Stepping Behind the Camera: My Journey as a Director
When I first stepped into the world of film, I didn’t expect to find myself in the director’s chair. Writing has always been my first love, but directing? That felt like another world entirely. And yet, over time, I’ve discovered how naturally the two roles intertwine. Stories are meant to be seen and felt, not just read—and directing has given me a new way to bring them to life.
Today, I want to share a few reflections from my director’s journey so far, in case you’re curious about what it looks like behind the scenes (or secretly dreaming of directing your own stories one day).
Behind the scenes filming Phase 2 of The Christmas Witch movie. Raven Vaelen, Kyra Crespin, Dalea Faulkner, & Bernie Tarin.
Do you have a ritual or touchstone that helps you set the energy on set?
I do. A few years ago, during a pivotal moment in my life, I bought a special ring. It’s etched with arrows and the phrase “trust your journey.” I wear this ring whenever I’m filming or attending a book signing. It anchors me, reminding me to trust how things unfold… especially when we need to pivot. And trust me, in film we pivot a lot.
What inspired you to take the leap from writing stories to directing them?
Honestly, I didn’t leap at first—I resisted. My friend Stephanie McBain, who directed Hashtag Blessed, encouraged me to direct The Christmas Witch. My mom echoed her, and at the time, I thought they were both a little crazy for suggesting it. When I mentioned it to a few other friends, they all agreed I should give it a try.
I actually said “no” for about a year. Then, the day before our first phase of filming, I had a complete meltdown. In that moment, memories from high school came rushing back… when I co-directed a stage play. The second I was surrounded by my team, something clicked. I realized the most important thing: I wasn’t doing this alone. That realization carried me forward.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about directing?
Directing is full of choices. Every scene has countless paths you could take. Sometimes the most unexpected creative shot makes the biggest impact. Sometimes the lighting does more storytelling than the dialogue. Sometimes the dialogue itself carries the weight. And sometimes silence—paired with the camera moving in close—is what delivers the most emotion.
Learning how to choose the right path for the story (and sometimes switching paths out of necessity) has been my biggest lesson so far. Those decisions shape how the audience experiences the movie.
How do you juggle your multiple creative hats without burning out?
To be honest—I don’t always. I wrote about this more deeply in Juggling the Impossible, but the truth is, burnout still happens. What’s changed is how I support myself through it. I lean on my family when I feel like I can’t keep up, and I give myself lots of rest when I need to recover. It’s not perfect, but it’s sustainable enough to keep me moving forward.
What advice would you give to writers who secretly dream of directing?
If you’ve ever dreamed of it, I say: try. It might feel scary or foreign at first, but it’s absolutely worth exploring. One of my favorite ways to practice directing is rewatching my favorite films through a director’s lens—paying attention to how scenes are framed, how shots build emotion, and how pacing shifts the story.
The more you watch like a director, the more natural it becomes to think like one.
Closing Thoughts
Directing has taught me to trust my journey, embrace pivots, and remember that storytelling is never a solo act. Every scene is a collaboration. Every choice shapes the way an audience feels. And for me, the greatest joy is seeing a story transform from words on a page into something alive on screen.
You got this!
Dalea
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