Writing in the Dark: How to Craft Suspense with Light at the Core

By Darlene L. Turner

There’s something gripping about a story cloaked in shadows. The kind that makes your heart pound, your breath hitch, and your eyes race across the page. But as a suspense author who also writes with a spiritual message, I’ve learned that the most powerful stories aren’t just drenched in darkness—they carry the flicker of light that refuses to be snuffed out.

That truth became the heartbeat of my upcoming book, Echoes of Darkness. When I began writing Oaklynn Brock’s story, I knew it would be intense. The emotional weight she carries. The terrifying crimes she investigates. The evil lurking just beneath the surface. But I also knew this—there would be hope. A God-given light that would shine in the bleakest of corners.

So how do you write stories that dig deep into suspense and still breathe hope? Let’s talk about what it means to write in the dark—with the light as your guide.

1. Start With a Spiritual Foundation

Every story I write begins with a verse. One of my favorite verses is John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

That truth shaped everything—the theme, the characters, even the villain’s lies. As Christian authors, our calling is more than just telling a gripping tale. It’s to offer readers a glimpse of God’s presence in the midst of chaos. So before you map your plot or name your hero, ask yourself: What light do I want to shine through this darkness?

2. Create Characters Who Struggle—but Don’t Stay There

It can be challenging to write about heroes and heroines who carry scars like betrayal, loss, and fear. But that’s what makes them real. Relatable.

When writing suspense, we sometimes fear making our characters too broken. But the truth is—readers connect most with characters who wrestle with doubt, grief, and questions. Just don’t leave them stuck. Let them fight forward and let God work in their story to complete their arc. Let the light pierce their darkness.

3. Don’t Be Afraid of the Shadows

Suspense, by nature, lives in the shadows. And that’s okay.

Readers may ask, “How do you write about such dark things and still keep your stories hopeful?” My answer: Because we have to show the darkness to reveal how bright the light truly is. The evil in the world is real. The enemy is cunning. But he is not victorious.

Sometimes our characters confront true evil. But it never gets the final word. The final word belongs to truth. To healing. To God.

So, write the crime scenes. Let your villain whisper lies. Show your characters breaking under the weight of what they face—but never forget that redemption is coming.

4. Use Symbolism to Show Hope

One of my favorite scenes I recently wrote was when my heroine finds herself locked in a room that she had tried so hard to escape from as a child. It’s dark. She’s isolated. Surrounded by lies. But then—a small flicker. A flash of lightning. A reminder that she’s not alone, and she finally realizes God has always been there.

These moments matter. They symbolize God’s light breaking through the storm.

When you’re writing suspense, weave in tangible reminders of hope. A dog tag engraved with Scripture. A child’s laughter in the middle of chaos. A character’s whispered prayer. These small details leave a big impact and offer your readers a breath of air when things get heavy.

5. Let God Have the Final Word

As Christian writers, we plant seeds of truth. We tell stories that may start in the dark but end in the light. That doesn’t mean tying everything up with a neat bow, but it does mean leaving your reader with hope.

We want readers to feel seen. To know that even if they’re walking through their own valley of shadows, they’re not alone. God is there—reaching into the darkness with His steady, unstoppable light.

So, to my fellow authors writing stories of suspense, don’t be afraid of the dark. Step into it. Write it with honesty. But always, always point to the light.

Because somewhere out there, a reader needs your story to remind them that even in the darkest
place… God is still there.

And the darkness will not overcome it.

Which part of writing suspense do you find the hardest—balancing tension, crafting villains, or weaving in hope? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Darlene L. Turner is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com.