Leonard Goodwin, author of Echoes in the Universe, is a retired professor and social psychologist who resides just outside of Nashville, TN. Previously he was on the faculty of Earlham College, the staff of the Fulbright Exchange Program, and the staff of The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. He also served as professor and head of the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Did you feel led by God to become an author? If so, when and how did you realize you should write?
As a young person I was attracted to science and viewed the world as entirely material. Only later in life did I become aware that my ideas (including poems and social science research plans) were inspired from a higher source than my physical self. This recognition began during unprogrammed Quaker Meetings when, during the silence, poems and ideas would spontaneously enter my mind. I believe that part of my calling is to communicate messages that raise our level of consciousness about meeting the enormous challenges in our world.
How long did it take you to write your book, Echoes in the Universe?
Some of my narrative poems go back twenty or more years while others were written a year or so ago. The final work of putting it all together took about a year.
Was there any particular event that helped inspire you to write this book?
Part of my inspiration came from an awareness that my grandchildren, and even my children, could benefit from a deeper understanding of what it was like in the “olden” days—e.g., the Great Depression, the rationing and air raid drills during WWII—and to place these events in a spiritual perspective.
If you could meet any author, current or past, who would it be?
I’d like to meet Henry David Thoreau in order to tell him how much I enjoyed his book, Walden, and how his work, while largely ignored during his lifetime, has become a classic
What book are you reading now?
Time Reborn by Lee Smolin. He is a prominent physicist who is rethinking the way time should be considered in physics and in areas of social life.
How did you come up with the title, “Echoes in the Universe”?
After much rational thought about a title that would explain my work, I gave up the effort; the possible titles were too cumbersome. Then, as I was awakening one morning the present title came to mind. It seemed appropriate because it presented the sense of the book rather than a rational explanation of it.
Who supported you in writing this book?
My wife Gerri has been a great support. Our writing group here in the Del Webb community where we comment on each other’s work, has also been of great help.
Did you learn anything from writing this book?
As I proceeded to write about my life experiences I recalled important events that had slipped to the back of my mind: e.g. rationing during World War II and my parents as air raid wardens in Brooklyn.
Do you have anything specific that you’d like to say to your readers or potential readers?
I believe we are at a time of transition from the era of violent conflicts to one in which such conflicts will be transcended. I would hope my work would help people facilitate this transition.
Have you written other books? If so, what are they?
- Do The Poor Want To Work?: A Social Psychological Study of Work Orientations. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution, 1972;
- Can Social Science Help Resolve National Problems? NY: The Free Press, 1975;
- Causes And Cures Of Welfare. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books: 1983.
What do you think is the hardest part about writing?p
One thing I find hard is to stop rewriting my material after it has already undergone numerous changes.
Who is your book written for or to?
This book is written for several audiences: younger folks who wish to gain a sense of what it was like in earlier times; older folks who would enjoy reminiscing about those events; but especially people who are concerned with advancing their own spiritual development and contribution to society.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?
Yes. There are times when inspiration runs dry. I might then just wait a few days. Another thing I try is to go back and read material I wrote earlier but left incomplete. This sometimes provides useful ideas on how to continue with my writing.
If this book is part of a series, please tell us about it?
I hadn’t originally thought of a series. However, as I have had new experiences and seen the level of world conflict rising I think I have some further insights to offer in a second book.
Is there a special message behind your book cover?
The cover represents the connection between the human realm and the universe at large. That is, what happens in the human realm has cosmic significance.
Any amusing stories that happened to you along the way to writing your book?
Certain early family experiences which at the time seemed annoying I now find amusing–e.g. the compulsiveness of my father in counting the number of raisins that went into each cereal bowl—and would hope the reader would find them amusing as well.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
I’d be glad to have people visit my interactive website at leonardgoodwin.com.