First Quote of 2024

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Happy New Year, everyone!

So those of you have been with me for some time will probably remember that I’m not a fan of the term “resolution”. I don’t want to resolve myself towards anything that doesn’t truly require that sort of sentiment. I prefer the more apt term “goal”.

I like that a goal can be set at any time, not just the beginning of a new year, although the start of a year brings with it a pretty decent measuring stick. I set my reading and watching goals at the start. My writing goals fluctuate throughout the year, although I try to give myself a handful to begin with as part of a plan to not be aimless.

They’ve been kind of the same for a while now…

It may be time to make some different choices…

Like the quote above states – just begin.

I mentioned in my New Year’s Eve post that I had extended some of my writing goals into January due to our move, and so it is my unofficial new year’s resolution, nope, still don’t like it, goal to reevaluate those particular writing goals in February. To put it out in the universe, I’ll share them with you then.

What do you want to achieve in 2024? Say it aloud. Write it down. Post it in view. Let’s make it happen!

Sending you positive vibes and best wishes for a productive and prosperous new year!

3Aug2023

Writing Prompt #158

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

For this week’s writing prompt, I found an image that speaks to a new idea I’ve had recently. The imagination is slowly getting back up to speed, and now I’m on the hunt for imagery for yet another Pinterest board…gracious.

Do you need a little escape from your own writing? Want to join me in this week’s writing prompt challenge? Be sure to share, and from all of us in this community, we look forward to seeing your new creations!

Happy Writing!

1Aug2023

Quote of the Week

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

I was skimming my socials when I came upon this quote. I’m sure I’ve shared it before, but it resounded with me today, and well, here it is, possibly, probably, again.

I’m taking a class on how to get writing assignments through ScreenwritingU, a section of the screenwriting world I’ve never learned. I’m only into week two and it’s been rather eye-opening.

So upon seeing this quote, I thought to myself, “You know what? Let’s try that.”

I’ve watched some bad movies in my life, and as a writer, I’m sometimes surprised (and maybe a little annoyed/jealous) that it got made. The truth is, no one sets out to make a bad movie. There are just so many moving parts and so many chefs in the kitchen that sometimes a potentially good movie is doomed to fail. There are budget constraints and so many rewrites that often times a good script can become unrecognizable. It’s a sad side effect of the business.

So how do you “believe” in yourself? How do you become the person others are jealous of?

It’s not easy being brave where our art is concerned. For writers, we’re fairly content being on our own, keeping our words close to our hearts, and not really showing them to the world out of fear, for a number of reasons while simultaneously wanting fame and fortune. So I suppose step one might be – try being a little more brave. Get something out into the world.

One person’s opinion should not shatter our dreams and derail our perseverance. So get some feedback. It’s all about growing, becoming better, and challenging ourselves. That takes courage.

Maybe step two is evaluating our work and ourselves. I suppose this might actually be the first step. What are we good at, maybe even great at? By celebrating those things, it should help boost our confidence. Knowing where our strengths lie is a good stepping stone to progressing forward. This will also help us be more brave when we know we have something to be proud of.

And finally, I’d say step three is personal affirmations. Yeah, this sounds a little woo-woo, but when I do yoga, sometimes the instructor says something like, “Thank yourself for showing up today.” It usually makes me giggle, but it also makes me feel better. It’s so simple, and yet effective. If you’ve never said something nice to yourself, try it. Trust me. (wink)

Do you have any other tips of how we can make an impact towards our career? Share it below!

Happy Writing!

12Jul2023

Writing Prompt #157

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

I’ve always been fascinated by fire. It’s beautiful, it dances, and while it can be destructive, it can also be cleansing. It warms a cold night, its discovery changed humanity, and it is to be both feared and revered.

For this week’s writing prompt, I wanted to find cool imagery that might spark the imagination. Pun intended?

What do you think? Up for this week’s writing prompt challenge? I look forward to reading your creations!

Happy Writing!

6Jul2023

Another Update and a Quote

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Well, hello!

I hope you’re all well! So, I have an update – we are finally…mostly…settled in our new place and lives, hence the radio silence on my end recently.

It took some time.

I was driving an hour and a half one way for work, for about six weeks, therefore I had little time to spend doing anything of value during the week. The 55+ hours away from home were exhausting, both mentally and physically. It was temporary, but it was a struggle some days.

I give it up to those who do that sort of drive regularly.

I had little opportunity to feel creative, because so much was still in the air. And that takes a toll of a different kind.

What did offer a sliver of light during this chaos was meeting a fellow screenwriter at my new work place. In addition to talking about our “craft”, we talked about the other kind of writing we enjoy…fan fiction.

Yep. I met another gamer-geek-writer who writes fanfic of a game she loves and we laughed and encouraged one another for it. It was a great moment, but what made it even better was a short time later, when we crossed paths again, she thanked me for letting her be seen, for feeling validated for enjoying something that so many people either don’t understand or belittle and frown upon.

I shared with her how I had once been embarrassed by the joy I received in writing something that held no bearing or consequence on my “real” writing. I used it as an escape, because my screenwriting was ever so personal and had to be painstakingly written to be just right. I could write freely, and that was a lovely, stress-free feeling. She could empathize and that was a nice moment as I have so few writer friends to share in the misery.

For a while, I was embarrassed by my “real” writing too.

We, writers, are weird.

I found the quote above a couple of weeks ago, but I haven’t had the impulse to sit and write. Not really. I have written a little, but in all honesty, I haven’t felt like I’ve had anything to say, even with the story of my new writer friend. Then I went to lunch with a friend from college who shared with me some unexpected news, and this quote resonated with me again. She needed to be heard.

And I knew I needed to share this quote.

This page is not just dedicated to our creative lives, but our regular lives too. Everything we experience, the good and bad, shapes us. It not only makes us better writers, but hopefully, better people too.

Do you have a story to share? Do you need to feel seen? Let’s commiserate and lift one another up!

Happy Writing! xx, Rach

15Mar2023

Writing Prompt #156

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

It’s time to get this writing community back to Writing Prompt Wednesdays! It’s been a while, and if you feel anything like I do, which I hope you don’t, you may need a little inspiration to get that imagination back up and running.

So one of the story ideas that tried to make itself known during the move was a one-shot fan fiction from Dragon Age.

I know! Don’t even get me started.

It’s a simple idea from a mission in the third game that left a lot of fans in a tizzy at the time, and for some reason, came to me when I didn’t have any time for anything creative. I made a few notes and left it at that.

Then a few days ago, wanting to write anything, I opened up that story idea and wrote about 500 words. Not a huge number by any means, but…it felt good…to be creative.

The idea is of a character left alone in an inhospitable environment and how they might survive.

And then I saw this image and it struck me in its symbolism to this short story I’m working on. So here it is, my impulse choice for this week’s writing prompt.

Are you up for the challenge?

Happy Writing!

1Feb2023

Quote of the Week

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

We’re already a month in to a new year?! How?

Like seriously. How?

And here we are again – a random day for a quote of the week post that I started some two weeks ago. ((insert eye roll))

I was struck by this quote and wanted to share it when I thought it would be the most impactful, right at the beginning of the year, but sure, let’s share it now…a month in.

With a new year comes the idea of new beginnings. We establish new goals, make resolutions, and have rose-colored glasses on…for about a month.

Then the newness sheen tarnishes and you discover that in reality not much has changed except the date.

Are we there yet? Effective February 1st? You know, where the glossy veneer has diminished?

Nope. Me either. This year we’re going to do things different. We’re going to do something about “it”. We’re going to change the narrative.

The last couple of years have been rough. Honestly, it’s still not great, but I think we all have hope for what 2023 will bring. In that vein, The Sis and I are endeavoring yet another move, back to California for my career, among other reasons, like our mental well-being. While it was great to give a new place a shot, this never-ending cold, gray landscape is not for us, but that’s a story for another day.

Putting out into the universe the willingness to be ready for the change has already brought some interesting developments, family and new friends with contacts, so I can hit the ground running. It’s exciting, and a little frightening. It may actually all come together.

So here’s to new beginnings!

18Jan2023

Writing Prompt #155

Posted in Writing Prompt by Rachael C Marek

I’m currently reading The Martian by Andy Weir. I am also playing Fallout 4. I am fascinated by extreme situations and how people handle them. Why? No idea. And I’m not sure exactly what that says about me. Let’s not delve too deep.

Not too long ago, writing prompt #151 actually, I shared a similar image. It was a close up of a woman’s face within an astronaut-like helmet. The lighting was different, and the overall feel was more positive…or so it could be construed.

This image has a totally different feel, and I like it…for the story ideas it inspires.

I’ve had a number of ideas percolating for the rewrite of my sci-fi pilot, and I’m hoping the dry spell is over, so when I saw this interesting piece of imagery, it felt right that it become this week’s writing prompt. It has a cool, creepy vibe and encapsulates the isolation my poor protagonist is enduring, in addition to an impending threat – what could it be?!

What do you think? Feeling inspired?

I look forward to you joining me in this week’s writing prompt challenge!

Happy Writing!

5Jan2023

First Quote of 2023

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Happy New Year!

I wanted to find a quote that really sets the tone for the year I want us all to have. This is by no means a judgement on anyone other than myself, but I want all of us to be able to create the life we want.

I’ve always been surprised by the concept of how little things seem to change over the course of a year, but looking back how different things sometimes are. This is why this quote resonated with me.

I’m of a certain age now where I’ve come to an understanding of a few things:

I’m more comfortable with myself and who I am, like I’m not wildly embarrassed to admit I write fan fiction anymore. ((wince))
I’m not as hard on myself.
I take better care of myself. Thank you yoga!
And biggest improvement, I’m learning to love myself. I take a moment during yoga to thank myself for showing up. It usually makes me giggle, but so often it’s easier not to show up. It’s a small step, I am still learning, but since we’re stuck with ourselves we should be nicer.

The Sis has helped me to be brave. Maybe because she’s the youngest, she developed this strong sense of self. She’s self-aware in a way that’s taken me years to become. I still don’t think I’m there. It’s all part of the evolution of becoming who we’re supposed to be.

Where I need the help is in the discipline arena.

With the gray days of winter, I oversleep. I feel the seasonal depression. I’m way off my routine, and I seem uninspired to do anything about it, but if I want to be in the right position to take on Hollywood in a few months, I have to get in gear, and now. I was going strong for a while, but upon the completion of a couple of projects, I lost motivation. Currently it still feels like a void, and because of this I allow myself to become distracted, and days go by…like this post. I started it on Monday. ((insert eye roll))

I need more discipline.

So that is at the top of my To Do List for this year.

What are you hoping to accomplish this year? What strides did you make looking back on 2022? Remember, each day can be a new beginning. Little steps lead to great strides. And who knows, in a year you could be exactly where you want to be.

Best wishes!

xx, Rach

28Dec2022

The Last Quote of 2022

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

I can’t believe we’re here again.

The end of another year.

2023 is on the horizon, and it sounds like the date in a sci-fi movie.

When you consider where your energy and focus were spent this last year, do you notice a pattern? Do feel it was time well spent, or are you now in the chastising phase at year’s end? As I’ve aged, like a fine wine (ha!), and after the Covid shutdown, it has become more clear what is important and what is not worth my time, like wondering/worrying if people like me.

What a tedious waste of time.

RuPaul says:

What other people think of me is none of my business.

Words to live by.

It used to be my goal wherever I worked to make sure I was liked, by everyone, even the hard asses. Actually, that was the most satisfying win. I would kill them with kindness, and whatever else I had in my wheelhouse. It worked on guests too. While that helped at the time to ensure a positive work environment (and better tips), it hasn’t really mattered in the long run. I’m not friends with any of those people anymore. I wasn’t even friends with most of them after I left the establishment, so what did all that worrying and effort truly gain me?

Deep down, I know it has something to do with legacy. I want people to remember me fondly, but the clincher is, because I haven’t remained friends with almost any of those people, all that energy was spent without any real reward.

What could I have done with it instead, I wonder?

I tell myself, now, that it was all training for working with people in Hollywood. There are a lot of personalities, sometimes all in the same room, and I have a well developed skill in dealing with them.

There’s no reason not to be who you want. There’s no reason not to chase your dreams. There’s no reason not to build the life you desire.

Don’t waste your energy on those things that don’t support the life you’re trying to lead. Take stock of your life and what drains you. You probably already know what those subjects are. I know I do.

So, what does this have to do with a new year? I know I have a love/hate relationship with resolutions, but I’m gonna make them anyway. How about you? Knowing where I should focus my attention will help in creating a more successful goal setting plan, and that’s what I wish for you. It’s about shifting perspective, and taking inventory of what matters and what you want to accomplish.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season! And here’s to spending our energy where we want to in 2023.