Tag Archives: Dream Big

Quote of the Week

Posted in Quotes by

Recently I was talking with someone about goals and dreams, and I realized how mine have changed over the years.  When I was in my early twenties, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself, a screenwriter was nowhere in the vicinity.  I’ve always considered myself a late bloomer; where I thought I’d be, and where I am now…life can be funny that way.  I had the following quote on my graduation announcements, when I finally decided to go back to school and finish on my own terms.  I graduated two months before I turned thirty (*Shh, don’t tell!). See, late bloomer.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Thoreau

Watch out world, here we come!

Tell the Universe What You Want

Posted in Posts, Tips by

LokiSaysIShouldBeWritingWriters are by far the hardest-on-themselves group of people I’ve had the privilege of knowing, myself included.  We expect so much out of ourselves, especially in regards to our work.  Not only do we struggle to create (and are we ever truly happy?), we also criticize ourselves for not writing enough, we suffer from a plethora of fears; rejection, the blank page, another rewrite, completion, even success, and then we must endure at least a hundred plus other steps in order to succeed as professional writers.  There are dozens of avenues to explore, and we try them all in the hopes of finding the right one.  And people wonder why we’re “special”…or have the audacity to think it’s easy and that everyone can do it, or that all we do is daydream…these and other ideas like them fall into the realm of “writer’s pet peeves”.

So back to the topic at hand, the recent opportunity I was thinking about and mentioned on Monday – volunteering at the Los Angeles Film Festival by Film Independent.  They also put on the Independent Spirit Awards, so I thought it might be a great way to meet people and network, but when you’re a volunteer, you’re not really allowed to do that.  And then a few things popped up and made it a near impossibility to work the event at all, so I’m striking it off the list and moving forward…but to where?  I was discovering quickly that this year was going to pass me by without any real progress.  That was a devastating realization.

I believe that when you voice your desires aloud, that’s when things start happening.  Obviously we still have to work at it, but making the bold declaration, writing down our goals, and putting them out into the universe help to solidify them in our mind.  They aren’t just these dreams we have, but fully realized goals we can move forward to achieve.  What I needed was a new plan.  Great.  Something else to divert my attention from writing.

So the following night when I was talking to my sister’s boss and she asked what she could do to help me with my career, I told her.  I put it out there.  She and her husband both work with and know lots of people that could help me (including some of the biggest names that would pretty much make me pee my pants if I found myself in the same room with them), but in my mind I had drawn a line.  They are my sister’s bosses and therefore should almost be off limits, that is, unless they offer.  Growing up, we were instilled with this idea of doing things on our own, not relying on others, and making our own way (which I clearly can not do as a screenwriter).  Call it pride or stubbornness or stupidity (which is what my sister’s boss called it), but I got a very quick lesson in asking those who are capable and willing for help.  Bottom line is I’m meeting with them in the next few weeks in order to advance my career.

So I will now voice my desires; my next goal – have my portfolio ready when I meet with those who have offered me help.  Oh, gracious universe, please be kind and let the words flow from my mind to my fingertips without much stumbling.  Please allow my mind to grasp all the elements I need in order to finalize my rewrite…*fingers crossed.  A little forewarning, I may be a little absent as a result, because I have quite a bit of work ahead of me.

So go on, tell the universe what it is you want.  Good Luck!

*And by now you should know, if I can, I will include a picture of either Tom Hiddleston or Benedict Cumberbatch.  So you’ll always have that to look forward to. 😉

Quotes of the Week

Posted in Posts, Quotes by

There is no one way toward a destination, and sometimes we have to try different avenues to get us to our goal.  I’ve decided to try something different.  I’ll keep you posted. 😉

You can’t always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes, you have to dare to do it because life is too short to wonder what could have been.

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

Have a great week everyone!

2 Writing Opportunities

Posted in Posts, Tips, Websites by

So I’ve come across two writing opportunities that I’d like to share:

1.  NBC is casting a net to find new comedy writers.  Here’s the link.

2. Disney ABC Creative Talent Development is looking for scenes for their talent showcase.  You can find more info on their Facebook page, and because I couldn’t find a proper link, here’s a screenshot of the details.

ABCshowcaseI’ll keep my eyes and ears open for any other opportunities!

Good luck!

Reminiscing

Posted in Posts by

BalloonsToday is my birthday.  It goes without saying, as with the passing of the new year where I might reflect on unkept goals, that I will reflect upon the current state of my life.  I’m another year older, and I’m working harder than before to get where I want to be, but I have to wonder where I would be if I hadn’t decided to take this chance; moving to Los Angeles to become a writer.  For those of you who have been following me for a little while now, you know I am working at becoming an established, professional screenwriter in Hollywood.  This is not what I thought I would be doing when I was growing up.  When I was a kid, I thought I’d be a teacher, or an artist of sorts (I always liked to write and tell “stories”, some of which got me into some trouble), or maybe an astronaut.  I’d definitely be married with at least four children, living somewhere nice in a house with a picket fence, and where the kids could build forts in the wild.  My life would be “settled”.  It’s strange how things do/don’t work out.  I look at some of my friends, their grown up lives, and wonder, “Have I veered off track?”.

I’ve written about this before, about not comparing lives.  What works for some does not work for all, and neither should it.  If I had married when I was younger, stayed in the church life, had a family, and started a career of another sort, I have to wonder what kind of person I would be now?  Would I be happy?  Would I still be writing?  Would I still like to play video games?  Would I be content in the life I had built, or have a nagging feeling that I did not follow my dreams?  Do dreams change?  I love the line at the end of Tangled (the Disney movie) about how they each became the other’s new dream, which is a lovely sentiment, but as with all princess stories where the end goal is to catch the prince, is that the best message?  I think I’ve grown a bit cynical in my “old age”.  Yes, I do want my own happily ever after, but now I want it wrapped with a different bow, one of my own making.  This is something that has come with age — knowing yourself better.  I’m not unhappy about where my life is, but sometimes I just wish I would have realized earlier that this is what I really wanted to do.  But then again, who knows if I would have had the nerve to do this.  Life is a series of events and decisions that makes us who we are today.  Maybe now I am the best version of myself to accomplish this dream.

I thought about this woman I know, a professional with a family.  She has no hobbies, no further goals, her movie watching and book reading are limited, and I have to wonder if I’d be more like that at this point had I followed a similar path?  To each their own, but oh, how boring that sounds.

I was reminiscing this weekend…I think I was about thirteen or so when I knew I wanted to be a writer.  I was writing a romance novel, of which I had no actual knowledge by the way.  While vacationing, I left my pages on the balcony and a wind picked them up and scattered them to the world below.  I went from floor to floor in a panic, trying to gather all the pages from the balconies I could see them on.  I never did recover them all.  I’m not sure exactly why this memory came up, except that I am much older now, and finally working at making that little girl’s dream a reality.

I also thought about my first love.  I would have married him at twenty-one years old.  He broke my heart, letting me go to follow my dreams, and although it took some time to get here, I have to thank him for that.  He had a great impact on my life.  We shared some extremely romantic moments that I refer to in my writing still to this day.  He was a good man, and I hope he is well, wherever he is.

I don’t really have any tips or words of wisdom from all this, take from it what you will.  It was basically a ramble as I reflect on my life, but thanks for letting me do it.  If you have a dream, I hope you’re brave enough to follow it.  Today, again, a friend told me how they admired my passion.  I’m glad I have people in my life rooting for me to succeed.  I hope you all do too.  If not, let me be the one who says — “I admire your dedication and passion!”  I wish you all the best of luck!

Have a great week!

Candles

A(nother) New Year

Posted in Posts by

Welcome to 2014!

BigBen2013

I can’t believe it’s a new year.  I’m sure many of you are thinking the same thing.  Just two hours into the new year and I remembered something I once heard — how you spend your time in those “early moments” of the new year is a great way to determine how you will (want to) spend your year.  I wanted it to be about writing, so here I am, 2 a.m., writing.

I wish you all a Happy New Year!  Hopefully, everyone was safe, had a wonderful time, and is looking forward to the prospects that a new year can bring.  I plan on making some personal resolutions…later.  I’m also planning on reorganizing my professional to do list, creating new goals, and laying a course of action for my career.  My hope for you all is that you will do the same for yourselves.  Let’s make 2014 wonderful; filled with passion, creativity, imagination, fantasy, romance, fun, and productivity.  Let’s have no regrets!

Thank you all for helping me make the last few months (since I started this blog) of 2013 memorable by supporting me and my work.  It really helps the mental well being of this lonely writer to see the likes, comments, and follows as you all lend your time to my ramblings.  I truly appreciate it!

Best of luck to you all and continued success!  xx, Rach

Welcome to LA

Posted in Images, Posts, Tips by

HollywoodSignI drove all over this city this weekend and found myself in awe, again.  It is vast and interesting.  Remembering how I had wanted to give a little advice to my fellow writers about this town, here are a few things to know if you are planning on moving here, are new to the city, or even if you’re just planning a visit:

1) It’s expensive to live here.  Seriously.  Housing, gas prices, state tax, the added recycling fee on all your beverages, movie tickets, and depending on where you live there are toll roads, just to name a few.  It’s odd that after some time the novelty of this wears off and just becomes part of your daily life.  $2,000 for an apartment just doesn’t sound that crazy anymore…that’s the crazy part.

2) The weather really is fantastic all year round.  It’s Nov. 11 and it was 70 degrees.

3) The traffic is truly awful.  When you hear people complain about it, they are not just idly and without merit shooting off.  Most people plan there whole day around what roads and freeways they’ll have to take.  GPS has never been more effective in helping us poor sods find alternate routes to make a 15 mile journey less than an hour and half anywhere after 3pm.  FYI, if you live or are just going over the hill (Van Nuys, Encino, Studio City area) there are really only two or three streets you can take.  And everyone else is taking them too. Side note, the 405 freeway is always under construction.  Beware.AboveLA

4) Parking fees.  You will quickly learn there is very little free parking.  I recently had to pay $4 to park at the hospital when I was only there 30 mins.  Really.  There are meters everywhere and those prices vary depending on which city you’re in.  Also, there are usually 3-4 parking  permissible signs on every post that are designed to confuse you; you can’t park on Tuesdays between 10-12, 1-hr parking only until 4, and permit parking only after 6…this is a bad example, but you get the gist.  Also, remember to ask anytime you go anywhere if the company/restaurant/theater “validates”.  Memorize this.  It’s extremely important and beneficial.

5) Parking tickets.  Without fail, you will receive at least 2-3 within the first six months.  There is this thing called “street sweeping” that evidently happens every week, one side one day, the other side the next, and you must be aware of this anywhere and everywhere you go.  If you don’t move your car within the first few seconds after the appointed time, you’re probably getting a ticket.  If you park on a hill and do not turn your wheels, if it’s specified, you’re getting a ticket.  Use your bluetooth or you’re getting a ticket.

6) You MUST know how to parallel park.  If you’re not any good at it, get good!  It’s shocking how often you will have to parallel here.  I suggest buying a small car.

Disneyland@Halloween

7) Disneyland.  It’s only a short drive away.

8) Try to find a job before moving here.  The job market is rough.  One trick, find a job where you currently live that has a location or office in LA and try to transfer.

9) Try not to move alone.  The buddy system is important here; someone you can call in a jam and share that astronomical rent with.  This town is big and can leave you lonely.  Besides, everyone’s trying to be an actor or something related to the entertainment industry and we’re notoriously flakey.  It’s good to have back-up and someone who will be flakey with you.

10) A short drive can take you somewhere new for a quick getaway; Malibu, Santa Barbara, Ojai, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Big Bear are all just a little ways away.

Despite the negatives, Los Angeles is an interesting and opportunistic town to take advantage of.  If you enjoy celebrity sightings, you’re never far from one anywhere you go.  If you love the beach, there are miles of it.  The town is extremely pet friendly.  Your fur kids are allowed at most restaurants (with patios) and most stores.  I’ve taken my babies into Bloomys and Saks.  Some of the outdoor malls, like the one in Century City, have water bowls outside most of their stores, offer treats, and have small play/rest areas.  There is plenty to do; restaurants, museums, shows, outdoor concerts, outdoor movies, events in the Hollywood Cemetery, art walks, farmers markets, landmarks (movie & historical), hiking, sightseeing…There’s something for everyone.  And for writers, this is where the proverbial “opportunity knocks”.

My big advice for a hopeful transplant is Be Prepared!  Do your research and have a savings account.  This is just off the top of my head, so if you ever have a question, feel free to send me a message.GriffithObservatory3

Have a great week!