In this Author Spotlight interview, speculative fiction author Will Cooper invites us into a creative world shaped by curiosity, introspection, and an enduring belief in the power of stories. From a childhood spent exploring the woods and losing himself in books to early mornings dedicated to writing before the rest of the world wakes, Will reflects on the experiences, habits, and ideas that have shaped his journey as a writer. He shares his thoughts on finding an authentic voice, embracing doubt as part of the creative process, and using emotional vulnerability to forge deeper connections with readers. Influenced by the psychological depth and precision of Ian McEwan, Vladimir Nabokov, and J. M. Coetzee, Will explores questions of freedom, knowledge, human consciousness, and our evolving relationship with technology, themes that continue to shape The Lotus Trilogy. Through it all, his storytelling remains grounded in optimism and the belief that fiction can do more than reflect the world around us; it can help us imagine what might come next.