Let me Tell You A Story about. . .after the fun of seeing Double Negative in print, I decided to have some more fun and create a movie cast for my characters. For a few weeks I’ll be sharing my cast and bit about them.
Brant Daugherty |
The MC was easy. Brant Daugherty’s the perfect Hutchison McQueen. He’s a bright kid who’s virtually illiterate and living in home where he’s either abused or ignored.
Here’s the first time you meet Hutch.
Kranski’s office might as well be home. I spend more time with him than I do with Dee Dee, and for good reason: the principal’s friendlier than my mom.
AND
I have Winners to Announce:
Rachel, Cassey, Laurel, Katy, Katie, Theresa
Their books are on the way!
And about those tomatoes! I’m going to start my Monday Tomato Report. I never plot my books, but each year I plot how I’m going to have the juciest, the freshest, the most amazing tomatoes on the planet. And this year, I’m going to share that progress with you.
Yes, there is a Tomato Bob, and each year I order my hybrid seeds from him. He sends me a cheery note and these delicate little packets of potential. Then in February I plant all of that potential in loamy soil and set them in the greenhouse.
Quote of the Week: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” Brian O’Driscoll, Irish Athlete
Does Hutch get to you with this beginning? Are you doing or following others on the A to Z Challenge? Do you wait all year for the perfect tomato?
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J.H. Moncrieff says
Sadly, I didn't tackle the Challenge this year. Just too much going on!
Sandra Cox says
My daughter is a tomato grower too:)
Congrats on the release of Double Negative. Perfect character pick:)
Happy Easter.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I really didn't know where to find a Hutch until I saw this actor's pictures. He was the closest to the kid I had in my head. Thanks, Sandra.
Jacqui Murray says
There's a lot to like about this post, but you really got me on the tomato quote. That is brilliant!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I wish I'd said that!
Roland D. Yeomans says
I was not talking about your reviews, Lee. Yours have always made my day. Apparently my story in the Insecure Anthology is less than appreciated. Sigh. Well, I tried my best. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, I haven't read all of your work, Roland, but what I have read I've appreciated for it's intelligence and humor. Not everyone is going to get it!
Roland D. Yeomans says
Best of sales for Double Negative. I used to help my mother grow tomatoes — now the only ones I get are the terrible reviews my books get! Ouch! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
We all get bad reviews. That's life. "Brahms evidently lacks the breadth and power of invention eminently necessary for the production of truly great symphonic works." the Musical Courier, 1887. Who wrote that? Not a clue. But I do know who wrote that beautiful music.
Heather R. Holden says
Oh, fun! I always love it when people share their dream casts for their characters. And yes, that beginning definitely got to me. Poor Hutch!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You could probably draw him with a lot of that lost boy in his face, Heather.
Lynda Dietz says
I really need to get Double Negative on my shelf. A real copy that I can pretend you signed in invisible ink. Hutch has fascinated me since I first heard of him, and I finally have my editing scheduled freeing up oh so slightly to where I can start to fit in pleasure reading again.
And ohhhhh, don't get me started on homegrown tomatoes. I love them and could probably eat my weight in them when the season is at its peak.
C. Lee McKenzie says
If you do read Hutch's story, I'd love to send you a signed nameplate. That seems to work. So glad you're a tomato lover, too. I believe people who savor food, savor life and how exciting is that?
Karen Lange says
Love that quote! Such good advice, and holds true for so many other things in life too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
There is a knowledge/wisdom divide that we must always recognize. That's for sure.
Carrie-Anne says
I got a little plastic planter of beefsteak tomato plants in July, and the two survivors finally bore fruit in February (albeit not very big). My mother says I have an excellent green thumb, since she's never heard of anyone else getting tomatoes to bear fruits indoors, in New York, during winter. Good luck with your own tomatoes!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You are a green thumb genius! Fantastic.
Patricia Lynne says
Good luck with your tomatoes. Just don't let them near me. My green thumb is deader than a doornail. x_x
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ha! That's a good one. Come over, I'll share them with you.
Tamara Narayan says
We try to grow tomatoes on our back deck each summer and usually get a handful if we are lucky. Maybe the squirrels are stealing them all.
I is for Illuminati
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those pesky squirrels! They do wreak havoc on gardens.
DMS says
I look forward to all your tomato posts! I love my garden and look forward to getting to start working in it again soon. Fresh tomatoes are just SO out of this world. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the cast. How fun! 🙂
~Jess
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm still on the hunt for a couple more actors. I've had to just search for interesting faces in some cases.
Sherry Ellis says
I need to plant my tomatoes, too. Thanks for the reminder!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm early this year, but wanted to see if I could make a difference with a new greenhouse.
Donna K. Weaver says
Nice sample. I'm hooked.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Donna!
sage says
Congratulations on your new book… my tomatoes and in and growing!
C. Lee McKenzie says
We should have a contest!
Shady Del Knight says
Hi, Cheryl!
Oh, I hope you cast Pee-Wee Herman in your book! 🙂
Down (over) here in Florida it is too dang hot to have a successful outdoor garden. Mrs. Shady has tried to grow tomatoes and other veggie crops over the years but the plants can't withstand the heat. Yessum, the tomato is a fruit, but it will quickly ruin a fruit salad. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend C-Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Interesting. I always thought Florida would be a great veggie growing area. Live and learn. About Pee-Wee. . .I'm just not sure he'd make the cast.
Mason Canyon says
Looking forward to seeing your movie cast for your book, as well as following your tomato growing process. We grew a few last year and looking forward to giving it ago again this year.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We live about an hour from the tomato capital of the US, Sacramento. But their weather is hot day and night. We have cool nighttime temps. Tomatoes hate that. It will be interesting.
Liz A. says
Good luck with your tomatoes.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Something to look forward to!
Natalie Aguirre says
I get tomato plants. Would love to learn your tips. I just started a garden for me last year after taking a few years' break. I love it and my boyfriend has a garden too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'd love to share what I know. However, I'm a real student. A lot depends on the night time temps where you live. That's the key to setting your tomatoes.
Yolanda Renée says
Tomatoes are my favorite and homegrown is the only way to go. Good luck! I tried for several years but finally gave up to the experts. LOL You look like an expert!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, I'm an expert in training. It's the weather that I'm coping with. It simply won't cooperate when it should.
Leslie Moon says
Love your tomato quote. Missing you this year at A to Z
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Leslie. I wish I could have been on board.
Elephant's Child says
I loved Double Negative too and have now read it two or three times.
Home grown tomatoes are bliss aren't they? Leave the store bought version for dead.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Really? Two or three times? That's almost as many times as I've read it! Yes, to the blissful tomato from the vine.
Yvonne Ventresca says
I loved Double Negative!
Good luck with the tomatoes. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks on both counts, YV!
Juneta Key says
Nice tomatoes. My friend likes to grow them too, but she has not done it this year. ' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
C. Lee McKenzie says
You can have some of mine if they produce!
Sarah Foster says
I'd love to plant tomatoes if I had, you know, a yard (or even some good window space). I usually get a lot from my dad during the summer, though. So much better than store bought!
C. Lee McKenzie says
And if your dad does all the prep, you've got it made.
Chemist Ken says
We used to plant tomatoes, but by the time they were ripe, so was everyone's else's plants. So there'd be a huge surplus of tomatoes. Sigh. Good luck with yours.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Mine are all I'm interested in.
DEZMOND says
never heard of Brant before but he definitely is hot, maybe too hot for a teen story?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Are you kidding me?
Kelly Hashway/Ashelyn Drake says
Aw, poor Hutch! That's a great intro to his character though.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Kelly. I'm cheering him on.
Chris Votey says
Thank you for the shout-out. I hope one day to have a garden, though I want herbs.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You must have herbs if you have tomatoes. Dill. Oregano. Majorum and Thyme. They all contribute to that salad!
Arlee Bird says
Once again there are so many wonderful and creative themes for A to Z. If I didn't have other things that had to be done I'd be reading A to Z posts all day (and still not get through all of them!).
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm always so impressed by what people share. It's heartening to know there's more in this world than politics and war.
Tyrean Martinson says
Great quote about tomatoes! Looks like you're going to have a great crop!
Happy writing!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I will be sorely disappointed if I don't!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – thanks for the shout out – I'll be back … just about to go out … possibly tomorrow! See you shortly …
cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/h-is-for-horse.html
C. Lee McKenzie says
You are always on the go, Hilary! What's your secret?
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
It's lovely that you plot your tomato development but not you novels! I hope you get big, fat juicy tomatoes this year.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm hovering over those plants. Fingers crossed.
Pat Hatt says
Can't say I go all out tomato at my sea, but I can keep up with the a to z easily lol
C. Lee McKenzie says
Do cats like tomatoes?
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Ha,ha! Love the quote. I used to have tomatoes in my garden. Now, the son is the gardener, and he doesn't like tomatoes. Plants them for me, sometimes. I think Double Negative would make a great movie. Good choice for Hutch.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're lucky to have such a thoughtful son. Thanks for the comment about Double Negative.
L. Diane Wolfe says
I'm getting my tomato plants this week. Not as many as last year though. 160+ pounds of tomatoes was more than I needed. LOL
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wow! That's impressive!
Ruth Schiffmann says
I've been away from the blog for a while and didn't realize you have another book out, Lee. Congratulations! The opening draws me right in, makes me want to know what's up between Hutch and his mom. Well done.
My mom used to grow tomatoes, but I didn't inherit her green thumb. Good luck with yours!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Come over and you can have some from my garden! Great to see you, Ruth.