Stand By Me meets Stranger Things in this unputdownable, chilling read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. What We All Saw is a beautiful, memorable and suspenseful novel about coming of age, standing by your friends, and about the power of storytelling to change our perceptions.
We chat with author Mike Lucas about What We All Saw, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Mike! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m from the UK and moved to South Australia in 2010. I wear a lot of hats. Obviously, I’m a children’s author, but I also own an independent book shop in Adelaide and work full time as an engineer. I have written several picture books and poetry anthologies. What We All Saw is my first YA novel.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
Probably in high school, when I began to write angsty poetry. At the time I was being influenced by Roger Waters’ lyrics and Stephen King’s novels which accounts for their dark themes.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Mr Messy by Roger Hargreaves was the first book I read when I was about five. The first real novel was The Fog by James Herbert when I was eleven. I grew up fast.
The one that made me want to become an author was Christine by Stephen King.
Dennis Lehane’s Shutter Island stayed with me for quite a while. When I finished reading it, I had to revisit just about every scene in my head in order to reevaluate the story.
Your new novel, What We All Saw, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Witchcraft, friendship, suspense, perception, trust
What can readers expect?
The book is set in England in 1976. During their last summer holiday together, before they each go their separate ways, four friends witness something terrifying at a local quarry. In the weeks that follow, they try to make sense of what they saw and to untangle the truth from the lies that exist around Hags Drop, a place in the wood where witches are said to have been thrown to their deaths.
Where did the inspiration for What We All Saw come from?
There were three main inspirations. Firstly, I grew up in England in the 1970s and used to disappear into the woods with my friends for hours on end. Secondly, I have always had a fear of the stereotypical witch and, as a child, used to imagine her creeping up the stairs of my house to take me away. Thirdly, a character in the book, Shell, has been blind from birth. I wrote this book while I was losing the sight in one of my eyes.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Owning a book shop and working full time as an engineer, it’s always hard for me to find the time to sit down and write. I inadvertently overcame this by having to take four months off work. I was undergoing regular surgery to try to save the sight in one of my eyes which, unfortunately, was unsuccessful. This created another challenge of finding the motivation to continue writing while suffering from anixiety and mild depression. Many of my worries were projected into the story through Shell, who emerged as the strongest character. Writing this book got me through a dark time and helped to turn a negative experience into a positive one.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing the dialogue between the four eleven year-old friends, especially the humorous parts. The evolution of Shell’s character during the writing and the editing process was really rewarding. And there’s a scene in the book where two of the friends have to descend into the quarry to carry out a gruesome task. That was a great scene to write.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
The best advice was probably to keep going, despite all the rejection letters I received for previous manuscripts. I don’t think I’ve ever had any bad advice. Or, if I have, I’ve never taken it.
What’s next for you?
I’ve finished a second YA manuscript, which is looking hopeful. And I’m currently writing a third. I also have some more picture books due for release in the next couple of years. You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook under mikelucasauthor or at www.mikelucas.com.au
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
I’m looking forward to Vikki Wakefield’s first crime novel, After You Were Gone, due for publication in October 2022 with Text Publishing and, as always, the new one by Stephen King – Fairy Tale.
Great post!
I will definitely be adding this and Stephen King’s ‘Fairy Tale’