Interview with Cory Mortensen, Author of Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey

06 Mar 2024

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey?

I have always had a need to roam. I promised myself when I turned 30 I would travel the world. When I turned 31 I realized I missed that opportunity…or did I? Instead, I settled for a long-distance bike ride, sold one of my houses, and took a two-month leave of absence. That story is the first book of this three-book travel trilogy “The Buddha and the Bee”. After reaching my destination, I decided not to return home and left California with no ultimate destination or timeline. In the end, I went from California to Antarctica.

Book two is “UNLOST”. Book three is the conclusion of that two-month leave of absence that turned into a two-year around-the-world trip. I was inspired to write this, albeit 20+ years after the fact, because of my friends and family who kept telling me, “You need to write a book.” So I did, “The Buddha and the Bee”, which I really enjoyed writing and much to my surprise won over 20 independent book awards and has been an Amazon #1 best seller for over two years. I received so much wonderful feedback from the first book, I wrote “UNLOST” – which also won several awards.

Further positive feedback encouraged me to finish the series, although it took me a lot longer than I thought. So “The Buddha and the Bee” was inspired by friends and family. “UNLOST” and “Embracing Bewilderment” were inspired by all those who shared with me how much they enjoyed my books.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey, what would they be?

That’s a good question, I’m going to have to go with, “Lawyers, Guns and Money” by Warren Zevon.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Non-Fiction and History and whatever you might call Hunter S. Thompson’s work.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, Rim to River by Tom Zoellner, and Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I think it was the Pennine Way trek in the UK. When writing this part, it reminded me how much I enjoyed long multi-day treks with no time frame. Additionally, I enjoyed the challenge of writing a dozen pages about hiking alone.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

While I do not have a college degree, I do have a Ph.D. in procrastinating. So when I am focused, not that this would be considered quirky, but may fall under ‘writing habits’. When that ball starts rolling, the pen starts moving and the keys start clicking… I’ll stay up for days writing.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

You will never reach the finish line – so keep going.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

It’s a bit cliche but I would hope readers will put the book down (after leaving a review on Amazon) and realize you can do anything you desire.

Cory Mortensen is the author of the new book Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey

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