The Obvious Choice

“If one — and only one — of your stories would be adapted for the silver screen, which one would you select? Would you prefer to write the screenplay… or just watch from the sidelines while the studio uses whoever they use for such projects?”

I don’t know how any author could be asked to choose just one of their stories to be adapted for film. Each story is special in its own way and is a part of that author. When thinking about this topic at first I thought I would want to adapt Love Overcomes. I love the romance of it and that story has a special place in my heart as it was my first ever published book. Then I thought it would be lovely to see Magnolia put on film. There is a place in Scotland that I drew inspiration from and would love to be able to travel there for filming. However, Jade could be fun to film as well.

I suppose if I truly had to pick only one to be turned into a movie I would have to go with Love Overcomes. That story holds so much of myself in it. Writing that story was a form of therapy, dealing with the emotional aftermath of an abusive marriage as I wrote. I poured much of my hurt and insecurities into it. Being able to see Ara overcome her trepidation over opening herself up to someone again helped me and for that reason I would want to write the screenplay with someone who knows how to write such things. I’ve never written a screenplay and have heard that they are very different than writing novels. I have read that even some amazing authors can’t write a screenplay because it is such a different style than what they’re used to writing. I would want the studio to choose someone that they trusted to write the screenplay with me.

I would love to have input on actors and actresses but would obviously be open to seeing who a casting director might think would be good for the characters. It would be fun to be able to be on location and see my creation brought to life.

I think it could be exciting to watch all of this happen and have some role in the process!