Kip A. Lacey Explores Depths Of Pain, Redemption, And Suspense In His Thrilling Novels

Photo: Kip A. Lacey, Bentonville-based suspense novelist, stands with Cooper the dog, crafting emotionally charged stories that explore loss, redemption, and truth.

A Writer’s Journey Through Trauma And Truth

Kip A. Lacey shares his creative process, influences, and emotional storytelling behind Closure and The In Between, while teasing his newest work, The Book of Pain.

Kip A. Lacey’s name has quickly become synonymous with emotionally gripping suspense fiction that leaves readers spellbound. A masterful storyteller with a gift for weaving the personal and the profound, Lacey crafts tales that delve deep into human vulnerability, resilience, and the intricate dance between trauma and redemption. His novels, Closure and The In Between, are more than narratives; they are visceral explorations of loss, pain, and the raw desire to make sense of life’s challenges. Richly textured and brimming with complexity, these books resonate long after the final page has turned. Through his prose, Lacey compels readers to confront their own reflections in the tangled lives of his unforgettable characters.

Here at Mosaic Digest, we celebrate the literary brilliance of authors who shape culture and inspire thought—and Kip is undoubtedly a writer on our radar. Whether he’s drawing inspiration from his own experiences or imagining new depths of anguish and redemption, Lacey demonstrates the rare ability to connect with readers on a deeply personal level. With The Book of Pain on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate another masterpiece from this rising star in suspense fiction. It is our pleasure to share the essence of his creative journey, storytelling philosophy, and personal influences in this exclusive interview.

Dive into the insights of Kip, a writer whose stories remind us all of the fascinating spaces between pain and healing, right and wrong, and truth and imagination.

Kip captivates readers with emotionally resonant storytelling, masterful suspense, and characters that linger long after the final page.

What inspired me to write a novel? How did I begin the process?

I had always wanted to write a novel. My mother and grandmother were avid readers, so I began reading suspense fiction novels at an early age. I knew what appealed to me and what kept the pages turning late into the night. I loved the suspense, the urgency of impending doom. With this in mind and very little idea of the long process ahead of me, I sat in front of my laptop and began to type.

With Closure I had the first two lines, “I’m not much of a writer. I’m not much of anything at all,” and the scene. A searing summer morning at the airport. I had the beginning and an idea of an ending, where Jack, the main character, would return to the airport. But, that never happened. As I wrote, the story changed. A lot!

“I had always wanted to write a novel. My mother and grandmother were avid readers, so I began reading suspense fiction novels at an early age.” – Kip A. Lacey

Closure has been described as a suspenseful exploration of loss, pain and redemption—how much of the emotional core of the story was drawn from your own experiences or reflections?

In Closure, much of Jack’s story is taken from familiarities in my own life, love and career. Though the process was cathartic, I was much crueler to Jack in Closure than life has been to me. Then again, you write what you know. So, when the day came that I sat down at my laptop and began this journey into the unknown, I typed about what I had experienced. Some occurrences were real, while others were entirely fictional. I will leave it to the reader to decide which is which.

“In my naivety, I believed that writing a novel would be the end of the story. It was only the beginning.” – Kip A. Lacey

Your next book, The In Between — what can readers expect in terms of tone and themes, and did you intentionally broaden your scope or take a new stylistic approach?

In some ways, Closure and The In Between share a similar tone in their portrayal of personal anguish and the characters’ attempts to find answers. In The In Between, there is loss and pain in every character’s past that has changed their lives and altered their futures. Desperately, they seek to right what once went wrong, no matter the sacrifice. They are caught in between right and wrong, darkness and light, and love and hate.

In the In Between, I guarded against a grander approach or scale. Many times in art, we try to build upon something that worked well the first time, making it bigger, better, faster, and louder the next time around—and it ends up being half as much fun.

As an indie author with a growing presence on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon, what lessons have you learned about connecting with readers and managing promotion alongside writing?

It has definitely been a learning experience. Much like everything else during this journey, every detail has been new. In my naivety, I believed that writing a novel would be the end of the story. It was only the beginning. Learning about Amazon advertising, campaigns, promotions, placements, targeting, clicks, and impressions was, and still is, new to me. After all this time, I still do not have a firm grasp on the science behind it all. I am learning more every day. Along the way, I had the pleasure of touring bookstores and having book signings. I love getting feedback and speaking to the people who enjoy my books!

“Even though I try to be disciplined, my process has been somewhat scattered throughout both novels and the third one that I am currently writing.” – Kip A. Lacey

Your bio mentions your life in southeast Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas—how have your surroundings and personal life shaped your storytelling and creative routine?

Again, as a writer, you write what you know. In both books, there are jobs, sports, careers and locations I have lovingly borrowed from. In Closure, Jack grew up on a farm and worked as a technologist in healthcare. Both of which I have done and still do. Jack also goes through physical therapy for a sports injury which I have experienced as well. In The In Between, two separate characters played baseball, which I did as a youngster. And Havenville is quite like the small town in Kansas where I spent my youth, in structure thankfully, not character.

Now that you’ve written two novels, how has your writing process or mindset evolved? Are you more disciplined or experimental compared to when you first started?

Great question. Even though I try to be disciplined, my process has been somewhat scattered throughout both novels and the third one that I am currently writing. I am not the type who can sit and write for hours on end and have the words be gold. I wish I were! I do not have an outline. I have no idea where the story is going, or even what will happen next. Each chapter is as much of a surprise to me as it is to the reader.

Unfortunately, it takes me some time to discover the right emotion—the right feel. There are times when the words and ideas come easily, and I try to take advantage of those moments for sure. I write dialogue well, so when in trouble, I stick with what I do best.

As time has gone by and I write more, I realize that my first draft is just that. It is a draft. I can polish it later. The inner critic has less power now, although he is still talking quite a bit. I can tune him out more now than when I began.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Kip Lacey masterfully crafts suspenseful, emotionally charged narratives that captivate readers, blending human fragility with breathtaking twists and revelations.

Kip Lacey’s Closure is a gripping tale that keeps readers questioning reality at every turn. Jack Thompson’s seemingly perfect life collapses in a single moment, plunging him into poverty, suspicion, and despair. Lacey’s writing skillfully explores loss, betrayal, and resilience, creating a protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth is as compelling as his descent into chaos. The novel’s twists and revelations are masterfully paced, keeping readers hooked until its violent and shocking conclusion. The emotional depth of Jack’s journey resonates strongly, making Closure not only a suspenseful thriller but also a poignant exploration of human fragility. Lacey’s debut is a powerful reminder that life’s certainties can shatter in an instant, leaving haunting questions of what is real.