Lightning in the Mind, by Aaron Christensen, was written as an emotional outlet during a difficult period of life that consisted of about two years (mid-June 1999 to early 2001). He didn't write to "write a book," he wrote because he needed an outlet during an emotional crisis. When he had accumulated many pieces of poetry, in his mind, decent pieces of labor, he thought about publishing a book. The bulk of Lightning is written from true life experience and from the inspiration of others, who've helped create dreams, hopes and desires of a better life.