Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Guest post and book giveaway: Carleen Brice

I am so, so thrilled today because we've got the wonderful Carleen Brice here for a guest blog. And if you think that's good, just wait-- because it only gets better! Carleen's also been generous enough to agree to do a giveaway of her fabulous debut novel, ORANGE MINT AND HONEY. Deets on how to enter are at the bottom of this post.

So, without further ado, I give you Carleen:


"I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end." – Margaret Thatcher


The good news: My first novel, ORANGE MINT AND HONEY, was optioned by Lifetime Movie Network (LMN)! Yay!


The bad news: Filmmaking takes a looooooooong time. TV moves faster than features (that’s what Lala Land types call movies on the big screen), and God knows, Lifetime is actually clipping right
along (there’s a producer and screenwriter on board; script is almost done). But still the process of adaptation requires patience on behalf of the novelist. Something that is so not my strong suit.


Most of my friends thought the option meant I was moving to Hollywood to audition tall, dark & handsome men (even though there are no tall, dark & handsome men in my story). Not exactly.


First of all, Lifetime movies are filmed in Canada.


Second of all, I have no say whatsoever about the film. They could decide that my poignant mother-daughter story would really be better as a buddy picture in outer space. But this is Lifetime so they won’t. Lifetime and poignant mother-daughter stories go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. I’m in good hands.


And third of all, “optioned” doesn’t mean the movie will be made. An option means the network pays a little money up front to hold the rights while they try to put the deal together. In my case, putting the deal together means trying to get some names attached since, ahem, I am not a name. I have a name, and all my life that has been good enough, but not good enough for Hollywood. Nope, for Hollywood you need to be a name.


So there’s a screenwriter and producer working on the film and (I hear) soon a director and maybe even a cast. That’s the point we’ll get the green light (Lala Land for “yep, we’re actually making it.”


And instead of sipping mojitos at the Chateau Marmont with Diablo and friends, having my first novel optioned means I’m still in Denver. In my pajamas. Waiting. Listening to this song over and over.


But like Mrs. Thatcher said, as long as I get my way in the end, I’ll be ok. (Come on Lifetime, give me the green light!)


And, I just remembered! There is one tall, dark & handsome guy in my story! It’s a small role, but maybe the director would like the author’s input….


While she waits for the green light
from LMN, Carleen writes to pass the time. Her second novel CHILDREN OF THE WATERS, comes out July 7. It too would make a perfect movie. Hint, hint Hollywood.


Big thanks to Carleen for stopping by today! Want to win a free signed copy of Carleen's book before it hits the screen? Just leave a comment below and you're entered! Want extra entries? That can be arranged.... Blog about it for another entry. Become of follower of this blog for another entry, too. Or you can leave a comment on another one of my blog posts for yet another entry!


The winner will be announced on April 15th.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting process but one that calls for lots of patience.

Kaye said...

Wow, you could get some gray hairs waiting for the movie people to get off their duffs and do something. when the big debut happens we can say we knew you when. Lol. your books looks great. i love the title. please enter me in the drawing.
florida982002[at]yahoo.com

AMB said...

wow! its wonderful to be able to see the intricacies of the writing process! If I could have a free copy of your book (i'm a poor graduate student lol) that would be even more wonderful! :)

either way, good luck with everything!

peace.
a.

Shai said...

Congrats on the film deal. I have your book on my wishlist.

Anonymous said...

I hope you get the green light soon! This story will make an excellent movie.

Emerson

Unknown said...

I would go nuts waiting for the final word on the movie. And I thought publishing was slow!

jgbeads AT gmail DOT com

Valorie said...

Even though the book isn't a movie in the works, even having it considered it exciting! Good luck. I hope to see it out on Lifetime soon.

Blogged:
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/03/30/book-giveaways-0330-0405/

I am also a follower.


Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Shonell Bacon said...

MAJOR CONGRATS - :-) That is so awesome. You got me excited FOR you.

Katie said...

Enter me!
bball11kt@sbcglobal.net

mindy said...

sounds like a wonderful feat thanks for the generous giveaway

Eric said...

Congrats on the possibly Lifetime show. Thats really cool (not to mention that my wife will most likely be watching it). Please enter me in the drawing as well.

Shauna Roberts said...

Wow. Options are even more complicated than I realized. Thanks for the interview. (Please don't enter me in the contest; I already have Carleen's book.)

LadyLee said...

Well, the book is great, so I know the film will be GRAND!!

I hope you get to sip Mojitos in Hollywood while wearing your pajamas! Really!

Unknown said...

Love to have this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

Carleen Brice said...

Thanks Brenda, friends and readers!

Carleen Brice said...

Here's a little statistic: only 5%of books optioned by Hollywood actually get made into movies. With Lifetime, I was told a year ago my odds were more like 50/50.

Shauna Roberts said...

I've heard of people who option their book repeatedly and so make a good amount of money even though the book never becomes a movie.

Shalema said...

I read Orange Mint & Honey and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to your next story.

Keith Andrew Perry said...

Good Luck my friend. As my daughter says, "this is very cool."

KR said...

I'd love this.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a wonderful book and to have it accepted at Lifetime Movie Network is very exciting. Congratulations!

chstress said...

WOW, This is a coll giveaway. Pick me Pick ME please!!!!

CLR said...

Sounds like a book I would enjoy. Very exciting news about LMN

Llehn said...

Ooooooo.... option! How exciting! Congrats on the book!

Lesley

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the optioning. That is quite an accomplishment. I look forward to seeing the tv movie :>

Enter me for the book too!

Carleen Brice said...

Shauna, Good to know!

Keith & everyone-thanks for all your good wishes!

StuffSmart said...

Wow, who knew it took so long for Lifetime to make a movie.

Deborah said...

I'd love to win a copy of "Orange Mint and Honey." Thanks for the chance! asthenight at gmail dot com

Brooke said...

Well, WHEN your novel airs on LTM Channel it will be wonderful; however, I know the book is always better... Just breathe and let this adventure continue at it's own pace... To be on the safe side you might want to practice drinking those Mojitos and looking good...

A Reader said...

Sounds like a time consuming process.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carleen Brice said...

Brooke, Thanks for the encouragement and don't worry...there's been plenty of mojito and margarita (and pinot noir) drinking going on while I wait. :)

BurtonReview said...

Great Blog, I am now a follower, and please enter me
Marieburton2004 at yahoo dot com

Marie said...

I never realized how complicated such things could be but your book sounds wonderful, I would love to read it!

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

rlgrady said...

I would love to read this! Thanks!
rlgrady[at]yahoo[dot]com

jwx4 said...

Good luck with your film deal. I'll be waiting to see the movie.

jwx4@yahoo.com

tatertot374 said...

Good Luck!
Thank you for a great giveaway. I would love to win. tHank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Michelle O'Neil said...

The movie must happen! It will! Congrats!