The Indigo Butterfly is the true and inspiring story of a young writer’s journey of self-discovery and a yearning for her place in the world. On the eve of college graduation the author has a revealing dream that leads to an epiphany. At the same time, Desert Storm is causing a recession throughout the country, leaving few opportunities for a new writer.
Forced to make some difficult decisions, the young woman rejects conventionality in order to follow her dream of becoming a writer. But she soon discovers that the outer voyage is interwoven with her inner journey to understand herself. While she is on the road, the writer encounters fellow travelers, teachers, mystics, artists, and unique individuals who welcome her into their communities.
The Indigo Butterfly chronicles the author’s fifteen-year odyssey across North America as retold through vignettes culled from her journals during that time. From Seattle’s lush rainforest to the mysterious islands of South Carolina, no region of the country goes unexplored in the determined writer’s quest.
Lisa L. Schoonover is an experienced writer, aquisitions editor, curriculum developer, and independent travel contributor. With twenty years of combined teaching and educational publishing experience, she has worked as a senior editor and project manager for Houghton Mifflin, Pearson Education, McGraw-Hill, Riverside Publishing, as well as several other development houses and publishers across the country. Her work appears in texts, ancillary materials, testing materials, and educational curriculum.
Lisa is also active in the literary community as an advocate and writing facilitator. Her work with Headstart and Homeschooling was one of the early after-school literacy programs in the country. She has worked as an ELL instructor, ELA TA, Laubach Literacy instructor, and has taught in both private and public schools throughout the country. Lisa is the former editor of Schoolwisepress in San Francisco, and has worked for CK-12 in Silicon Valley. She has been a contributing writer to many literary journals, anthologies, and publications. Lisa is currently involved with literacy projects of merit.
As an independent travel writer, Lisa is provided with the opportunity to experience other cultures in a more personally engaging way than with pleasure travel. Lisa has written for Conde Nast Traveller, Transitions Abroad, Budget Travel, Boots 'N All, as well as other independent and mainstream publications. Her travelogue for children, entitled A Day in Florence, will soon be re-released in e-book form. Her travel articles have also been published in periodicals and magazines across the country. Lisa was also a stringer for the MV Times, Martha's Vineyard Magazine, and BermudaMagazine.
She has written for neighborhood publications, non-profits, and start-ups. Her curriculum development experience assisted in the transition to technical writing. Lisa has provided educational services for Adobe, Cisco, Upside Magazine, NFA, and The IrishIndependent when Lisa lived abroad in Ireland. She has been a freelance reporter and contributor to a number of political, business, and trade organizations. Lisa's writing skills were honed at the Iowa Writers Workshop and her short stories have appeared in anthologies nationwide. She is currently promoting her new release The Indigo Butterfly.
Twitter @lisa_schoonover
Twitter@lisa_schoonover
THE
DREAM...
A young girl with hair the color of the
sun wanders through a grassy meadow bursting with colorful wildflowers. Her
eyes are drawn to the cragged branches of a gnarled elderberry tree. Hovering
high above her is a spectacular indigo butterfly. Sunlight dances on its
iridescent wings.
The butterfly flutters towards the
clearing’s edge before disappearing into the canopy overhead. The girl searches
anxiously for the path, unable to fi nd her way in the darkness. Every shadow
becomes a possible threat.
She searches for the path by the light of
the moon, yearning for a sign that will lead her out of the darkness. On the
verge of collapse, the girl falls to the ground. A dark shadow approaches. The
girl struggles to pull herself up from the place where she has fallen.
A voice softly whispers, “Hello.” Resting
on a rock is the indigo butterfly.
“I am lost!” the girl cries out in fear.
She covers her face with trembling hands.
“Dear child, you are never lost.” The
butterfly leads the young girl to the clearing.
The butterfly effortlessly transforms
into a beautiful maiden. Her shimmering indigo gown gleams in the moonlight,
and her flowing hair smells like jasmine. Clouds of tiny lavender butterflies
swirl around her. With a sweep of her hand, she gestures to the surrounding
woods.
“All writers begin their lives in the
darkness, cloaked where the alchemy of transformation resides. One must allow
for this precious unfolding before emerging into the light. Without it, the
journey is meaningless. Soon, you will be called. Do not be afraid. When you
are ready they will be waiting for you. Remember all that I have told you.”
The maiden places an enormous book with a
frayed red velvet cover into the girl’s hands. A golden tassel hangs from the
spine of the book. The script has been recorded in rich, dark hues matching the
maiden’s gown.
The edge of each page has been gilded from
gold, and though it appears to be extremely heavy, the book is entirely
weightless. Within a moment, the book fades from her hands. The maiden raises
her cloak and disappears into the fading night. The girl is alone again in the
woods, but this time she can see the clearing. As she departs the forest, the
wind stirs gently for a moment. On the winds of the night, the maiden’s voice
calls once again:
“Go
forth with the soul of an artist with the wings of a butterfly…”
”Readers
Are Saying:
"The Indigo Butterfly is exquisite! I'm recommending it to
everyone I know."
--S. Eaton, Managing Editor
"I couldn't put it down. This book is a testament to the
human spirit. Lovely."
--Konda R., Publicist
"Well done... this book has it all. This story will captivate you until the last
word."
--Robert, Publisher
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