Award winning author Charlotte Hughes began her writing career publishing newspaper and magazine articles before becoming a New York Times best selling author. Charlotte makes her home in Beaufort, S. C. Best known for her FULL series with Janet Evanovich, she has written over 40 books, ranging for the 3 mysteries she wrote for Avon to Mira’s HOT SHOT. Her newest release, NUTCASE centers on Atlanta psychologist Kate Holly and the humorous antics of her friends, family and patients. In the process she learns that the life of a psychologist is enough to drive anyone nuts. Readers are invited to visit Charlotte online at www.readcharlottehughes.com, where she also blogs regularly. As part of the introduction of her newest work, NUTCASE, Charlotte is doing a virtual blog tour this spring.
One of the happiest days of my life was selling my first book to Bantam’s Loveswept line in 1986. I walked on air for days. I couldn’t wait to see my book cover which would actually flesh out the main characters that I’d created in my head!
Some months back, I was contacted by the VP of a major film company who’d read the first book of my new Crazy series, titled WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY, and thought it would make a great TV series.
Now, before I go any further, let me say that the chances of something like this happening is a LONGSHOT so I’m not getting my hopes up. A number of authors have had their books optioned, but nothing ever came of it.
Still, I’m allowed to fantasize!
For those of you who are not familiar with my CRAZY series published by Berkley Jove, my main character, Kate Holly, is a psychologist who is surrounded by crazy friends, family, and patients. It’s irreverent and politically incorrect, but that’s what makes it so much fun. WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY, published back in March of 2008, begins with a patient about to dive from the roof of a ten story building (which houses Kate’s office) all because he can’t get an erection. It is up to Kate and her eccentric receptionist to stop him. I guarantee readers will laugh out loud!
I can’t imagine what it would be like to actually see my characters come to life on TV, but I’m sure I would love every minute of it! After all, I’ve been living with these characters in my head for a couple of years now.
I used to know two guys who were in the drama program at the University of South Carolina; and I asked them, just for the fun of it, if they would act out a scene in one of my mysteries. The scene took place in a small-town police department where one of the detectives was questioning a murder suspect. I typed the straight dialogue and handed it to the students. They studied it and later acted it out for me in my den.
Wow! These two young men did an incredible job of bringing my characters to life in front of my eyes. The scene was gritty and fast-paced and high on drama. What a gift they gave me!
I also mailed the VP a copy of my book, A NEW ATTITUDE, which was so popular with readers, that many o the readers had asked for a sequel. Truly, it is one of the funniest books I’ve ever written. When the VP agreed to read it, I told her to check out comedic actress, Melissa Peterman, from “Reba,” now showing reruns. My mom and I became addicted to the show; both the writers and actors are so gifted, the humor is gut-busting. Fans of “Reba” know that Melissa Peterman plays Barbara Jean Hart, and she literally steals the show. With all the doom and gloom projected for 2009, it’s a relief to be able to escape into a world of fun and laughter. I highly recommend it!
I would truly love to hear from authors who have been fortunate enough to watch their characters come to life on TV or the big screen. And for the rest of you, what books have you read or characters have you loved that you want to see on the screen?
Well Spring is almost here, and with that warming I hope to warm your hearts and give you some good laughs with Nutcase, the second book in the series that just came out. I hope you are all blessed with joy, good health, and prosperity.
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Stacy ~
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 6:27 am:
Hey Charlotte, great to have you here
I just finished Janet Evanovich’s “Lean Mean 13″ over the weekend and I think the Plum series would be perfect for a t.v. series. I’d rather see it on t.v. versus on the big screen because a series would have much more material to work with. I think it would be fabulous.
Another one, maybe an HBO series, would be JD Robb’s In Death books. I adore this series, the characters, the fact that there are what, 26 books so far and I’m nowhere close to being bored with it. Okay, I’m only up to about book 20, but I can’t imagine I wouldn’t love the rest.
PJ
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 8:15 am:
Hi Charlotte! Welcome to RNTV!
I adore Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and, like Stacy, that was the first to come to mind. The only potential problem I’d have with that series going to TV (and I also would prefer TV to movie) is that the main characters are so firmly fixed in my mind that if I didn’t click with the people cast in the roles it could ruin the whole thing for me. I think that’s the risk that you run anytime a popular book is made into a movie or TV series. On the other hand, there’s sure to be a huge segment of the movie-going/TV-watching public who haven’t read the books and will love the film so I guess it’s a trade-off. I haven’t read your new series yet but it sounds terrific and I can definitely see that concept transferring seamlessly to the small screen. I do love a book/series/TV show/movie that makes me laugh!
I’m a fan of the wonderfully funny Melissa Peterman and you’re right. She absolutely stole that show! It will be fun to already have her in mind when I read A New Attitude.
Looking forward to meeting you tonight at B&N!
~PJ
Kati
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 8:15 am:
Welcome Charlotte, congratulations on the possible TV option, that’s really exciting!
Darn it! Stacy stole my answer! I’d *love* to see the In Death series come to life. The technology fascinates me! Of course, I’m not sure ANY actor they chose for Roarke would satisfy me. He’s so….singular.
katiebabs
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 8:20 am:
I think your books about Kate would be a gear tv series. What Looks Like Crazy had me laugh too many times to count.
I am with Kati also, I would LOVE an In Death series tv show but I don’t think any character can be good enough to play Roarke or Eve.
Charlotte Hughes
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 8:58 am:
Stacy: I don’t know much about Nora Roberts’ “In Death” series, but I’ve seen a number of her books made for TV, and they’re always great. I know her books are in great demand for Tv.
Thanks for writing!
Charlotte Hughes
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 9:04 am:
Hi, PJ:
I am stunned that Janet’s series hasn’t already hit the big screen, what with the phenomenal success it has achieved. In my limited experience, it seems to come down to finding the right screenwriter.
Charlotte Hughes
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 9:06 am:
PJ: Just noticed you plan to be at B&N tonight. Please be sure to introduce yourself!
Charlotte Hughes
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 9:08 am:
Katie & Katibab: Thanks for your comments. I hope you both will keep an eye out for NUTCASE!
orannia
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 2:30 pm:
HI Charlotte *waves*
The only potential problem I’d have with that series going to TV (and I also would prefer TV to movie) is that the main characters are so firmly fixed in my mind that if I didn’t click with the people cast in the roles it could ruin the whole thing for me.
What PJ said
Sometimes your imagination can encapsulate something far better than TV can. A good example is probably Harry Potter. I loved the books and while I think the movies are good sometimes the characters and certain things don’t ring quite ring true with how I imagined them. But then, everyone brings their experiences to the table when they are reading (deja vu – we were talking about that over the weekend) and so no two people will ever imagine the same thing.
I echo Kati & Katiebabs – I don’t think any actor could play Roarke
Susan Kelley
on Feb 26th, 2009
@ 9:07 pm:
One of my favorite fantasy series became a TV series this year. THE LEGEND OF THE SEEKER is based on Terry Goodkind’s SWORD OF TRUTH series. The show is okay but the actors are not as I invisioned them to be. So congrats on your option and I hope if they decide to go with it they find the perfect actors and screenwriters. Would you consider writing the screen play yourself or only advise.