Who doesn't get excited about literature, art, culture,
and our unique and shared histories?
I know I do! And if you do too, come on in for my prose and poetry,
and let's connect on what's new and interesting in our world.
Historical Fiction Novel coming soon...
Empires of Stone and Spirit
How do you find power and peace in a dangerous world
without losing your soul?
Vengeance, justice, mercy, grace - which path would you choose?
Bio
For many years I wrote professionally during my work in health care planning, quality, and education, but for many years longer have written creatively on themes of love, spirit, nature, history, current events, and social justice. My poetry and essays have been published in newsletters, church programs, and a local literary journal, and are now featured on Substack.
Being retired now, I am happily devoting more time to my writing life in the Chicago area and connecting with others on this spiritual and creative journey. When not writing, there’s time with my handsome hubby and sweet little dog, family and friends, cooking, learning how to paint, trying to spend more time biking and less time scrolling, and striving to be a better neighbor in troubling times and shining a light in dark places.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
Fiction, Poetry & More
Empires of Stone and Spirit
Overview
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet,
then you must write it."
Toni Morrison
Empires of Stone and Spirit is a finished manuscript, spanning 25 years as my protagonist Iras, her friends and the men in her life wrestle with powers seen and unseen in first century Judea, Nubia, and Ephesus. My story is currently working its way through the publication journey, but in the meantime, see below a sneak peek at the overview. I'd love to hear what you think - feel free to check my Contact page for ways to stay updated on this project, and connected on all things creative!
Iras is on a quest to find power and peace in a dangerous world, without losing her soul. She enjoys the protection of the Roman Empire as handmaiden to Procula, wife of Pontius Pilate, and practices healing arts and herbal cures with guidance from the goddesses. Yet Iras finds little respite from the casual brutality just beyond the palace walls, or from the dark spirit festering within her.
She is hopeful after meeting a holy man in the desert, yet she unknowingly aids in his degradation as she serves at a banquet for the king. She meets with joy the coming of her friend’s baby, but wreaks violence when her friend and her baby are endangered. Service under Pilate becomes at turns a comfort and a curse, and when Iras is caught hovering a handful of broken glass over his dinner plate, she is warned that she must leave before she brings his fury upon the entire household.
On the road to Ephesus, a chance encounter with a handsome charioteer sets Iras on the path to find the remnants of her family in Meroe. There, in the Nubian capital that rivals Alexandria in its splendor, Iras discovers long lost elders, a rich pantheon of goddesses and queens, love denied, and justice perverted.
When Iras’ aunts are viciously assaulted, Iras aids in the arrest of the robber but is then herself falsely accused of leprosy. She endures a humiliating trial by a corrupt judge and the robber’s accomplice, and soon finds herself again adrift and alone. When Iras stumbles upon her accuser near death in the streets, she ponders this moment – a time for mercy, for indifference, or for vengeance?
With nothing to hold her to Nubia, Iras begins anew in Ephesus. She marries Pasan, a silversmith renowned for his icons of goddess Artemis, and she herself practices prayers and healing in her name. Yet a new religion is catching fire, with believers proclaiming that a god made with human hands is no god at all.
Pasan perceives the rising threat against his livelihood; the silver guild and temple wardens conspire to keep the enemies of the goddess in check; and Iras’ small treacheries against those around her continue to corrode something within her. Friend and foe from the past return, and the clash between the silversmith she loves, the goddess she reveres, and the defenders of a new religion force upon Iras the decision of a lifetime.
Empires of Stone and Spirit
Exploring Ancient Worlds
“And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all…so the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.” Acts 19:19-29
It began with the ending, with the simple idea that I would write a 20-page short story that culminated in an intriguing incident from New Testament scriptures. In the book of Acts there is a brief description of the near riot of the silversmiths in the city of Ephesus, in response to the preaching of Paul and Timothy on the new faith in Christ Jesus. Being a city girl, it always captured my imagination that so many of the New Testament cities are not unlike our cities today – major crossroads of language, culture, and beliefs, an intriguing tapestry of humanity and fertile ground for new flowerings of faith. I thought that 20 pages would be more than enough to weave a compelling short story.
But when I immersed in the research and each turn of the page yielded a new priceless gem, I couldn’t help but take those deeper dives into ancient deities and rituals, midwifery and leprosy, mining and metallurgy, garum sauce and flamingo tongue casserole. Well, a few years and almost 300 pages later, we have a novel.
If you're a bit nerdy like me, you enjoy a glimpse into the story behind the story. I’ve provided below a few resources that helped me research the novel, and will help you explore ancient worlds at your leisure...
It Takes a Village
It’s a family thing. I owe my creative curiosity to my oldest brother Stanley, who used to read us Greek myths as bedtime stories, and to hearing our siblings and cousins, parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts have spirited discussions over the daily news about all things local, national and international, serving as my university at the kitchen table.
Our parents were fond of saying that we came from a long line of people who couldn’t sing, dance, hum or whistle. But that didn’t stop my brothers and I from expressing what was within...
Contact
Thank you for dropping by!
Feel free to connect with me at lynnemckinnon25@gmail.com and on Substack; you’ll also find me and my reading list on Goodreads.
Looking forward to bringing Empires of Stone and Spirit to you soon!
And of course, I can't wait to hear from you, so drop me a line!
And as much as I love my vintage Underwood, I promise I'll use a speedier form of communication with you!
So tell me - what are you reading? What music has your toe tapping or gets your spirit right (I'm always looking for new tunes to add to my playlist, and nobody beats me at murderin' the hits while I'm cooking and cleaning)? What art exhibits have you seen that took your breath away? Please share your email, and I'll reach back to you periodically with exclusives not otherwise available - original poems and think pieces, art and photos; music and writings I've been enjoying from other creatives; and all things related to Empires of Stone and Spirit - excerpts, curated reading lists, character guides, and more.
