I’ve read a few times that as writers we need to celebrate any and all victories.  Because the process of writing can take a while to find resolution, and due to the thankless nature of our chosen path, writers suffer from a whole range of maladies, so we need to remind ourselves of why we do what we do and find joy whenever possible.  Depending on the victory; a finished chapter, first draft, final rewrite, etc. the reward should be commensurate to the accomplishment.  Maybe you buy yourself a new pen or keyboard, you enjoy that limited reserve you drink only for special occasions, or whatever it is you would do for yourself for getting over that particular hurdle.

Hence, I am celebrating that after a couple of weeks of watching that follower counter teeter (and why I finally removed it) at the 200 mark, it’s official.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you!  Now don’t go anywhere, okay? 🙂

Now the question…what shall I do to celebrate?  When I hit 50 followers I shared a little personal insight into the evolution of my first script, Fate(s), somehow I missed the 100 follower mark, but did post a little celebration for 100 posts, but this means a great deal more to me – that you share your time with me.  So I thought I’d share a little about myself today, something I rarely do.

My name is Rachael, but I do write under a pseudonym.  In the novel Timeline by Michael Crichton, one of my favorite books, I fell in love with the character of Andre Marek, portrayed by the lovely Gerard Butler in the horrible film.  By the way, it is one of my goals to remake this.  The character loved all things about the past, learned how to speak old languages, and to swing a broadsword, so he was the perfect companion to travel into medieval times with, and as I had always felt a little out of place myself, I took his name for my own.

It began when I was nineteen, when I traveled to England for the first time.  I can still remember to this day, even though my memory is detestable, the feeling of seeing England for the first time.  We hadn’t even landed, we were still flying overhead.  My feet hadn’t touched the earth, but I had the feeling that I was home.  That moment changed a great many things for me.  Not only has it affected my writing, but every other facet of my life.  (This will give you a little insight into my love of Jane Austen, Dragon Age, British actors (Hiddleston, Cumberbatch, Tennant, Firth, and so many more), etc.) *Quick edit, I mentioned the boys, therefore I must insert pictures.

Now this is the strange thing.  My sperm-donor, yes, I will say that aloud due to the fact I’ve had no association with this person since I was maybe five years old, was English.  So it makes me wonder about what things are inherent.  I am English by proxy basically, but am more drawn to it than anything else I can think of, besides my writing.

I’m pretty certain I was born a story teller.  When I was a kid, I used to tell stories about how things, accidents even purposeful ones, happened which can be construed as lies.  Let’s call it early lessons in imagination.  I can sort of remember saying a monster burned a whole in the back of the car seat with the cigarette lighter…yeah, that was me.  I maintained that “story” for years, never fessing up.  I was also stubborn, a somewhat know-it-all, with a lack of respect for authority.  Couldn’t tell you why.  Oh, and this was all before I became a teenager.

When I was in fourth grade, I started working on my biography, because, you know, so much had happened in my nine years.  But it was in fifth grade I was given a blank hardcover book to create a story all of my own design.  I think that’s when I was hooked.  I wrote about running away from home after my bicycle was wrecked and living in the back of a convenience store of a family friend.  There’s a whole lot of backstory to that one.

I tried my hand at short stories, poetry, lyrics, stage plays, and novels but nothing ever felt right.  I never really finished anything either.  Not until I decided to go back to school and took my first screenwriting class.  That’s when I found my passion.  And that’s why I decided to write this blog.  To share what I’ve learned, to keep track of my progress (you know, because of the bad memory thing), and hopefully help a young writer find their passion.  I have a few friends who are still struggling to find theirs, and I can’t imagine living a life not connected to something.

So I must thank, Mr. Sean Clark, my university advisor who introduced me to screenwriting.  It changed my life.  My writing gives me drive.  It makes me look at the world and continually think, “What if…”.  It allows my imagination to run wild.  And it is for these things I will forever be grateful.

And to all of you, my new friends who are on this journey with me…

xx, Rach

Now…how should I celebrate? 😉