From Ride the Fire to Mateo

When I finished writing my third book, Ride the Fire, which takes place in my beloved León, Nicaragua, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I had not only told the story of my skateboarding friends, but also the story of a city and close-knit community that had become part of my own life.

While waiting for Amazon to publish the book, I found myself asking a simple question: What story comes next?

Once I settled on the basic premise for Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word, I knew the setting would be just as important as the story itself.

A story about Bible history and a mysterious Bible that transports a young boy into the events of Scripture needed to unfold in a place that felt authentic and believable. For me, there was no better setting than the peaceful beauty of Nicaragua's Miraflor Nature Reserve. The quiet mountain villages, breathtaking landscapes, and slower pace of life seemed like the perfect home for a story like Mateo's.

Then the research began.

Of course, the biblical events themselves had to remain faithful to Scripture. But that was only the beginning. Mateo wouldn't simply witness Bible history. He would experience the people, the sights, the sounds, and the emotions surrounding each event.

His own world also had to come alive. The daily life of a twelve-year-old boy growing up on a small family farm couldn't merely serve as a backdrop. His family, friends, school, and community would all help shape the young man he was becoming.

If a boy that young were suddenly thrust into extraordinary experiences such as the Tower of Babel, he would need trusted guides to help him understand what he had seen.

Those guides became two of my favorite characters to write: Father Tomás and Mateo's grandmother, Doña Rosa.

As the story developed, I discovered that they weren't simply supporting characters. They became the steady voices of wisdom, faith, and encouragement that every young adventurer needs.

In future Behind the Story articles, I'll introduce you to Father Tomás, Doña Rosa, Verbum Aeternum, and many of the other characters and places that helped bring Mateo's world to life.

I hope you'll join me as we continue the journey.