Submission Season is Upon Us

Posted in Posts, Tips by Rachael C Marek

As promised, here are a couple of resources to utilize to find contests and their deadlines. While some screenwriting contests are just beginning (Nicholl, PAGE, and Scriptapalooza), others are nearing their end (Cinestory, Creative World Awards, and Bluecat is already closed). I have updated my Calendar of Events page to highlight screenwriting contests in particular, and by no means is this a complete list, but they are among some of the more notable ones.

Also, here is a link on writing loglines that you may find helpful.

Aerogramme Writers’ Studio has put together the following list to highlight those events coming up in February and March many of which are open to both experienced and novice writers alike.

If you know of any great contests and would like to share them, please leave me the info in the comments and I’ll be sure to add them to the list!

So let’s get crackin’! Let’s get our work in order and show them what we’re made of! 😉

Happy Sunday!

23Jan2015

The Dragon Age Obsession Saga Continues…Part I

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

So the time has finally come for me to talk about Dragon Age, Inquisition. Oh, yes…and I have lots to say, so let’s just call this Part I in a series, aka The Introduction. Let me start off with this, I love it! It’s beautiful, it’s vast, there’s plenty to do and see, and there’s lots of content to keep you occupied. I finished it a little over a week ago, and immediately felt this void…I was sad to say goodbye. I had spent so many hours with my merry band of misfits, and I was conflicted about whether or not to start a new character or do the responsible thing and do all the “grown up” things I had been putting off since it arrived.

There is this odd side effect to game playing – a sense of accomplishment. You have a list of quests or things to find, etc. and as you complete each one, you can feel the satisfaction that you did something with your day. Don’t judge. It is satisfying, especially when in real life it usually takes much longer to see the fruits of your labor. And when things aren’t going according to plan, you can spend a few hours slaying demons, saving the world, and finding romance.

Hello, have you seen how much better Cullen looks since Origins?! I was disappointed by a one year delay in the game’s release, but it was because of this delay that we got this new romance option. So, thank you, Bioware! He was worth the wait. 😉

And then there’s Dorian, oh Dorian, Bioware’s first gay character who is not only dashing, but also sassy, clever, and has one of the best moustaches ever. As I played as a woman, because I always do when it’s an option, he was a fun flirt option and a great addition to my party.

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you have seen the effect this game series has left on me (refresh your memory here or here or check out my Pinterest board entitled “A Minor Obsession Called Dragon Age“), and they did not fail to continue this trend with Inquisition. I felt the best way to share the pros and cons of the new installment was to start at the beginning, before you even put in the disk to play, but worry not, I’ll keep this one short to begin with since I’ve already rambled a bit.

My excitement at its release enabled me to talk two of my coworkers into playing, and found myself a walking encyclopedia of information for their game play. It felt nice. Neither had played DA2 and because I was able to share a bit of the history and interesting points, I turned them toward playing that one as well. I’m sinister like that.

If you’re interested in playing, you can find a plethora of articles, videos, and the like pretty much anywhere to garner more information, but why spoil the fun? It was extremely difficult to avoid all the spoilers that continued to inundate my feeds, but as I’m always behind in my tv watching and anything else relevant in the world, I just averted my eyes and continued to scroll.

So for today, I’ll only talk about the Dragon Age Keep. Even if you haven’t played the first two games, you can develop a back story that is unique to your new world by utilizing the Keep to answer a series of questions relevant to the first two games. This will then carry over into the history, comments made, cameos, etc. It makes each play through a different experience. In Origins did you make Alistair king? Did you romance Morrigan? In DA2 did you fight the Arishok? Did you become Viscount? It’s these big decisions and many smaller ones that will determine your play through…it’s so much fun!

This is also a fascinating tactic to employ as we are able to see how the choices we make do indeed affect the world around us. The other thing I like about this idea is that as storytellers, we can see how many of these events are connected, and how important world building truly is. I’ll end on this note, it’s a whole lot of fun, and hopefully as I move forward in this series if you didn’t want to play before…you now will! 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone!

19Jan2015

It’s Quote Monday

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Let’s start the week off with some inspiration! Here are a few quotes about determination. I have found that with approaching deadlines, the fear of failure is lingering. I don’t want to encourage that kind of thinking so I decided to find a few quotes that would help not only me during my time of stress, but for those of you who may be joining me in the crazy boat. I found the following:

Your Competition Quote

In the next few days I will try to ensure that I update the submissions section to keep you all up to date of approaching deadlines, you know, so we can stress together on a current timeline! 🙂

Wishing you all the best! And here’s to achieving those goals!

17Jan2015

A Letter to My Sister on her Birthday

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

Dearest A,

I don’t remember much, but I do remember the happiness and love I felt the day you came home. I was so happy to have a baby sister, mainly because I was excited to be able to swaddle you in pink, our brother didn’t appreciate that. You were so bald for so long, and I loved listening to you laugh, still do. Maybe that’s why I love the sound of babies laughing…It all started with you.

I’m sorry your birthday didn’t happen as I had hoped this year, there’s always so many big plans, and yet…I know I say it often, but eventually it will be true, “things won’t always be like this”. So we’re going to celebrate today and it will still be wonderful albeit a little belated.

Little Sister ecard As your (much) older sister, I should never even say that aloud, here are a few words of advice. I feel it’s necessary to impart some wisdom, whether you heed the words or not. 🙂 I don’t want you to worry about everything, you’re still young (you really are), you have so much ahead of you, and things will work out as they should. We are going to make things happen this year because I have only ever wanted great things for you.

You are the age now that I was when I decided to go back to school, so believe me when I say that it’s never too late. Keep in mind the quote I love so well, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been”. Only you can choose to be who you want, although I like you just fine the way you are, and find the thing that will make you happy. I want you to have passion in your life, and there’s no time limit on finding it. As you remind me, age is a number and it doesn’t have to define us.

And now for a few thank yous. I’m not sure who I’d be if we hadn’t decided to move in together all those years ago, and I truly am thankful. I’m more comfortable with myself, something that comes a little with age I know, but it is also because of you. You’ve always had the ability to just be who you are and damn whatever anyone else thinks. I’ve always envied that, but I am a little better now thanks to you.

BCBirthday You are not only my sister, but the best friend I have ever had. You know me better than anyone ever has and you keep me young (so thanks for that). I love that we never have to say a thing to know what the other is thinking, or we can say some random thing that says so much. I love that we can be geeks together, that we laugh at the same things (even when no one else is laughing), and that we get excited about so many of the same things. I could list them, but that’s our thing. If it wasn’t for you, I’m not sure I would have ever discovered Dragon Age – how sad is that thought?! Or my love of Doctor Who or even Captain America…goodness, my life would be so boring. 😉

I also have to thank you for your continued support. Having you in my corner is what makes me want to do more and be more.

So Happy Birthday! Enjoy today as if it were your actual birthday.

Love, Me xoxo

14Jan2015

Writing Prompt Challenge Accepted #9

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

I have to admit that the few times I’ve actually had the chance to sit in front of my computer, I lollygagged. It was refreshing to be able to sit and do what I wanted.*

I have been desperate to get back to writing, and although I have found myself easily distracted, as I recently stated, this non-writing thing is nonsense, so…Writing Prompt Challenge Accepted!

It’s never too late to join in the fun! 🙂

The first one is inspired by Pride & Prejudice: Unworthy

He felt he had been riding for hours. His legs burned and the poor animal beneath him had finally slowed its pace as it drew nearer to the familiar landscape of his home. Taking a deep breath he dismounted and walked the horse at a leisurely pace towards the stone bridge he had always found solace upon. His father had stood there with him in his youth, regaling him with stories of their family and their duty. He now stood upon it alone, and he needed his father’s counsel more than ever. It was hard for him to admit that he knew he was unworthy of her love; he had done nothing to encourage her affection, but he had been foolhardy enough to believe his title and income would be enough to entreat her to consider his proposal. Her affection would grow over time. Wasn’t that the way it happened? He knew there was something different about her; it was what had drawn his attention in the first place, and he had surprised even himself with the depth of his regard for her, but now he had to consider the possibility of a life without her, and that was something he hadn’t been prepared for.

The Lock

They had immediately been drawn to one another, despite their circumstances. The flirtation had started innocently enough, but with each subsequent encounter their passion grew. There were too many opportunities to be thrown together, and it wasn’t long before the lingering glances across the crowded ballroom, the brushes of hands in passing, and even the stolen kisses in dark corners became insufficient to satiate the consuming hunger. It was then that war came, and their separation became inevitable. The pang that ripped at their heart strings was enough to compel them to enjoy whatever moments they could together in the hopes it would bond them eternally and bring them back together at some point in the future, of this life or the next.

They met in secret in an unused room, away from prying eyes, surprised at the ease of their deception. She arrived first, her breathing staggered in anticipation. When the door slowly opened and he appeared, they were in each other’s arms in an instant, his hand lingering on the lock as he enveloped her in passionate embrace.

Intrigue

Despite the lingering fog, the night was warm. The river’s silent invitation persuaded her to peel off her hose and take off her shoes to dangle her toes in the cool water while she waited. She sat there in the eerie silence watching as the fog continued to roll in and eat the end of the bridge until it disappeared into nothing. A wasteland could lie beyond, and it did, but on a night like tonight it was impossible to know.

She recounted every time they had met here while a faint smile full of fond memories tugged at the corners of her mouth. It wasn’t supposed to have been like this. She would probably be branded a traitor, but war was a funny thing to those on the ground. His large frame cracked the veil, the golden glow from the lights enveloping him as he moved forward. She should leave, but found herself rooted to the spot, the fog moving in closer even now – perhaps it was an omen. The thought caused a lump to form and she swallowed hard.

I hope you are all well and continuing towards your goals!

Don’t forget to share your writings if you’ve been inspired.

*This is a reference to my sweat-shop inspired job. That’s a story for another day.

8Jan2015

Look at this!

Posted in Posts, Tips by Rachael C Marek

Hello, my fellow creatives!

If you’re not following Aerogramme Writer’s Studio yet, here’s their latest post, and probably a big incentive as to why you should. I have found a great deal of helpful information on their site, and this is an especially good one.

A residency in France? Scotland? Denmark? Yes to all, please!

Give it a look and Good Luck!

6Jan2015

Writing Prompt #41

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

So in keeping with my goals of getting back on track, I offer you the following image for this week’s Writing Prompt. I have really missed these…and I can’t wait to see what you create!

For those of you unfamiliar with the purpose of the prompt, I find what I think are interesting pictures, post them, then ask you to share whatever you create from the inspiration I hope you find in it. I also share my own writing; short stories that I like to call flash fiction – under 200 words with little thought or editing. And I fully plan on writing a few this week, because this non-writing thing is nonsense. 😉

Happy Writing!

5Jan2015

Let’s Start the New Year Off Right

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

It’s a new year! Still can’t get over that. As I mentioned in my New Year’s post, I’m not one for making resolutions. I think that you can decide to change your life, make new goals, do something different whenever you want, and just because it’s January 1^st it does not somehow magically help you decide to make the change. You have to want to do it.

Although for screenwriters in particular, the beginning of a new year is the beginning of a new process to sending our work out in the hopes of being discovered and becoming a professional, so in that regard some resolutions have to be made early in order to be effective. This has been a source of concern that I may lose out on another year…there are a number of factors I can lay blame upon, but the truth is, it’s my own fault for not being better prepared. BlankPages

The move consumed me for a number of months, from packing and prepping to living in temporary accommodations until we found our own place, job hunting, etc. the time just escaped me and my routine was nonexistent.

The end of another year is cause for some reflection. I have been thinking about the move and the changes that have come with it. I’ve been thinking about the job I was so relieved to get, and how it’s not all I had hoped it would be. Especially how it has sapped all my creative juices and I haven’t written a word on any of my own stuff since I started it. I have had sparks of inspiration, just last night I thought of an interesting new detail to add to a rewrite – it’s nice to know things are still brewing on the back burner.

TooTooToo So, as the new year starts and with it a new series of goals to achieve, I offer these quotes as a source of inspiration! (You all know how much I love a good quote.) Try to remain positive and focus on the small improvements and steps you can take forward every day that will lead you to your bigger goal.

Let’s make this the year we do great things! It'sNeverTooLate

31Dec2014

Goodbye 2014

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

I am completely taken aback that another year has come to a close. How does this keep happening? And why does time continue to go by faster and faster? It’s not like I’m having so much fun that time is flying by. 😉

I had started thinking about doing a year in review type thing, but because I’m not one for making resolutions (I think change can happen anytime you want it to and I am all for making goals throughout the year) why would I bookmark the end of the year when there are still so many things going on?

What the New Year does tell me is that I’m this much closer to a scary birthday. (Insert sob) Spring tells me it’s time to get my writing in order (again…still) because it’s time to send out the scripts for contests and for pilot/hiring season.

Seriously, where has the time gone? 2015?! I know everyone will be saying this, but gracious…I’m still in a state of awe.

So Happy New Year, my friends! I wish for you a year full of dreams, goals, possibilities, and doing what we love – I look forward to seeing what we are all able to accomplish. Be safe as you enjoy ringing in the New Year with friends and loved ones.

Best wishes!

xx, Rach

*Sorry this is on the short side, but technically I’m supposed to be working. 🙂

24Dec2014

It’s That Time of Year Already?!

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

Today’s post is officially number 200! It should have come much sooner, but I am thankful for it nonetheless and for all of you who have been on this journey with me over the last year. It has been a pleasure to meet you all, although mostly virtual, and to spend time with you.