The concept for the Friends trilogy was sparked by a meeting with Martin Faulks, MD of Lewis Masonic, shortly after the publication The 5-Minute Ritualist in 2018.
Martin had just reviewed a new member induction manual I produced some years previously for my Mother Lodge. We both felt there was a gap in the Lewis Masonic portfolio for educational books aimed at helping new and inexperienced Brethren advance their knowledge of the Craft.
My working background included the structuring of educational books for consumer groups, deemed to have a high volume of information need, who customarily didn’t read non-fiction books. The shorthand solution was to make the information more interesting, friendlier, warmer, succinct, practical, with everything chunked into easy reading segments and presented through the keyhole of shared experiences. This approach worked and found favour with all the stakeholders.
So, would a similar approach work for a Masonic audience?
My thought processes went along these lines:
In the aftermath of our Craft ceremonies, as Candidates we likely experienced a time limited window of curiosity inspired, heightened interest. At such times, we would have been more receptive to reading about our ceremonial experience and the future direction of our own Masonic journey.
In an ideal world, the Craft would wish for every new Brother to assimilate quite a large body of information over time. How best to deliver it though?
There is mounting evidence that excessive electronic screen time consumption is detrimental to our health, particularly our mental wellbeing. In a European context, the UK is at the high end of the screen time consumption spectrum; the average smart ‘phone citizen devoting more than a third of their wakeful hours to the digital world that lies behind their screens.
Perhaps a carefully constructed series of books would make for a healthier educational solution, especially if they were custom designed to be read in small, daily advancement, instalments.
Nowadays, many authors spend a lot of time thinking about their audience before setting pen to paper. I do! Under this heading, I wondered how much time the average newmade Mason spends in the company of a more knowledgeable Brother. My inclination (albeit anecdotally founded) is generally not enough to transfer an adequate sufficiency of Masonic knowledge.
Historically, Candidates were proposed for admission into Freemasonry by a close friend or family member they had regular in person contact with. Proposers were therefore well placed to provide an early day’s mentoring service which, nowadays, can no longer be wholly relied upon. Indeed, it can be argued that rapid social, technology and population mobility changes have led to the word Friend being comprehensively redefined. It somehow seemed appropriate to try and re-establish the traditional friendship bond through the companionship of a series of tactile books. The Friends concept began to take shape.
Another crucial editorial voice element is Sharing. Real friends share their experiences which opens the door to the offering of practical advice (try this, see if it works for you) and emotional insights (feelings). So, the Friends trilogy tries very hard to stick to sharing information as all good friends would.
Given my own Masonic knowledge at the outset might be best described as mediocre to average, how would I ever be able to personally write these books? Martin came up with a solution. Reimagine the ceremonial experiences of being Initiated, Passed and Raised; draw up a list of questions and other information needs; go away and research the answers and take time in crafting the Friends trilogy as a shared experience continuum.
It needs to be recognised that the success of these book largely relies on Lodges introducing them to their new Brethren. Some Lodges already purchase a small stock of Friends books to loan, gift or resell to their new Brethren as they progress. Ownership also affords the companionship of a lifelong source of future reference. Consequently, Martin and I agreed from the outset that the books should be priced at the lowest possible, commercially viable, level. All my royalties go to Masonic charity.
It seems incredible, but Masonically appropriate, that the Friends trilogy has taken 7-years to complete - the term of a medieval stonemason’s apprenticeship! From the honest naivety of The New Mason’s Friend through to the comprehensive offering of The Master Mason’s Friend I sincerely hope that the Friends educational contribution proves to be as solid and durable as stone. Time will tell!
Kim March
Church Stretton – Shropshire
[email protected]
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