An Interview with Luke Rhains
What inspired you to start writing this book?
Curiosity. What would an unconventional relationship look like in a fictionalised version of a notoriously ruthless, unforgiving industry? How would the main character reshape the industry to become one of its most powerful leaders? How important would a survivor’s found family be to them, and what would happen if it was all suddenly ripped away?
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
It took a while. I started out by using the first few words of the story as the title, which were ‘the night had teeth.’ Then once I got further into the book, I decided to change it to Polygamy… that didn’t stick, thankfully. The new name of the story, The Story We Told, actually came from my wife, who read my rough version and suggested it would fit the story better. And as soon as she said it, it was like a puzzle piece finally fitting into place.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
That’s a hard one, although…there is one scene in the book that I purposefully wrote to fit with the song Judgement Day by Stealth. My idea was if you play this song and read the chapter, the two should—hopefully—match each other, as I’ve attempted to write it in such a way that it follows the beats of that song.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I am also a YouTuber! Maybe. It’s possibly a stretch, as I’m only just about to hit one thousand subscribers.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
To be completely honest…the wife. She told me to get a hobby, and she suggested I try writing. So I tried, and I got into it…much to my wife’s frustration, as I spent a lot of time working on this book…
Where is your favorite place to write?
Lay across the sofa, laptop on my lap, usually with a banana milkshake and a pack of cookies.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Plan your book first. I started writing this story with no real plan or idea of where it was going to go. When I was about a quarter of the way through, I realised I needed to actually plan it properly. So what I’d say to myself is make a roadmap of the story first. Bullet point key moments—this happens to this character, then this happens. I ended up restarting after actually planning the flow of the story properly.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
That even when your life is a desperate struggle to survive, a helping hand can start with someone who doesn’t turn away. The hand might come wrapped in actions you would never consider, but you can make them yours. And even when everything you have gained, the family you found, and everything you have built is ripped away, one thing always remains: hope.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.