Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Thyme Lewis
Book Title: All The Way In
Released: 07/17/26
Genre: Adult Thriller & Suspense
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “All The Way In”?
Lewis: My deployment with FEMA to Puerto Rico, which I volunteered to do while addressing Florida disaster in 2017. In the military service, it is common to hear the line, "never volunteer.” It only seems instinctual to me for obvious reasons. But, I have always leaned in to help and the intersections of danger, excitement, and curiosity, doing so led me on a path I couldn’t not write about. Most of what is in this book is purely fiction, but I could say the exact opposite and both would be true. It seemed only natural to write what you know and if you are honest and imaginative, the story woven is worth the read. Revisiting this book is a thrill ride every time I jump in to any section and I know the journey of this road is less travelled and worth sharing.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Lewis: Mac was a given. He is the through character born in A Week’s Worth, the first of the MacGuffin Series. His origin was a combination of my cousin MacGurrin’s first name, which is my mother and aunt’s maiden last name. And I just think Mac feels like a name you can rely on. His full name, Jack MacGuffin sounds solid. And Mac for short works. Like John Hammer or Jack Reacher. It is a name that means the man is capable of whatever needs getting done. I’d like to think my name is that as well, but we cannot use our own names. No ego here. Wink wink. Sidebar; I did use real names in a fable I wrote titled, Timian Goes To Norway. A fun read with lot’s of mischief. Timian is the Norwegian word for the spice thyme, pronounced without the h.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Lewis: I write systematically and I do it daily very early in the morning. I don’t use my phone nor think about anything else but hot water, coffee and my computer. Unless, I am free handing in cursive. Rare.
If "All The Way In" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Lewis: Fantastic question and one that brings so many faces immediately into play. But these men might be better when they were ten years younger. Examples include the late Chadwick Boseman for his considerate performance in Marshall as Thurgood Marshall. Alan Ritchson, leaned down to 220 lbs for his no nonsense, systematic, pragmatic way. Glen Powell could be good. Charming, sharp-tongued and wicked in a fun way. Pedro Pascal for his performance in Game of Thrones as he navigated arch enemies with underhanded callousness and wicked humor. Definitely and younger Michael Kelly, who I have become increasingly fond of for his recent work in Lioness. I also like my friend Thad Luckinbill a lot. He plays Kyle in Lioness and we occasionally train together at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach. And then there’s me. I could do it. I really could and have a blast playing Mac.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Lewis: Uncomplicate my life and detach from the overload of whatever has added up to being too much.
If you could have dinner with any character you’ve written, who would it be—and what would you talk about?
Lewis: Honestly, I enjoy having dinner with all of them at a round table read thru of the script. Then discuss all the organic thoughts that come up and where each might go in the books or films to come. Maybe strange giving that much value-power to actors for input while my subconscious has done the creating, but I do see value in that. I had an interesting conversation with my neighbor Glenn about Taylor Sheridan and his brilliant writing style on so many hit television shows. Specifically, in the latest Lioness, I wondered if he had done exactly that for the storyline. It is a great flip on its head for the third season. If you know, you know what I’m talking about. Going in instead of outward. The show is called Lioness after all.
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected place you’ve gotten a story idea from?
Lewis: Really fun. I was just in Stockholm, Sweden and exploring museums with a friend. A series of funny things happened that we both noticed and began questioning what exactly was happening to make these various people act so strangely. I wrote them down. Then remembered a conversation I had had a week earlier in Oslo, Norway with dear friends Hilde Henriksen and her sister, author Lena Lindahl. Suddenly, I had not one, but two books already formed instantly in my mind’s eye. The first being, The Undercover Detective and the second, Timian Goes To Norway. The Undercover Detective came from me questioning people’s behavior. Not directly to their faces, but to my friend as a, "what if” as we tried to navigate why they’d done such strange things. Organically, I thought it would be fun to have a genius kid too naive to know better, calling people out all the time on things that brought about outrageous consequences. And of course, he had to have a girlfriend to help add to the chaos and comedy of the situations. I began writing immediately, but not the way I had imagined. It took me three weeks to complete Timian Goes To Norway and I’ve still not completed The Undercover Detective. But it is manuscripted and ready for me to dive in when a window opens.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Lewis: Well, I think our thoughts are most important, so I gravitate too As a Man Thinketh, revised by Marc Allen to As You Think. It is a self navigating book that clears the path to a better life internally. For me in my day to day journey of thoughts, health, inner wealth, creativity and friendships.
What are you working on next?
Lewis: Well, I am biting at the bit to get into The Undercover Detective. However, the business side of me is reminding me to switch hats and apply the marketing side to continue driving sales. That is the responsible business side of balance. I will wrap up books 4 and 5 of Willa The Magical Whale first. Then finish books 3, 4 and 5 of Trilla The Magical Gorilla, which should really be mischievous and a perfect push into The Undercover Detective. Once that is done, probably the tasty thriller, Come Get Me. It is the sequel to All The Way In and takes place in San Francisco, then Thailand, and maybe one other location.
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