FROM FILM SCHOOL DREAMS TO CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A

MOTHER-DAUGHTER JOURNEY AGAINST TIME

by Jonica van Rikxoort

Once upon a time, there was a little nine-year-old girl named Doris Teresa Angelus. It was Great Britain in the 1930s, during the war, huddled underground with families listening to missiles overhead and the haunting sound of the doodlebugs hovering before demolishing total houses and towns. Most children were eventually shipped off to the countryside to stay safe, including my mother—Doris, as she was called until her early twenties when she changed to Teri. Hence, how we came up with our website; Teri Tales Productions.

Mom used to tell us all kinds of stories growing up that were so intriguing, and somewhat innocently mysterious. She described how things tasted, like the candies she used to savor, to big fluff y clouds and the brightest of rainbows on a grey rainy day. She gave us insight into her dark world and how she transformed it with her imagination to help her through the bad times.

The children were moved to the Lady Dewar's estate in the country (where Doris was one of nine evacuees).

Schooling was still implemented and they were taught by the local nuns. In class she was often pulled up for daydreaming and looking outside at the willowy trees, pretending she'd been visited by fairies. When sister Miriam asked what was so interesting outside, young Teri—who saw fairies dancing on branches but dared not mention them—answered, "Angels outside in the tree!"

How a Hair-Brained Idea to Learn Screenwriting Became a Race Against Time to Honor My Mother's Legacy

Many years later, with a marriage on the brink and three kids, I was going through a divorce, and Mom had been living with us for twelve years in the basement. A new life for all of us was at hand when I came up with a hairbrained idea to go to writing school and write about my mom's life story. I wanted to write a book but didn't have the foggiest idea how. When Vancouver Film School offered the program as a grant, I decided to give myself a year to learn how to write a script. It was a year-long program with seven months of writing everything from journalism to sitcoms. All I wanted was to write this script, take it out to Hollywood North, and make a movie. Yeah, well, me and most of that school wanted the same thing. I was the oldest student there with three kids and a mom to take care of.

I'd left school at an early age to bring in money to help out, so my education wasn't on par with any of the other attendees. You could say I was in over my head—a sinkor-swim scenario. I worked weekends at a movie prop warehouse and did homework during breaks and after school. Thank goodness for my mom, who helped me out immensely. I used to say I was the husband and she was my wife with our setup, and it worked the best it could under the circumstances.

The time came to write our scripts. Everyone pitched their stories, then it was my turn. After not sticking to any guidelines due to stage fright and choking up, my idea of being a writer felt squashed before I'd even written anything. The panel looked at me like I hadn't learned a thing in those seven months.

So You Think You Can Write a Hollywood Movie?

My assessment: my idea was too Hollywood, and why did I think I could handle something so big? I'd bitten off more than I could chew, but in my defense, that's why I was there!

"Doris Angelus and The Land of Angels" was about to get chopped and dissected like a frog in a science lab. I don't know if you've ever had your writing edited, but if you're paying for an editor when writing your first book, get prepared to "murder your baby"—that's a film school term. My emotional attachment went from "that's not so bad for a first attempt" to being completely devastated when my tutor said, "Kill her off. No need for a happy ending." This really upset Mom, as she had always written "Never The End" at the end of her stories—she loved a good happy ending.

After graduating with a B, I chose a profession in the movie industry. I'd never been a set decorator or prop master's assistant, but I was willing to learn and was noticed for my work ethic. I became Vancouver's very first female grip because if you were willing to work hard at all hours and didn't need a life, this was the right job. I worked for a very gruff, charming character named Swanea, and I'm proud that he later hired many more women because of his experience with me. I wish I had been as noticed in film school.

It was now time to get started on Mom's manuscripts. I sat up after work many nights typing up her unpublished stories, trying to choose the right one. I knew she kept many stories in a big old book, most typed on an old typewriter using onion paper, but this was really overwhelming, trying to figure out which one to share with the world.

A friend had a bunny rescue and lived the real-life story, so we scrapped all the other stories as this one felt most authentic with many bizarre circumstances—perfect for our first book attempt.

As I mentioned in my first article, writing is a money pit, and you need to be prepared to promote it heavily, or it will just become that shoebox in the cupboard under many more boxes, along with a very damaged ego. www.teritalesproductions.com

I was dealing with a burning building situation. Mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer, and everything needed attention ASAP. I became Creative Director and co-author on "What if Bunny Poo Was Square?", working on all aspects of self-publishing while racing against time. And I didn't have a clue what I was doing! This wasn't a script per se—it was a 29-page children's book with front and back covers required. To say I was probably bald at the temples at the end of this project is an understatement. But I have yet another achievement under my belt that I'd never done before.

Our journey ended up just like my teacher thought best in the script, but Mom at least got her fairytale ending that my husband and I made sure of. She had a book in her hands and twenty extra months to do book signings, podcasts, and local TV interviews. At 89 years young, she attended events at Indigo wearing shocking pink wigs, tutus, and unicorn hats. She was the star of every show, and I couldn't have asked for anything more—except more time.

If I can share a few things to help others, really do your research on who you bring on board. Get samples of illustrations and never trust "a friend of a friend who says they have a friend"—I think you get my drift! I had a little buddy in India who helped with our coloring and activity book who to this day is still there for me, but that was the exception.

We all have a story in us, and some people do make the big time. But be prepared when you endeavor to become an author—you need to be able to spend a pretty penny and be prepared for many disappointments. Having money for your hobby, project, or passion of a lifetime is key for selfpublishing.

My encouraging last words: never give up, don't lose your passion, and here's a biggie—don't procrastinate. If you believe in yourself, go for it! You'll get a gazillion nos, but it's never the end until you say so. Start this as a hobby, do your research on costs and how to promote and market yourself. Maybe, just maybe, you'll find an agent and Bob's your uncle!

But sometimes the best stories aren't the ones we plan to write—they're the ones we live. Mom spent her life turning darkness into light with nothing but an old typewriter and boundless imagination. She saw angels where others saw trees, found stories in everyday chaos, and never stopped believing in happy endings.

Our children's book gave us something more valuable than fame or fortune—it gave us time. Time for Mom to see her dreams realized, time for shared laughter at book signings, time for one more magical Christmas with grandchildren singing along to 1920s records.

Never The End...

Jonica van Rikxoort is the Creative Director/co-author at Teri Tales Productions. You can find "What If Bunny Poo Was Square?" on Amazon or visit www.teritalesproductions.com to learn more.