Writing Prompt #51

Good afternoon, my fellow creatives!

As we have reached the halfway point in our week, I have decided to take advantage of the new found freedom that awaits me come Friday by outlining a few fan fiction pieces (while at work because why not?!) that have been stirring for some time, in addition to the sci-fi/space odyssey pilot I have bouncing around as well.  In that vein, I offer you the following Writing Prompt as inspiration…I suppose, a little for myself. 😉OriginHappy Writing!  And don’t forget to share your creations for the weekly Writing Prompt Challenge!

*Image by sinakasra

Quote Monday

BraveEnoughI once jumped without a parachute, figuratively not literally. When The Sis and I moved to Los Angeles, I worked for a restaurant chain that allowed me to have a job upon arrival and to change locations with each subsequent move around the city. Unfortunately, with each move, the money worsened until at a total loss, I up and quit, feeling there had to be something better on the horizon.  It was LA after all.

Nearly 2 1/2 years later, I could not find a job to save my life. I sent out nearly 250 resumes in the first year and only ever received 2 responses. Those are some pretty bad odds, especially for a girl from Vegas.  I was lucky in that I had the support of The Sis who eventually told me to stop worrying about finding a job and to do what we had moved there to do in the first place – for me to become a working screenwriter.

Easier said than done.

The only problem with that was that the guilt of not working nearly ate me alive.  At my age, having my baby sister take care of me was a big pill to swallow, and the screenwriting career took a hit.  How does a fairytale writer write happily ever afters when they are wallowing in self pity and depression?

Cut to living in Las Vegas, again, and working for a company that is legitimately shady. Nearly 7 months of trying to find another job have failed to produce any results…again, seriously?! But this time, I’m taking the moral high ground. I will not continue to work for people that A) do not respect their employees B) operate under suspicious terms and C) do things that are, in fact, illegal.

ToMoveForwardBesides the mind numbing effect of the work, I don’t make enough money to support The Sis which is why we decided to move back to Vegas in the first place, so that she could go back to school.  I don’t write my own things when I get home because I’ve stared at a computer for 8 hours writing nonsense.  Sorry blog.  I’m usually brain dead, and to top it all off, I think I’ve gained weight because I sit around all day. Sheesh.

So here I am, ready to jump without a parachute, again.  I’m choosing to be brave and to expect good things.  ((crossing my fingers))  I hope this will lead me to bigger and better…please let it get better!

The life of a creative is a difficult one, always trying to balance work with what we really want to do.  Maybe when I’ve found some measure of success (of what I consider for myself), I’ll look back on these days with no regrets.  As of right now, it’s tough to endure.  Am I making the right decision?  I have lifelines here, but I feel making this decision on the grounds of self respect is, well, a bit haughty.

I’ll let you know how I feel about it next week when I find freedom…in the mean time wish me luck!

How about you?  Have you ever made a leap of faith?  What was the outcome?

Writing Prompt #50

It’s Wednesday and today we have reached Writing Prompt #50!  I hope you’ve enjoyed all the images and will continue to share your work when you’re inspired.

This image is rather fitting considering I chose it two days ago, and yesterday I decided to quit my unethical job (we’ll save this story for another day).  This image makes me think about all the possibilities that now lie before me.

TheLIbrary

I look forward to seeing your creations!  Happy Writing!  And here’s to 50 more! 🙂

Hey, Screenwriters! There’s Another Call for Entries!

MegaphoneAs most screenwriting contests are drawing to a close, BlueCat is picking up again with a call for entries for 2016.

Exciting news for those who may have missed the earlier deadlines!

BlueCat Screenplay Competition is open until November 15th with the early deadline starting June 15.  Here’s the link for all the information.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Quote Monday

I would like to thank those who took the time to share my post regarding my furkids’ recent behavioral changes.  It truly means a great deal!  Although we’re still waiting to hear back from a behaviorist, things are slightly better.

It’s hard not to get bogged down in all that life has to throw at you sometimes, but it’s important to still do things for ourselves.  It’s not selfish, it’s self-preservation…or so I’ve heard. 😉

This is one of my favorite quotes, and I think I’ve shared it before, and today it definitely felt apropos.

DoSomethingTodayHere’s to the start of a great week! ((crossing fingers))

Writing Prompt #49

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  It’s Writing Prompt Day!

I was searching periodically through the day for something unique, but nothing really struck me until I saw this.

Photographer: Derry Moore (please credit) Public Relations & Marketing, the Royal Collection: 020-7839 1377

Photographer: Derry Moore 

As you all know by now, I have a love of all things English, so not hard to understand why I would like to find myself walking these halls (in an amazing gown).  🙂  Maybe that’s my story for this week…?

Does it inspire you?  Don’t forget to share for this week’s Writing Prompt Challenge and I’ll be sure to highlight you and your fantastic work!

Happy Writing!

Quote Monday

CS-Lewis_you-are-never-too-oldNow that I’ve accomplished (some of) the goals I set for myself, I’m ready to make some new ones.  It’s the middle of May and we’re rounding that mid-year point, where I feel it’s time to do some reevaluation.  How about you?

What are your plans for the remainder of the year?

Write them all down.  Tack them up so you can see them everyday.  Large or small, each step moves you toward that bigger goal.  Keep moving forward!DreamsWrittenDownAreGoals

Writing Prompt Challenge Accepted #11

Irene SheriThis image makes me think of the poem by Byron, “She Walks in Beauty” and I feel compelled to write a poem, which I just don’t do.  Be kind.  😉

She walks in moonlight with gentle grace

A coy smile upon her lips

A gentle sway in her hips

She knows he watches from a distance

The heat of his stare a fire upon her skin

A pause mid-step to relish the moment

Turns into a dance of seduction

At first she plays shy, ignoring the pull

She glances at the flowers

And tosses her hair

She hears the quick footsteps of her lover drawing near

Her heart skips a beat

And she waits

The footsteps have stilled

And yet she waits

A soft breeze stirs around her and she slowly turns

An innocent gesture draws his attention

One that stirs desire

She stands in moonlight

The embodiment of his heart’s silent yearning

He takes a step forward and reaches out

To find it all a dream

The following is a little excerpt from my Dragon Age fanfic that I am hoping to continue now that contest season is drawing to a close.  I’m not sure where this section will fall in the series, perhaps it’s the opening for Chapter 2: Redcliffe…?  I had this visual of my mage taking a moment after a battle.

For those unfamiliar with what I’m doing, I posted an image of concept art some time ago as a Writing Prompt from the game, Dragon Age Origins called the Brecilian Forest.  I was frustrated with my writing at the time and took to writing some fan fiction.  I loved it!  If you are interested in reading Chapter 1, click here.  It’s written in the first person like a journal.  *The following is a rough draft sample.

My feet swayed slightly across the surface of the water, causing a small ripple effect in the otherwise perfect stillness.  I sighed deeply, trying to gather my thoughts, when I heard the familiar footsteps of the one person I was trying to escape.

Should I do as Morrigan suggested or hold out for something more?  We had barely glimpsed the possibilities and I was feeling more compelled to play the paramour the more time I considered it.  What would it be like to be flirty?  How would he even respond?  Raised in the Chantry, I can imagine he’d blush.  Being free of the Circle was definitely expanding my horizons.

A moment later he was standing beside me.

“Would you care to join me?”  I asked.  I looked up, shielding my eyes from the glaring sun, and found Alistair without his armor.

A casual Alistair was quite the sight.  After the battle, the weight of his armor must have felt heavy, and he was quick to remove it.  I wondered who had aided him.  Surely not Sten?  I laughed a little at the thought.  His tunic and wool pants hung just so, and I had to force my gaze upward.  He looked tired.

“I don’t wish to interrupt your solitude.”  He countered.

Since Ostagar, one of us would seek out the other after any battle.  I had never even thought about that until this moment.  I patted the spot beside me, and smiled as he came to sit with me.  He removed his boots, rolled up his pant legs, and dipped his toes in the water.  He shivered slightly at the cool relief.

He didn’t say anything.  Neither did I.  We just sat there, dangling our feet.  I let my mind go blank and just reveled in the moment.  We had survived yet another fight.  We were still together.  As I sat beside him, I realized that I had never had a friend like him.  Things were just different in the Circle.  Alistair, regardless of circumstance, was my friend.  One I knew I could count on like no other.  That thought brought a special smile.  After a short time, I laid back on the dock, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the silence.  He soon followed suit.

“You were marvelous this night.”  His voice sounded distant, as if he were drifting off to sleep.

I turned to look at him and let my gaze linger, knowing I was not to be discovered.  He seemed at peace.  “As were you.”

I felt his hand drift closer to mine, just enough to touch, and that small hint sent my pulse racing.  And instead of fighting every impulse, I succumbed.  I let my hand move to take his, and when I felt his fingers intertwine with mine, I finally exhaled.  Out of the corner, I saw him glance my way.  After a long moment, which equated with me building up some semblance of nerve, I turned toward him, and was caught off guard by the innocent, bright smile that greeted me.  He inched over and closed the distance and I could not but help to smile in return.

Happy Friday everyone!

Writing Prompt #47

Welcome to Writing Prompt Wednesdays!

Since I first saw this piece I’ve been wanting to share it.  There’s just something so….well, what does it inspire in you?

Irene Sheri

Don’t forget to share the product of your inspiration!  I plan on sharing a bit tomorrow, and a little from my Dragon Age fanfic that I’m still working on (it needs lots of work).

Happy Writing!

*Beginning by artist Irene Sheri.