A Light in Dark Places...

A city on a hill.  Candles in the darkness.  Witnesses in the world.  Ambassadors for heaven.  The light of the world.  To leave a testimony is perhaps the greatest calling a writer, or anyone, can strive to achieve.  We are unique.  Different stories and different lives, that is what makes the world's canvas such a unique portrait.  Is that picture portraying Christ?  Authors have the unique opportunity to use stories.  That was one of the biggest lessons I took away from my last (and first!) writer's conference.  The world of literature for young adults is a dark, dark place.  But darkness gives us a chance to contrast.  How can the light of hope shine without the grim, gritty, struggling, striving war we often call daily life?

I would refer to this as plot!  It is difficult to maintain a sense of story without an issue arising.  After all, Hobbits would never go on adventures unless there was a conflict worth leaving the comfort of their holes.  Aslan would have never brought ordinary children to the extraordinary if there was not some great task they could accomplish.  Tasks nobody else could complete.  Authors are all different.  The next time you pick up a book, check the author's style.  Do they describe with large, grand words?  Do they prefer short, staccato sentences?  Is there a trend in perspectives?  Do dystopian novels just work extremely well in first person?  That just goes to show the diversity among our traits, talents, and traditions.  Isn't that grand?  Authors can accomplish much, and I would encourage writer's to use their gifts for hope's sake.  My own admission is to shine Christ's light.  Maybe my characters have been pushed to their limit.  Maybe there is absolutely no way everyone can come out alive.  Perhaps there isn't a solution to the world's problems.  But determination and perseverance are curious things.  If my writing has inspired simply one person, and God is glorified, my work is complete.  Our treasure is not stored up in earthly things.

"What are we holding onto, Sam?" Frodo inquired hopelessly.

Sam took his friend's arm and pulled him to his feet. "That's there's still good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for!"

(DISCLAIMER... author may break into Lord of the Rings quotes at ANY given time... my personal opinion is that there is a Lord of the Rings quote for everything)

-KMB