MishaI’ve spent the week in bed with COVID. (Zero stars. I don’t recommend.) As a result, I listened to audiobooks this week. Some were new. Some were old favorites.
One was a story I had enjoyed the first time I read it, but was surprised this time around to discover how distasteful it was to me. It’s a well-written fantasy adventure with good twists and surprises, good character development, but the soul of it was Machiavellian. A young boy is being groomed to overthrow a kingdom. He’s not a good boy and he is regularly tortured and set against other boys. It isn’t a book for inspiring young people so much as the author’s attempt to write a chilling page-turner, which she did.
I’ve been thinking about it. As Christian storytellers, it’s our duty to infuse the literary world with light. Yet we are competing against the intrigue of darkness. How can we do this well?
I would argue that we have to deal with its existence. I have a hard time writing villains because I don’t like hanging out in darkness. As I was researching ghosts for my novel, the top of a perfume bottle in my bathroom exploded for no reason. I was rebuking demons and playing my Christian music after that. Ick. But still, I had to imagine darkness, the kind that would kill children and maim beauty, while still being appealing enough for millions to follow them. I had to imagine life under that kind of deception, that one is willing to dismiss goodness and embrace death-cults. What lies does it tell people? I think this is how our villains are convincing.
A friend of mind gave her testimony years ago. She came out of a dark place when she encountered the Lord. She said, “When you live in darkness, the light is unmistakable.”
Now when I write, I think of how I might describe Christian truth as light set against darkness. I try to note compelling darkness in our world and study the ways it’s just twisted enough for people to buy into it. I try to imagine what it would take for those same people to see it for what it is. Then I write it and hope these ideas reach young minds and give them real weapons against the darkness in their own lives.
Light does not fear darkness, it merely shines.
Tracy Popolizio
Carol Eaton
Sharon Rene
Great post, Misha! And something I’ve been battling as well lately. “To infuse the literary world [especially YA} with light”. That is my goal. Thanks for the encouragement!
Good post and great to remember that the light always beats the dark. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that but we know God is always in control. Hope you feel better soon.
I appreciate your thought provoking comments. I love it when Christian authors write page turners with a redemptive element, nudging the reader to look beyond the darkness and to God. Take care and get well!