An Interview with Lucas Edwards

Lucas grew up in Central Texas, where he spent most of his free time reading or playing outside. Despite his plans to the contrary, he went to college in his hometown and remained there afterward. In that time, he rediscovered the love of reading that academics had suppressed, and he married his high-school sweetheart. With his philosophy degree, Lucas had planned to go to law school, but a global pandemic and a host of other factors made him decide against it. Now, between his full-time office job and writing on the side, he still finds plenty of time to spend with her, their cat, Luna, and their dog-who-thinks-she’s-a-cat, Coco. They still live in their hometown.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always wanted to create stories, whether it was on the fly on road trips or with my toys in the back room as a child. But the first time I can remember wanting to write a book was after reading The Spiderwick Chronicles in late elementary school. I tried to make a spiral-bound journal into my own version of that book, and I got so self-conscious about it that I threw it away. (In fact, I threw it away three times, because my parents kept saving it from the trash, in case I changed my mind.) As I got older, it was series like Pendragon or Percy Jackson that kept my love of storytelling alive. Eventually, more mature books like Circe by Madeline Miller or the Dune series reignited that spark, and it was around then that I began really teaching myself how to write excellently.

I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was also inspired by a lot of TV. As a teenager who no longer found joy in reading, shows like Adventure Time, Avatar the Last Airbender, Naruto, and Steven Universe reminded me of my love for telling stories. It was while watching those shows that I began my first rough draft of a book (and boy was it rough).

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Two questions formed the foundation of this book: “What if a fantasy took place in a world that looked like Texas?” and “What if a world had recovered from the apocalypse but had forgotten it ever happened?” I wanted to escape to a world that felt like the woods and creeks of my childhood, and I wanted to blend some of my favorite parts of fantasy with some of my favorite parts of sci-fi.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title, Stealing From God and Other Heresies, is probably the sixth or seventh title that I’ve played with so far. Finding something that sounds exciting and concise while still being accurate has been harder than writing the actual book.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“The Moss” by Cosmo Sheldrake encapsulates the sense of mystery and myth that I try to evoke with my book. “Who We Are” by Hozier is all about struggling with a personal identity wrapped up in violence, which is a theme that both main characters deal with throughout the book. “As the World Caves In” by Sarah Cothran usually makes me cry and tells about being in love despite impending death. Whether that love is romantic or otherwise, that’s a common sentiment that several characters feel by the end of the book.

Describe your dream book cover.

My wife (an art teacher and illustrator) and I have talked about this question for hours. I want a landscape that feels like Bend Bend National Park and one of the story’s many gods in the background. There will also be old skyscrapers half-buried and covered in plant life—something that almost looks natural but provides a mystery to draw the reader into the story.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I currently help run a law firm that specializes in criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. I am not an attorney, but my role is to handle the business-running side of things so the attorneys can focus on being attorneys. I’ve also worked at a coffee shop, a fast food chain, and a smoke shop. Of course, I also help my wife’s small business selling her art.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, Circe by Madeline Miller, and Dune by Frank Herbert. Also graphic novels Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe and Kill Six Billion Demons by Tom Parkinson-Morgan. Most of these were purely comfort reads, although I learned a lot from each one, like “how to write a slow burn romance” from Lore Olympus, or “how to describe magic in the most amazing way possible” from Circe.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers fall in love with my characters more than anything else. I’ve written a very character-centric story, and I want others to enjoy those made-up people even a fraction of the amount that I do. I envision my perfect reader as someone who enjoys worldbuilding and mystery as much as they enjoy watching a character suffer…in the best way.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.