Deadlines!

Posted in Posts, Tips by Rachael C Marek

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. — Douglas Adams

Hi, my name is Rachael, and I am a procrastinator. If there were a group, I’d most definitely be a member. Procrastinator. That’s what I am. Try as I might, plan as I will, nothing really gets done until the last minute. I seem to do better now, now that I’ve acknowledged I have a problem, but mostly it still takes a looming deadline to force me to action. And it can’t be some lofty idea of a deadline, that self-imposed type. It needs to be a solid, no exceptions type. I do well under pressure. And if I know there’s no wiggle room, it’s easier to accept and to make things happen.

But that was the old me…

I am on a new mission, doing things differently. I set some broad, realistic deadlines to start. Then I discovered that the more I put myself out there, researching sites, trying to find contacts, etc. I found actual deadlines I could impose on myself of things I wanted to be a part of which helps in putting me on track with a very specific schedule; so far, two screenwriting competitions, an author quest for a new book series, and a fellowship, in addition to reading others’ screenplays to offer feedback and writing/rewriting my own material, reading, blogging, and the rest of my daily routine. And I’m one of those that does better when they have more on their plate…so heap away!

So, here’s my tip of the day: If there’s something you want to do, set a deadline, or find one out in the world that will force you (as I have). Sometimes we need a little blood pumping, sweat, tears, panic, and chaos to achieve great things!

Good luck!

You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. What mood is that? Last-minute panic. ― Bill Watterson

6Sep2013

It’s all about the routine!

Posted in Posts, Tips by Rachael C Marek

In an effort to approach my career more professionally I’ve taken to reading numerous articles daily about “the craft” and the like. I came upon this article recently, originally posted by James Clear (jamesclear.com/daily-routines-writers) about the daily routines of 12 famous writers and how they can be applied to our own lives. Most writers wake up early and exercise. I have two dogs so I walk and jog a little daily, but today I tried exercising. We’ll see how long that lasts. I hate mornings.

I, myself, am all about routine. Having the dogs helps too, as they keep me on track, but I’m a night owl. I write best, I feel, in the late hours of the night when the world is asleep, dark and quiet. There are no distractions; no phone calls, few Facebook updates, no pressing matters. And I can play a few mind numbing rounds of Tetris without feeling guilty. I read somewhere that Bret Easton Ellis plays too. That makes me feel better. Sometimes, while I’m spaced out, negotiating odd-shaped blocks into a perfect pattern, I can workout whatever little bump in the writing road I’ve encountered.

Henry Miller’s routine in particular struck me so I thought I’d share – In 1932, the famous writer and painter created a work schedule that listed his “Commandments” for him to follow as part of his daily routine. This list was published in the book, Henry Miller On Writing.

Work on one thing at a time until finished.
Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring.”
Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
When you can’t create you can work.
Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day.Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Good Luck!

29Aug2013

Welcome to the New and Improved Ramblings

Posted in Posts by Rachael C Marek

I had come to a decision and needed to make some changes. Starting with this, a new site to call home and begin anew…

You’re probably thinking, “Another blog? Is this really necessary?” Right? I, myself, only follow a handful of blogs, because who has the time between everything else that fills our lives? My hope is that I will 1) Impart a lesson. I am a writer trying to make it in Hollywood. I want others to know that it’s never too late to follow their dreams. Really! Whatever you want to do with your life…have no deathbed regrets! 2) Share valuable information I learn along the way for/with fellow writers and traverse this rocky terrain of solitude together. 3) Give a little insight into the psyche of a writer heavily influenced by fairytales, romance, and all things fantastical, and how my stories come into being. And 4) Have fun sharing my world – Music that inspires. Images that fascinate. Words that enlighten.

Oh, and the reasoning behind the name “The Discrepant Memoirs” is that I have a horrible memory. I remember some of the oddest things, but then things I think might be important…gone. I’d like to blame my overactive imagination, that my mind can’t possibly be expected to retain so much, but the truth is, it’s just bad. Every now and then I think I should go to a doctor and have it looked into, but then I forget. No amount of ginseng can save me now. So this blog will act as my virtual journal, something I’ve never been able to keep (not for extended periods of time, anyway), in order to track my progress towards my goals and then hopefully all the juicy details that follow. That way, when it comes to actually writing my memoirs, I’ll have all these sketchy details to refer to.

Welcome to my world!