Lux ex Tenebris by Rebecca Seaton

 

Lux ex Tenebris by Rebecca Seaton

        A local school has this motto, meaning ‘light from darkness’. It also fits with a word God gave me which is keeping me going in a dark context at work.

But what does it mean for the writer?

What do we bring as light?

We offer hope. Above all, our writing, whether overtly Christian or not, offers a world view where light is stronger than darkness, not it’s equal or lesser, as the world often suggests. We can write stories where light triumphs and always will, even when (some would say especially when) the darkness seems stronger. It can also show ways to hang on to the light: trusting God, living in the light, listening to the right people or information. Whether fantasy or contemporary fiction, we can provide a narrative where there is a hope worth fighting for.

How do we demonstrate this?

It’s really important that our characters aren’t holier than thou. I really like reading and writing about ambiguous characters who have to make a choice over the course of a book and even my best protagonists experience temptation – just as Jesus did. The darkness also needs to be palpable. The light comes from the darkness – it’s difference is evident by what it does within the dark context. It’s when your MC is in the deadly forest, has been betrayed by their friend or has finally gone in to battle against the Death Star that we see their mettle: and they see the light they can trust in. I think it’s also important that the light is evidently a higher power. This might be God if you are writing autobiographically or in an obviously religious context but could equally be a god/gods/magical power in a more fantastical context. What readers will see is the impact that following that light has.

After all, we follow a light that is real and who has us in His heart. That’s our testimony and the message of our writing.

 

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                     

 

Rebecca writes fantasy novels, wrangles cats, chicks and children in various capacities and is becoming increasingly obsessed with steampunk.