I started writing in 2011, and for 9 years I have experienced an aloneness in the lack of participating in a writer’s community. Despite much local community support and interest, as far as being part of a writers’ community, I have felt like one small voice speaking into the wind of modern industrial society, the powerful wind that blows the opposite way. This aloneness pertains to many missing elements, the peer group of writers for children, the peer group that is concerned with the more-than-human dimension, and even the technical dilemma of not having an editor (a children’s book editor) and a consistent graphic artist. This slowly has come into place with the generous appearance of Lisa P Allen, my editor, and subsequently Christina Wightman, my graphic designer. I am very grateful for their glowing participation.

Further, to my great joy, through a certain collection of books that I have been immersed in reading this spring, I have found that I DO belong to a writer’s community of thought and soul perceptions. I was first led into this by Bill Plotkin’s Nature and the Human Soul – Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World. Through his writings I was introduced to Thomas Berry’s, Evening Thoughts – Reflecting on Earth as Sacred Community. And further, Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry’s The Universe Story – From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era – A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos (Whew! Long titles, but inspirational and illustrative).

Finding my writer’s community, the stream of thoughts and perceptions held by other writer’s has given me a tremendous boost and confidence, as you can imagine! I feel like I have arrived at the train platform, after walking through a wild and pathless land for 9 years!

I can only say to the Conscious Universe, “Thank you, thank you!” And also thank all my friends and local community for their support and interest all these years!

My Father Oct.4, 1923 – Feb. 24, 2020

Two months ago he passed, and every day I am grateful that he was spared the sorrow of the covid19 isolation…and I was spared being anguished about it.He demonstrated so much love and gratitude as he aged. And forgiveness. Transformation worked on him, that is a gift of his deepest essence (otherwise known as soul). He became the father he had never been.

I now sit and enjoy his creative output – especially his words in his many books – never edited! But so beautiful, despite the warts (as we all are!) He had a good go, and poured forth his life’s essence and artistic talents.

Sharing in his passing has been more beautiful than I could imagine! I feel he has poured the gifts of his ancestral line into me. Thank you for our travel on the road together, Dad.

With my enduring love,

Lila

This is one of my recent pictures for the third book – previously posted in its pale and unfinished genesis some time ago. The illustration is still not as bright as it is in reality, but it must be because of this dull pervasive winter light we are having!! (It’s snowing where we are!!)

I have been working for the last month and a half to get the website renovated, but meanwhile the third book in the Star Children series has gotten underway. I spent considerable time laying it all out this time so as not to run into problems near the end. Children’s books are quite defined by (usually) 32 pages. It’s a rigorous enterprise.

This is a fun book for me. It tells us about all the happenings Little Star is part of in the ensuing year, after his wonderful heart awakening. The lay-out will be a little different this time, as the two opposing pages will each be a picture, often connected. It is very interesting because I am painting two pictures sort of at the same time. What you see here are the two pictures, but with their first wash – so very pale.

I’m really thrilled to announce that Little Star – A Hidden Seed will arrive Dec. 20 in soft cover. This is actually Little Star Lost made new! The same story with simplified language and some new illustrations. Little Star Lost has been so well received by so many somewhat older readers. I felt a new version that spoke to the younger set was needed. This tells the same tender story of the little lost star child that finds his own heart. It is more readable for the younger audience, and more readable in a group setting (the pages will turn more quickly!) Both books are very beautiful, with the same rich, meaningful intention.

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If you are new to this site, here is the summation on the back cover:

By some wonderful Cosmic arrangement I have connected with an editor, the kind of editor I really need. She is sharp and clear, and so able to strike out unneeded text and unneeded scenes. Amazing! This has made me truly comprehend what a rigorous discipline it is to write for children. I mean, you can’t just write as much as you want! My metaphor for that is like having a beautiful embroidered and furlined winter coat and having to wrestle it into a teacup! What if what you want to say just doesn’t fit!?

Working with my editor has given me new inspiration and confidence in writing for children. It has led to some changes to Little Star Lost, which you will have a chance to enjoy in the new softcover.

Meet Lisa P Allen, from Winlaw. I am so grateful to have you to work with!

It’s been a long time since the last posting, but new directions have been developing!

The big news is that Luminescence will publish in softcovers. This is a huge saving in publishing costs and freight, and a saving in the retail cost for you.

I suppose part of the inspiration for softcovers was also a discovery when I had to clean out my father’s house, that hardcover books were not accepted for recycling. I think you have to get the covers off somehow, but that is a lot of struggling if you have 40 or 50 books to deal with, and then what do you do with the covers? So, hmmm, what are we doing?

The savings on printing softcover will allow me to finish the cycle of three books I envisaged about the Star Children much more quickly. I am very inspired about that. Gung ho in fact! I can hardly wait, as I already have my outline and research (yes, research!) done for the third book.

More big news coming shortly!