Films

Sunny, warm, temps plus 5 -

Gorgeous spring day - after a snow storm Friday...and more bad weather forecast for tomorrow. I know the midwest is getting hammered!

We have some regular, and unusual visitors these days. Wild turkeys. We tried to take pictures out the solarium window...the just look like big blobs, but in person they are formidable. Very impressive. And fun.

As you might have read in the newsletter, I've just, and finally agreed to option the first two books for movie rights.

We decided to limit it to Still Life and Dead cold/A Fatal Grace just in case its a disaster. that way the damage is contained. Not that I'm expecting a disaster...I'd never have agreed if I thought that was a possibility. But you just never know.

After 6 years of turning down all offers, I agreed because of the passion this production company showed. For the books, the characters, the themes. And to do a great job. And I was impressed that they offered me the job of Executive Producer. As my agent, who never holds back, said - I wonder if they know what they're getting in to?

this is a Canadian company. I felt strongly that the lead should be taken by a Canadian production company...but there will be international partners. British and American. So if the made-for-TV films are made, they will almost certainly be shown in the UK and the US.

Very fun to dream...to imagine the best case scenario. And so important for me to remain vigilant, to protect the characters without strangling or micro-managing the production. the fact is, film is different than books. And I'm not a film person.

The head of the production company's coming to Montreal on Thursday so we can meet and discuss plans.

Must hop off....it's a hectic time here - and I'm sure you're busy too! But I wanted you to know about the films because we've discussed it before on the blog.

Feel free to offer casting ideas!

Michael - ready for his close-up!!

mainly sunny, some cloudy periods and spitting rain, temps 18

still cooler than normal, but quite a nice day. I think the bar is now set pretty low. No hail? Then it's a great day.

fun, but hectic, days. Just back from Montreal...had breakfast yesterday in Sutton with Gary and Cheryl - it was Gary's birthday. Then headed to the city...

But the big news yesterday was the Michael (who is writing a narrative non-fiction book about two scientists and their fight to find a cure for a terrible childhood cancer) had sent out a query letter to the top New York literary agent for this non-fiction. Hadn't heard for weeks and weeks and decided she wasn't interested...then got an email yesterday - the sunday of the 4th of July long weekend, to say she was interested!!!!

Did you hear our shrieks??? Unbelievelably exciting!!!

He has to put together a proposal...and polish it...but he worked on that until 10pm, while I edited book 6. Such fun to work side by side on our books!

then this morning we went to Nick's on Greene Ave in Montreal to meet a film director for coffee. Won't give you his name, but he's won an Emmy for an HBO film and he's directed all sorts of terrific films. We've turned down a lot of offers, since I'm not interested in doing anything cheap...and I'm not interested in selling the rights to the characters. The project has to be very specific.

And this man is wonderful. Love his work. It's quality. And he clearly understands the books. His thought is to make the first 4 into films, for TV. Now, I realize this almost certainly will never happen. Not because he's insincere or I am, but just because so many things can go wrong...there are so many details...so many stars need to align.

But it's wonderful to meet a prominent director who is passionate about the books.

So it was an exciting weekend. Celebrated a friend's birthday. Michael heard from the top New York agent and we met to discuss films of my books. What can we do for an encore???

Came home, had lunch in Knowlton, said Hi to Danny in the bookstore, and arrived back with a couple of hours to edit, on the screen porch, looking into the sunny day.

How fun is that? And so wonderful to see the glee in Michael. And to have him reap the rewards after he's supported me for so long!!

But, his cough is continuing and is a little chesty, so we're off to the medical clinic at 7:30 tomorrow morning, then meeting Kirk and Jane to discuss decorating the city apartment. They have thoughts. We have the cheque book.

Be well...will keep you updated.

Once upon a time...

cloudy, mild, high minus 2 - storm warning! 20 cms of snow & freezing rain

LOVE storms, glad I'm not on the highway, though.

Over dinner last night (Italian restaurant closed, so we ended up at the Internationale eating pear and turnip soup followed by wild boar and blueberry sausages.) Cotton explained she suggested the French subtitled Chinese film because it's called STILL LIFE. Fun! I'd even read a rave review of it.

However - wish I could sound very sophisticated and say I loved it, darling. But I didn't. Long silences. French subtitles came and went in a flash, so I caught very little. Chairs were concrete and the big haired woman in front kept moving her head to block out my view. I eventually shut my eyes and listened to the music. At the end we agreed there might just be a cultural divide between Shanghi and Sutton. I suspect the film was brilliant I was dull, but I often suspect that.

Starting the next book this morning. Laptop up and ready by the fire. Fire laid and ready for match. Coffee pot on. Storm approaching. Three Pines awaits. I even know my first line. A line I've waited 40 years to use.

Il etait une fois.

The Flat Bottom Society

sunny, cold, highs minus 9

Had a wonderful mini-storm yesterday, then it all blew over and left us with a brilliant day - sun bouncing and magnifying off the perfect snow and pouring into the windows. We're in the living room, Michael at his computer and me reading over notes for the next book - fire lit (not for the notes - yet) and tea on the mind. Lovely.

We're off tonight to see our friend Cotton. She's in her late 70's and quite spectacular. She called the other day to say her two huge grandchildren (one of whom is known as 911 because as a child he always threatened to call it whenever he didn't get his way) were leaving today (Thursday) and she felt the need for all grown up company. Did we want to meet her for dinner at the Italian restaurant in Sutton.

We said yes, wonderful.

Then she called back to say would we like to see a movie in Sutton? Now, Sutton doesn't actually have a movie theatre, so we were wondering if Cotton has begun (perhaps thanks to some magic element brought into the house by the grandsons) not only hearing voices in her head, but seeing pictures too.

No, she explained - it's at the Salle Alec Pelletier, an intimate space on Rue Maple where community groups put on productions, and in fact, The Cruellest Month had it's local launch. Every now and then they show a film.

We said, great.

Then she called back and asked if she'd remembered to tell us it was a Chinese film.

No, but that's OK, we said. Our enthusiasm still strong. Don't know why, but I quite like Chinese films. Even Jackie Chan. But mostly Raise the Red Lantern etc.

It has subtitles, Cotton said - which we all agreed was helpful.

In French, she muttered, and hung up.

French? Now, our French is good - but to have to read it, quickly, for two hours?

Then she called again. Don't forget to bring pillows, since the seats are extremely uncomfortable.

We're expecting another call any moment reminding us to bring hammers to hit ourselves with.

I promise, if I blog tomorrow, I won't tell you all about it. Good thing we love Cotton. Is this what's meant by 'unconditional?'

Talk to you tomorrow - flat bum and all.