Escapism vs. Reality

By Rose Dee

Escapism vs Reality

Images of inhumanity, violence, and hatred have been showing up on social media sites for months. These horrors of war play out as I scroll through my newsfeed. Some images I wish I could un-see so I can pretend they didn’t happen, but in my heart I know an awareness of these horrific events fosters a new understanding of what is worth fighting for, and what, as a citizen of a righteous country, I can do to help the innocent worldwide.

Then I sit down to my work in progress, a story about a young woman struggling to find her way through the complexities of western culture, and for once my story doesn’t feel enough. I wonder if I should be creating fictional characters with ‘real’ problems, like the ones currently facing Christians in these war-torn regions. Problems like where to get their next meal, how to protect their children, and where to run as they flee for their lives. My character, with her semi-troubled childhood and lost way, doesn’t compare with these heroic individuals who are facing terrible deaths because they refuse to deny their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

I have pondered the guts of my fiction writing ministry for some time, and have come to a few conclusions:

1. Comparing the fictional world of storytelling with the real life version of life and death is pointless. I have been given a heart and direction from the Lord to write entertaining stories with a message, not real-life stories, no matter how heroic. I need to be obedient to my God-given calling.
   
2. Nothing I do for God is in vain, even if at times my task seems insignificant compared to the problems the world is facing. At the end of the day, if He has a plan for my work, then I need to continue to the work to His completion.
   
3. No matter what atrocities face the world, escapism has always been a blessing. And the world needs more Christian escapism, stories with messages of faith holding all kinds of introductions to Jesus.

I decided to continue on my fiction path, while praying for a world in turmoil, brothers and sisters in need (no matter where they are), and the intervention of people willing to stand up. But also to continue to write my stories the way the Lord would have me write. If I do this, I know God’s mandate will be fulfilled in my life, as it will be for the world.

What are your thoughts on the role Christian authors play when looking at the current horrific events unfolding worldwide?

Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, was born in North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel, Back to Resolution.

Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women. Beyond Resolution and A New Resolution are the second and third books in the Resolution series.

Back to Resolution won the Bookseller’s Choice award at the 2012 CALEB Awards, while A New Resolution won the 2013 CALEB Prize for Fiction. She has also released The Greenfield Legacy, a collaborative novel, written in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian authors.

Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.