Jessica Lee Sheppard's Blog

“The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity—activity designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for man.” – Ernest Becker. 

Cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker suggests that our fascination with death and the afterlife stems from an inherent fear of the alternative: the possibility of sheer nonexistence. Could this perspective hold truth? Do we just become empty husks decomposing beneath the vibrant, green turf, ultimately serving as nourishment for the plants we once consumed? Is our existence snuffed out, or is there something beyond the threshold of death? As our physical forms fade away, might an energy within us persist, venturing into realms beyond our visual grasp? 

Historical and Cultural Perspectives 

Throughout human history, cultures worldwide have developed intricate beliefs and practices surrounding death and the concept of the afterlife. These beliefs, deeply embedded within the socio-cultural fabric, have been pivotal in shaping rituals, influencing literature, and defining the broader worldview of their respective societies.  

Ancient Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians believed that death was not the end but merely the beginning of one’s eternal journey. The soul was envisioned as undergoing judgement by the god Osiris before progressing to paradise, where it would regain all that had been lost. Mummification and elaborate burial practices were pivotal, ensuring the soul’s well-being and showing their complex beliefs about life, death, and the eternal journey. Despite these profound beliefs in an eternal happily-ever-after, Egyptians harboured a fear of death and deeply valued their life on earth.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, notions of death and the afterlife revolve around the concept of Samsara, representing the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, shaped by one’s karma or cumulative actions. To unite with the ultimate reality, Brahman, the soul seeks liberation (Moksha) from this cycle, aspiring to transcend the transient states of existence. Acknowledging the diversity within Hinduism, where various schools of thought offer differing interpretations of ultimate goals and the nature of ultimate reality is crucial. The multifaceted philosophies within Hinduism promote righteous living and profoundly influence daily ethics, values, and practices. Rituals like Antyeshti epitomize the interconnected tapestry of existence, transformation, and liberation, embodying the essence of Hindu perspectives on life, death, and what lies beyond.

Anishinaabe (Ojibway)

The Anishinaabe people believe that the circle of life consists of birth, life, death, and afterlife. Upon death, the spirit undergoes a challenging journey westward, travelling the path of the setting sun (Path of Souls). The Anishinaabe perform ceremonies and rituals to honour the deceased and to aid their spirit in their journey towards eternal happiness. These spirits retain a connection with the living, manifesting through dreams and spiritual encounters.

"Ojibway moose-hide mocassins (44561242432)" by Thomas Quine is licensed under CC BY 2.0 [image error][image error]. ">Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, 2017Religious Beliefs and the Afterlife

Despite their diverse beliefs, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all share a similar teaching, which is that the human soul is immortal and that the spirit comes from a divine world, which it will one day return to. Once home, the spirit will answer to all their earthly deeds, good and bad. 

In some forms of Buddhism, it’s believed that a person is not a permanent, unchanging entity but rather a complex combination of physical and mental elements. These elements are in a constant state of change, never staying the same. As a result, there’s no enduring, unchanging self or soul (anatman, or “no-self”). Instead, our existence is like a flowing river of experiences and phenomena, with no fixed self that remains intact through time. This concept challenges the idea of an eternal soul and underscores the temporary nature of all things in life.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross was a pioneering Swiss-American psychologist who played a pivotal role in reshaping our understanding of mortality, grief, and dying. She introduced a revolutionary framework detailing the five stages of grief, shedding light on the emotional journeys individuals navigate when faced with death. It’s crucial to note that these stages, stemming from her keen observations, don’t necessarily occur in sequence, and not everyone experiences every step. Kubler-Ross’s innovative studies broke down numerous taboos. They paved the way for candid discussions about death and dying, fostering a heightened awareness and more profound comprehension of mortality.

Towards the end of her life, Kubler-Ross advanced the notion that life extends beyond physical death, transitioning into a different form of existence. Her perspectives ignited conversations surrounding spirituality, metaphysical dimensions of being, and the potential continuance of life after death.

Five Stages of GriefScientific Exploration of Near-Death Experiences 

Floating above one’s body, traversing tunnels of light, and reuniting with departed loved ones are among the experiences recounted by those who have teetered on the brink of death and returned. 

Near-death experiences have raised questions about consciousness and its potential for existence beyond our physical bodies. This phenomenon is not as rare as one might think, with an estimated 10 to 20 percent of individuals on the verge of death reporting such experiences. In one well-known case, a woman accurately described events that took place in a different room while she was unconscious in the hospital. 

Some within the scientific community argue that these experiences are linked to physical changes in the brain, such as a decrease in oxygen levels. The experience of anesthesia awareness, when patients can hear parts of conversation or music playing around them in the operating room, is often cited to debunk the validity of near-death experiences. 

The question arises: are these experiences solely the product of brain activity, such as hypoxia or endorphin release, which can induce hallucinations and feelings of euphoria during extreme stress? Or does it go beyond the physiological boundaries of the brain? Having never experienced such an encounter, I can’t say with certainty if they are linked to the afterlife. Nevertheless, I do find the idea fascinating and oddly comforting. 

The Contemporary Cultural Landscape

The mysteries surrounding death and the afterlife have always been a topic in films, art, and music, with each medium offering a unique exploration into the unknown. This multifaceted representation of death mirrors our fascination with it and reflects on societal norms, attitudes, and beliefs about life and what lies beyond it. 

Films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Ghost” look at the interactions between the living and the deceased, whereas others, like “Soul” and “Coco,” look at concepts of near-death experiences and the afterlife. Dante’s “Divine Comedy” mapped out the realms of hell, purgatory, and paradise, and Eric Clapton’s song, “Tears in Heaven,” captures the pain, grief, and hope intertwined with the loss of a child. 

"The Sixth Sense" by jdxyw is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 [image error][image error][image error]. ">

These creative outlets are a therapeutic outlet for our deepest emotions and thoughts about existence and mortality. They help us to navigate our feelings and perceptions about death. Moreover, they offer a sanctuary where we can challenge, contemplate, and find comfort in the age-old mysteries of what lies beyond our earthly realm.  

Conclusion

Throughout history, our curiosity about death and the afterlife has sparked endless debates, theories, and artistic expression. In the ever-evolving tapestry of ideas, my novel, “The Adventures of Izzy Adams: Descending Into Darkness,” offers a fresh perspective on the spiritual realm. Set against the backdrop of Izzy Adams’ transformative journey, the narrative delves into intricate spiritual elements such as soulmates, spirit guides, reincarnation, astral projection, and life reviews. It paints a fantastical world within the spirit realm, complete with demons, dark souls, and a unique system of inequality. This world challenges the conventional understanding of reincarnation by presenting a layered hierarchy of souls—where privilege, status, and judgement dictate their fate. Through Izzy’s encounters and challenges, readers will find themselves looking at their own perceptions of life, death, mortality, and the very essence of existence. 

“Death is not the last chapter of our book; it’s the prologue to a series yet unwritten.” – Jessica Lee Sheppard. 

Question for Readers

Given the different interpretations and beliefs about death and what follows it, have you encountered anything that provides a glimpse into this unknown? If so, and you are comfortable sharing, what was it like? Please share your story in the comments below. 

The post Journey Into the Unknown: Humanity’s Obsession with Death and the Afterlife  appeared first on Jessica Lee Sheppard.

For some authors, inspiration strikes like a bolt of lightning, instantly setting their imagination ablaze with a torrent of ideas and emotions that they eagerly channel onto the page. For others, it’s more like a slow-burning ember, gradually intensifying into a magnificent inferno over time. Such was the case with my novel, “The Adventures of Izzy Adams: Descending Into Darkness,” a tale that smouldered within me before roaring to life in a blaze of creativity.

The Origins: Exploring the Spirit World

From a young age, the mysteries of the afterlife fascinated me. I would huddle around the kitchen table, eyes wide with wonder, as the women in my family had their tea leaves interpreted. The very idea of a spirit hovering beside the medium, whispering messages from beyond, left me spellbound.

As I grew older, I found myself seeking out psychics, eagerly writing down the reading. Regardless of whether their predictions materialized, I persisted in exploring the world of spiritualism, desperately seeking some form of connection with “the other side.”

This fascination with the spiritual realm ignited the spark for a book idea within me. Though I lacked a clear vision of how the narrative would unfold, one core concept remained paramount: the gradual transformation of a soul from pure light to a murky grey, ultimately succumbing to darkness.

I found this idea intriguing–the notion that our earthly behaviour across multiple lives could shape our soul, either for better or for worse, influencing not only who we are in this life but also in the afterlife. Yet, beyond jotting down a single page of initial thoughts, the concept never fully materialized into a story. I shelved the idea and redirected my focus towards pursuing my educational goal of obtaining a master’s degree in social work.

Research: The Foundation of My Story

In 2018, my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I had been contemplating the idea of writing my book once more, yet remained uncertain about its specific subject matter. Nevertheless, I was still deeply convinced that it should focus on the spiritual realm.

My grandma’s prognosis suddenly cast a shadow over me, and panic intertwined with my grief. I realized that I wasn’t just losing my gran; I was also losing the chance for her to read my novel. She never had the opportunity to see my dream of becoming a published author come to fruition, nor did she meet the two beautiful sons I brought into the world after her passing.

Overwhelmed with regret, I wished I had embarked on my writing journey sooner. Perhaps, from wherever she is now, she’s watching my career come to life with a smile on her face. I’d like to believe so, anyway.

Following my grandma’s passing, I was determined to ensure that the rest of my loved ones would have the opportunity to read my book. I immersed myself in extensive research on topics related to the spirit world, delving into subjects such as demonology, symbolism, spiritualism, and astral projection.

I also engaged in interesting conversations with psychics and individuals passionate about the afterlife, broadening my understanding and perspective. From there, my interests expanded to include witchcraft, fairies, and other supernatural creatures.

Over the span of four years, my research had amassed into a heap of physical books and scattered loose papers strewn throughout my house. It wasn’t until shortly after the birth of my son that I finally sat down to meticulously organize all the information into subheadings within a single Word document.

As I started this tedious task, ideas began to flow, and I begin to create folders on my USB stick, labelling them ‘Book One,’ ‘Book Two,’ and so forth. Although I still didn’t have a complete picture of who my characters would be, the story was gradually unfolding in my mind.

The Birth of Izzy Adams

I had what I believed to be a brilliant idea: a strong female protagonist who accidentally astral projects into the spirit world. But what should I call her? And what about her appearance and demeanour?

It was at this moment that my oldest daughter, Isabelle, otherwise known as “Izzy,” came to mind—a vibrant little prankster with blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a strong-willed spirit. Drawing from my daughter’s personality, as well as some of my own traits, the main character of my story came to life.

The Story Takes Shape

I began compiling a character bible and started filling it with my thoughts. I shifted my research focus from spiritualism and the supernatural to character arcs, dialogue, and world-building.

Ideas spontaneously popped into my mind at the most unexpected moments—while driving the kids to swimming lessons, doing dishes, or even during the quiet moments as I lay in bed at night. I made sure to message them to myself immediately to prevent them from slipping away.

Before long, I had a detailed outline for the first book, chapter by chapter, and the folders for the following five books in the series started to fill up. Then life happened. A combination of pneumonia, the pregnancy of my fourth child, and the demands of a challenging job forced me to set my dream aside for an entire year.

Though my mind was occupied with other matters, an underlying, persistent sense of unease remained that I couldn’t shake—an unsettling feeling of incompleteness. It was as if my “fifth child,” my deferred dream, had been overlooked and was now silently clamouring for my attention.

The Resurgence: The Final Stretch

In the summer of 2022, our family welcomed our fourth child, Marley, into the world. Adding another member to our busy household left me with no time to write. Factor in the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn, the first six months were nothing short of draining. But then, a small miracle occurred—Marley began to sleep through the night. With my sanity partially restored, I feverishly returned to my writing.

From the moment my children were safely nestled in their beds until the clock struck midnight, I found time to write. Whether during nap times, brief intervals when the girls were at school and the boys were occupied, I would scrawl out thoughts on a Post-it, my arm, or even send a quick text message to myself. I seized every opportunity to write.

I felt like I was reclaiming lost time. I’d crafted detailed outlines for all six of my upcoming books in just five months. Then, I circled back to scrutinize my work, meticulously searching for gaps and inconsistencies, stressing over the nuances of character development. I paused briefly to catch my breath before diving back in, this time to pen my first chapter.

By the end of July 2023, the first draft was complete. The second draft followed in August, and from there, it went straight to my editor. I had achieved the unthinkable, ticking off the top item on my bucket list. Beyond my role as a mom, I had realized my dream and found one more profound purpose in my life: I was on the path to becoming a published author.

What’s Next?

What lies ahead, you may wonder? Well, the adventures of Izzy Adams are far from over, and her world will continue to grow in complexity and depth. Beyond that, I also have two spin-off series in the works, as well as a few stand-alone novels. My literary journey is only just getting started.

Question for Readers

Who in your life has inspired or encouraged your own dreams and creative endeavours? Have you ever put a dream on hold, and if so, what helped you to pick it back up again?

For some authors, inspiration strikes like a bolt of lightning, instantly setting their imagination ablaze with a torrent of ideas and emotions that they eagerly channel onto the page. For others, it’s more like a slow-burning ember, gradually intensifying into a magnificent inferno over time. Such was the case with my novel, “The Adventures of Izzy Adams: Descending Into Darkness,” a tale that smouldered within me before roaring to life in a blaze of creativity.

The Origins: Exploring the Spirit World

From a young age, the mysteries of the afterlife fascinated me. I would huddle around the kitchen table, eyes wide with wonder, as the women in my family had their tea leaves interpreted. The very idea of a spirit hovering beside the medium, whispering messages from beyond, left me spellbound.

As I grew older, I found myself seeking out psychics, eagerly writing down the reading. Regardless of whether their predictions materialized, I persisted in exploring the world of spiritualism, desperately seeking some form of connection with “the other side.”

This fascination with the spiritual realm ignited the spark for a book idea within me. Though I lacked a clear vision of how the narrative would unfold, one core concept remained paramount: the gradual transformation of a soul from pure light to a murky grey, ultimately succumbing to darkness.

I found this idea intriguing–the notion that our earthly behaviour across multiple lives could shape our soul, either for better or for worse, influencing not only who we are in this life but also in the afterlife. Yet, beyond jotting down a single page of initial thoughts, the concept never fully materialized into a story. I shelved the idea and redirected my focus towards pursuing my educational goal of obtaining a master’s degree in social work.

Research: The Foundation of My Story

In 2018, my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I had been contemplating the idea of writing my book once more, yet remained uncertain about its specific subject matter. Nevertheless, I was still deeply convinced that it should focus on the spiritual realm.

My grandma’s prognosis suddenly cast a shadow over me, and panic intertwined with my grief. I realized that I wasn’t just losing my gran; I was also losing the chance for her to read my novel. She never had the opportunity to see my dream of becoming a published author come to fruition, nor did she meet the two beautiful sons I brought into the world after her passing.

Overwhelmed with regret, I wished I had embarked on my writing journey sooner. Perhaps, from wherever she is now, she’s watching my career come to life with a smile on her face. I’d like to believe so, anyway.

Kathleen Sheppard aka, “gran”

Following my grandma’s passing, I was determined to ensure that the rest of my loved ones would have the opportunity to read my book. I immersed myself in extensive research on topics related to the spirit world, delving into subjects such as demonology, symbolism, spiritualism, and astral projection.

I also engaged in interesting conversations with psychics and individuals passionate about the afterlife, broadening my understanding and perspective. From there, my interests expanded to include witchcraft, fairies, and other supernatural creatures.

Over the span of four years, my research had amassed into a heap of physical books and scattered loose papers strewn throughout my house. It wasn’t until shortly after the birth of my son that I finally sat down to meticulously organize all the information into subheadings within a single Word document.

As I started this tedious task, ideas began to flow, and I begin to create folders on my USB stick, labelling them ‘Book One,’ ‘Book Two,’ and so forth. Although I still didn’t have a complete picture of who my characters would be, the story was gradually unfolding in my mind.The Birth of Izzy Adams

I had what I believed to be a brilliant idea: a strong female protagonist who accidentally astral projects into the spirit world. But what should I call her? And what about her appearance and demeanour?

It was at this moment that my oldest daughter, Isabelle, otherwise known as “Izzy,” came to mind—a vibrant little prankster with blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a strong-willed spirit. Drawing from my daughter’s personality, as well as some of my own traits, the main character of my story came to life.

The Story Takes Shape 

I began compiling a character bible and started filling it with my thoughts. I shifted my research focus from spiritualism and the supernatural to character arcs, dialogue, and world-building.

Ideas spontaneously popped into my mind at the most unexpected moments—while driving the kids to swimming lessons, doing dishes, or even during the quiet moments as I lay in bed at night. I made sure to message them to myself immediately to prevent them from slipping away.

Before long, I had a detailed outline for the first book, chapter by chapter, and the folders for the following five books in the series started to fill up. Then life happened. A combination of pneumonia, the pregnancy of my fourth child, and the demands of a challenging job forced me to set my dream aside for an entire year.

Pregnant with Marley, 2022Though my mind was occupied with other matters, an underlying, persistent sense of unease remained that I couldn’t shake—an unsettling feeling of incompleteness. It was as if my “fifth child,” my deferred dream, had been overlooked and was now silently clamouring for my attention.The Resurgence: The Final StretchIn the summer of 2022, our family welcomed our fourth child, Marley, into the world. Adding another member to our busy household left me with no time to write. Factor in the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn, the first six months were nothing short of draining. But then, a small miracle occurred—Marley began to sleep through the night. With my sanity partially restored, I feverishly returned to my writing.

Marley, 2023

From the moment my children were safely nestled in their beds until the clock struck midnight, I found time to write. Whether during nap times, brief intervals when the girls were at school and the boys were occupied, I would scrawl out thoughts on a Post-it, my arm, or even send a quick text message to myself. I seized every opportunity to write.

I felt like I was reclaiming lost time. I’d crafted detailed outlines for all six of my upcoming books in just five months. Then, I circled back to scrutinize my work, meticulously searching for gaps and inconsistencies, stressing over the nuances of character development. I paused briefly to catch my breath before diving back in, this time to pen my first chapter.

By the end of July 2023, the first draft was complete. The second draft followed in August, and from there, it went straight to my editor. I had achieved the unthinkable, ticking off the top item on my bucket list. Beyond my role as a mom, I had realized my dream and found one more profound purpose in my life: I was on the path to becoming a published author.

What’s Next? What lies ahead, you may wonder? Well, the adventures of Izzy Adams are far from over, and her world will continue to grow in complexity and depth. Beyond that, I also have two spin-off series in the works, as well as a few stand-alone novels. My literary journey is only just getting started.Question for ReadersWho in your life has inspired or encouraged your own dreams and creative endeavours? Have you ever put a dream on hold, and if so, what helped you to pick it back up again?

The post Behind the Scenes – How my book, “The Adventures of Izzy Adams: Descending Into Darkness” Came to Be appeared first on Jessica Lee Sheppard.