Lillian Rule said she has loved reading stories and listening to stories since she was a young child. Now the 15-year-old has written a tale of her own. "A Thousand Stars" was published in December and tells the story of a girl named Hopeful and a boy named Jimmy.

"It's Christian historical fiction," Lillian said of the novel. "It's an allegory and it's set in the 1800s." Hopeful is on a journey to the Island of a Thousand Stars, and she meets Jimmy along the way. He's trying to escape a difficult past and discover who he really is.

Lillian started working on the book three years ago at the age of 12. "I was scrolling through some old Google Docs, and I found this short story I had written," she said. She worked on expanding the story, keeping the original title.

During the writing process, she relied on her dad, Justin, for help with the novel's "big ideas," she said, and she asked her mom, Whitney, to help with the editing. She also worked with editor and writer Noah Lynch, who provided professional feedback.

Lillian said her novel is geared toward middle and high school readers, and it's full of spiritual allegory. "I hope people will see the story in the book but also notice the little hidden meanings I put in it," she said, giving an example of a prodigal son-type storyline that appears in the book.

Her favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Edith Nesbit and Louisa May Alcott, and Lillian said some of the best feedback she has received on the book has referenced her idols.

"People have said, 'This reminds me of C.S. Lewis,' and I love that," she stated. "I want people to try to see if they can find the references to other authors in the book."

When she's not writing, Lillian, who is homeschooled, enjoys raising Holland Lop rabbits at the rabbitry at her Columbia home and spending time with her four younger siblings. She's planning on participating in an upcoming musical with the Lancaster Academy for the Performing Arts, and she loves to draw and paint. Some of her artwork served as inspiration for "A Thousand Stars."

Of course, the budding author also continues to enjoy reading. "I love getting to know the characters in a book and exploring whole new worlds without having to leave my house," she stated.

Dad Justin said he wasn't surprised when Lillian told him she was working on a novel. "Lillian is a 'decide to do something and I'm going to do it' kind of person," he remarked. "God has given her such immense talents, and she invests in doing them."

Lillian said she hopes to write another book and offers this advice other budding authors: "Try to write something you enjoy. Don't write for other people. You should write about something you love and characters you love."

"A Thousand Stars" is available for sale on Amazon and at https://athousandstarsbook.com. It is also available to borrow from the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy.