Faith, Hope and Charity: Faith by Rebecca Seaton

 

Faith, Hope and Charity: Faith by Rebecca Seaton

‘Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.’ James 2:17

Our faith permeates who we are and is expressed in different ways in our daily lives. If our faith is important to us, then this will be evident in our writing. This is more explicit in Christian writing but it is still worth thinking about which aspects of faith you might be trying to convey. In secular writing, this is less obvious but faith in someone or something will inevitably guide your main character. The following points are worth considering:

Who or what do your characters have faith in?

This could be God as we know Him, or gods or spiritual beings devised for the story. Either way, what does it mean to have faith in them? What are the actions by which your characters’ faith is evident? This could be big events or simply a whispered prayer at a key moment. How do the names or attributes of their god crop up in conversation?

They might have faith in leaders – this could be a wise ruler or simply a parent or mentor. Does their faith in that person/being clash with other reactions to them? The conflict between trusting a leader but feeling frustrated by their rules is a good starting point to provoke a rebellious character into action. A deeper knowledge of their leader might help them towards a wider journey of faith.

Faith when it brings victory

The call for help answered by the person they have faith in is well-used in fantasy and I’ve definitely demonstrated my characters’ faith as they trust their gods when others have given up. Faith in people is often demonstrated in a similar way. In the Harry Bosch novels and TV series, Harry and his partner, J. Edgar, have faith in each other despite obstacles in their friendship along the way. When the story comes to a climax, there’s no question of who Bosch will go to.

Faith when it’s challenged

What if who/what you’ve had faith in doesn’t seem to work? In my novel, A Silent Song, Els’ victory and reliance on the gods in the third battle comes after a period in the wilderness where she struggles with her faith after a significant bereavement. If someone really has faith in someone, this is often best demonstrated when they have faith despite the odds.

You don’t have to been writing about God or your own faith to demonstrate the impact faith can have. If you want to practise this, why not write a scene from your current WIP where your character has faith in a person or ideal and then rewrite it as if they don’t. Can you see the difference? Chances are your audience will too.

 

 

 

Rebecca Seaton came second place in the 2017-18 Pen to Print Book Challenge with her first novel, A Silent Song, which explores issues of faith, forgiveness and belonging.

 

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