Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).
In this interview, Lyndsey talks about her latest book, The Chaos Grid.
FF: What inspired the story in your book?
One day, while sitting in Dallas traffic, I imagined the Texas highways without all the commuters. What if people, while trying to stop environmental disaster, caused it and now live trapped inside domed cities? What if, instead of braving the storms, short distance teleportation gave those people an excuse to never leave the safety of the domes? Someone would still have to transport food from the farms. I wanted to explore the lives of those who work the tough jobs that make our convenient lives possible.
I also read a lot of the Old Testament at the time. It struck me how God’s just punishment of the godless cities in that day parallelled the world I was building. I wanted to draw that parallel into my novel.
FF: What can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
Juniper is a reluctant heroine through and through. She is a teen girl struggling with a traumatic past and a deep emotional grudge. When she’s asked to not only forgive the people who harmed her but also rescue them from disaster, she flees. Her gut reaction to saying no to helping others is broken down as she discovers the value of putting others first even when you have every reason not to.
FF: Which character surprised you the most?
There is a side character who very much surprised me. I plotted this character to be someone they did not end up as whatsoever. Since the bare bones of The Chaos Grid follows an Old Testament story, I had somewhat of the plot written before I started. But I didn’t know who this character was until mid-way through drafting. It ended up being a pleasant plot twist that tied the novel up better than I initially intended.
FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
Storytelling is a powerful way to express truth because it allows us to see reality with our guards down. Jesus used this tactic many times through His parables. Those trying to trap Him would ask pointed questions, to which He would reply with a story. I believe when we present truths this way, something inside us switches from defense mode to puzzle solving mode. Why is Jesus telling me about this seed or some sheep when I was asking him about the kingdom of heaven? And when we solve the puzzle, we discover the truth on a deeper spiritual level than if we looked at the situation through foggy glasses of emotion or trying to be “right.”
FF: What can you tell us about your next book?
I am currently drafting another YA science fiction novel. My steampunk middle grade adventure series is also being looked at for potential publication.
FF: How do you get into the right frame of mind to write for your genre/audience?
As the wife of a farmer, I wanted to create a futuristic farm that pulled from my experiences growing food. In my opinion, produce always tastes best when it comes right out of the dirt. I leaned into farming life several times through the book.
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?
I would love my readers to have a blast reading a wild adventure. I also hope they would find beauty in putting ourselves second. To say yes to whatever God calls us to do. Even if that means helping those you are justified in your heart to hate. Because what good is it to love only those who love you?
FF: What are the biggest challenges for you as an author writing in your specific genre?
Predicting the future isn’t my strong suit. I can use my imagination and guess where technology is headed, but I haven’t been gifted a Delorean. Yet, it’s still fun to think up new ways technology could help or hinder my character as she navigates a futuristic dystopian world.
FF: What authors or books have inspired you as an author
My first step into the punk genres came from reading a comic book called Steampunk, by Joe Kelly and Chris Bachalo. I fell in love with the aesthetic and knew I wanted to tell stories in that world. More recently, I’ve been inspired by authors such as Nadine Brandes, Sharon Hinck, Stephanie Garber, and Brandon Sanderson.
FF: How has your faith or world view impacted the way you tell stories?
My faith in Jesus Christ is infused in all I am. While I enjoy many art mediums from singing to drawing to writing, I don’t want to do any of them if I am not also glorifying my Savior. When I write stories, I want to do so with excellence. My love for God is going to pour out of me on the page because that is who I am.
The Chaos Grid
Lyndsey Lewellen
Enclave Publishing
Genres: YA/Teen, SciFi/Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic
Release Date: April 9, 2024
ASIN: B0CKKB64NQ
ISBN-13: 979-8886051063
Book Summary:
Cross the grid. Survive the storms. Let your destiny burn.
When mankind’s attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge.
Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper’s family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland.
Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love.
CLICK TO BUY
Buy The Chaos Grid from the from the FF Store HERE!
CLICK TO BUY
Buy The Chaos Grid from Through the FamilyFiction Amazon Affiliate HERE!