|

Visionary Fiction Alliance by L.S. Berthelsen

Editor’s note: New members are always asked to post about the Visionary Fiction Alliance on their own blog site. We are featuring one of our newest member’s post to show the diversity within the Visionary Fiction genre.

It is with great pleasure that I recommend a website that just came into my awareness. The Visionary Fiction Alliance! For many years, I devoured books and movies that dealt with transformation of consciousness, sifting through a lot of chaff to reach the kernel that resonated inside me that rarely saw the light of day. It was my private quest ~ the solitary yet primary driving force in my craft. Yet, when it came to labelling my works, be it books, blogs, magazine articles or book signing presentations, my writing did not fit into any of the literary market’s genres. Even now, as I work on submissions of a manuscript to my publishing service, there is no way to accurately categorize my work in their formulations.

Early on in my life, my intention was to record dreams and lucid imagination experiences. Later on I wanted to write about the body of information that was being presented to me about Templars and their seeming ties to medieval mysticism. But it was difficult to write about aspects of history that had been banished from orthodoxy. With mysticism and Templar history, most evidence that ever existed let alone flourished, had been not only washed away by eight hundred years of human ‘progress’, but covered up or intentionally destroyed by lust for power and greed.

The evidence of Templars, mystics and their continuum was veiled, circumstantial, tangential, and often times set in codes, patterns and even historic street names.  I set an intention of open-mindedness and eagerness to grow, traveling to various places throughout Europe and North America,

My contemplations of symbols started long before my visits to Rosslyn Chapel, countless cathedrals laden with Gothic ‘ornamentations and Templar castles. And yet, I had still not yet discovered an adequate writing style to describe the correspondences (ie connections) that made themselves apparent between mystic traditions and the Templars. Even the layouts of medieval cities, burghs, and abbeys pointed to Templar affiliations with a world beyond Roman Christian dictates. It also pointed to a medieval world very different from what we have been taught in school.

Now fast forward to current times, where my work straddles literary genres of historic fiction, fantasy and spiritual realism. There is little coverage of spiritual literature if it does not fit into religious categories. My writing is not even considered New Age. The writing industry is essentially divided into the mega publishers, vanity, indie and self publishing.  Some might say that the massive tectonic shifts in technology has created a mosh pit of hybrid genres. But it is more comprehensive than that.  With more folks reading than ever before and the published written word being placed in the hands of the many, we are revolutionizing the way books are published. The result is the transformation of established genres, marketing platforms and social media. Not since the appearance of the printing press has humanity enjoyed such progress in written communication.

And with this newfound freedom has also come the advent of a new literary genre ~Visionary Fiction! And while I am totally new to the VFA , I am no stranger to the books they call their own; from William Blake to Carl Jung to Madeline L’Engle. I am thrilled to know that there is a contemporary group of writers who recognize the spiritual significance of what mainstream readers might conflate with fantasy. Here is a link to the alliance’s examples of Visionary Fiction.  

It’s too soon to tell, but I hope that the Visionary Fiction Alliance will be a good fit for me as an author. I am looking forward to tackling their new reading list of authors!

Similar Posts

12 Comments

  1. Ah, a kindred spirit! 😀 And “OMG… another good book to add to my impossible want-to-read list”.

    Visiting Rosslyn hit me so hard it was over a decade before I could look at photos of the place and not want to cry with longing to get back.

    Best good luck wishes with the new book!

    1. Greetings Michelle! Thanks for reaching out! I also must compartmentalize the SOUL emotions surrounding Rosslyn Chapel’s beckoning. Neither can I bring myself to return since the massive renovations were completed. The crowds have altered the energies. Anyway, I look forward to staying in touch! Linda

      1. Hi Linda,

        I know what you mean. I’ve been there twice. Once before all the hype and changes and once again around 2010. The energy was there, but diminished. I found worse with Stonehenge. It was interesting, but no energy effect on me whatsoever.

        🙂

        1. I was sometimes allowed to enter the chapel before 9 am for meditation. The strongest energy shines through in the stillness. The chaos of crowds masks it at minimum and, like you said, possibly drains it… uses it up. Heartbreaking in one sense until I am reminded that the land heals (and shields) itself. Perhaps it is concealed rather than damaged… I am optimistic.

  2. Linda, so good to read your post. Like Michele, I too sense a kindred spirit, especially as my last novel, Channel of the Grail (on Amazon) is subtitled, “A Novel of the Cathars, Templars, and a Nazi Grail Hunter” (Otto Rahn). The co-incidences are obvious. Have not been to Rosslyn but have been to several Templar outposts in southern France and Spain. I live in Tucson so perhaps you would let me know when you are in Sedona. Sounds like we could have quite the conversation. In any case, thanks for your contribution and welcome to the VFA.

    1. Greetings Victor! Kindred spirit connections are to be treasured! I truly look forward to reading your novel. Several chapters of Book 2 of the Temple Chronicles, entitled “Voyage of the Templar Guardians” which is now in line edits for publication this summer, is set along the Ligurian coast. I agree that a conversation is in order! Thank you very much, Linda

  3. Now I must visit Roslyn Chapel! A wonderful post, Linda. Thank you. Your book looks intriguing! I love the term spiritual realism. New to me. It’s great to see VFA members sharing the post! ☀️?☀️

    1. Greetings Robin, I have strived to find an accurate tern to describe the mindset in which I create. Spiritual Realism is the closest I have found. I have always identified with surrealistic art, where dream images mingle with corporeal objects. And yet, mystic studies point to remaining grounded in the world of action and historic events. My goal, both in writing and living, is to remain grounded in the midst of ‘taking flight.’ All the best! Linda

  4. Thank you Linda. Especially for: “I am thrilled to know that there is a contemporary group of writers who recognize the spiritual significance of what mainstream readers might conflate with fantasy.” Welcome to VFA!

Comments are closed.