Dear Pain

 

Pain is a funny thing. Especially when you live with it constantly. Every moment of every day. 

In some ways, it grounds you, like an old friend. It keeps you humble and it feels like home. 

But that doesn’t make it pleasant. 

It’s more like that nostalgia that drags at the fuzzy corners of your mind, prompting an acute sense of melancholy or longing. 

And then there are the days where you just wish for a physical manifestation of your pain to punch in the face. With an anvil. Or ten. And the frustration of having nothing to take it out on is palpable. 

You can reach out to friends and family. Tell them you’re struggling, tell them you’re hurting. And they’ll be there for you. They’ll listen to you rant, they’ll wish you the best, they’ll be just as frustrated as you are that they can’t fix it. 

But they can’t do anything. 

And you can’t do anything. 

And sometimes, that fact is enough to keep you tossing and turning all night. Fear, maybe. Anger, sometimes. 

But mostly it’s just helplessness. 

Hopelessness. 

It’s grappling with the truth that you don’t even know what it means to be without pain, even just for a single second of a single day.  

And that hurts almost as much as your body does. 

At that point, there are only two options. You can give up and cry and let yourself fall apart. Or you can suck it up, embrace the pain, and find the things that make life worth it. 

The friends that hold your hand through it. 

The stage that makes you feel alive. 

The words dancing under your pen that show you that you are more than your physical, pain wracked body. 

The light in another’s eyes when you unlock a door of knowledge for them. 

Pain is hard. 

Pain is everywhere. 

And sometimes, pain is constant. 

But it isn’t everything. 

And it isn’t who you are. 

I Would Read 500 Words (And I Would Read 500 More…)

If you’ve ever had to edit the sludge pile of your own first draft, you know the pain of that underlined statement above. Every writer struggles with their craft at some point or other, and I’ve personally lost count of the times I’ve lamented my decision to become a writer. It’s a rough life style, draining emotionally, mentally, and physically – something that those outside the profession don’t often understand. But this week, I’d like to help my fellow writers out.

Those of you that have been around here long enough will have noticed the recent addition to Cross Country Gal – the new Editing and Tutoring page. What does this have to do with helping out the frantic, red ink bleeding writers out there? Well, I just so happen to be offering my services for free over the next week.

Proclaimers Week

When:  Sunday (2/12/14) – Saturday (2/22/14)

Where: In the comfort of your own home. Or school. Or favorite coffee house nook. Anywhere with internet and your handy lap-top.

What: You select the service you believe most helpful to any of your written pieces (manuscripts, essays, anything currently residing in your “SOS” pile). I will perform the specified service on 500-1,000 words for you, free of charge. The only thing I ask in return is that you share this post through your various forms of social media, tagging my Author Page so that I can verify. I then ask that upon my completion of your submission, you leave a review of my performance on either the above Facebook page, or the Editing and Tutoring page here. That’s all there is to it!

How: Send your 500-1,ooo word segment (preferably as an MS Word document) and selected service to Hannah Stewart at dragonkissedfiend@gmail.com with “Proclaimers Week” as the Subject, along with any special requests.

Bonus: If you include a link to the song referenced in this post with your email, I will up the offer to 1,100 words.

Note: All documents I receive for editing will be deleted from my computer upon your acceptance of the returned document, to guarantee safety for your works. Your works are yours, protected under Copyright, and Heaven take me if I use them dishonestly. 

A Fighter

They were pounding down the homestretch, thundering breaths and hooves hammering against our chests, the handicappers hollering, swearing. Then there was screaming, horrified gasps, our champion reined back with leg uplifted, swinging. Helpers, muscled stablehands hold that dark curtain up between us, faces tight and downcast, protecting softhearted viewers from the harsh and painful sight. I stretch and strain, desperate for just a single glance to know. A black muzzle, nostrils strained, appears. I crane around to meet his flashing, bloodshot eyes that give me answer.
He was a fighter. But he’s tired of fighting. 

Into Silence

The plastic chairs creak beneath the classroom full of students. Yawns, scratching pencils, shuffling feet create the deep, white silence swallowing the scene, leaving only thirst in its wake. No sound but the empty words bouncing from the walls, falling on deaf ears like raindrops pounding a tin roof – less pleasing. In one dark corner a flipping page, nose buried in a book, hungry to learn, to know. The lecture continues its war drum pound, droning into silence.

Summer Heat: Meet the Cast

Folks, it’s about that time again. I’ve spent the month with my new, shiny characters from Summer Heat (available to read here) and can now say I know them well enough for another Interesting Introduction. So, without further ado, the cast of Summer Heat, presented by Disney (and Disney-esque) songs encompassing the essence of their characters. It may not be your typical introduction, but I bet you’ll get a pretty good feel for each of these characters after listening in.

Immy

Main character of Summer Heat, Immy is a Winter being. She is loving and loyal, and fighting to save her family – no matter the cost.

Teague

Teague is a friend (and sometimes antagonist) to Immy. He came in at just the right time to help her, and seems to know quite a bit about her past. His own history is a mystery, but glimpses of kindness behind his sarcastic, hardened shell give us an idea of what he may really be like.

Bebai

Immy’s adoptive father and leader of the Fall clan that has raised her. He’s a loving man, willing to do anything it takes to protect his family.

Shona

Shona is married to Bebai. She’s a wonderful mother, not opposed to tough love, but is always there to pick her children up when they fall down. Everyone respects her, and she is fiercely protective of her clan. (Disclaimer: I selected this song because it fit her very well, but obviously she is not the manipulative villain Mother Gothel was.)

Caryn

Caryn is Immy’s best friend and adopted sister. They’ve grown up together, and they would do anything for each other.

Alister

Alister is Bebai and Shona’s only child by blood, and therefore will one day be the leader of their Fall clan. He’s quiet and distant much of the time, jealousy having driven a stake between he and his adopted sisters, but he has his moments. He loves them both dearly even if he won’t show it, and like Bebai, would do anything to protect them.

Prince Carrick

Prince Carrick, heir to the Winter throne and thorn in Immy’s side. Ever since she and Teague accidentally saved his rear end from the fire warriors, he can’t seem to take his eyes off of her. His help is invaluable, but Immy would much rather kick him in the shins and wash her hands of him.

The Fire Warriors

Led by Rourke, the most powerful fire warrior in the Summer Kingdom’s army, these rapscallions cause all kinds of trouble. Less a unified enemy, more a raging mass of wild teenagers that can control flames and cackle like a murder (of crows). As of yet, they are mostly a faceless enemy, but that will soon change – especially now that Immy’s got a highly personal bone to pick with them.