“All Light and Darkness” was inspired by the Israel-Hezbollah War that broke out in Lebanon in 2006, just before my senior year of high school. Somehow, my hormone-soaked teenage brain caught on this conflict, and I found myself delving into the details, particularly the plight of the refugees. It was the first time I woke up to the rest of the world, and it altered the course of my life. Consequently, when I wrote the first draft of “All Light and Darkness,” I couldn’t shake the memory of those events and the terrible forces that plague our lives, bringing us together or tearing us apart.
Additionally, there’s some of my own concerns embedded in the story, as so often happens in writing. I grew up moving every 3-5 years. Consequently, I learned to avoid making deep friendships. Why invest the time and energy only to be separated in a few years? Not only did this shrivel my ability to put down roots and cultivate a sense of home, I also began to view relationships in terms of expiration dates. I grew into an adult expecting others to leave me, or to be left by me. It’s a lonely existence and not one I wish on anyone.
Ultimately, “All Light and Darkness” explores the forces that compete in our lives. Good and evil. Self-perception. Past, present, and future. Grief and relief. Community and isolation. It’s a story of how the past overshadows the future, and the courage required to accept the darkness and embrace the light.
Music involved in the making of this story:
– “The Sound of Silence” cover by Disturbed.
– “Demons” by Guster.
– “Mit dir chillin” by Revolverheld.
Amy Henrie Gillett 