The heart of an Olympian

that special time that comes around every two years is come and gone. And we have been
glued to the telly for hours upon hours watching and rooting for people who we well never meet and people who will never know you existed or cheered for them when they gave there all for a prize. That two weeks I'm talking about of course in the Olympics,
I'm not quite sure if its so in to watch the above mentioned, anymore but its always been a family tradition, and something most enjoyable.
While I have a terrible case of russian fever, I am still able to wonder what it is about this event that keeps us engaged. So why do we love this two week span, when a group of countries get together and do sports battle in snow or in sun ?
Lessons, I believe we can all learn form everything, everything and anything. And we may not even notice we are watching lessons, but the message gets in.
Its inspiring to see determination, isn't it ? somewhere deep down we all feel that if one person could and usually from hard backgrounds make there dreams happen, why who would stop us ?
determination to keep going when the chips are down when the whole world is against you, we watch these moments as if our life depends on it, we laugh and cheer when that one person makes it happen that one who fought a little harder went a little farther, pushed beyond there limitations. It inspires us, the person on the couch, its more than just entertainment. We become connected to these people, in a primal instinctive way.
As humans we love the age old story of a hero, male or female doesn't matter. Who will rise from the burnt out ashes of the past,  or get up again after defeat and reach the center stage of there dreams.  Its the base for all stories really.  Its that spirit we love that heart to win, its why we will tell the stories of these moments twenty years from now to the generations who were not witness to such greatness.
What I love most apart form the excitement and rush of cheering on the home team, is the stories. the inspiring tales of hardships, and overcoming. Its in us all, that strong arm, that will to succeed.
and to watch the culmination of that decision to not give up and to not be a quitter, in every person who didn't get a free ride, and fought to live there dream is awesome.
Sure some have it easier than others, but it all makes up in the end, the story of the day is overcome.
words like against all odds. And we see that play out before is, and we are boosted a little higher, we are reminded that with hard work and a little will power anything is possible, for the athletes its a sport that makes is wonder how and why, what it it for you ?
What is it that says no,  that can be removed with a little pushing through.
We also can learn a lot about the heart condition, some give up, some fight till the end, some are sore losers. And we are either disgusted or disappointed, usually both. But we can apply this to ourselves
which one are we ? When we fight and things don't happen will we smile, be disappointed but still hold our head high ? A true man isn't revealed in ease, its through struggle and often times disappointment.
who are we when our character is tested. We have seen a lot of "failures" these two weeks, but the ones that though tears fell were hopeful, and not crushed to the point of giving up. inspired us more.
We have seen more dashed dreams than realized, only one can win. But those who thought it an accomplishment to just get there show true determination, for as the saying goes, your not a failure until you fail to try.
I could go on and on, the more I type the more I think of lessons, but I shall save those for the next two years.
So when is it your time to shine ? Every day is your battle, mine too, will you win will you lose. Sometimes both can teach us a lot, especially losses. learn to read them. see if you can take them gracefully, see if you have the heart of an olympian.

I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phill 3: 14 
  
What do you love about the olympic season most ?

Novel Talk

I feel like a terribly lax blogger lately. I have in so many ways thrown aside this little space I have so come to love and dig deep into other things, to name a few tumblr and a plethora of new old books.
But I'm determined after a bout of non inspiration (I know how is one to be uninspired when in complete literary abandon. I truly have no idea) To be faithful to post something of worth.
 This is a post written on an I pad. So that's new, and this thing is infuriating with its auto correct.
Sorry for the side note.
I have been at lately something I never thought I would find my self doing.
Namely writing a summery of my book, I shall title it Victorian dreams, but that's to change when the time comes, it sounds a bit cheesy and I'm not inclined to like that title.
I have written about this story before, but I have had a strange apprehension that made me not want to write about the details. Why I'm not sure. I follow so many writers who do so and I enjoy hearing about what they are writing. So I have been thinking why not.
The question is how to not write too many details but not bore you all to distraction in the process.
I have been on these lazy sort of winter days when there isn't much else to do, confined to my room weaving a web, plotting and trying my best to be worthy to my literary hero's. As I have said at the beginning of this rambling post found my self writing a summery. I have no idea about the proper way to do it, but by the method I have found myself summarising seems to be amiable for the present. What I really am doing is writing a detailed summery of the story as it came to me, and of the small details which seem trifles but have a great baring on the plot. Then I have made a character description in hopes of getting to know my characters, better. And it's helped tremendously.
I now know the main characters Jack and Sophia better than ever, and the side worthy characters that colour the plot with there varied abilities and pasts.
 This full fledged novel, as I hope it will be, started as a short story endeavour. But after trying to take that plunge I fell prey to the story and the complex twists that kept on whispering in my ear. So in the end the characters won, I gave up my endeavour to write a short story and have been waist deep in the thick of it since. My ears have not yet tired to the sound of the characters detailed telling of there story, and my fingers have not grown weary at the typing of the same. I have been in a pool of excitement as I think and sort out the wrinkles of the plot and as I write another page. And then another, of the story that I have come to love. Whether I ever get this story published or not has become a trivial thing that doesn't matter anymore I just love this story that I have had nothing to do with, and If I and my immediate family only ever read it. I shan't be unhappy. Due to the fact that I have been privileged with this story. Jack and Sophia came to me. And not I to them. And they are wonderful hosts. I feel quite privileged. I will say for starters that its set in victorian London. But I think you got that from the "title"
This is the novel I shall be detailing on this blog o mine. And hopefully it wont be boring.
Though I have no idea about how to go about it. Here's a thought, if anyone of you my dear readers are interested. Perhaps you will leave me a comment and say what it is you would like to know first ?
And if anyone of you are prolific writers with a plethora of novels and stories under your metaphorical belt perhaps you might have tips ? well this ends this long and varied post which I am absolutely sure bored you all.
photo via tumblr

Pondering's of a dissatisfied writer

I'm daydreaming on the couch about my novels and characters, wondering am I a sufficient enough  writer to complete a story, no I have not done so yet you can stop laughing. Wondering if my voice and style of writing is strong enough to be heard alone, am I the only one who seems to pick up another authors style of writing after reading a particular book ? If I am, then I am thoroughly worried that I can only be a good copy. But perhaps I am over thinking all of this, perhaps my "style" is my own. Let me ask all you writers out there, do you get pen slain by another authors writings and find your self sounding a lot like them when you next sit down to write ?
I shan't be too dramatic with this negative pondering, Though I feel as of late that a lot of things in my life are being neglected, not because of anyone else but because of my own ability to procrastinate.
Lets take writing for example, I seem to be able to start stories with no trouble, and I am in no way lacking for plot inspirations. But I seem to get wary or lets say uninterested when it becomes a struggle with my characters, which usually happens mid story. What would you do if you were me and you had another tempting new plot that is just teeming at my fingertips to be started ? But no I shall not justify my delaying. I seem to get caught in a web of 'woe is me' when I read about another writer who has been fortunate enough to complete a novel and write the words THE END. I get all, I wont say envious, but a bit disappointed in myself, and all these feelings come again.
Hem, what shall I say next ? I have exhausted the point and shall now follow it with another question, What do you my fellow writers do to ward off the bug of procrastination in writing ?
And what have you found to be helpful in completing a story.
I now must thank you for listening to the rantings of a discouraged writer, I know we can be a bit hammy.



Photo via pinterest

Beautiful People

I am now about to tread unknown waters of the creative verity, By this I mean, I am joining the one year edition of Beautiful People.  I have heard about and read a lot of other blogging writers answers and have only now decided to join. Call it a lack of courage, I can be a bit shy even with my own story characters. 
I will be answering these questions for the yet-to-be-named short becoming long story 
I wrote about it Here. 
This months subject is Beautiful People: couples edition


The two main characters who I shall be spotlighting are
Mr Jack Rodham 

Miss Sophia Granor 

Here goes 

1. Do they believe in anything that most people think is impossible? 
Firstly, both Jack and Sophia believe, though sometimes waver in that belief, in undying lasting love. 
Love that, though ran through the washer and put in the fire will not, no, refuses to be extinguished.
And secondly they believe that, the outward appearance, such as social satis and or looks have nothing to do with a persons heart. 

2. Are they strong, or the "damsel/knight in distress" sort? 
This question may take some thought, Both characters are strong.
Sophia because she believes that the injustices of ill bred men are too cruel to be left where they lie, and should be fought, especially when the thing being come against is something she believes in, particularly Love.
Jack on the other-hand has that inner strength which comes from hardships of a heavy burdened childhood, that inner strength that has now become in invariable part of his character. and he's quite the knight, though not in distress. 


3. Do they have a special place? (e.g. a corner in his/her bedroom, under a tree...)
Its funny this question should befall me, when I started this story I quite unconsciously gave both of them a shared favorite place, Its an old half falling down antique house, forgotten by everyone but time and age. to these two its a retreat where they can be who they are without being tolled that their social statuses are not to be entwined.


4. What occupation do they have, or plan on having? 
Jack is a do it all, have tried it all, handyman sort, soldier that became a gentleman. 
Sophia is a lady of fortune, always having wealth, though willing  has never needed an occupation. 
The time in which this story takes place would never permit such a thing.


5. Describe their current place of residence. 
Jack's life has been spent within the hallowed lands of England and their he will stay forever. His heart has grown those ties to the land that can not be described but if you have ever felt, you would understand. Though he has traveled extensively and seen many other lands mostly from the trenches of war, loves his bonny england like no other. His home is a very special home that though ghosted with the past loves it for that reason alone. He lives with his ward a sub-plot and a elderly housekeeper.
Sophia lives in her great Grandmothers home a little east of the Italian coast, though once and always an English lady has been whisked away by her great Grandmother to those ancient halls known and loved only by old aristocratic Italians, who's lives and ideals are set firmly in the past. At least that is her opinion. Sophia feels her "home" is more of a prison, than anything else.


6. Explain their last crisis. How had they changed when they came out of it? 
Jack finds him self falling from the belief that true love really lasts forever. That would be the wavering {see question one} Though its not his love that is in question, merely Sophia's As of this time I am very unsure how he fares in this dessert of doubt, that is not yet been written. 
Sophia on the other hand is a caged bird longing to yet again be free, her great Grandmother is a prison keeper, who keeps all the keys to Sophia's freedom very near her person at all times. She bears this trying time though it lasts years because her great Grandmother is her only living relative and. She comes to learn that through patience and good faith her own heart becomes stronger, even if the prison was to break her spirit. Though not in the haughty way it may seem, she becomes a person with the kind of heart that could only grow from high hopes, struggles and a genuine want to love that which she hates. 

7. If they could drive any kind of car they wanted, what would it be? 
Well I must say that at the time of this story, their were no cars not even to the wealthy so it is a strange question. Though one I am happy to answer. 
Jack would most definitely drive a jaguar like this one he's very vintage-y. 

As for Sophia I really can't imagine her driving a car but I could see her in a vintage Mercedes like this one. 

8. How do they deal with change? 
Good and bad, its hard for anyone to see change when its a hard pill to swallow. But when its the kind of welcomed change which must come at will is embraced. Both characters feel this way 


9. If they had to amputate one body part, which one would they choose? 
Ok this one is really weird, um Jack having seen war would definitely say any body part lost fighting for king and country would bee worth it. But that doesn't answer the question does it ? 
Jack would be fine with any' as I have said. He's the sort of man to take what comes with dignity.
Sophia would be equally fine with losing something, also being the strong sort. But I do believe she is telling me that she could very much live with out a hand or finger quite naturally, specifically her right, She is left handed.


10. What would their favorite be at the local coffee shop? 
Jack is the sort of man to take his beverages dark, wether its brewed coffee or ale. so a simple dark roast coffee would suit him.
Sophia is more a tea drinker, I believe if she lived in modern time she would quite like chi latté 


1. How did they meet? 
Ah the meeting. This one started one rainy day, Jack was working as the grounds keepers apprentice, at the time of Sophia's parents death. Struck with loneliness the two become fast friends and over time the truest lovers that ever were. I really cant say any more, I am unpermitted. 


2. How do these two deal with conflict? 
Both deal differently. Jack has learned to choose his battles wisely, having fought in war he seen no need for extra conflict, though is unafraid to stand when he needs to.
Sophia is quite the fighter, she has had some wild ones with her great Grandmother, an is not withheld by propriety when it comes to conflict, unabashedly relishing in it really. 


3. Do they have a special song, phrase, item, or place? 
As of this time no, if so I have yet to be informed. 


4. What kind of things do they like to do together?
well when I entered the scene they were in the throws of romance, so theirs that. and they really are first and foremost besties if that term applies. They love to talk about there future dreams, and sneaking about into opera shows, purely for the purpose of having a good laugh, is a thing they have done. they try to steer clear of high society where Jack would not be allowed so they do poor things like swimming in a favorite river in mis summer when the heat is high.


5. Describe their relationship as a whole in 3 words, or less. 
unbending sweet and never-fading.


I had a time with this post, and I am really excited to nearing completion with story. To finish this a story is my goal, which means overcoming a weakness to start and never finish.
This story has written its self really, I hardly have had to put thought into it, its as if the characters are whispering there story to me. I would love to know what you think. 




Photos via Pinterest 
Copyright. Rachel Hope 2012 all rights reserved. Please do not copy or share without permission please.