This past Friday November 10th was Veterans Day, a day to honor the many men and women who have served in our armed forces. November is also Veterans & Military Families Month and Warrior Care Month, a time to reflect on how we care for veterans and the sacrifices these men, women, and their families make.
The Writers’ Program is an academic home to several veterans, some who were generous enough to chat with us about their time in service, their writing, and what this Friday means to them.
Miranda Serra
Can you tell me a bit about you?
I have been married for 33 years to an Army veteran and enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and writing.
Your background, where you grew up?
I was born in Arkansas, but I spent a lot of time in Germany and in Texas when growing up. My parents are Air Force veterans.
Miranda Serra
What made you decide to join the military?
I joined for an adventure, and I certainly found one.
Can you tell me about your military career?
My first duty station was in Fort Polk, L.A. and is also where I met my husband. We traveled to Germany on my orders once we were married. I spent four years in the military. I was a 68L, which was a helicopter radio repairer, but most of my career was as a staff writer and at the end administrative assistant. I left the military shortly after I gave birth to my first son.
How did you find your way to writing?
I have always loved writing poetry and short stories. Although I have had a great career in clinical social work, I was unable to ignore how much I enjoy reading. I just finished my first novel, which is currently in the editing stage.
How did you find your way to the Writers’ Program?
I am an avid movie watcher and after writing my book, I wanted to learn how to write screenplays. I had no experience in this area so searched for programs that allowed that opportunity.
Any classes you have especially enjoyed?
I enjoy all my classes because I am learning so much and it is all so new to me. However, I am leaning more towards television writing and look forward to where that may take me.
What are you writing now?
I am in the process of writing two original screenplays. One of the screenplays is based on my book Hidden Gems: Sapphire Book One, which will be a three-book series.
What does, “thank you for your service” mean to you?
Thank you for your service is gratitude for those who have made countless sacrifices so that we as Americans are covered in a blanket of freedom and safety.
How did you spend this veteran’s day?
Most of my family are veterans and I spent it with them.
Anything else you would like to share?
It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country. My husband served 26 years so although I got out to raise our children, I remained connected to the Army as a military spouse. I have been a military brat, Army soldier, Army wife and now veteran. I have been fortunate to have lived a very blessed life with opportunities to see many parts of the world that I may not have seen had it not been for the military.
Darryl Mansel
Can you tell me a bit about you? Your background, where you grew up?
I was born in Charlotte, NC but it’s hard to say I’m *of* Charlotte. My dad was in the Air Force, and I followed in his footsteps, so I was in Charlotte long enough to graduate high school and not much else. We bounced around the east coast a lot for his assignments: Massachusetts, Virginia, South Carolina. I mastered the art of not having an accent early.
Darryl Mansel
What made you decide to join the military?
I briefly tried the college thing; I decided that I was tired of sitting in classes and memorizing information to dump it on a test and repeat the following week. What I didn’t realize was that so much of my time in the military would be sitting in classes and memorizing information to dump it on a test and repeat the following week.
Can you tell me about your military career? (Where were you stationed. Etc.)
I had a very circular career. I started off stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio TX, went to Korea for a few years, did a four-year stint at Fort Meade in Maryland, then back to Korea and back to Lackland where I separated after 12 years in. I was a Signals Intelligence Analyst, a job that I truly loved but unfortunately rarely got to do during my time in.
How did you find your way to writing?
My friends and I would come up with stories on the fly, mostly stories that ripped off Star Trek. I started writing some of them down and realized how much fun it could be.
How did you find your way to the Writers’ Program?
After comparing and contrasting dozens of different programs, I decided UCLA Extension was the best fit for me, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while.
Any classes you have especially enjoyed?
One-Hour TV I and II. I’ve had the same teacher for both, Joe Boothe, and he’s constantly found ways to make the class engaging and fun.
What are you writing now?
In One-Hour TV II I’m working on a spec script for (surprise!) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
What does, “thank you for your service” mean to you?
I think “thank you for your service” is people’s way of acknowledging that there are those willing to put their lives and bodies on the line for them.
How did you spend this veteran’s day?
During the day I’ll be relaxing and likely watching Band of Brothers, as I try to do every Memorial Day and Veterans Day. That evening I’ll be spending with friends doing an early Thanksgiving.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Just my gratitude. Gratitude for the time that I served, I’ve amassed a number of lifelong friends. I went places and ended up in situations that I’ll hold dear for the rest of my life. I’m also grateful to UCLA Extension (as well as the Veterans Assistance program) for giving me an outlet to do what I genuinely enjoy doing. Go Celtics.
Tyrell Buckner
Can you tell me a bit about you? Your background, where you grew up?
My name is Tyrell Buckner. I was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. Growing up here, my only option was to go to college or join the military and I wanted to do both. In high school, I was on the Track & Field team and I was also a part of the ROTC program. Once I received a scholarship in running track, my plan was to use that to attend college, then join ROTC, graduate with a degree in Architecture, and then join the military as an officer.
Tyrell Buckner
What made you decide to join the military?
I decided to join the Military because I was raised by my grandmother who took care of me and my mother. In 2017, my mother passed away so I decided instead of going to college now, I’m going to join the Army to help take care of my grandmother.
Can you tell me about your military career? (Where were you stationed. Etc.)
In the Army, my MOS was 91L or Construction Equipment Repairer. Basically I was a construction mechanic. My job was to fix construction vehicles such as Bulldozers, Backhoe loaders, and Forklifts. I was in the Army for five years. Four years active duty and one year in the Army reserves. I was stationed in Fort Stewart, Georgia and deployed to South Korea.
How did you find your way to writing?
I found my way to writing by taking writing classes at an Acting Conservatory I attended for 2 years called Theatre of Arts Hollywood. The four classes that I took were On Camera Fundamentals, On Camera Scene Studies, Sketch Comedy, and Demo Reel. In these classes, we got a chance to write our own scripts that we were going to act in. Taking these classes peaked my interest in writing.
Tyrell now.
How did you find your way to the Writers’ Program?
I found my way to the Writers’ Program through two of my instructors at Theatre of Arts. I told them that after taking their classes, I wanted to become a writer. And to my surprise they both suggested that I take classes at the UCLA Extension and get into the Writers’ Program.
Any classes you have especially enjoyed?
Classes that I have especially enjoyed so far are Feature Film, Half Hour TV, and Creating Powerful scene and sequences. These classes have helped me get a better understanding of what kind of writer I am and they also gave me a glimpse of what a writers room is like.
What are you writing now?
Right now I am writing a spec script about a boy with ADHD who lacks self-confidence and gains superpowers from a scientist who wants to use him for evil.
What does, “thank you for your service” mean to you?
To me, thank you for your service simply means that I am acknowledged as someone who served this country. So in return I say “thank you!”
How did you spend this veteran’s day?
I spent Veterans Day with my friends and family members who are also veterans. We had a Veterans Day BBQ.
Anything else you would like to share?
Being an actor was never a dream of mine early on in life. In 2017 while still in the Army, I was making comedy skits and sketches and posting them on social media. In 2021, because I loved making people laugh and smile from these videos, I decided I wanted to become an actor. So, I separated from the Army to pursue a career in Acting and through that, I decided to do standup comedy.
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Thank you veterans. We honor your service and are proud to have you as thriving members of our Writers’ Program Community.