Tuesday, October 15, 2024

DARING TO DREAM…THEN LIVING THE DREAM with CATHY ACE

 HALLIE EPHRON: Today I'm thrilled to welcome back a longtime friend of Jungle Red, Cathy Ace. We first hosted her back in (gulp) 2014 with her (was it her first??) Cait Morgan mystery set in **Vegas** -- a gutsy move for a Welsh(!) writer who was living in Canada. She's been on a roll ever since.

Today Cathy is back with fabulous news. The kind of news we mystery writers would kill for.

I'll let her tell you...

CATHY ACE: I wonder if you recall that song in the musical South Pacific which includes the lines: “...you gotta have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true?”

It’s something I’ve been thinking about quite a lot recently, because the 14th Cait Morgan Mystery is set in Tahiti, in the south Pacific, where Cait can’t help but hum another song from the same musical while she’s in the shower washing her hair (I bet you know that song, right!?).

However, I think we have to admit that the extent to which our dreams become reality is often not something over which we have complete control. We can plan, we can do our best to make, and take, opportunities, we can act…but – sometimes – it seems as though Chance plays a part in our being able to take that final step and actually experience what was once no more than wishful thinking.

For example, as a bookish child growing up in a somewhat deprived area of a once-great Welsh port, I never thought I’d ever get to feel the sands of exotic Tahiti between my fingers, however much I dreamed and hoped I would.

But a chance to visit came along, and I took it…so I actually dipped my toes into the crystal waters of the south Pacific, and saw the stars in the southern skies. It was so much more than I had dreamed it would be…and that visit, and my subsequent ones, inspired me to write The Corpse with the Pearly Smile.

And now there’s another dream that’s starting to come to life for me.

I suspect that every author is asked the question: “Who would you choose to bring your characters to life on the screen?” It’s a question I know I’ve been asked ever since my first book was published in 2012…and this year it was announced that the talented Eve Myles (Keeping Faith, Torchwood, We Hunt Together) will be portraying Cait Morgan when Free@LastTV (Agatha Raisin) produces the TV adaptation of that first Cait Morgan Mystery, The Corpse with the Silver Tongue.

So how does it feel to live this dream?

Well, it hasn’t been a straightforward journey by any means: the books were optioned back in February 2020, and I think we all recall only too keenly what happened in March of that year. There were so many productions that had to be completed once TV shooting began again post-pandemic that our project was pushed back…and then there were a couple of strikes to contend with, so it wasn’t until May of 2024 that the official announcement about casting was made. I know everyone says that TV takes time, and now I understand what they mean.

This dream? Well, I’ve learned that getting excited about the prospect of something being “about to happen” can be draining…so I’m doing my best to only get excited when something has actually happened.

From the time of the initial discussions with the production company, I chose to be involved with the adaptation. I didn’t want to write the screenplay – it’s not something that’s within my realm of expertise, and I truly believed there’d be a better person to do the job. There was, and his name is Matthew Thomas (Marcella, Queens of Mystery, New Tricks). 

Now, obviously, this Welshwoman was delighted that a person with such a lovely, Welsh-sounding name was up for writing the screenplay, and you might imagine how thrilled I was to discover that Matthew is the son of the renowned Welsh author Leslie Thomas (The Virgin Soldiers, The Last Detective/Dangerous Davies) so the Welsh blood and the writing blood course through his veins. And I ADORE his screenplay – which excised all the right parts of the novel to create an adaptation that will run for two hours.

So we were off to a wonderful start. WOOT!

Then came the question of Cait. It was agreed that she’d be Welsh, because Cait is Welsh, and I am Welsh, and the casting of a Welshwoman was a hill upon which I was prepared to die…though I didn’t have to, because the wonderful producers completely agreed that Cait’s nationality would be honoured (with the extra vowel).

And Eve Myles is P.E.R.F.E.C.T. Not only is she an incredibly talented performer, but she’s also enthusiastic about the project. YAY! I’m thrilled, because there are relatively few working-class Welsh women portrayed on the screen (to be honest, almost none) and I wanted that to be the Cait that people “meet”, and Eve will do her proud.

As for Bud Anderson, Cait’s partner in life and crime? Well, the character is Canadian, he’s in his fifties, and he’s the person who keeps Cait tethered when she gets dangerously wrapped up in her own head, trying to work everything out. So…solid, dependable, and procedural (he’s a cop who’s recently moved up from overseeing a large homicide squad to a command role within an international gang-busting task force when we meet him in the first book).

Do I know who’ll portray him? Yes. But I’m sworn to secrecy until the papers are signed and The Announcement is made by those who are allowed to make it (the humble novel writer is not that person).

Then there are the locations: the book is set mainly in Nice, in the south of France, with a critical sub-plot running in British Columbia, Canada, and some Welsh asides. All three areas will be used for shooting the production, which is wonderful – the authenticity of the locations is critical in the books, and it will be in the TV adaptation – and I’m hoping I can snag a Hitchcockian appearance in at least one of the Canadian bits (I fear it’s unlikely I’ll be wafted away in a private jet to sip a glass of rosé in the background of a scene on the Cours Saleya in Nice…boo-hoo).

So living the dreams is…well, it’s wonderful, and I’m excited, and it all seems to be coming together (at last). I am determined to hang on for the entire ride…and I shall continue to dream, and take whatever opportunities arise. Because that sand in Tahiti feels wonderful, and the idea that my ninety-year-old mother might, after all, see her daughter’s characters on the screen is still there…still a hope, a dream, but now – more than ever – within grasp.

HALLIE: So Cathy leaves us with this question: What dreams have you seen come to fruition…and did they live up to your hopes?

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Cathy Ace FB: https://www.facebook.com/Cathy-Ace-Author-318388861616661 Cathy Ace website: http://www.cathyace.com/ Cathy Ace Twitter: https://twitter.com/AceCathy Cathy Ace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyace1/

52 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Cathy . . . what exciting news! I hope you enjoy every wonderful second . . . .
    A dream trip to Hawaii a few years ago definitely lived up to expectations . . . .

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    1. Thanks Joan - oh gosh, yes, Hawaii is a delight. I sent Cait and Bud there on their honeymoon cruise in THE CORPSE WITH THE DIAMOND HAND, because my husband and I got married there and cruised back to Vancouver (luckily, there were no puzzling murders on our trip!).

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  2. Cathy, congratulations! What great news. Your Cait Morgan books are very cinematic, perfect for the screen, this is so exciting!

    The film of South Pacific was one of the first musicals I ever saw. I love it! I learned every word to every song long before I understood what I was singing about. I longed to go to those islands. Like Joan above, I did get to Hawaii and it was amazing.

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    1. Thanks Judy - I'm so pleased you think they'll do well on the screen, because I always have something of a cinematic theme for each of them, even if it's a bit less obvious than the location (for example, themes from The Wizard of Oz run throughout THE CORPSE WITH THE TURQUOISE TOES even though it's set in Arizona!).

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  3. Cathy, congrats! We are excited for you in only the best way! Thanks for sharing with JRW!

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    1. Thanks, Lucy...I just wish I could share more, but I can't. I've never been so good at keeping my mouth shut! LOL!

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  4. I'm so excited for you, Cathy! Wow. My first novel also came out in 2012, and that has been my dream come true - having a career as a mystery author. (But a movie would be nice, too, just saying.)

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    1. You're so right, Edith, I recall the delight at first being published, and being able to still see work published is, indeed, a dream come true. And here's to more of yours becoming a reality too!

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  5. I'm so happy for you, Cathy. It's terrific that your books are going to be a TV series. Congratulations!

    My dream was, first, to write a mystery and, after that, to have it published. And by April 2025, I'll have published four. So I feel content about that.

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    1. Oh Kim, I understand...and I know how thrilling it is to be able to keep telling tales that folks want to read...keep dreaming, and DOING!

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  6. Cathy, this is beyond thrilling! So happy for you. I know Eve Myles from Broadchurch, and she is perfect for the Cait Morgan role. Just as the beach and mountains in Kauai were perfect as Tahiti locales in South Pacific!

    Two different sold film/TV options for books that have never made it past the big, fat check stage. The wheels of Hollywood, et al grind exceeding slow. Having actors attached is huge.

    Dreaming about, designing, and then building the home where we live now has exceeded my wildest expectations. And my husband's! He was skeptical, right up to moving in, but he loves it, and I catch him bragging about it all the time. LOL

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    1. That was meant to read "two different friends". Not me!

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    2. Building a new home must be a wonderful dream to come true. If our were built of Lego I'd move a few walls, that's for sure...but I'd keep it where it is LOL. I hope your chums' dreams also come true, because "there's nothing happening" doesn't mean (apparently!) that there's really nothing happening in the wonderful world of screen entertainment (so I'm told).

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  7. CATHY: I am looking forward to virtually travel to Tahiti with Cait and Bud.
    And I am so excited about the TV adaptation of your series!

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    1. Thanks Grace - I know we managed to share a drink when we ran into each other at Vancouver airport, and I recommend the Hinano beer I "forced" Cait and Bud to drink in the book. It really is very good (and, yes, like Cait, I prefer the white beer! LOL).

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  8. When I was a little, I used to wish upon a star every night, starlight star Bright, first star I see tonight wish I may wish I might have the wish I wish tonight… Always for the same thing: a partner who would would love me as much as I loved him. I got my wish. I know so soppy, But that’s how wishes go

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    1. Hallie - that's the best wish to have come true, and I'm so pleased that it did for you x

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  9. Congratulations, Cathy! I remember Eve Myles as the young married cop on Torchwood. I'm so excited for you!

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    1. Thanks Rhonda - that's when I saw her first too (loving meeting a fellow Whovian here!) and I thought she was brilliant then. Feisty. Cait's a bit feisty, too *wink wink*

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  10. Cathy! Congratulations! This is fabulous news! I'm happy dancing for you.

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    1. Thanks Annette - I'm up on the tables with you (oops...were you sticking to the dancefloor?! LOL)

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    2. YAY - you and me both, Annette!

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  11. Behind, then behinder, that's me! I see I've got a lot of catching up to do before I can go to Tahiti with Cait. And be prepared when the tv show starts! I'm so happy for you to see this dream coming true--and in time for your mom to see it, too!

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    1. Oh Flora - trust me, as a West Coast person, I'm ALWAYS behind, especially when it comes to things like this (yes, I go to bed late but it's still not 9am here - LOL) and behind is sometimes a good place to be - because then you have it all to look forward to. Thanks for understanding how much it means to me that Mum sees it x

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  12. How exciting! I do hope your dear mother gets to see it!

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  13. Congratulations Cathy! This is such exciting news!

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    1. Thanks Gillian, I appreciate your excitement - it all helps to keep me vibrating LOL

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  14. Wow, what exciting news, Cathy! My dream was after traveling for years in the UK to meet and make friends with someone there. Fast forward to 2003 when my husband and I were going to celebrate my 50th birthday in Suffolk. We had rented a cottage but a water line break meant the cottage wasn’t habitable. The rental agency couldn’t find another local rental so the owners graciously offered to go spend the week with a daughter and let us have their house!! We became friends and did house exchanges for a few years. Dreams do come true…

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    1. Oh Emily - a misfortune became an opportunity, how wonderful. And isn't that the thing? We put ourselves out there, and sometimes what returns to us is completely unforeseeable, and wonderful. What a precious friendship.

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  15. This is WONDERFUL news - congratulations, Cathy!

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    1. Thanks Brenda - yes, the excitement is bubbling!

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  16. CATHY: Wow! That is exciting news!!! Congratulations!!!! How did your agent find this wonderful production company? I am grateful that the production is faithful to keeping the Welsh character of Cait. I remember catching a glimpse of author Louise Penny in Acorn TV's Still Pine mystery, a screen adaptation of her Three Pines novel. I look forward to seeing your Cait Morgan on Acorn TV.
    Just learned that my 6th great grandfather was born in Wales. His granddaughter married a man from a Dutch family who arrived in New Amsterdam (now NYC).

    Speaking of dreams, I was going to comment about my interesting dream last night then I saw your question and my dream does not quite answer your question about dreams coming to fruition. Just before I woke up, I had a dream about meeting Catherine, the Princess of Wales and her Mom at the Doctor's office, though the Doctor's office did not look familiar to me.

    My dream is to publish my first novel and I am working hard to attain that dream. My dream will come to fruition eventually.

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    1. Hello Diana - sorry, I thought I'd replied to you...but my words have gone into the ether! I met the head of the production company on a roof terrace at CrimeFest, in Bristol, so no agent was involved - I was in the right place at the right time! We chatted, hit it off, and it all went from there (he read two of my books by the next day!). I'm not at all sure what your dream means - I'll ask Cait - but I'm pleased for you that you have a bit of Welsh blood in you!

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  17. Congratulations, Cathy! I *just* listened to your SinC podcast with Julie Hennrikus where you talked about this. What a wonderful story.

    For those of you who haven't listened to the podcast, go out and find it.

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    1. Thanks, Liz - indeed I did, which goes to show how very slowly these things move! LOL - I have NEVER been this patient *blush* and the interview is at the Sisters in Crime site (just did another panel for SIC on cozies!)

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  18. That is fabulous news, Cathy! We need more Welsh women and Canadian men on TV!

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  19. Congratulations, Cathy! Your books have been on my radar for a long time; it’s time for me to start reading them! And I’ll be on the lookout for the TV version!
    Dreams that have come true: visiting Israel, Jordan, and Italy in 1978, and visiting Hawaii three times. Being a voracious reader, I read everything I could get my hands about each of those places before leaving home. It doubled the pleasure!
    Buying my own home/condo as a single person. This month is the thirty-fifth anniversary of buying my condo. To mark the occasion, I bought myself a couple of a couple of “anniversary presents” which should be delivered soon!
    DebRo

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    1. Hello Deb - good for you for being a wanderer - I love to travel, but also love coming home. Congrats on also being a homebody to - because 'm also both LOL

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  20. WOOT - Congratulations, Cathy - what a fabulous outcome.

    Dreams that come true? Yes, so many, I have been very, very blessed.

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    1. Thanks Kait (she's ALMOST your namesake - though she's Caitlin - after Dylan Thomas's wife). May your blessings continue.

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  21. Wow, Cathy, that is so fabulous!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Eve Myles! I don't think you could possibly have done better on the casting. Now to wait and see who plays Bud!

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    1. Thanks Deborah - yes, she'll be brilliant, I know it. And...yes...sorry that I can't say anything about Bud, but I promise to share when I do (in other words, just try shutting me up! LOL).

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  22. Cathy, I'm so excited for you! Two of your top dreams coming true must be so thrilling. I'm guessing your new address is Cloud Nine. I loved your references to the songs from South Pacific, one of my favorite musicals, even though I was only four when it was made. I'm so glad you got to live out your dream of going to the South Pacific and feeling its waters wash over your feet. And, Cait Morgan coming to the screen will fulfill loads of readers' dreams. I know you must be so happy and proud. Cait is such a great character, and I look forward to seeing Eve Myles play her. Congratulations, Cathy, on these beautiful dreams coming true.

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    1. Aww, thanks Kathy! Trust me when I say that I truly do understand how fortunate I am. Hugs x

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  23. FANTASTIC, Cathy!!! That is just the BEST news. Congratulations all around and I absolutely can't wait to watch - you'll have to come back to tell us how that feels. Woo hoo!

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    1. Thanks, Jenn - I'd love to! Thank you. Let's hope that's in the not too distant future! LOL.

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  24. So excited for you. Can’t wait to see the production. In the meantime, I’ll just keep enjoying the books.

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    1. Thanks, Grace...I really appreciate your support! :-)

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