The inspiration behind the novel’s central theme—and what it taught me about healing.
When asked the theme of my intelligent espionage conspiracy thriller, my quick answer is “trust & betrayal.” My main character, Caterina Ellis, and second main character, André Marco Cabral Torres, both have trust issues. They’ve both been betrayed. After their betrayals, they each must decide how and who can be trusted again, if anyone at all.
These themes developed organically, but one day I recognized how they tied back to some of my past experiences. My betrayals were not life or death, or other such horribleness, thank God. But they did shatter my trust in myself and other people.
Safety vs. Trust
Through those experiences, I learned that if you don’t tell anyone your thoughts, feelings, dreams, or aspirations, there is no way to be hurt or disappointed by someone’s reaction or lack of reaction. If you don’t depend on people, you can’t get hurt. The safest place is without anyone.
But I also learned that trusting no one is an unhealthy way to live.
Living requires trust. It’s impossible to function in life without trust. On the most basic level, we have to trust that the drivers on the freeway won’t intentionally crash into us, that a store won’t rip us off, or that the barista won’t poison our coffee. But beyond that, humans are creatures of community. We benefit from support, encouragement, and love throughout our lives, and that is impossible if you don’t let anyone into your life.
But how can one move on after someone you completely trusted hurts you? You can’t just forget.
Life After Betrayal
As my two characters learn, sometimes you can try to make the best decisions in the moment and still end up betrayed. At that point, what matters is how one overcomes it. Do we grieve, learn, let go, and move on? Or do we cling to the negative emotions and take “justice” or revenge?
The real point I want to remind readers of is that being betrayed hurts. It’s awful. And when it’s someone you were vulnerable with, it can feel like your world is crashing down around you.
But there is still beauty in trust.
We still need to trust. We are not wired to function totally secluded—as I wrote earlier, it’s not healthy.
We also need to remember that people make mistakes. The one who betrayed us made a mistake—even if they don’t recognize it yet—and you make mistakes, and I make mistakes. But holding tight to anger toward them or toward yourself for trusting them never ends well—believe me.
Living in the wounds of betrayal breeds seclusion and bitterness. Living from the scars produces wisdom and strength.
Taking the risk to trust again can be scary, but it’s so important and rewarding.
Meet the Characters of The New Dawn!
An intelligent espionage conspiracy thriller.
My Hope for Readers
I think everyone has or will experience betrayal in life. Everyone is imperfect and it’s just a matter of time before people let us down (and we may not even realize when we make others feel betrayed).
What I hope for readers of my thriller, The New Dawn, is to give them an opportunity to explore their feelings in a safe fictional context and, ultimately, find avenues to heal. I want readers to close my book with a sense of hope that trust can happen after betrayal. To remember that the world is not completely bleak. There is hope for joy and safety ahead. It’s not the end.
I’ve been let down by many types of people. Christians, non-Christians, atheists, universe worshipers…. Those experiences have taught me that I can’t put ALL my trust and faith in humans. Yes, I need to trust them on some level, and be smart about who I’m vulnerable with, but the only Person safe to trust 100%, with no risk of negative repercussions, is God—Jesus Christ. Humans are fallible, even the most well-meaning ones who love us. He is not. He is the only Person who knows everyone’s mind, everyone’s intention, and has a plan for good after every betrayal.
Writing The New Dawn helped me on my journey of healing. I learned it’s possible to trust again after being betrayed, and that bitterness is an ill-advised coping mechanism. I hope reading this book will help readers as writing it helped me.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What themes resonate most with you in thrillers—and why? Share in the comments below.
This thriller is not yet published. Publishing journey updates are posted on this book page.
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S.J. Siedenburg is a thriller & fantasy novelist, an editor, and a bibliophile with a passion for stories and helping writers finish their novels. She’s the author of the guidebooks Character Presentation, Before the First Draft, and the How to Write a Novel online course. Six of her short stories have been published through writing contests. Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:5