It’s Quote Monday

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Happy Monday, everyone! I’ve been a little absent once again, due to a number of reasons, one being an unexpected wave of sadness last week. I wasn’t sure if this was something I wanted to share, but this blog also acts as my journal, and the memories are bittersweet. And who knows…maybe it will inspire someone to be brave when I was not.

I was talking about my first screenplay, Fate(s), with a coworker who asked about its inspiration. One of the biggest influences came long after the initial concept of the story while I was living in Phoenix, AZ.

I was working in this little bistro in Scottsdale when I was literally hit by Cupid’s arrow. A tall, dark, and handsome stranger walked in and I was struck, to my very core. It seems like a foolish thing to say, even now, but it’s true. I’d never felt anything like it before and I haven’t again since.

His name was Nicholas and he came in three times, but I was a wuss, and nothing ever came of it. Nearly 10 years later and it’s still something I regret.

I’m happy on my own, mostly. Every so often I have this pang in my chest that maybe he was “the one” and I let him get away, and that is a very unsettling feeling. The Sis made a comment that despite my protesting, I would be happy with a man, and I retaliated with, “Not just any man”.

So I turned this angst into a predominant aspect of my screenplay when I began rewrites, and gave my couple the happily ever after they deserved – the one I’m afraid I may not get myself. The idea of knowing someone without having met them, past lives, destiny – does it exist?

So for a couple of days these random thoughts swirled around in my head, you can imagine the variety, while my coworker suggested trying to track him down. Yeah, that wouldn’t be weird at all…

I was eventually able to shake it off, but it’s left me wondering.

I write about it all the time, because that princess/Jane Austen side of me wants everyone to find that kind of love and that dreamy happily ever after in spite of “reality”, but what are your thoughts?

Do you believe in soul mates or love at first sight?

27Apr2015

Quote Monday

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

As I continue to send my first script out to contests and other opportunities, I’ve felt this nagging little feeling in the recesses of my mind, a little in the depths of my stomach, this odd sense of anxiety. So many quotes relate to overcoming fear of failure, but this is almost more related to the fear of success. Has anyone else ever felt this?

We work for months or years on something, love it, want it to go out into the world and do great things, only to fear that it might actually do just that…how weird.

I’m not sure how people will respond to my screenplay. It’s been a total labor of love, years in the making with a number of variations until it got where it is today. To think that it might do well, that I may have a chance to do what I really want with my life, to be a working screenwriter is kind of a scary prospect.

But every day someone in the world is getting to live their dream, so why not me? Why not You?

And then there’s that flip side. The other fear if things don’t go as I hope and dream.

What if it’s not good enough? What if I have to wait another year? What will I have to show for all of this in the end? What other options do I have? Ugh. The questions.

Maybe it’s a little of the fear of the unknown. No matter how much we read or hear about it, until we are actually a part of the process, it’s all unknown.

I Moving Forward love writing! I love seeing my characters come to life and make their own choices and lead the story, and regardless, I will never not write, but to never achieve some modicum of the success I would like…I don’t want to know that regret.

So as I look to the end of the week and the opportunity to send my work out to two more times, I’m smothering the fears and looking to the future.

And this is what I wish for you as well! Don’t let any fear deter you from achieving your goal, no matter how big!

Good Luck and Best Wishes!!

13Apr2015

Quote Monday

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Small Steps

I finally submitted my first screenplay, Fate(s), to two screenwriting contests – the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship and Final Draft’s Big Break.

I’m feeling pretty good about it, and now I can finally move forward on the other stories I’ve written or need to.

What small (or big) step will you take today?

Wishing you all the best!

30Mar2015

Quote Monday

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works. – Virginia Woolf

23Mar2015

The Best of Quote Mondays

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

I was scrolling through my image gallery and saw all these wonderful quotes I’ve posted and thought it might be time to do a sort of “best of”.

Looking back, I have found that my quotes were meant to boost my own morale as I have struggled with unemployment, keeping motivated, staying focused, and achieving my goals, but because these are topics I’m sure, we, as creatives have all struggled with, I hope you have found them useful as well. These are among some of my favorites.

I wish for each of us to reach the level of success we desire and I hope you will continue to find the quotes inspirational and a boost to your own morale. Keep reaching for those goals, make new ones, and make a little progress everyday!

Wishing you all the best, my friends! Happy Writing!

17Mar2015

Quote Monday on a Tuesday

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

I honestly have no idea what is going on with me right now, and because I don’t want to complain (because it really does no good), I’m going to try my best to get back to my routine and hopefully find some solace there. I was trying to keep up with the Blogging U class, write my screenplay, while trying to find a new job, and a plethora of other things happening at the moment, and I feel as if I’m failing at everything.

I thought with more on my plate I would achieve more, but what I’ve discovered is that I want to stick my head in the sand and ignore it all. Not really productive. I stare at the computer for long stints without much action, I’m tired and/or feel brain dead a lot of the time, and I just haven’t felt that oomph, you know, that thing that compels you. I just don’t have it at the moment. No Stopping

I’m not giving up by any means, but I need to seriously do something about my current situation and kick my butt into gear. I have no one to blame but myself, and I am thankful for so many things, even the not-so-great job for peanuts, but I know it is the one thing encumbering me from doing more with myself.

Ah, the life of a creative…finding the balance between making money and doing what we love.

I hope you all are well! I apologize for being so absent, again, and thank you for letting me rant. Happy Tuesday and Happy Writing!!

I am open to words of wisdom and advice! 🙂

23Feb2015

It’s Quote Monday

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

I remember when I started telling people I wanted to be a screenwriter the reactions I often received. I received a lot of scoffs and naysaying and “words of wisdom” that I should choose a more practical career path. This is something that has always bothered me, and it used to gnaw on me a little, actually it still kind of does when I think on it. Why would you ever demean someone’s dream? Why would you think to say it can’t be done, especially when you don’t know what the person is capable of?

This is why I try to be so positive and encouraging in this space. Maybe you’ve received those comments and don’t have a lot of people in your corner telling you, “You can do it!” I’ll be that person for you! 🙂

The Sis and I spoke for some time last night as she took a few online tests to try to make a determination of which career path would suit her best. I love screenwriting and want her to do something she loves too, no matter how long it takes to achieve it. Unfortunately, my creative path practically ensures that I will work in jobs with little satisfaction (because creatives often want to save their energy for their real job) until I “make it”, while her career paths require many years of schooling, but will then reap huge rewards in the end. We each must choose what makes us happy and have the courage to follow it.

Set goals and dreams for yourself that people find amusing and then push those people aside as you go on to achieve your goals. The naysaying should be fuel for your tenacity to show them all! Wave to them from the top, and hope that they find something to be passionate about, because that’s probably the main reason they have chosen to try to knock you down.

So here’s to your continuing success! Best of luck!

9Feb2015

It’s Quote Monday…kind of.

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

BewareDestinationAddiction The last couple of weeks, the impending doom surrounding my birthday has caused random outbursts of emotion. I’ve had some bad birthdays, but this one is different. I was in a home store, looking at the various items that could be useful in the new place; new towels, area rugs, side tables, etc. when I started to well up. It’s frustrating to feel sort of stuck; always hoping and striving for more. I keep banking on this elusive future that I can’t wait to happen, and yet with each passing day I don’t feel any closer. I got a job I was hoping would be something I could be proud of in the meantime, I’m writing every day, but we write rubbish and I don’t even make enough money to make it worthwhile.

So as I stared at the cute side table, thinking that I should be able to walk into a store and just buy something like that once in a while, I was reminded of my circumstances and that with the looming age I should be in a different place. So my eyes filled and I started the self-loathing.

I’m just not satisfied with my life. Being an artist is a difficult path, and as positive as I try to remain, sometimes life just smacks you in the face. I’m usually the first to say, “age is just a number”, but this birthday now puts me in a new box. You know the box. I’m officially in a new one next week.

I found these quotes, that made me feel a little better, and thought I’d share them for if you’re ever feeling low.

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis

“In my dreams, I never have an age.” – Madeleine L’Engle

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain

I hope you all have a wonderful week! And if you have any words of wisdom, please share! 🙂

26Jan2015

It’s Quote Monday!

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

Yesterday I posted the links to a number of writing contests coming up, so today I decided we could all use some encouragement to help us achieve those goals. These are not just for writers, but for anyone who is ready to do great things! WeOnlyRegretTheChancesWeDidn'tTake

What is it you want to accomplish?

I realized that I have to make some adjustments if I want to get my writing on track and be more productive. The days pass in a blur, and I am no further to accomplishing my goals than I was a few months ago, but that all changed this weekend. I’m afraid it’s going to take a bit to get back in the full swing of things, and I don’t really have that kind of time…but at least I’ve found that spark again, and my brain turns to that instead of blank nothingness.

So, if you have any secrets you’d like to share about writing, rewriting, finding time, or working through the brain dead patches…please do so! 🙂

She believed she could

I wish you all well, my friends! Have a great, and productive week!

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.