The Story Behind Waterlily, Utah

When people ask me where Waterlily, Utah came from, I often smile, because the answer isn’t simple. It wasn’t just an idea that popped into my head one day; it was a collection of experiences, questions, and truths I’ve carried for years.

At its heart, Waterlily, Utah is more than a psychological thriller. It’s a story about identity, hidden truths, and redemption. Yes, there are twists, suspense, and a touch of romance, but underneath it all lies a question I’ve wrestled with personally: Who are we, really, when everything else is stripped away? Growing up, I faced my share of challenges, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Being adopted, navigating life with special needs, and trying to find my place in a family of 37 siblings gave me a unique perspective on belonging. I learned early on that truth can be both painful and freeing, and that every person carries a story deeper than what we see on the surface. Those lessons became the seed for this novel.The characters in Waterlily, Utah wrestle with brokenness, justice, faith, and forgiveness. Some are hiding, some are searching, and some are running toward a truth they’re not ready to face. In many ways, they mirror parts of myself and parts of all of us.I chose the setting of Utah because of its contrast: a place of breathtaking beauty and open skies, but also of shadows and silence. Just like the human heart, it holds both wonder and secrets.More than anything, my hope is that readers walk away from Waterlily, Utah feeling two things: seen and hopeful. Seen, because the struggles of the characters reflect the struggles so many of us live quietly every day. Hopeful, because even in darkness, there is always a path toward light, truth, and redemption.Writing this book was a journey in itself. It tested my patience, stretched my imagination, and reminded me again why storytelling matters. Stories give us a way to process the unspoken, to heal through imagination, and to connect with one another in ways ordinary conversation cannot.Thank you for taking this journey with me through Waterlily, Utah. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what parts of the story spoke to you. And if you haven’t yet, maybe now is the time to discover the secrets waiting in its pages.

— Luke Briggs