Sci-Fi Q&A: Lyndsey Lewellen

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).

Lyndsey shares more about what inspired her sci-fi world, as well as plans for her new upcoming middle-grade steampunk series.

FF: What inspired the story in your book?
The Crier Stone follows the events of book one, The Chaos Grid which took place in futuristic Texas as a whole. This story, however, centers around the DFW area where I live. I wanted to explore what my hometown would be like as a dystopian. Many of us in north Texas travel everywhere via cars. Thirty minutes here. Thirty minutes there. As long as there’s air conditioning, we’re set. Especially when the temps stay in the triple digits. But what if that mode of transportation was taken away, not out of necessity, but out of comfort and convenience?

After the invention of short distance teleportation, people living in Plex city live in a completely controlled environment. But at what cost? Those who control their comforts allow their greed to rot their moral core to maintain that power. It’s the people’s very comfort that becomes their prison. From there, I imagined the difficulties someone who is called by God to awaken the comfortably oppressed against a mega corporation might encounter.

FF: What can you tell us about your main character, Juniper Conway?
Juniper Conway is a teen girl whose tragic past weighs on her like a backpack full of bricks. Due to her parents’ murder, she is brought up by an aunt and uncle who teach her the value of self-sacrifice—a value that is in direct conflict with her desire for vengeance. She is someone who will say no first, think better about it, and end up risking herself for what’s right.

FF: Which character surprised you the most?
Kazi was someone I didn’t plan on writing in The Chaos Grid draft. He just showed up and took over a chunk of the plot. I didn’t know how integral he was until drafting The Crier Stone. Not only did he become an important player, but he is also a stubborn one. Once, I tried to force him to do something to move the plot forward. He had other plans. What I imagined would only take one scene, ended up stretching into multiple chapters. Plot is vital, but it’s character consistency that rules the day for me. If a character doesn’t want to do what I need for the plot, then I’ve got to give them a very good reason to get with the program.

FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
My favorite author who used storytelling to share truths is Jesus Christ. Many times, in Scripture, He would use parables to impart truths about His Kingdom right under the noses of those who wanted to kill him. What an amazing way to share truth! I believe fiction can bypass our mental guards. This story isn’t about me, it’s about Hansel and Gretel. Or it’s about Little Red Riding Hood. Yet, as we listen, something inside us tells it’s not a good idea to stray from the path or trust nefarious strangers. We digest the truth without becoming offended first.

FF: What can you tell us about your next book?
In November 2025, I will release Harlow Morgan and the Sky City, the first in a middle grade steampunk series. It’s a sky-high treasure hunt starring a thirteen-year-old airship pilot-in-training who accidentally sparks an underground war and races through a floating city to unlock ancient artifacts before deadly sorcerers—or worse, her strict inventor father—find her first.

FF: How do you get into the right frame of mind to write?
For over fifteen years, I’ve been teaching the Bible to teen girls. God has given me a heart to both disciple young women in His Word and to use my creativity to encourage them of His goodness. By serving, each week, I’m reminded why I write and who I’m writing for.

FF: What are the biggest challenges for you as a sci-fi author?
Holding a sci-fi world together can be overwhelming. Suspension of disbelief is key. While I lean heavily on the fiction side of science fiction, I still want to employ enough physics, chemistry, and whatever else the story requires to make things believable. This can lead to hours of chasing rabbit trials on the internet or waiting days until I can speak to an expert. It can bog down the drafting or revising process, but it’s usually worth it in the end.

FF: What authors or books have inspired you as an author?
Early on, I was inspired by X-men comic books from the late 90s and early 2000’s. If you read my books, you’ll notice the quick pace and enticing chapter endings that reflect that short form, intense storytelling style. But my writing is also influenced by faith-filled speculative fiction from current Christian authors such as Nadine Brandes, Sharon Hinck, and Andrew Peterson.

FF: How has your faith or world view impacted the way you tell stories?
My faith has a deep impact on the way I tell stories. Not only in my writing, but how I speak with my children and friends. As I drink up the Word and live it out as best as I can in the Spirit, I can’t help but pour it out in storytelling.

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