GISHWHES Is Coming!

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

Last year I participated in something unlike anything I ever had before, the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen, fondly known as GISHWHES, and it is upon us once again as of August 2nd. If you’re unfamiliar with this madness, here’s the link to the site, although that probably won’t give you any further insight…it didn’t for me last year. So here’s a little overview without spoiling the unknown:

It was created by the ingenious mind of Misha Collins, Castiel from Supernatural, who I knew nothing about until this event. I only watched Supernatural this past year. Fellow geeks are mocking me. I can hear it. As the title reveals, it is a team oriented international scavenger hunt; a list of items with corresponding values to accomplish in one week’s time is the goal. The quest items are a mix of creative ingenuity, random acts of kindness, and everything in between. You take pictures or video, depending on what is specified, to prove the tasks have been completed.

Last year my sister and I participated with our friends in Arizona, and as we hadn’t made many friends in LA yet who could offer their support both emotionally and/or physically, we were left to our own devices. We accomplished 20 items. Not too shabby. Here are a few pictures of what we did – Commemorate a fictional location (we chose this location as the Entrance to Hades) by placing a historical landmark plaque, create a teddy bear hostage situation, place a purple GISHWHES sweater on the statue of a famous person (that was the best we could do), and “release the Kraken”.

Why I am I sharing this with you, you might ask? As a forewarning. 🙂 Firstly, I may be absent for the week because it takes a lot of time and effort to accomplish the tasks, but it is so worth it. Secondly, because now that I have a small group of international friends at my fingertips, you could offer your support by aiding with items I would otherwise not have access to, i.e. last year one of the items was a specific task photographed in front of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. And finally, if you’re looking for something to jumpstart your creative juices, this will do it. So if you’re up for the challenge you can join and start your own team, or be added to one randomly. If you’d like to offer your support, that would be appreciated as well.

And as a bonus, if you are on the winning team, this year’s prize is a trip to King’s Landing (Game of Thrones) in Croatia. Awesome!! And I want it! I better get my passport in order.

*Oh, and that strange creature above was last year’s mascot, the wooster.

Have a great week everyone!

1Jul2014

Movies That Inspired Me

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

I didn’t receive any Writing Prompt submissions this week, and I was playing around with an idea last night, but didn’t actually write anything. I know. Besides, my mind was complete rubbish by the time I wanted to write and I was misspelling words or leaving them out altogether. I decided it best to just write down a few notes about the idea so I wouldn’t lose it by morning. So for today, I thought I would talk about movies. I am a screenwriter, and I don’t think I really have as yet…

A friend and I were recently discussing movies, and how different our taste in film is. If she likes a movie, it’s a guarantee I won’t, so I usually don’t bother once she’s told me she really liked something, and vice versa. We met in film school, so the basis of our friendship is clearly not founded on our mutual love of the same films. The funny thing is, she likes my screenwriting, so what does that say?

It got me started thinking about film in general, and those that I like, and have been inspired by. I once tried to make a top ten list of my favorite films, and ended up with a list of seventeen and that was lumping Disney and Pixar films into two. I was heavily influenced by Disney princess films, still am. 🙂 And I think the people at Pixar are brilliant, and I sometimes muse at how impressed they are with themselves when I see the most amazing effects in their films; like Sully’s hair blowing in the breeze, or a puff of dust being stirred on one of Andy’s shelves. Amazing.

The following is a list of a few movies that changed my perception, my writing, or me in no particular order, except maybe when I watched them.

The Dark Crystal – Most children I know personally could never watch this film. I’m not even sure how I was able to. It’s dark (pun intended) and a little scary, but the cast is entirely made up of puppets. Most 80s kids are Jim Henson fans, but most of my friends preferred Labyrinth to the Crystal. Not me. This is still on my top ten list because of its impact on me when I was a kid. The idea of a magical world torn apart, the story of an unlikely hero, and the themes of good vs evil, immortality, and sacrifice were all highly effective on my young mind.

The Princess Bride – I don’t know anyone who does not like this movie. It’s wonderful. I would later grow to admire its writer, William Goldman, who also wrote Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, the screenplay for Misery, among many others. He has a great sense of humor and is one of my favorite writers. The Princess Bride impacted me in the sense of combining fantasy and reality, or the reality we create. It is clever, funny, romantic, and full of adventure and swashbuckling, and it is one of the films that would change my storytelling.

Braveheart – I saw Braveheart shortly after my first visit to England. This was the film that got me interested in Medieval times. The film was gritty and brutal, but it was also romantic, and highlighted the values of honor and loyalty. As I had already discovered I was an Anglophile, this just further developed my passion for learning its history, but also, that writers have the opportunity to sway perspective. As writers, we create empathy for our characters. Unlikeable characters can be given a reason for their traits, and become likeable in the eyes of the viewer depending on how the story is told. Current example: Malificent. *I’m not saying she’s unlikeable per say, as she has always been one of my favorite villains.

Sense and Sensibility – This film was my introduction to Jane Austen. Again, shortly after my first visit to England. I was immediately obsessed. I started watching all the film variants of Austen’s work, long before I decided to actually read any of them. Maybe that’s the difference in being a screenwriter vs an author…? I have watched this and Pride & Prejudice so many times, that if we are ever trapped on an island, or whatever, I could recite or reenact this for you. It was this film along with Braveheart that encouraged me to include facets of the time periods into my work.

Elizabeth – My continuing fascination with English history led me to Elizabeth, and my subsequent adoration of Cate Blanchett, one of my favorite actresses. I have become completely fascinated with the Tudors and their times because of this film. The country was torn apart by war, political, and religious issues, so maybe not the best of times, but Elizabeth, a woman (*gasp), became one of the country’s greatest monarchs. She should never have become queen, but it was her destiny, and even this influenced my writing. (I could write a great deal about Queen Elizabeth I.) It was while writing my screenplay entitled, 217, that I discovered my fascination with certain time periods were all separated by roughly 200 years…revelation. *You can read about it in the Excerpts section.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – I have long enjoyed foreign films and this is still one of the best I’ve ever watched. It combines so many elements I enjoy; unrequited love, history (I’m a sucker for a period piece – can you tell by the list?), fantasy, and women who are not relegated to side/nondescript characters. It also has beautifully choreographed fight sequences. All of this further influenced my writing in regards to combining different elements, which is probably why I enjoy writing “fantasy”. I was driven to watch any and all films that were even remotely related to this style, and I did find Hero with Jet Li, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung. They utilized a wonderful technique of telling the same story from different points of view and changing the color of their clothes and surroundings to highlight the difference. Lovely.

So how about you? Which films influenced you?

28Jun2014

Let’s Celebrate (With a Little Reflection)

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

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? 😉

23Jun2014

Quote of the Week

Posted in Quotes by Rachael C Marek

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!

20Jun2014

Insight & Input

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

Happy Friday everyone!

I’m sort of taking the day off. I’ve been under the weather (what a strange term) since Monday, and I’d like to relax and do a little gaming before my sister gets home and takes over the television. I got my priorities.

I’ve been thinking…

When I started this blog, I really had no expectations. I didn’t even know what I was doing. Still don’t. I see followers come and go and endure a small roller-coaster of emotion with every change in that number, so I’m thinking about removing it all together. Then I wondered, maybe I should ask you if there’s something in particular you’d like more of? What are you looking for out of a blog?

I began with sharing screenwriting information (a rather niche market), then wanted the blog to be a bit more personal. I wanted it to be encouraging, hence the Writing Prompts, and I’m hoping to build a community, but what else would you like? Please leave a comment, suggestion, idea, etc.

I appreciate you all! I feel like I’ve developed relationships, albeit virtually, with many of you, and I look forward to our interactions. Keep up your good work and I wish you all the best!

16Jun2014

Quote of The Week

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

This is a good one…and a great reminder.

Be who you are, not who the world wants you to be.

Have a great week everyone!

15Jun2014

Note To Self: Get to Work!

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

As I utilize this blog as my journal as well, I may randomly just post something that is more of a reminder for my future self (see the title of my blog, I was not trying to be clever, it’s true). Case in point. This is a weekly review because I’ll be sure to not remember in a week…

Monday – Film festival orientation and discovery that it was going to be a waste of time. Should’ve gone to writer’s group and been productive.

Tuesday – Career help from a great source, and realization I am not quite prepared. Must work faster! Emergency visit to the vet at 2 a.m. because Phoebe had been bitten by something and her poor little face was swollen. Stayed up until 7 a.m. to make sure she was recovering because I would not leave her at the vet.

Wednesday – Completely useless from stress and lack of sleep from previous day. I think we started watching Doctor Who. Now I get it.

Thursday – Cleaned the house from top to bottom in an effort to find the little bastard that bit my furbaby. Was reminded how much I hate cleaning.

Friday – See, I’ve already forgotten and it’s only been two days…Oh, I was reminded of my age because I was out of sorts and sore from the manual labor the previous day, and…that’s all I got.

Saturday – Took my visiting friend, Julie, to the beach. Got too much sun, relaxed the rest of the day amidst Sherlock and Doctor Who, and played a little Scrabble – my sister kicked my butt, like by a lot. She got two triple word spaces for 99 pts and had no tiles leftover. My last word only garnered me 3 pts and I was left with a bloody Q to which I had to subtract 10 pts from my total. *Grrrr

Sunday – Lots of reading, story development (I figured out my second tv series idea – Yay!), and some writing.

I hope you’re all enjoying the rest of your Sunday and here’s to a productive following week!

*Quick edit – mentioned Sherlock so must include picture of Benedict! You’re welcome! 😉

13Jun2014

Tell the Universe What You Want

Posted in Posts, Tips by Rachael C Marek

Writers 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. 😉

9Jun2014

Quotes of the Week

Posted in Posts, Quotes by Rachael C Marek

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!

5Jun2014

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

The other day while walking my furkids, I had this memory from my childhood. As my blog is called “A Writer’s Discrepant Memoir” due to my horrible memory, I thought I would share it before I lost it again.

There’s a house on our street that looks like it belongs in a Grimm’s fairytale. Among all the greenery and flowers, it has bushes that started flowering honeysuckles. I looked at them and was transported back to the days of my childhood, when I used to pluck honeysuckles from a neighbor’s house, hoping to never get caught, and would drop the tiny nectar from their stamens* onto my tongue. As I looked at them now, I still didn’t know if they were poisonous or not, but as a child I did not care. I looked it up, they’re not. But I remember looking forward to their blooming every year, trying not to pluck too many in a given day as to not leave enough for the rest of the season, or for the other neighborhood kids that had introduced me to the nectar in the first place.

It was an odd memory. Even when I still lived in Vegas or when I go back for visits, I never go down that old street, but the more I thought of it, the more memories came. I used to play Madison the mermaid from the movie Splash in a neighbor’s pool. I had very, very long hair. Remember Crystal Gayle? Google her. I wasn’t too far from that. I had my bike stolen there. I got bitten by a St. Bernard, who I remember stalked me until I had nowhere else to go and he bit my butt. He was enormous, and must have outweighed me by 150 lbs. easy. I used to build forts in the desert just around the corner from our neighborhood. I remember one of our neighbors was friends with my parents, who at a party put his hand in the blender when it got stuck, and yep, it became unstuck with his hand still in it. I’ve had a paranoia of blenders and garbage disposals ever since. Anytime I see that in a tv show or movie, I cringe and get a little sick inside. I got chicken pox in that house. I used to play school by myself in our den. I threw up brussel sprouts that I had eaten at a friend’s house, even after I begged not to eat them, because I did not like the smell. I still can barely eat them. I used the word “bastard” for the first time in reference to my one year old brother. He was not, and I don’t think I even knew what the word meant, but it was years later before I dared to speak that word aloud again. I broke a glow stick on the carpet in my bedroom. I remember my parent’s bathroom toilet had leaked and mushrooms grew in the carpet. So weird, right?!

It’s funny the things that stir memories. A little flower took me down memory lane. Well, how’s that for a throwback?

Happy Thursday everyone!