Daily Writing Challenge - Austentacious

On December 16, 1775, Jane Austen was born. Now, in the year 2014, 239 years after the author was born, today is marked as the very first Jane Austen day.

I remember my first introduction to the world of Austen. It was 2004, the lights in the classroom had been dimmed and the small 12" TV hooked up to a corner of the ceiling started playing classical music. We only watched small excerpts of the 1995 BBC miniseries based upon Pride and Prejudice but from the moment I heard Elizabeth tell Darcy that he could not have insulted her in a more despicable manner, I knew I had to watch the rest.

Ever since that first introduction, I have read and re-read the novel a multitude of times and played the videos in the background as I studied an interminable number of times and yet still I do not tire of the story. There is something alluring about Elizabeth's independent nature and her tempestuous relationship with Mr. Darcy that cannot be explained. She is pert and sarcastic, with a witty nature that draws others to her, In contrast, Darcy appears to be aloof, cold and intolerant of the stupidity of others. Yet, they are perfectly matched. *sigh* Truly, one of the best historical romances I have ever read and a classic at that.

Today, as part of the daily writing challenge, I draw upon the world Jane Austen grew up in, the country of her heritage. Today, it is not so much a writing exercise but an exercise in humor, in craft and the incorporation of historical events.

As I am sure many of you have encountered, the slogan KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON has permeated even American society. But at the beginning, it was a motivational poster created by the British government in 1939 to rally the public in preparation for the Second World War. This was the third of such posters created; however, never printed. The other two read "Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with all your Might" and "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution, Will Bring Us Victory."

A number of parodies have evolved from the initial campaign but the idea behind the posters remains. The slogans are often motivational or serve to create a following.

Today, the challenge is to create your own KEEP CALM poster. A number of sites are available to create your own posters, the one I used is the Keep-Calm-o-matic.  You can link it to a social media account or make your own with anonymity.

Here are some of my creations which tie into interests or have a loose association with events or people from my life.

In honor of this day

For my knitting buddies and Ravelry

Because who wouldn't want a cuddly ball of fat?