Let me Tell You A Story about. . .my movie cast for Double Negative. For a few weeks I’ll be sharing my cast and a bit about them.
Amy Schumer
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Casting Nyla and Maggie was challenging. I imagined them as strong, unique females characters.
Here’s a Nyla line after one of the “mean girls” tries to embarrass her in class:
“I would take the time to tell you exactly how inane, how deplorably bad your taste and sense of propriety are, but since you do not have the capacity for processing more than a single syllable or a single idea at a time, I won’t waste my breath.”
Yay for Nyla!
Maggie was a joy to create. Smart, feisty, 70, and now facing a final challenge in her life. While writing this story I wondered who was saving whom. Was Maggie saving Hutch or Hutch saving Maggie? Here’s Maggie as I imagined her, and one short scene where she’s describing her appointment with a psychiatrist.
“Oh, he meant well, but that last question made me snap. ‘Who’s the president?’”
“Uh oh.” The priest leans back in his chair, his hands behind his head. “And you told him, right?”
“You bet. A tax and spend liberal who shouldn’t be licensed to drive a car let alone run a country. That’s who.”
Heather’s rubbing her eyes.
“Of course, then I backed up because I realized this kid had voted for him.” She turns to her daughter. “I gave him the answer, Heather.”
One Reviewer Says: “I really loved Nyla and Maggie. They’re very different, but both brilliant and—in Maggie’s case—hysterical, and I am literally sitting here at my computer grinning just thinking about them.”
Double Negative
Double Negative
Here are a couple more #AtoZ Challengers that I’m enjoying from the sidelines this year. Give them a visit, and you won’t be disappointed. The theme here is Materials in Mythology and Speculative Fiction, so if you’re a sci-fi reader, this one’s for you! And if you want some Speculative Fiction with a Telepathic twist, visit J. Lennie Dorner on his daily post from A to Z.
Tomato Report: They’ve been moved to the sunnier greenhouse and soaking up the rays of this April.
J.H. Moncrieff says
I'm passionate about garden-fresh anything! (Except maybe onions.)
And I adore feisty female characters of any age.
Chrys Fey says
I LOVE Amy! Good pick.
Trin Carl says
Glad to read all of your tomato updates. I don't have a green thumb but my mom does and boy do the leafy greens add a lot to the home.
http://theglobaldig.blogspot.com/2017/04/y-is-for-yearlong-book-list.html
Alexa from Summer Snowflakes says
OH THIS IS SO COOL! I loved Double Negative (as I'm sure you remember. 😉 ), so getting to read your insight on the characters is doubly cool!
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
DMS says
I am so passionate about fresh tomatoes from the garden- that I may straddle the line of fanatic. 🙂
Fun to learn about your casting! 🙂
~Jess
Sherry Ellis says
I like your quote. Very true! It looks like your tomatoes are doing well. I just got mine in the garden this week.
emaginette says
Looks like you've got casting and growing completely under control. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Fundy Blue says
What a neat idea for an A-Z Challenge, C. Lee! You've obviously figured out how to draw people into your book. I've never thought of "casting" any of the characters in my writing. That will give me something to think about. I am enjoying reading a number of the A-Z series of posts. Maybe next year for me. I have an idea I'd like to work on. I just need more time! Have a good one.
Guilie Castillo says
Oh, wow… Yes, these two ladies sound feisty indeed. It's a challenge to write them, too, so kudos to you on developing their personalities so well. And yes, garden tomatoes are THE BOMB. I'll be attempting to grow my own (again… three years ago some foster puppies dug out all the plants and, since we ended up keeping 3 of them, it seemed pointless to replant until they were old enough to leave them alone) in the next month. One advantage of living in the tropics: planting weather is a year-round thing 🙂 Yours look like they're doing great!
Thanks for stopping over at Quiet Laughter yesterday, Lee, and for the warm welcome back 🙂
Crystal Collier says
Casting is always fun, and I'm loving the choices for today. I always wanted a greenhouse, and then we moved to Florida. The entire state is a greenhouse. Except then it gets too much water and sunshine. *sigh* Tomatoes every day. Agreed! Along with the cheese.
Lynda Dietz says
I've never read so many blog posts that made me hungry for tomatoes . . . and I'm a bit jealous of your greenhouse.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think it's in our genes. When spring comes so do ideas of the perfect juicy tomato.
Nicola says
I love playing the 'casting' game. It's so much fun and helps my writing process. Strong female characters are a must for me. Great post, Lee. I hope all is well with you and your tomatoes – don't forget to share pics when they're ripe and ready to eat 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm hoping I'll have some huge ones. Wouldn't it be embarrassing after all of this hoopla to have a fail?
I might have to play the casting game more often. I think it's fun, too.
Karen Lange says
I do like feisty women in books; they make things more interesting! As for garden fresh tomatoes, a big yes to that as well. Coming from NJ (the Garden State) to KY has left me a little wanting in the decent tomato department. Jersey's soil, where I was from, anyway, was better suited to them tastewise. I keep meaning to amend the soil in my garden to better suit them here. Maybe next year…Wishing you well with your tomatoes! They look great.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've always thought of New Jersey as too cold for tomatoes. I'm obviously totally wrong. But wouldn't Kentucky have a great growing season for them? So beef up that soil and send us pictures.
sage says
Yes for feisty women and for visiting A-Z's. As for tomatoes, they're in the ground, about 12-15 inches tall, and even have a few blooms on them… the joy of living in a warm area. Tomato sandwiches by mid-May (I hope).
C. Lee McKenzie says
Now you've made me envious. Mine are coming along but because we live in the mountains, they're slow. I should move to Sacramento, but I hate that place, so I'll just have to be patient.
Suzanne Furness says
I think it's great to have interesting, sparky older characters. Must be fun to imagine different actors playing the characters you have created.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm kind of enjoying this.
Kelly Hashway/Ashelyn Drake says
Feisty is always good. 🙂
Mason Canyon says
When a character can make me smile or laugh out loud then I feel like I know that person. The author has made them come alive for me. Those of the type of characters I enjoy reading about again and again. Yeah for tomatoes. I haven't planted any yet. Got to get busy with that.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes, I love relatable characters that stick to my ribs. You've got plenty of time to get those tomatoes in. I was just suffering the winter blahs and needed to think spring and summer.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – poor Amy … she'll bring some laughs to the set – and I think Sheila Hancock is a brilliant English actress … so good choices.
As to tomatoes … now they will be delicious … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/o-is-for-orkney-islands-adapted-breeds.html
C. Lee McKenzie says
I should have mentioned Sheila Hancock's name and forgot. She is a brilliant actress and so attractive.
Sandra Cox says
Love the way you are doing your story characterizations. Pulls me right in.
I believe you are as obsessed, er, involved in your tomatoes as my daughter is in hers:) Grin. Just pickin.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Sandra. I like your daughter already. Any tomato fan is a friend of mine.
Denise Covey - Author says
I like the sound of your feisty 70 year old. Great idea to add character depth.
And thanks for the heads up for J Lenni! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
If you can get to 70 and still have some kick in you, you deserve to be admired! I just discovered the J. secret from Yolanda.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Thanks for sharing! I really love feisty women of any age. And I personally love Amy! I've seen her live and she was great.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, she certainly evokes strong reaction. I think I have the right actress because Nyla would also do that, yet she's quite kind behind that feistiness.
Liz A. says
I like feisty characters, but if your Nyla is Amy Schumer, I'm out. I hate that woman. (No good reason. She just gets on my last nerve.)
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know nothing about her. I just wanted a large-sized young woman for the part and she popped up. Guess she has rubbed a few people the wrong way.
Shilpa Garg says
Nyala and Maggie seem like wonderful and strong women. Like them from the excerpts you shared. Love that tomatoes quote 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Shipla. Tomatoes seem to make people stop long enough to think about their significance.
Jacqui says
Good post. I'm still chuckling over last week's tomato quote. Such a good one.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I thought it was interesting that an Irish athlete came up with that quote.
Yolanda Renée says
Feisty is always fun! Love the names too!
A salad with tomatoes isn't a salad! Let me know when they're ready, I'm coming over for a visit!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You bring the steak. I'll have the tomatoes! 🙂
Elephant's Child says
Of course I adore feisty females. When I grow up I hope to become one.
Yay for tomatoes. One of the most delicious fruits.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I have no doubt you'll feisty with a capital F!
Shady Del Knight says
Hi, Cheryl!
Tell Dezmond I am one of the 10% who love Amy Schumer, love her style of humor, and applauded her when she told Trump supporters exactly what she thinks of them during her performance at a Tampa venue last year. Many members of the audience walked out on her. I think Amy is an ideal casting choice to play the quick witted Nyla.
I'm rooting (not rotting 🙂 for your tomatoes, dear friend. I love those cute little greenhouses. Most plants appreciate a certain amount of crowding and therefore you can raise a good number of crops and flowers in a small space.
Cheryl, tomorrow is a very important day on the Shady Dell calendar, a special birthday celebration. I would greatly appreciate it if you would swing by SDMM sometime tomorrow and leave a brief b-day greeting for the lady I will be honoring. Thank you very much, dear friend Cheryl!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Now you see I had no idea Amy had stirred any political controversy. I'm not a political animal.
Of course, I'll stop by and give your celebrant some good birthday wishes.
Tyrean Martinson says
Yes, we need tomatoes!
Love Nyala and Maggie – both strong, wonderful characters.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Life without tomatoes? I don't think so.
Thanks. Glad the girls appealed to you.
DEZMOND says
can't stand Amy Schumer and I think 90% of people would agree with me 🙂 but I do love me homegrown tomatoes!
C. Lee McKenzie says
How come? What's Amy done? I'll send you a fresh tomato.
Libby Heily Author says
good for you for having a green house! I'm doing a lot of gardening right now, far more than I ever thought I would. I'm not going to say I like it but I don't hate it like I thought I would. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
For me, gardening's a retreat. I can talk to my plants and they really listen. Some of my best ideas come while weeding between the onions and the parsley. 🙂
Natalie Aguirre says
Love your characters, especially seeing Nyla as Amy Schumer. And I'm jealous that you and Diane are working on your tomatoes. In Michigan, it's still too cold to plant any vegetables. Though it is warming up.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Tomatoes are labor of love. It seems Diane has more success with hers than I do, but maybe now that I have a goal– 160+ lbs, I'll do better this year. Glad you like Amy S. as Nyla.
Misha Gericke says
I always love feisty characters. ^_^
C. Lee McKenzie says
We need them to spice up our books, don't we?
Pat Hatt says
Sure know characters are great when people think over them.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've always found some characters stick with me and those that do, are from great books.
Jemi Fraser says
Love those quotes! I love fiesty characters!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you do!
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
I like characters of all kinds, feisty included! I just had a delicious tomato yesterday.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They're on the way. My mouth waters.
Barbara Fisher says
I’m all for feisty female characters (I know a few). I enjoyed the tomato quote, but sadly I can no longer eat tomatoes. I wish I could because I love them. It’s no point me even trying them because they always make me ill – goodness knows why, but they do. Have a good week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Sorry about the onset of tomato aversion. Maybe you'll outgrow the malady and be able to enjoy them again.
Juneta Key says
It was fun hearing our insight into your characters.
'Enjoyed reading. Happy A to Z Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
Appreciate your stopping by!
L. Diane Wolfe says
My tomato plants are in the ground now. Only 6 this year. Last year's 8 plants yielded 160+ pounds of tomatoes and that was a bit too much.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're setting a very high bar!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
I like all of your characters, but especially Maggie. Maybe it's because I can relate to her.
Great quote too. Have a super week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I like to include mature characters with dimension in my writing. A book with nothing but young people seems unusual to me. When I was young, I had a lot of older people in my life. They gave me a different context. I hope they do that in my books, too.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Hooray for feisty female characters! You do a great job bringing them to life.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You've been on their journey with me!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
If you can make someone grin just thinking about your characters, you'd created them well.
Thanks for the tip on that one blog.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm really enjoying reading the blogs on the AtoZ this year. I actually have time to read them.