By
Kathy Damp
&
Patricia Bradley
Did you ever choose sides, playing that game?
Kathy Damp here, anxious to interview Patricia Bradley about The Christmas Campaign, one of Heartwarming's November 1 releases.
Kathy: In the Christmas Campaign, the reading of the will turns everything upside down and in a surprising way. How did the reader surprise jump into your head? Without any spoilers, of course. It's quite inventive.
Patricia: Ooh! Thanks, Kathy. It's always great to be called inventive. Give me a second to finish my neck exercises.
There, I'm done...
Well, I knew Peter didn't want to take over the family company, so in trying to think of a way to torture my character (My job, you know.) I decided the best way would be to tie his dream of building a teenage hang-out into running the company. Worked well for Jake, too. He thought he was a shoo-in as CEO. I am so devious. He-he.
Patricia: I am soo glad you brought up the dog and bone analogy! That actually crossed my mind when I came up with the premise of the book. Peter had lost the girl in the other Cedar Grove book--Matthew's Choice--and I didn't want it to be automatically assumed he'd get the girl this time--you'll have to read the book to see.
So I created an opponent worthy of him. And Jake is truly worthy!
Kathy: Who would you choose to play Peter
Patricia: Only one person could play Peter! Nicole had quite a task in front of her.
Patricia: With three brothers making her tough, Nicole's bluntness came naturally. Would you like to see who would play Nicole?
Kathy: Absolutely!
Patricia: I think Phoebe Tonkin is perfect.
Kathy: When you were writing this story, what were some of the surprises you encountered as the writer?
Patricia: My characters always surprise me. Some writers scoff at the idea that a character can take over the book, but evidently, they've never met Nicole. She had a mind of her own, and I wasn't certain whether she'd choose Jake or Peter! You'll have to read the book to find out.
Thanks, everyone, for dropping by. I hope you've enjoyed our conversation about the characters in The Christmas Campaign. It releases November 1.
Kathy Damp
&
Patricia Bradley
Did you ever choose sides, playing that game?
Kathy Damp here, anxious to interview Patricia Bradley about The Christmas Campaign, one of Heartwarming's November 1 releases.
Kathy: In the Christmas Campaign, the reading of the will turns everything upside down and in a surprising way. How did the reader surprise jump into your head? Without any spoilers, of course. It's quite inventive.
Patricia: Ooh! Thanks, Kathy. It's always great to be called inventive. Give me a second to finish my neck exercises.
There, I'm done...
Well, I knew Peter didn't want to take over the family company, so in trying to think of a way to torture my character (My job, you know.) I decided the best way would be to tie his dream of building a teenage hang-out into running the company. Worked well for Jake, too. He thought he was a shoo-in as CEO. I am so devious. He-he.
Kathy: How did Peter come to mind as a main character? He is quite a different hero. Wait, but then there's Jake. He seems to be the wild child hero guy. So, Jake, Peter, and Nicole? The three of them remind of the saying, "Two dogs, one bone." How's that going to turn out? Can you give a hint?
Patricia: I am soo glad you brought up the dog and bone analogy! That actually crossed my mind when I came up with the premise of the book. Peter had lost the girl in the other Cedar Grove book--Matthew's Choice--and I didn't want it to be automatically assumed he'd get the girl this time--you'll have to read the book to see.
So I created an opponent worthy of him. And Jake is truly worthy! 
Kathy: Who would you choose to play PeterPatricia: Only one person could play Peter! Nicole had quite a task in front of her.
Kathy: Would you tell us how Nicole came to be as a character? She has talents that are often attributed to males and I love her bluntness.
Patricia: With three brothers making her tough, Nicole's bluntness came naturally. Would you like to see who would play Nicole?
Kathy: Absolutely!
Patricia: I think Phoebe Tonkin is perfect.
Kathy: When you were writing this story, what were some of the surprises you encountered as the writer?
Patricia: My characters always surprise me. Some writers scoff at the idea that a character can take over the book, but evidently, they've never met Nicole. She had a mind of her own, and I wasn't certain whether she'd choose Jake or Peter! You'll have to read the book to find out.
Thanks, everyone, for dropping by. I hope you've enjoyed our conversation about the characters in The Christmas Campaign. It releases November 1.
Best wishes with your upcoming release, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate! I'm so glad our stories will soon be in WalMar and more people will see them.
DeleteMe too! I checked our Walmart last Friday, but didn't see any. Do you have an ETA?
DeleteJanuary 2016 will be the first month our books will be in the selected Walmart stores. The books will be in the stores a month after they are released online.
DeleteThanks for checking, Jill!
Excellent! Thank you, Kate.
DeleteGood luck, Pat. I can't believe how many people think we control our characters. Ha! Loved the interview.
ReplyDeleteI know, Liz. Sometimes, they even refuse to talk to us like a stubborn teenager! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteKathy and Pat, fun interview. Yes, I have often one-potato, two potatoed in my time. Inventive is something I never am, so do appreciate that you've done that, Pat, in the conditions of the will. Seems to me Mathew McConaughey and that other gorgeous guy are already connected several times with other heroines living among the Heartwarming family. I expect there to be claims of treachery afoot. Seriously, sounds like a wonderful book, Pat. And Kathy, you look so cute in your kitchen. Good Morning, Everybody!
ReplyDeleteFunny how our characters seem to look alike in our minds sometimes. :-) And I love Kathy's kitchen. I wonder what she was cooking?
DeleteI'm guessing something with potatoes.
DeleteWould that it were my kitchen. It's a cottage on a lake in Vermont three miles from the Canadian border where my husband and I joined my family for a week. Oh, to live on a lake.
DeleteI hope you got those kinks worked out of your neck, Pat. Your book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview ladies!
Thanks, Jill, but the kinks get worked out every day. :-/ Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI really appreciate how real your characters are in your books and that the series continues. We're in for a great treat when it releases soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind remarks, Dee. And so glad you stopped by. This is a great site!
DeleteFun interview, Ladies! I like Nicole already and I haven't even met her yet. Strong and feisty is my favorite heroine type. Looking forward to this story. My characters are always in charge, too. Makes me feel better to hear other writers say the same!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! Do you think our characters are an extension of ourselves? That maybe we really do like/want being in charge? lol
DeleteGreat interview! Nov 1st is coming up soon so early congrats on The Christmas Campaign! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteNov 1st is flying toward us! lol. Thanks, Rula.
DeleteSO cute, ladies! The Christmas Campaign sounds great and either leading man is definitely a winner :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to find new leading men! lol. Although these look mighty fine. But I don't want the other authors fighting over them. Thanks, Amy!
DeleteFun interview with one of my favorite authors! I love the title and premise of this story.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Johnnie, We need to brainstorm!
DeleteI'm so behind in commenting on the blog. I had a computer problem for 4 days that left me feeling like I was unattached from the world. I can't wait to get this book in my subscription, but it will be mid-November.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roz. I don't know if I could live without my computer for 4 days! That's why I have four, I guess. :-)
ReplyDelete