Do I Want to be on a Writing Reality Show? Um... Yes Please! Sign Me Up.

Hello everyone. It's spring... and something incredible has happened in my writing life! I am so excited, I can't possibly keep it to myself. Nope. I'm pretty much shouting it from the rooftops.

I'M GOING TO BE COMPETING ON A WRITING-RELATED REALITY SHOW CALLED "WRITE OR FLIGHT SHOW!"

I'm sure you're curious, so, here's how it went down.

One random day, I happened to come across a post about a writing reality show being planned by Wendy Dale, the Random House memoirist and owner of Memoir Writing for Geniuses (check it out on YouTube). I think it was shared by a writing friend in my online writing group, but I can't remember specifically. Regardless, I saw that the chosen contestants would be flown to Cusco, Peru to compete reality-TV-style. I mean, the possibility of that trip alone was enticing, never mind the fact I could write while doing it. So, after a tiny bit of internal debate, I said, why the heck not? I likely wouldn't get picked, but at least I could say I tried. YOLO, and all that. I mean, how many times would a chance like that come around? A show for writers doesn't happen all that often... in fact, this one is the first of it's kind.

I applied near the deadline, submitting a writing sample and a 1-minute video answering a simple question: what is your favourite TV character as a child, and why? I answered Remington Steele... yep. An odd choice, hey? Haha. Well, I simply adore the strong lead female character.

Anyway, I waited a couple of weeks, and eventually gathered around the TV with my family to watch as they announced the top 50 finalists on YouTube. I was preparing myself for the NO, of course, but instead, I heard my name get called. Cue the squealing and excited jumping around.

Then I had to submit another writing sample and 1-minute video answering another question: What is my favourite comic book character and why? For that one I said Elasta Girl (Incredibles).

After that, I waited another week-ish for the final top ten to be announced. Me and the other top 50 met via a Zoom call. They named a few honourable mentions first, and then they named three alternates (whom they'd love to have on the show should any of the final ten be unable to compete), and I heard my name. I was named the 1st alternate - first to be called. Though I was a bit bummed I didn't make it to the top ten, I was still VERY honoured to be 11th out of 500+ applicants.

My husband said there was still a really good chance I might go, so I started prepping as if I was going, just to be proactive on the off chance. And I'm glad I did, because within the week, I got an incredible email with a subject line that read: Want to come to Cusco? Eeek!

I had to quickly confirm that my wonderful mother-in-law could help my hubby with the kiddos while I'd be away filming first, of course (which she could!). And then it was a resounding "Yes!"

So, yeah, after applying on a whim and going through all of the elimination stages, I am going to be a contestant on the Write or Flight Show - the world's first writing-related reality show. How wild is that? I am so excited, there are no words to describe. I'm also super nervous, or course, but mostly just for the travelling alone aspect (I'm not a fan of planes and airports). We, as contestants, don't know a lot about what we will experience in Cusco so far, as they want us

to have authentic reactions. I do wish I knew a little more about certain things. It sure might make packing a bit easier, because, as it stands, I'm thinking I need to be prepared for everything... like, I have to try not to shove my kitchen sink in there. Haha. But I know it will all work out. Once I'm there, the nerves will melt away and I'll dive into the fun and awe of the opportunity.

Check out the Write or Flight Show website HERE, and visit the show's Instagram page HERE! They're always sharing fun teasers and promos about the contestants. We're from all over the world, which is pretty fun. I am the only permanent, full-time Canadian on the show. I thought I was the only Canadian period until literally today, when two others said they technically had dual citizenship status, but don't actively live in Canada currently. So, there you have it. :)

I fly to Cusco, Peru to film on May 4th, 2025 and will be there for a little over two weeks.

Follow along for fun. Please wish me luck and send me all the good vibes you can spare!

THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR NOW...

That's a lot of reading already, so I won't drop a bunch of other things in this newsletter.

I'm just thankful that you're here with me and supporting my journey. If you haven't read any of my books yet, consider picking one up. If you're not a sci-fi person, I'd like to challenge you to take a chance my sci-fi western debut novel Race to Novus. It has action, humour, creature thrills, a wild and exotic setting, fun banter, and a slow-burn romance. Not to toot my own horn, but it has converted readers before. It has a compelling twisty plot, characters who draw you in and make you root for them, and a scene-stealing bionic horse who captures hearts.

Give it a shot and let me know what you think. ;)

Happy spring and happy reading. :)

Rachael Clarke