BOM: Results and reader Reaction

Most of the reviews for The Note have been gracious--obviously, the story touches a strong chord in people who are longing to reconcile with someone, particularly with their fathers.  This Amazon review is typical of what I've heard:

"Angela Hunt has written an excellent book. It will make you really think about what you are reading. To see how Peyton MacGruder grows in her writing, her outlook on life and her relationships with other people is remarkable and very emotional. If this book doesn't draw you closer to Jesus, there isn't much that will. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to other people."

On the other hand, I have also received a couple of letters saying that the book doesn't deserve to be called "Christian fiction."  No, not because it's an allegory, but because the antagonist is a bit of a hussy.  One woman told me she allowed her fourteen-year-old daughter to read it without previewing it; afterward she was horrified by the book. 

I wrote her back and said that she had every right to guard what her daughter read, however, THE NOTE is not a children's book.  (Yet the notion that a Christian novel must be appropriate for a child disturbs me somewhat.  What does that imply about a mature Christian's intellectual level? Are we not allowed to tackle topics beyond a typical ten-year-old's experience? Even more shudder-inducing is the supposition that Christian fiction could not possibly contain subjects designed to challenge the reader.) 

Second, Julie St. Clair is not a Christian character, therefore she doesn't act like one. And in no way does the story glorify Julie's actions.  (I've noticed that Julie's character has morphed into a male in the movie version. This is a good thing, as it eliminates the "tart factor." The author who plays the TV reporter is also cute.  :-) 

I would keep Julie as she is, though, because in the novel she's a foil to Peyton's character and it helps that she's female.

Shortly after the book's release, I was approached by Journey Productions, a small film company that optioned the novel.  Five years later, here we are with a finished film.  I had little to do with the struggle (and wouldn't know how to begin to make a movie), but my hat's off to the folks who made it happen.  I'm grateful  to them and to God, and I pray that the story's message will come through loud and clear. 

Tomorrow:  questions and answers, so be sure to leave your questions in the comments box. 

Update:  The St. Pete Times has published an article on the upcoming movie.  You can read it here!  

~~Angie   

BOM: The Research

Because I set The Note in Tampa Bay--my home--I didn't have to do too much research into the setting.  I did have to research the job of newspaper columnist, however, as well as panic attacks. 

To learn how to be a newspaper columnist, I emailed a local columnist at the Tampa Tribune. I had admired Judy Hill's work for some time, so I asked her to lunch. Happily, she agreed to meet me and let me pick her brain. 

I'll confess something--I was really nervous.  In some crazy way, I felt that she was a REAL writer, while I was just playing around.  Anyway, we had a nice lunch, she was very kind, and she answered all the "who, what, when, where, how, and how often?" questions that I needed to know.  

As to the panic attacks--something Peyton suffers from--I sent out a call to some email friends, and I was amazed at how many of my friends have suffered from them.  I never have, but I began to understand the condition and what it feels like.  

I did some research on plane crashes, and some geographical research because Peyton travels during the story. But mostly it's a character plot about the changes that take place in the protagonist.  

I know they changed the setting for the movie--since they've set the story at Christmas, they wanted a place that LOOKED like Christmas, and Tampa Bay doesn't really qualify, not even with our decorations on full display.  :-)  Too much sunshine down here. 

Tomorrow: the writing 

~~Angie 

Book of the month: THE NOTE

I am beginning to get excited about seeing THE NOTE on the Hallmark channel on Dec. 8th--one week from today!   My book club chose that book as our book this month, so I need to read it again!  (It's been a while!) 

And Hallmark has done some amazing things with the website.  A few weeks ago I told you about whatwouldyouwrite.com.  If you visit that site now, you'll find that it's been absorbed into a larger site--with a photo gallery, video clips, plot synopsis (which sounds a LOT like the novel), and much more!  Click here to visit the site directly. 

Be sure to check out everything, but especially the first and last video clips.  I get all teary-eyed just watching them.  :-) Please help me spread the word about the movie! 

THE NOTE, if you're not familiar with the story, is about a newspaper reporter who finds a note that washes up from a plane crash. The message is simple:  "T--I love you. All is forgiven. Dad."  She decides to make it her goal to deliver the note to the intended recipient. And since her newspaper column isn't doing so well, she decides to write about her quest in the paper. 

Tomorrow: how the idea sparked and germinated. 

~~Angie 

www.whatwouldyouwrite.com

Found the following in my inbox this weekend . . . pretty cool! Why not visit the site and write a note of your own?

http://www.whatwouldyouwrite.com

~~Angie


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2007

IF YOU ONLY HAD A MINUTE, WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE?

HALLMARK CHANNEL SEARCHES FOR AUTHORS OF

‘THE NOTE’



Network Launches Internet Campaign to Bring Inspirational
Words to Millions and Possibly Aid in Renewed Connections

“The Note,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, Premieres
Saturday, December 8 (9/8c) on the Network

If you were asked to write a few heartfelt words to someone but only had a minute to do so, what would you say? Who would you reach out to? Would you express love, appreciation, regret? This is one of the central themes of the Hallmark Channel Original Movie “The Note.” To exhibit the power a few words can have on the lives of others, Hallmark Channel is launching www.WhatWouldYouWrite.com on Monday, October 22 as an outlet for viewers to submit their own notes. The site’s first featured notes will be from the film’s stars, including Genie Francis (“General Hospital”) and Ted McGinley (“Hope & Faith”), and producer Joel Rice.

In addition to serving as a forum for these inspirational words, Hallmark Channel is aiming to use the site as a catalyst for real-life reconciliations. If a parent wishes to speak to an estranged child, a pro athlete wants to thank his high school coach or if someone needs to express their feeling to ‘the one that got away,’ Hallmark Channel will do its best to put their words in front of millions, hopeful that it will result in heartfelt reunions.

“As an actor, you ask yourself what you hope an audience will take away from your role and your film,” Francis says. “Of course, ‘The Note’ is meant to entertain. But during the production of the movie, Ted (McGinley) and I have hoped that the WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE campaign might also have the power to reconcile people and differences, regardless of the rifts that may exist, or how long any bitterness has persisted. It would be amazing to see an hour of “Oprah” dedicated to the goal of “The Note,” a true example of the healing power of love and forgiveness on display during the holiday season.”

In “The Note,” Francis stars as Peyton MacGruder, a struggling newspaper columnist who suddenly finds herself in possession of a scrap of paper containing a hastily written but heartfelt message written by one of the passengers of an airliner that was about to crash to his
child. Inspired by the power of the words, Peyton pledges to discover the note’s intended recipient and deliver it by Christmas. Taking her readers along for the journey while trying to stay one step ahead of a TV tabloid reporter, Peyton sets out across the country in her search, and unexpectedly confronts her own personal demons in the process.

The film is of particular importance to Rice, who turned to film production after several years as a licensed social worker. Although he appreciated the chance his work gave him to help people heal and grow, he regretted only being able to assist a limited number of people. He has since made it his life’s work to bring uplifting and inspiring films to as many people as possible, and has produced more than 20 made-for-television films. “The Note” proudly carries on that tradition.

“The Note,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, December 8 (9/8c), stars “General Hospital” legend Genie Francis and Ted McGinley, best known for his work on “MarriedWith Children” and “Hope & Faith.” The film is a co-production of Hallmark Channel and Lightworks Pictures in association with WildRice Productions. Joel S. Rice (“Shredderman Rules”) and William Spencer Riley are executive producers. Maura Dunbar is the executive in charge of production for Lightworks Pictures. Doug Barr (“To Be Fat Like Me”) is the director. Paul W. Cooper wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Angela Hunt.

News Flash: From Variety

Hallmark writes original 'Note'

Holiday TV movie to star Genie Francis

By JOHN DEMPSEY

The Hallmark Channel has commissioned "The Note," a holiday-themed TV movie to star Genie Francis and Ted McGinley and premiere on Dec. 8.

Co-produced by Lightworks Pictures (a Faith & Values company) and WildRice Prods., telepic concerns a lonelyhearts columnist who stumbles on a note written to an unidentified child by a passenger who dies in a plane crash. The columnist's editor tells her to go all out to find the child before Christmas and write about her progress in the column.

Hallmark Channel, one of the most aggressive cable nets in greenlighting original movies, plans to do up to 30 in the next year. Hallmark and Lightworks will own "The Note," said Joel Rice, of WildRice, one of the exec producers. But in most instances, Hallmark will buy just the exclusive basic-cable window to its pictures, allowing producers to retain the ancillary rights.

Rice's co-exec producer is William Spencer Riley. Maura Dunbar is the exec in charge of production for Lightworks. The director is Doug Barr, and Paul W. Cooper has adapted the novel by Angela Hunt.

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972390.html


~~Angie