Introducing: The Torch Keepers

Back in October, God gave me a story.  But the story's beginning goes even further back.

I remember seeing a picture online several years ago.  It was a portrait of a beautiful, European girl who looked like someone you'd see in prom photos.  Long, golden hair, beaming smile.

But the article underneath shocked me.  The girl left her home and traveled to a middle eastern country.  She became a terrorist.

I stared at the picture and wondered how someone could do that.  How they could have so much pain inside that would make them join a group of people who murdered for fun.  Who thought death was just a way of life.

It's horrible.  But I look back now and realize that the picture of the girl was the beginning of a story God was only beginning to write inside me.

Last October, I had a college assignment to write a short story.  Without realizing it, I wrote the story of that girl's life—someone who made the decision to join an Islamic terrorist group.  It sounds horribly graphic, but, somehow, I found God through writing about that evil.  Because despite the tragic pain in the story and in the world, He is strong.  And He is King.

I received feedback from the other students.  Two girls scribbled on the back of the story, "I think this should be part of a longer work."

I rolled my eyes when I read it; I was already so busy working on my other novel, Emblem of Hope.  I wonder if God laughed at my silly thoughts.

Because this summer, He lead me through writing a novel based off of that little story.  It was written and edited in two months—something I literally can't do in my own strength at. all.  And He gave me the opportunity to enter it into this novel contest.

Almost a year after writing that first short story, I'm here shaking my head.  The Torch Keepers is a fantasy novel (a genre I never wanted to write).  And, by His grace, it won the novel contest (see the list of winners here!).

Although revision will certainly come in the future, I'm so thrilled to discover where He takes The Torch Keepers!  My hope is to have it published by the beginning of next summer, but I'm taking it a day at a time.  Next up: writing the sequel.

But before I begin that, here are some sneak peeks into The Torch Keepers... a synopsis, some pictures that inspired the book, and Biblical verses that transformed it into the story it is today.

I can't wait for you to read the story!  But, until then, here's something to pique your interest.  And as I begin writing book #2, I'd savor your prayers for God's wisdom and grace in the writing process.

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The Torch Keepers

synopsis

A fiery revolution sweeps across the kingdom of Érkeos, and each person must choose a side. Kadira—a girl set apart to serve the King—loses those most dear to her. When she meets Rekém, the Liberation warrior sent to kill her, she questions the King's ways. As hearts and lives hang in the balance, Kadira and Rekém's decisions could bring destruction or liberation to the entire kingdom.

........

   

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,

And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.

- Isaiah 35:1

Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool. 

- Isaiah 1:18

For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 

- Psalm 18:28

So—there it is!  There is so much I could tell you about this novel, so many God moments of inspiration and passages that He used to tell this story.  But I can't give away the whole adventure, so you'll just have to wait.

In the meantime, let's chat!  What part of the writing process is most daunting to you?  Have you ever given a story completely to God, letting Him write it through your fingers?  What questions do you have about The Torch Keepers, and what upcoming writing posts would you like to see about it?

As I'm preparing to outline book #2, I'm looking back and remembering how He is always faithful.  There are many unknowns in life, but that's okay.  He writes my story.

And Jesus wrote the story of that girl who became a terrorist.  I wonder if He cried at the pain she brought herself like I cry when I have to do it to my characters.  I don't know where the girl is, what she's done, if she's even alive anymore, but The Torch Keepers is the story I wish she could read.  I wish I could stand next to her and tell her that there's still grace.  That she can be forgiven.

But I can't.  So today I'm telling you, dear friend, there's grace.  And remember, Jesus is writing your story too.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

- John 14:27

~♥~