Hey guys! As many of you know who follow my channel or other social media, I’ve had quite the last week! It’s ironic because at the beginning of March I wrote a piece on my other blog chronicling my life experience becoming a film critic. It had always been a dream of mine and it […]
via The Experience of Being Hated (‘Shazam’, ‘Dumbo’ and More) — Rachel’s Reviews
Category: writing
My Life in Film Criticism: Why I Love It
When I was a little girl my sister and I would fill up the boring hours of the day creating our own little newspapers. These would include all parts of … Continue reading My Life in Film Criticism: Why I Love It
Election and Nanowrimo Update
Hey guys! Just a quick update tonight. Today is the big election day and we can all breathe a sigh of relief when it is all over. I voted weeks ago for independent candidate Evan McMullin. I have lost faith in all politicians but he’s the best person running in this election by a long mile, so he got my vote. What you decide to do with your vote is awesome but I encourage you to get out and vote if at all possible. I know a vote is small in a sea of millions of votes but it’s still something and it is a great example to all around you especially your children. Let them know you care about what happens in this country and will do what small thing you can to make a difference.
I know many of us feel discouraged. I feel discouraged. This election has changed me in ways I don’t know if I will ever get over. I know this blog says I am smiling but when it comes to politics I fear I will forever be a cynical girl. I’ve just seen too many people compromise where they promised they never would.
To use the annoying phrase- it is what it is. We know we are living in the latter days. The signs of the times are all around us and we have the leadership to prove it. Maybe Utah will make a statement with its vote but I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen. Regardless, there are good people out there still holding out hope for their children and families. We cannot lose hope even if we acknowledge the human weakness all around us. There is still always great hope as long as Christ is listening and loving all who turn to Him.
So, there you have it.
On a lighter note I am doing nanowrimo this year. I must say my heart isn’t really in it but my sister said she was doing it so I decided ‘what the heck. Why not give it a shot’. We are currently on day 8 and I am doing kind of a take on Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. My current wordcount is 17352 which I think is pretty darn good. I have been so busy so it is amazing I have pulled even half that off.
Even if I’m not in love with my book it is still valuable to write every day and I will be glad when I can finish the goal of 50,000 words. I always learn something about myself through thinking about these characters in my nano book.
Are any of you participating in nanowrimo? What are you writing about and how is it going?
Compliments for the Opinionated
Hi friends! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve gotten to an interesting point in my life where I spend a lot of time formulating, writing/filming, and crafting my … Continue reading Compliments for the Opinionated
8 Year Anniversary
I just wanted to share with you guys that today marks my 8 year anniversary as a blogger! I can hardly believe it has been so long and yet in many ways it seems like I have always done it. I think back to that girl who started the blog. I was unemployed and rebuilding my confidence after a rough 3 years. I thought it might give me something to do and could be fun.
I had never thought of myself as much a writer but it turned out people responded to my essays. Sometimes they even responded more than I bargained for like when I dared say The Godfather is a little overrated…(I’ve come around on that one even though it still not a favorite of mine). But for the most part people have been incredibly supportive and kind. I know I’m not the greatest writer in the world but I feel like you guys have understood my heart through my words. You have no idea how rewarding that is.
In the last few years I have split my focus between the movie blog, youtube channel and this blog, which has proven difficult. But I will always have a special place in my heart for this blog and I plan on keeping it as active as I can for as long as I can.
Thank you for all the support and to the next 8 years!
Finding Wild Debuts
Hey guys! I have an exciting announcement. Today my sister is officially an author! Her book Finding Wild is now available to purchase and I got my first copies today.
It is a story about getting out in nature and having an adventure. My sister has dreamed of publishing a book for her entire life. When she was little she would have these little notebooks full of poems and commentaries. I think she wants to someday write a novel but this book is a great opportunity for her. I think if you have kids they will really enjoy the story and illustrations by Abigail Halpin.
If you are interested in ordering here is the link on amazon.com Purchase Here
I am also going to be doing some giveaways over on my facebook page so let me know if you have any ideas. Make sure you are following Rachel’s Reviews on facebook.
Find the wild!
Screenwriting interview with Melissa Leilani
Hi guys! Many of you know I have dabbled in writing over the years and participate in Nanowrimo each year. Of course, I also love movies and especially a well written script. Well, today I had the cool experience today where I got to interview Melissa Leilani and find out what it is like to be a screenwriter. She was the main writer for a film I loved in 2015 called Freetown.
Freetown is a faith-based film but one that is approachable to anyone. It tells the story of a man who must smuggle 6 missionaries out of Liberia during their brutal civil war. Things are tense and Brother Abubakar is a man of practical faith mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism. It makes him a very compelling character.
What I really appreciated about Freetown is that it told a compelling story and let the messsaging take care of itself. Unlike many faith based films (that I still find some value in) I didn’t feel it was preachy or forcing a message upon me. In fact, my friend Yusuf who is Muslim liked the film as much as I did.
Here are both of our reviews:
I think you might find it interesting to watch the film and then listen to the interview about her experience. However, I also think it will be interesting if you are just interested in screenwriting or writing in general. It was really cool to hear about her process, the research that went into the film and how she approached characters and faith.
We do get off topic a few times (we have very similar movie and theater taste!) but it was a lot of fun for me. She has a theater background so her transition from playwright to screenwriter was very interesting.
Anyway, this is only the 3rd interview I have done, so if you have any feedback that would be great. I hope you enjoy it.
Friday Five: Songs I’m Embarrassed to Admit I Like and Update
Hey guys! This week on the Friday Five the topic is songs ‘I’m Embarrassed to Admit I Like’. In truth, I’m not really embarrassed by any of these songs. They are all silly but I like a fun pop song on occasion. They put me in a good mood.
What pop songs do you like? Are there any songs you are embarrassed to admit you like? Any bubblegum songs that are silly but you like them anyway?
As far as NaNoWriMo things are going really well. I just passed the 25k mark so that means I am half way through and it isn’t half way through the month. It isn’t quite as speedy as last couple of years but I’ve had a lot more going on, so that makes sense. How are you guys doing on your word counts?
This week was really fun. I went and saw Home Alone on the big screen for the 25th Anniversary! Home Alone has a special place in my heart because it is the first movie that really made me laugh my head off in the theater. I saw it when I was 9 years old and on a special trip with my Grandparents to Disneyland. I was a really independent kid so the story of Kevin McCalister defending his house and providing for himself was right up my ally. I watched in a crowded theater and it was so neat to hear kids laughing their heads off just like I had 25 years previous. It brought so many great memories.
Here’s my youtube review I think you will all get a kick out of.
Friday Five: Instrumentals and Nanowrimo Update
Hi guys! I hope you are all having a great start of Fall (or at least that’s what it feels like here in Utah with things getting very crisp and cold this week). I’ve been busy with NaNoWriMo so that’s why I haven’t posted on this blog this week. My apologies for that but doing best I can. My novel is coming along pretty well. I am ahead of the game as far as word count which makes me feel good because I don’t know how much I will be able to write this weekend with stuff going on.
So far I feel like the book has done a lot of describing things and not quite enough character development so that is something I need to work on but I am able to get my daily word count in and sometimes more which is what is most important to me. I really like the lead character I’ve created and feel a little bad for the mess that is about to happen in her life. Poor fictional characters and their hard life! 😉
How are you guys doing with NaNoWriMo? How are your novels coming along?
FRIDAY FIVE
This is Friday so it also means it is time for the Friday Five! This weeks topic is all about instrumentals and being a movie fan of course I had to include mostly scores as my choices but I love the 5 songs I picked.
What are instrumentals that you like? What scores from movies are your favorite? Put in the comments section and if you like the video I would love if you gave it a thumbs up. Thanks!
NaNoWriMo Tag and My Writing Process
So NaNoWriMo is coming and I feel a little unprepared but am excited! I filmed this video about NaNoWriMo video today and it included a tag. In the video I go into my process for writing and has little segments of all 3 of my books (this will be my 4th year doing NaNoWriMo).
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? What are you writing about? What strategies do you use to finish the challenge? I would love to discuss it in the comments. It is going to be a challenge for me this year with everything else I have going on but luckily I am a pretty fast writer so it should be ok. I will certainly do my best.
If you are doing NaNoWriMo please follow me on the NaNoWriMo website and let’s support each other!
http://nanowrimo.org/participants/smilingldsgirl
Happy writing!!
Rachel's Musings 