We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lucas Fischhaber a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lucas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have embarked on a journey that I never thought would be my road to take. I have stepped out in faith to climb a mountain that, up until a few years ago, was higher than I could ever go. Before finding myself on a path of authoring this young adult fantasy epic, I had grown up to be a nuclear engineer who did everything I could to avoid English class. Writing would be the last thing I would ever do. Or so I had continued to tell myself countless times. For I found no joy in the essays and confusing world of grammar. Graduating from West Point, I served in the army and leaned into my engineering degree, enjoying the comforts of math and sciences. However, that isn’t my whole story. There was something else that had always been there yet concealed behind a veil. Isn’t that how it is sometimes? The unexpected discovery which connects to who we are? Since a young age I have always been fascinated by the fantastical. Often dreaming of new worlds and adventures. Though I enjoyed books, reading was never high on my priority list. For a time, while I pursued the sciences and dreamed of new worlds, I never once thought of myself as a writer. Once married, my wife began to unlock this depth of storytelling. We would dream together. Eventually with a young family, we created tales around a cozy campfire or at the bedside with little voices contributing to the moment. We built maps and poems of buried treasure and transformed the basement into another world to go on Saturday morning adventures. Still, all this time I considered myself an engineer and never a writer. There was something about being in those moments when suddenly the look of wonder would appear on my little one’s face. With the cold wind of winter rushing past my window late at night on January 1st, I had just put my kids to bed for the night. Visions of the bedtime story I told were vivid and real. The story was yet another magical thread into this world that we were building together. I sat down at the computer that night and began to type with the intention to record the events of the story. Though I had no expectations of what I was doing, I felt the urge to breathe life into this fantasy world. Without me realizing it, I found myself feeling grateful to be burdened with this responsibility to create a novel. Relying on the Lord through prayer, I got to work. What I would gain from this new adventure would be far greater than anything I had imagined. I went from telling a tale to learning everything I could about writing a novel. Though this journey began as a prompting on my heart, it is not one I am taking alone. As a family, we brainstorm together and contributed threads that have weaved this amazing tapestry which always seems to work with the story. The group dynamic has created strength, beauty, and depth within the story and the eureka moments we have shared has brought so much joy. And yet, this journey is impacting me in an even more profound way. As I write, my wife is the one who wields the power of the red pen. Where I am weak, she is strong. Together we dream and build a story which reflects the greatest story of all – the hope that lives inside of us. This sole reason has made this entire writing journey completely worth it. Then, as if the moment could be made any better, I get to share our own family lore with others. To create a story that speaks to people’s hearts. That there is a sense of something more than what we see with our own eyes. Something that is felt deep within.

Lucas, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I provide moments in which a person may experience wonder where they can see a fraction of the intangible truth. How can it get any better than that? I remember when those moments would happen late at night at the bedside or around the campfire. This is my purpose. However, my writing journey is not all about the tale I may tell. Walking alongside others toward victory, I rely on the Lord through prayer. The path I am on is full of needless distraction that is neither for good nor for evil. Staying focused on our mission can be difficult in our world of distraction. We prioritize honorable things like God, family, and providing for their needs. Yet there remains a long list of things which can distract us from our purpose. JRR Tolkien penned the words “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” People who have stepped out in faith have always inspired me. They have measured their time and have decided to take action to do something rather than not. Just like all of us, these individuals had a dream or a vision and pursued it. As I walk my path in faith, I pray that my tale may contribute to the call of action.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

This journey began with one story built amongst our family around a camp fire one small section at a time. I look forward to completing this story which has evolved into a large series of 7+ books. The first book being close to the finish line. It will be a gift to my family and for others to enjoy.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

I get the most joy out of the creation processes. Even while in the midst of writing, the most amazing moments happen where the story takes an unexpected turn even for me. Sharing these moments with my wife as the story is being built is what I enjoy the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: lucasfischhaber.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasfischhaber_author/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucasfischhaberauthor
• Youtube: Lucas Fischhaber

Image Credits
Digital Paintings of Amber and Rex completed by Ethan Roffler of @theartofroffler (instagram)