A display writer for writing on a light writable display of the type having a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between two conductors, the cholesteric liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field; and a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the cholesteric liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal in response to an image wise pattern of light, the display writer including a flash lamp; a reflective light modulator for modulating light from the flash lamp an image wise pattern; optics for directing the image wise modulated light onto the light writable display; and means for applying an electrical field to the conductors of the display in conjunction with activation of the flash lamp.