have to alter his plans of invasion to begin a chase for the long-forgotten Keystone Bone.
It’s an epic dark fantasy.
What do you feel is unique about your story?
It’s pretty fast paced – something you don’t see very often when it comes to fantasy. I like to put my characters into so much trouble that it almost seems impossible for them to get out again.
The second book in the trilogy, Degradation has just been released. What new goals did you set for yourself for the second book?
That’s right. It came out on the 1st of July. I wanted to ramp up the tension even further in this second installment and based on reader feedback, it seems that I have succeeded. Readers really like it even though it does get darker than Desolation – the first volume of the trilogy.
How do you feel you as a writer has evolved since you started the series?
Well, you know what they say: the only way you will ever learn how to write, is by writing. That is definitely true.
Working on the second book of the series I felt clear improvements, but also new challenges that I hadn’t been aware of when writing the first book. I guess it speaks of having reached a higher level. Although it’s a spiral where no one ever reached the top. As Hemmingway said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
What is it with Epic Fantasy you find so fascinating?
I have always loved fantastic settings, otherworldly creatures, magic, yes, pretty much everything to do with fantasy. And dragons of course. You got to love those.
Growing up, I remember reading the Dragonlance Chronicles and absolutely devouring it. I just couldn’t get enough.
When I first started writing, I didn’t have to consider for a second which genre to write in. It was a given.
You’re Danish and have a love for Finish saunas. How does your background influence your writing?
Hmm… that’s a really good question. Our backgrounds will always influence our view of the world – even if it happens subconsciously. It probably plays into my character development and how I make them act and behave… honestly, I can’t say for sure.
In truth our part of the world is very peaceful. There isn’t much crime or corruption here and you can safely the streets at night. I guess, I dig deep into my inner fears when creating fantasy settings. I try my best to imagine a world where everything is completely different from the present day of Denmark. We have a Viking heritage, though. That can be a source of inspiration. I have in fact recorded several videos on the topic of Vikings. You can find them on my YouTube channel here, if interested. I post new videos every single Monday.
As a fellow Scandinavian I’m curious as to why you have chosen to write in English and not Danish?
That’s an easy one. The market for books written in English is humongous compared to books written in Danish. As more parts of the world gets better Internet infrastructure, smart phones etc., it will only grow. Besides, I have always liked the English language and felt it possible to express things much more… well… elegant, than what you can do in Danish. It’s probably just my own disillusion, but it’s how I feel about it.
You’ve also written a book about Fantasy Map Making, can you tell us a bit about that project?
That’s right. I always get so disappointed when I flip through the first pages of a fantasy novel and don’t find a map in there.
In truth though, this book on map making was written just as much for my own benefit. I basically documented the entire process I use when creating my own maps. It’s an easy step-by-step guide book that will hopefully put more fantasy maps into the world. There can never be enough of those, don’t you agree?
When do you expect the third book to be released? Do you also have more new and exciting projects you are working on at the moment?
It will come out late 2017 and be the last book in the series.
I then need to dive into something new and while I have some ideas, I haven’t decided yet. I think, I will pitch three different book ideas to the readers who have signed up for my email list. They can then decide what I should write next.
First I intend to write a guide book on fantasy worldbuilding though. Hopefully that will come in handy for those interested in that topic.
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Interview by Dag Rambraut – SFFWorld.com © 2017
