Casting Call

Today I went to the casting call far Star Wars Episode VII. I stood in a line about 1/2 a mile long with two of my friends for five hours. No joke, guys. Actually five ours. Did I think something would come of it?Maybe just a little bit, but not really. Why did I do it? Because I had to. I wasn't forced to, but the child and the nerd and the actor in me told me I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. I mean, it's Star Wars. How could you pass up an opportunity like that?

So we stood in line in the 40 degree weather in the middle of Lincoln Park with hundreds of other twenty somethings. And that was it. Then we went in the building, shook some hads, and left. Day done. 

Why? Why would I do that? Why wouldn't I do that? It was for the experience. To say that I did. Because a little part of me, no matter how many times I walk away from acting and my childhood fantasy of being in the movies, will never really let it go away. So I stood in line all day to shake the casting lady's hand and tell her my name. I can say that I did. 

And now I'm in the car on the way to dinner blogging about it, and isn't that what blogs are all about? (I'm not the one driving. Calm down.)

This is me "walking like a movie star" (they're just like us!).

Flash Fiction

It's National Novel Writing Month. The following is not a novel, although I'm working on it. Instead, I have some flash fiction for you. Let me know what you think. Maybe some day I'll use it for something bigger.

She was running. She had been running for some time. Her vibrant red hair had turned a darker shade with the dirt and sweat and grease. They had probably lost track of her, or at least fallen behind, some time ago, but she was not willing to let up. Adrenaline and fear kept her going.
She was deep in the woods now. Branches scraped her arms and caught in her hair. She stumbled over roots and nearly crashed to the ground more than once. She heard no other noise but her own footsteps, and the trees as she came crashing through the branches.
There was a light up ahead. Looking over her shoulder she saw nothing but darkness behind her. Running towards the light she thought, just keep going.
The light continued to brighten. Soon it was apparent there were two lights: headlights.
The car horn pierced the silence, sending a flock of birds soaring into the midnight sky. She broke through the tree line as the car pulled up to meet her.
"Get in," someone inside the car called.
She didn't hesitate. Wrenching open the door, she jumped in the passenger seat and slammed the door. The car took off before the door was closed.
"What were you thinking?" asked the driver.
She didn't answer. She stared straight ahead and let the heater warm her.
What was she thinking?

A Letter to Employers

I may start sending out with my resume. Forget the professional air. I'm going for straight-forward. Maybe it will at least make some employers curious.

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is Melissa Miller, and I am interested in a position with your company.

My resume is not impressive. I will be the first to admit that. I did not spend my college summers at internships. Instead, I worked. I worked in childcare, food service, and recreation. For the last two years I have worked as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble. While this may seem like a low-level job anyone could be trained to do, I have learned a great deal about the publishing industry; valuable information that I can apply to my pursuit in the publishing world.

I do not have the 3-5 years of experience you are looking for. I do not have a master’s degree because I cannot afford it at this time. That is not to say I have not been working hard since graduating. While I have not spent much time in an office, honing my skills at a computer, I have done a few other things:

•         I travelled with a theatre company.
•         I learned to live and function on a very tight budget.
•         I have read reference manuals and etymology books. (AP, MLA, Chicago Style. You name it; I've gone through them all.) 

I know these will not make it onto a list of my accomplishments, but they say more about me than my resume. My professional work experience is minimal, but my drive to get a job done is exceptional. You will probably skim through this and be tempted to put it at the top of the NO pile. But please don’t. If you hire me I will not disappoint.

Sincerely,

Melissa Miller

Reading Time!

Read any of these books? Because they're part of this year's summer reading list.

I have a thing for Nordic/Scandinavian authors. Last summer I read Tor Ulven's Replacement, and recently The Faster I Walk the Smaller I Am by Kjersti Skomsvold. Both phenomenal. 

And what is this? New Neil Gaiman? Yes it is. The Ocean at the End of the Lane comes out next week, and I will put a stop to all activity while I read it. 

Happy reading!