Make My Book A Movie - I Wish

MUSE MONDAY
A few days ago, my husband and I went to see Saving Mr. Banks. I hadn't read any reviews or seen a movie trailer beyond a preview a few months back. The fact that it had something to do with Walt Disney and Mary Poppins was enough to hook me. I love Disneyland and so many of the stories Disney brought to the screen.

I totally enjoyed the movie which was about P. L. Travers', the author of the Mary Poppins series, long avoidance of allowing Disney to make a movie from her books. She said no for twenty years. How crazy does that sound? Assuming Hollywood didn't embellish the truth too much, it was a delight seeing how they turned her story into a movie. Her abhorrence of the process had me wanting to slap her upside the head for most of the movie.

At dinner, my husband asked me if I would be so obstinate if I was offered a movie deal on any of my books. Would I feel like I was handing my baby over? Giving up part of myself? Losing my creation?
Travers and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum on offering up our novels to film. Without hesitation I answered. "Are you serious?" I would loooooove one of my books to make it to the screen.

We decided Sleeping with the Lights On would adapt the best - good chick flick. My leading man came to me immediately. Matthew McConaughey would make a great country singer from Texas but now gracing the stages of Las Vegas. Carson Holiday. Swoon inducing. He's a little young, but they could make him look fifty with the magic of Hollywood.

My leading lady would be Meg Ryan. She's a couple of years too old but close enough to fifty to pull it off. Sandra Holiday faces life with a sense of humor. Meg Ryan has an effervescence about her that would be perfect.

The quirky millionaire, Wesley, who Sandra thinks is her new love would be played perfectly by Nicholas Cage. He does quirky proud. And the redheaded stalker would have to be played by Nicole Kidman. She could be obsessed and a bit crazy.


So, we have the cast. Now if I can just get the ear of some Hollywood director... It certainly is fun to dream.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?