Finding God’s Grace in the Eye of the Storm

Posted on Jan 26, 2017 Topic : Fiction

We sat down with author Vannetta Chapman to discuss her latest novel, learn more about the dystopian fiction genre, and how she shares the gift of God's grace with her readers.

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Q: You are about to release Raging Storm, the second book in The Remnant series. This dystopian trilogy follows the courageous inhabitants of a small Texas town as they deal with the aftermath of a giant solar flare that has presumably destroyed the world’s electrical grid. In your research for this series, how plausible is this scenario in real life? Could this really happen?

A: My research indicates it’s a definite possibility. I don’t stay awake nights worrying about it (God is still in control), but I do have a little extra food in my pantry just in case our power system does go offline temporarily. NASA scientists have reported that there is a 12 percent chance a large storm will happen in the next 10 years. A recent assessment by the Department of Homeland Security reported to Congress that a massive electromagnet pulse event caused by a solar flare could leave more than 130 million Americans without power for years.

Q: For fiction readers who aren’t aware, exactly what classifies a novel as dystopian?

A: The best, simplest definition I know is an imperfect world—the opposite of utopian which is a perfect world. The Remnant series describes a world vastly different than the one we live in, one where we know longer have the luxuries we’ve come to expect from society. At the same time, I wanted to make this series different from others like it by emphasizing how life could be better in some ways in a post-technological world. Everyone would know their neighbor again. Commuting would be a thing of the past. Faith would become more of a central part of our society.

Q: You are well known for your Amish mystery and Amish romance novels. What drew you to this specific genre? Was your approach different for these books and what excites you most about the dystopian genre?

A: We’ve laughed that what Amish and dystopian genres have in common is no electricity, but actually that’s true. And how we would respond to that change might look something like how the Amish live today—a simpler life, a slowed down schedule, a reconnection with each other and with the land. I had way too much fun writing these stories, basically because I believe we would rise to the challenge and that our faith would endure.

Q: On your website, you describe yourself as an “author of fiction full of grace." Can you speak to the role that grace plays in your own life as a believer and how you weave it into your novels?

A: Like everyone else, my life has been a series of ups and downs—of tragedies and celebrations. When I look back, and when I look forward, it’s all colored by God’s grace. I can’t imagine going through such times without knowing with absolute certainty of the love that God has for me, for my family, for each of us. And that is always the theme of my books—that God’s grace is sufficient.

Q: Without including any spoilers, can you give a quick preview of Light of Dawn, the third and final installment in this series? What can we expect as this trilogy comes to a close?

A: I had so much fun writing Light of Dawn. Max and Shelby and Carter head north, out of Texas, looking for the new government. Along the way, they are challenged and tested and surprised by the things they see. They also come to understand that even though this new world has its terrible risks and dangers, it also brings them closer together, brings them in contact with courageous, Godly people (the Remnant), and causes them to fully and completely embrace their faith. Readers can expect an ending full of hope…and a focus on what God has done and will continue to do for his people.