Northwest Louisiana native and Louisiana Tech graduate Will Tolar has unveiled his inaugural novel, “The Lion in the Thicket.” Residing in Cotton Valley with his wife, Laura, Tolar drew inspiration for the book from a challenging period in his life, which led to a transformative writing journey.
Tolar, who had never considered himself a writer, revealed, “I had no clue that I had the ability to write. If the story is inside of you, it has to come out of you. Sometimes it takes something very dark for it to come out of you.”
The author, known for his positive outlook, faced a profound struggle during a period marked by depression and doubt. Tolar likened it to being “like Jonah in the whale — it was dark, and I was alone.” Seeking guidance, he consulted a pastor/therapist and made a decisive choice to reclaim control over his actions and emotions.
“I just decided that it didn’t matter how I felt or what situation I was in, I was going to do what I wanted to do. And after that, the light slowly came on. The voice in my head became quiet, and my anxiety went away,” Tolar explained.
Following this internal transformation, Tolar experienced a vision.
“Then one day I had this vision that I was rescuing people,” said Tolar. “That I was this dark figure who was doing good.” The next night he had the same vision, and Tolar said, “God, for a year You haven’t said anything. Are You going to start talking now?” and the reply was, “Why don’t you write down something and see what happens.” Tolar sat down with his laptop and started writing. After a couple of weeks, he had the first chapter completed, and he asked a mentor to read it. She was profoundly touched by what he had written and encouraged him to continue.
The novel revolves around Paul Schaffer, a character grappling with restarting life after his wife dies, leaving him with a newborn. Accepting a new job in a nursing home, Schaffer encounters an elderly former contract killer named John Hunt. Hunt’s narrative unfolds, detailing a transformative encounter with a lion in a thicket that led to healing and love.
Reflecting on the novel’s message, Tolar emphasized, “If you feel stuck in life, you need to take some drastic risk, you need to do something that scares you. Our comfort zone holds us back. Nothing grows from comfort.”
“The Lion in the Thicket” offers diverse takeaways, from the redemptive and healing aspects to a call for embracing the unknown in one’s spiritual journey. Tolar encourages readers of various backgrounds to find resonance in the narrative.
The novel is available for purchase on platforms including Amazon, Books-A-Million, and Walmart. Will Tolar’s debut work promises a compelling exploration of resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of the divine in the face of life’s challenges.
