by Sandra Gulland | Jan 3, 2013 | Adventures of a Writing Life |
I’m busy diving into the new year (as are you all, no doubt). So quick notes.
I just sent out a special newsletter offering a chance to win one (or more than one!) of these books. It’s not too late to enter: here.
I have two blog mentions you might enjoy. One: what I have to say on Advice to Writers blog. (“Persevere!”)
And another, a charming article by novelist Randy Susan Myers for Beyond the Margins (a great blog): “Writers Wearing Costumes, Baking Cookies & Other Mad Men Tricks.” I bet you can guess which author will be the one wearing a costume.
And last, I love this photo a Twitter friend sent of her Trilogy in the Serbian edition.
I especially love how well-thumbed the books look: clearly read and reread.
Back to work! I’m delightfully lost in the Land of Research. (See this blog post on my discoveries.)
by Sandra Gulland | Jan 1, 2013 | Adventures of a Writing Life |
In my November newsletter, I announced that a television drama series based on the Josephine B. Trilogy was in the works, inviting readers to play “The Casting Game.” They responded with great suggestions!
Nancy Russell suggested Johnny Depp for Napoleon. Sister-out-law Wendy Milne said that a number of women would be happy if Depp played Napoleon, and according to Lee LaFont, he is short enough.
Nancy Russell also suggested Angelina Jolie for Josephine.
Paul Headrick suggested I use pull to get the role of Josephine myself. (I’m told that “Snerk!” is not a word, but I bet you know what I mean.)
Fran Murphy suggested “smoldering beauty” Sophie LaFont as Josephine. (Sophie, I can feel you blushing and smoldering from here!)
Marnie Mackay suggested Brad Pitt and felt that Johnny Depp was a bit too cute. Brad can do anything, she notes, and he might also be short.
Sue Lievers would like to see her daughter Jordy as Josephine.
Jordy, an actor, studied French for six years and lived in Paris.
Interior designer Bonnie Sachs suggested that David Straithern would make a wonderful Napoleon (unless he’s too old, she noted).
Novelist Roberta Rich suggests Jessica Chastain (above) for Josephine, but conceded that Napoleon was more of a challenge. (Yes!)
Another novelist, Lauren Davis, suggests Thomas Hardy (above) for Napoleon.
Debbie Pollock’s picks for Napoleon are Brad Pitt (Brad again!), Mark Ruffalo, Chris Pine, Josh Duhamel, Patrick Dempsey, John Stamos and Eric Bana—with Patrick Dempsey the favourite (above).
For Josephine, she suggests Emily Blunt, Jennifer Connelly, Kate Winslet, Julia Stiles, Hilary Swank and Natalie Portman, with favour going to the ever-graceful Kate Winslet (above), a suggestion son Chet Gulland seconds.
Soon-to-be-son-in-law Bruce Sudds suggests the great character actor Toni Colette for Josephine (such eyes!), and another great actor Ed Norton for Napoleon (below). Thumbs up from Chet on that one too.
Victoria Sorenson (shown below, before attending a ball at Versailles) is a direct descendent of Josephine. She has had wide theatrical experience and would love a chance to audition for a role.
Ivy in Germany would like to see Astrid Berges-Frisbey as the young, grown-up Hortense (a lovely suggestion, I think) …
and could very well imagine Olivia Williams (below) as “late” Joséphine.
Marie suggests either Marion Cotillard or Charlize Theron for Josephine (below) …
and Joe Pesci or Javier Bardem (who is 5’7″) as Napoleon.
Stephen Solomans has cast Kevin Spacey and maybe Giovanni Ribisi as the younger Napoleon. (I am struck by how much alike they look.)
Joanne Zomers feels that Helena Bonham Carter (above) would make a fine Josephine. “And how about the producer Kelsey Grammer as Napoleon?”
Now there’s a thought!
by Sandra Gulland | Nov 30, 2012 | Adventures of a Writing Life |
For those of you not on my newsletter emailing: here it is: http://bit.ly/11keASw
The response has been amazing: I answered over 70 congratulatory emails yesterday. There are more today (plus Tweets, plus Facebook comments).
But before I return to my inbox, I want to post the first email I opened this morning:
A friend, knowing my love for your books and consequently, Josephine, sent me this [newsletter news] via Facebook.
Almost a decade ago, I read your trilogy which excited a passion for Josephine and anything related. Read every book I could find on Napoleon, his family, the French Revolution, etc. a year later the Josephine exhibit came to my state, Louisiana. I drove to Baton Rouge from my city, Shreveport, several times and met mutually interested friends to be so close to this history.
Two years ago, my husband sent me and a friend on a long-standing dream to celebrate my 40th birthday in Paris. On my birthday, we visited Malmaison. Our private tour guide, Isabella, was precious and as she would begin to elaborate on any history, I would finish her sentences. She finally stated I could be the tour guide!
Interestingly, I just received a gift from a friend, a book about Josephine. And then this news arrived today of your mini-series! Yay! Look forward to following this journey with you!
I love it when readers are sparked to go deeper into the research, and I especially love it when they make the journey to lovely Malmaison!
Now: back to the inbox, and—hopefully—at some point today, back to the final revision of In the Service of the Shadow Queen. Good news can be so diverting!
by Sandra Gulland | Nov 27, 2012 | Baroque Explorations |
Ta da!
I have NEWS, and I’m about to send out a newsletter. Click here if you want to get on the mailing.
by Sandra Gulland | Nov 27, 2012 | Adventures of a Writing Life |
Ta da!
I have NEWS, and I’m about to send out a newsletter. Click here if you want to get on the mailing.