I love keeping up with the latest technologies, scientific developments, astronomical discoveries and the like; it informs my novel-writing and plot development. But what did our present look like in the past (if one could say that)? What did past generations look forward and envision for our time? How much of it was humorously inaccurate, and how much of it could be inspiration still? For a glimpse into the minds of the past, click on the photo below.
Like something out of a Science Fiction film, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault looks like a monolith rising out of the snowy mountains in Norway. Its purpose could be out of the same film: It’s a depository for seeds from around the world, to preserve plants in case of global disaster, whether fire, flood, ice or nuclear. To read the whole story, check out the Wikipedia article by clicking on the image below. If you write Science Fiction, be inspired! If you are into gardening, global environmental issues, or simply worried about the direction society is heading, take comfort… there are people planning ahead.
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Here’s a list that proves attraction is just weird, and that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder! I find this interesting especially because of the possibilities for finding that quirky element for building fictional characters. Enjoy, and be inspired to write depth and breadth! Click on the image below to view the article:
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If you’re a writer like me, you like keeping your eyes and ears open for interesting websites, information, random bits that can inspire and inform your writing. I just came across a great little gem on You Tube, the channel of Grant Thompson, the King of Random. He has, well, random videos, including scientific experiments, life-hacks, how-tos and a lot more. Need to know how to make fire with water? Check. Need to know how to fold a napkin to look like a shirt, or flower, or boat? Check? How to cut an apple to look like a swan? Check. Check him out by clicking on the photo below!
There are restaurants, and then there are places that serve experiences. Here is an amazing story of Tim Harris, restaurant owner, 10-time Olympic medalist, and a hugger. Yep. He serves food and a great hug. And he might also have the distinction of being the only owner of a restaurant who also happens to have Down Syndrome. And he’s so right: People with disabilities are a gift to the world. Through their perspectives and challenges, love of life and courage to face it with a smile (even though they have moods along with the rest of us!), we can learn to appreciate what we have, and take each day as a gift. Click on the photo below to follow the story, and come out smiling!
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Christmas is over and schools are starting back up this coming Monday here in Switzerland. We all know the adage of the older generation answering the complaints of the younger generation about going to school with, “When I was your age, I (fill in the blanks)____________ (had to cross a snow storm on my hands and knees every day / rode a horse sixty miles one way / had to eat the horse halfway to avoid starvation…).”
I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but here children need to know what they want to do with their careers by the time they’re 12 or 13 so that they can begin training specifically in maths or sciences toward that goal. I don’t know about you, but I never thought that far ahead at that age! I don’t know a child who does; so it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on them at a far too early age, if you ask me. Having said that, children here don’t have to traverse war zones, landmine fields, or floods to get to their school here. Some may have to cross mountains, but they do so in a school bus. Yet for all of that, education is one of the most precious assets on the planet; with it, the world lays open before us; without it, opportunities often remain just out of reach, or so far away that they’re completely out of sight.
So the next time you hear a teenager you know complain about going to school, just show them the photos from the link by clicking on the images below, and may we all remember to count our blessings!
![risking-lives-for-school[2]](https://stephaniehuesler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/risking-lives-for-school2.jpg?w=561&h=358)
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In a world of virtual contact, communication and anonymous cities and neighborhoods, it’s easy to lose touch with what’s really important. It’s easy to lose touch with others, and when they (or we) go through difficulties, the distance can seem insurmountable. We may live in a global village, but at the heart of all of us is a longing for relationships, for friendships, for connecting with other humans on a deeper level than superficial social politeness. Here’s a woman who overcame her own depression by focusing on others, and it’s amazing to see how much it has snowballed since that one act of kindness to a stranger. Click on the photo below to watch the story unfold.
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The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” may seem dated in this computer age, and it’s certainly not what marketing gurus who earn bucks on book cover layout and sales want you to believe; but here’s a story that proves that adage in spades! Just remember, diamonds start off as coal under a lot of pressure. Click on the image below for the story:
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Announcing the release of my second book, Redemption! At the moment both books are available on Kindle, and coming soon in paperback. If you enjoy 18th century fiction a la Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer, I think you’ll love these two books! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing them; before writing the third book in this series, however, I’ll be finishing two other manuscripts, in vastly different genres. So keep your eye out for more news!
The reason for the brief interlude between the releases of The Price of Freedom and Redemption is that the second was nearly complete when I released the first one; POF had been done for a few months by the time I actually had time to sit down and go through the publication process for the first time properly; don’t think either book was rushed, as I’m meticulous with the nuts and bolts, and I would like to think quality, though that is up to the reader to assess, not me!
To read a snippet of the book and find out more, please check out my “Publications” page, and let me know what you think – I’d love to hear from you!
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What on the surface just looks like a man going through mid-life crisis in a pink tutu turns out to be a heart-warming and inspirational story that will make you smile every time you see a pink tutu from now on. Just click on the photo below to hear the story of a man’s love for his wife and the lengths he’s gone to, to bring a smile to her face in the midst of the trials of cancer, and where it’s gone from that simple desire.
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Stephanie Huesler 