Do you ever feel that sense of calmness when surrounded by nature’s green embrace? It’s a feeling many of us cherish, a fleeting moment where the chaos of life seems to dissipate, and we find relief in the arms of the Earth. But what if that connection to nature was more than just a feeling? What if it held the key to understanding our place in the world and the tumultuous relationship we have with the environment? Enter Joel Machak, a seasoned wordsmith whose latest work, “WilderSkies: How Man’s War on Nature Began,” delves deep into this very question. With a career spanning decades in the ad industry, Machak now turns his attention to a different kind of storytelling—one that intertwines the ethereal with the earthly, the historical with the fantastical.

In a recent interview, Machak shared perceptions into his writing journey and the themes that drive his latest novel. When asked about his inspiration to become an author, he simply stated, “I love the freedom of writing.” It’s an emotion that echoes throughout his work, where imagination knows no bounds and the boundaries between reality and fiction blur. Machak’s oeuvre extends beyond “WilderSkies,” including two other novels: “Upheaval” and “Civilization Starship.” Yet, it’s his latest effort that commands attention, as it tackles a subject close to his heart—the elaborate dance between humanity and nature.

Unique among nature’s creatures, mankind has long seen itself as separate from the natural world—a notion Machak seeks to challenge. In “WilderSkies,” he entwines a tale set nearly twenty thousand years ago, where the forces of passion and power collide in a love triangle between a human king and two elemental spirits: Nokomis, the Gentle Spirit of the Earth, and Tohopka, the Wild Spirit of the Earth. “It’s a story that takes love and revenge to the limits of the human heart,” Machak explains. “But beneath the surface, it’s a narrative that speaks to our continued destruction of the natural world—a war that began millennia ago.”

Throughout the interview, Machak grapples with the central theme of his novel: mankind’s separateness from nature and the devastating consequences that arise from it. He stresses the significance of portraying a passionate love triangle against the backdrop of environmental degradation—a narrative that resonates with the ongoing ecological challenges we face today.

But what sets “WilderSkies” apart from other works in its genre? Machak believes it’s the fusion of human drama with environmental commentary—a blend that forces readers to face uncomfortable truths about our relationship with the planet. As he aptly puts it, “The significance of the story of a passionate and vengeful love triangle to the current ongoing destruction of the natural environment we still see today.”

Intriguingly, Machak shares a personal anecdote about his writing process, revealing that he’s a self-proclaimed “one-finger typist” who crafted the entire novel on an iPad’s glass keyboard. It’s a confirmation to his dedication to the skill and the boundless possibilities afforded by modern technology. As our conversation draws to a close, Machak leaves us with an impactful quotation from “WilderSkies”: “Who’s side are you on?” It’s a question that lingers in the air, prompting readers to reconsider their role in the age-old conflict between humanity and nature.

In the end, “WilderSkies” isn’t just a novel—it’s a call to action, a reminder of our interconnectedness with the world around us, and a will to the power of storytelling to provoke thought and inspire change. So, the next time you find yourself basking in nature’s hug, remember the words of Joel Machak and ask yourself: Who’s side are you on?