Lost, Then Found  author David Lewis, shares with us the backdrop of his happy-go-lucky and adventuresome youth, how his mom significantly  influenced his drive and perseverance with writing and the reasons why he chose to write Christian Speculative Fiction Novel.

The Fast Fingers:  Can you share something about yourself?

David: I have many aspects to my life, but to keep this interesting and apropos to my novel, I'll share this: The backdrop to my happy-go-lucky and adventuresome youth was a very supportive but sickly mom. She was always there to bandaid my cuts, encourage me during disappointments, and cook me a hot breakfast every morning. She suffered from intractable pain and asthma for most of her adult life. Now, you wanted to know something about me, not my mom- she's clearly a significant influence on my drive and perseverance with writing. She would often ask me to write a poem or story for her. She would read them or mail them to her friends in her Sunday School Class. During her many long days in bed or in the hospital, she would read my poems, short stories or novelettes, always encouraging me. She was my biggest fan. The novel I currently have is a myriad of characters, each reflecting the contrasting aspects of my wonderful youth and the anger- frustrations I had while my mom struggled with infirmity, certainly beyond my understanding as a boy. She went to be with the Lord in 2000. Sad story, but an important one.

The Fast Fingers:  Tell us about the book.

David:  "Lost, Then Found" had many titles before this final choice. The book began as a short story of encouragement for my mom. She adored the story and asked me to incorporate this story into a full sized novel. She died before the novel was completed, but her encouragement is on every page. The themes are loss and sacrifice juxtaposed with maturing and choices. Two years prior to the story's beginning, a young man named Jeb disappears from his home in Augusta, Georgia. He left no trace, no note, took no clothes. He just disappeared. He left a grieving set of parents and a younger brother, Jeffery. Jeffery harbors anger towards his brother for being absent from his life. Jeffery struggles with this anger. In contrast, he deeply yearns to find Jeb and bring him home, no matter what. Thus begins the journey to an exciting climax. Unseen forces, meantime, were working to complete a master plan. The hidden forces make themselves visible and try to recruit Jeffery to their cause or kill him- depending on his choice. As is the case in many stories, things are not what they seem to be. Jeffery is recruited by an angel name Julian to serve the King of Kings on special assignments. He is joined by three colorful teen characters, which bring depth and reason to the story. The plot unfolds with the trials and adventures of the group of teens for what they believe are divine tasks. Instead, the trials and quests are just training for the ultimate goal- The salvation of Jeb Bartlett, who though Lost, must be Found. Hence, the title, "Lost, Then Found."

The Fast Fingers:  How long have you been writing?

David:  My first inspiration was when I was eleven years old. I wrote a poem about the colors of winter. I had long lost that original poem, but after my mom died, I went through her papers and there in her Bible was my actual poem written in unusually mature cursive in 1968. She had kept it for thirty-two years. Since then, I have written hundreds of poems and short stories, numerous military writing projects and articles for professional journals. So, all in all I have been writing for forty-four years.

The Fast Fingers:  What made you decide to publish a book of this genre?

David:  There are three reasons I chose, for better or for worse, to write a Christian Speculative Fiction Novel. First, I wanted to meet a perceived vacuum of well written fiction geared for Christian young people, specifically young men. Second, I wanted to counter the literary phenomena of evil being used to defeat evil because good was too weak. Third, great adventure books had a huge impact on my life as a boy. I spent many a hot summer's day reading "Treasure Island", "Two Little Savages", and all the adventures of Tarzan. I thought it was my turn to return the favor.

The Fast Fingers:  After this book, are there more coming?

David:  Absolutely. The second novel in the "Winged Dagger Chronicles" is in first draft now. It is a little more mature, but still very exciting and Christian oriented. Also, I have a draft of a novella complete about a genius deaf boy and his reluctant homebody friend as they journey to a strange island. Additionally, I have a series of five children's books complete all waiting to find the right artist to complete the project. I genuinely hope the reading public enjoys reading these projects as much as I enjoy writing them.