My name is Rebecca Bachleda-Wraj, but many of you will know me as author Becca Vry or Fanfiction writer GothicTemptress (a Pen Name I’ve used since 1998).
I’m a Chicago native who prefers high-rise living and hasn’t owned or driven a car in over twenty years. My husband and I are about to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and I’m a stay-at-home mother of two daughters.
I’ve recently lost over 100 pounds and my husband has lost more than 130 pounds – it’s wonderful to have such a supportive partner in life, as we try to get as healthy as possible so that we can grow old together and not only be around to watch our beautiful daughters grow up, but also remain a positive influence/example in their lives. If you are interested in following a more detailed account of my journey, you can read my long-form essay, Joyrousers, HERE.
As you can see, my own hopescapes are forming into happier futurescapes as I make changes to my health as well as begin pursing the creative path I’ve found daunting in the past. Publishing a short story is just the beginning to what I hope grows into a larger body of work – so the challenges continue. Onward!
When not doing the mom thing, I can often be found at The MidAmerica Club of Chicago skyworking and visiting with friends. I’m currently serving on the Board of Governors and am the Head Chair of MACreative, a concept born from the hope that creativity can be inspired in us all. When not having fun at the MAC, I love to visit Art Galleries, poetry readings, or creating something on a canvas. Here are a few examples of my artwork. I love the freedom modern art affords me, and gravitate toward the textural/multi-dimensional aesthetic of mixed media. I prefer to not only work on the canvas, but expand outward as new ideas take shape.
Diffusion by Becca Vry – Acrylic, Clay and other mediums on Canvas (36 inches by 60 inches):
The Great Escape by Becca Vry – Acrylic and Clay on Canvas (three panels, 12 inches by 12 inches):
When not being creative, you’ll find me bounding in the mosh pit at a concert with my beloved husband Maximilian, or on the dance floor of my favorite Chicago Goth/Industrial haunts. No matter the setting, I’m usually wearing black and my sidewalk-stomping Doc Martens.
What started out as a secret hobby of writing on-line stories has turned into an insatiable passion for creating stories that inspire and provoke. I branched out into original prose with my first release, Hopescapes. The charity compilation it appeared in made Amazon’s Best Seller list (see below for more details)! It’s an inspirational short story that appears in Musings: An Argyle Empire Anthology. The story is about the evolution of lifescapes and how the promise of new beginnings inspire many dreamscapes. The theme of this story centers on emerging from the embers of profound loss and hopelessness, to realizing the importance of survival, ongoingness, and the power that comes from re-learning the language of happiness . . . Two strangers discover that the journey to happiness often comes at a tragic price – the conversation between them, and the connections they realize they share, will alter their perspectives in the most unexpected ways. They will never look at the Chicago skyline, or the broadening hopescapes that expand before them, in the same way ever again.
My next project was released November 11, 2022. The title of my 20,000 word novella is CHRYSALIDE, and it appears in the Ghosts and Gravity VetSports Charity Anthology. It hit #1 in Amazon’s New Releases!
My next appearance in the Book World will be as USA Today’s Best Selling author Shay Savage‘s assistant at Book Bonanza 2023 in Dallas Texas.
I hope to release a couple of steamy romances in the near future . . . if my muse cooperates.
My first release is an inspirational short story titled HOPESCAPES, which first appeared in
Here is the summary for Hopescapes:
“The evolution of lifescapes and the promise of new beginnings inspire many dreamscapes. Two strangers discover that the journey to happiness often comes at a tragic price – the conversation between them, and the connections they realize they share, will alter their perspectives in the most unexpected ways. They will never look at the Chicago skyline, or the broadening hopescapes that expand before them, in the same way ever again.
This is an inspiring short story about emerging from the embers of profound loss and hopelessness, to realizing the importance of survival, ongoingness, and the power that comes from re-learning the language of happiness. It’s time to head towards the light … Hopescapes, written by Becca Vry.”
I’m also very excited to announce that Musings is an Amazon Best Seller already as of the first day of sales! The Kindle market is huge so rankings vacillate wildly in all directions on any given day, but THIS was unexpected and a wonderful surprise – #22!!!:
Wooohoooooo!
100% of the sales of Musings is going to Covenant House to help homeless youth, so even more to celebrate!
Many thanks to Kez’s Book Shelf Blog for inviting me for an Author/story interview – Thank you Kez: Becca Vry Hopescapes Interview
Until I have any new announcements, you will find me at these places:
For many years, while my children were at school, I dabbled at writing adult-centric stories and posting them on the internet under the pseudonym GothicTemptress (for mature audiences only – these stories are sexually explicit). Over the years, I’ve won a few contests and received awards for my short stories. Many of my stories have been translated into French and Russian by fans of my work. I still post creative works as GothicTemptress, from time to time, so watch the account below if you’re interested in my latest short stories:
Many of my award winning stories can be found here.
or at:
Becca Vry 