When a Book Becomes a Movie!

Jenn McKinlay

Jenn and Kate, drinking wine. Shocker.

The book to movie conundrum. I don't think there is an author alive who doesn't think about what will happen if their book becomes a movie, so I am thrilled to have Kate Carlisle, my long time friend, mentor, wine-drinking buddy, and partner in shenanigans, share her perspective of this very thing, since Kate's fabulous Fixer-Upper Mysteries were brought to the small screen by Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, in the first of what will be a series of movies starring Jewel and Colin Ferguson. Yay!

 
Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries and the Fixer-Upper Mysteries. 

Learn more about her books at www.KateCarlisle.com.

Kate: On January 15, I had the honor of seeing characters who were born in my head come to life on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. It was quite a milestone in my career. And here's the best part: I loved the movie!

Jenn: I did, too! Jewel and Colin had real chemistry and as an amateur sleuth she was utterly charming.

Kate: The feedback from readers has been overwhelmingly positive. I have heard from a few who questioned why the producers made changes to the story. The way I look at it, Shannon now lives in two parallel universes—in the books, and in the movies. We can enjoy them both for what they are, even if they're not identical.

Jenn: Agreed. They are such different formats. Still, your sly sense of humor, snappy dialogue, and clever plotting was evident in the film just like your books. Such a treat for me and all of your readers to see your work in a new medium.

Kate: When I'm writing books, I don't have the same limitations that filmmakers have. I can write a car chase without worrying about how I can afford to total two cars. They also have only two hours, minus commercial breaks, in order to tell a satisfying story. That means they need to limit the number of characters, and get all emotions across as best they can through dialogue and the actors' expressions.

As a novelist, I have no limits other than my imagination, and that I stay true to the world I've created. In the small resort town of Lighthouse Cove, California, the best man for the job is a woman—Shannon Hammer, owner of Hammer Construction Company and an expert in Victorian home restoration and renovation. Shannon discovers not only skeletons in her neighbors' closets, but murder victims, too! Book 1 is A HIGH-END FINISH.

Jenn: I loved this book! The whole series is just wonderful. BTW, Mac is my fictional boyfriend! 

FIVE THINGS THAT SURPRISED ME ABOUT TURNING MY BOOK INTO A HALLMARK MOVIE

1. The initial offer. I wasn't shopping my books around to producers. I had no idea this was in the works until my agent called to tell me that Hallmark was interested in my series. Can you imagine how I danced around the house as soon as that phone call ended?

2. The casting. Right from the first call, I was told they were looking for a project for singer/songwriter/actress Jewel, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. She is the perfect blend of feminine, smart, and tough to capture Shannon's character. And Colin Ferguson, her male lead, is handsome, intelligent, and has great comic timing. Here I am with him (and a copy of THIS OLD HOMICIDE) at the red carpet gala in Hollywood the night before the first movie aired.

3. Seeing my name in the opening credits. "Based on the Fixer-Upper Mysteries by Kate Carlisle." Pinch me!

4. The explosion. In the first scene of the movie, a boat explodes. That wasn't in the book, but wow, did it make a great impact on screen. It kicked off the mystery with a bang. Literally.

5. The secrecy. I wasn't allowed to publicize the movie until given the go-ahead. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries issued a press release, but I couldn't say a word. Filming started. Jewel and Colin Ferguson both posted videos and pictures from the set on their Instagram account, while I remained silent. For months, readers would email me or post questions on my Facebook page about the Hallmark movie because they'd read about it online, and I simply… couldn't answer.

But now I can shout it to the world—and the good news hasn't stopped coming. That was just the first Fixer-Upper Mystery movie! Filming on the second will happen in February. I'm planning to visit the set this time, and I'll be sure to share pictures in my newsletter. Sign up at www.KateCarlisle.com. While you're there, check out the free goodies available to members of my mailing list in the Secret Room.

Jenn: I can not wait to see pictures from the set! Very exciting!

So, Reds, what is your favorite book-to-movie adaptation? Any questions for Kate?