BIG CHICO'S MOVIE BLOG

Big Chico has scored his first EXCLUSIVE interview and it’s not with one of my cousins. The brilliant author Nancy Holder, author of the “Wicked” series has granted us an interview about her books and the sales of the “Wicked” series to DreamWorks to be made into a movie.

Any who, here’s the EXCLUSIVE interview:

MOVIE DEAL

1.   How long have they been looking to adapt the “Wicked” series?

The first Wicked books came out in 2002, and we have always thought they would make wonderful films and/or a TV series.  We’ve had a few nibbles along they way, but when we hit the New York Times Bestseller List last February, interest heated up. 

2.   Have you met with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg about the book?

We haven’t met up with Mr. Spielberg or Mr. Katzenberg.  Debbie did see Mr. Spielberg in Kauai–she nearly ran him over with her car!  Luckily for us, she believes in good braking distance. 

3.   Who will be doing the screen play for the movie, and who would you like to see adapt your book for the big screen?

The wonderful Benay brothers are attached so far, and we know that we are in very good hands with them.  They have been passionate about the books ever since they read them, and we’re very grateful to our film agent, Michael Prevett, for putting us together with them.

4.   Are they planning to make a trilogy out of the five books or are they going to go book by book?

We’re not sure yet how many movies there will be.  My understanding is that the first film will concentrate on the first one or two novels, so of course we hope that it does well!

5.   What is your worst fear for your characters when they are portrayed in the movie?

I’m not really afraid of anything as pertains to the movies.  I’m still so happy about the deal that there’s no fear in the mix.
 

WICKED

1.   What inspired you to write the book?

I wrote the original proposal for the first four books and invited Debbie to write with me.  She is a former student of mine.  I wanted to write about witches.  I had been to France and soaked up all the mysticism and ancient beauty there–there are enormous, amazing castles and country houses around every bend, it seems.  I stayed in a 14th-century farmhouse and every morning, the world was cool with dew and birdsong.  I saw chapels dedicate to saints, medieval village squares…it transported me to somewhere else, sometime else.  Vive la France.

2.   Who are you trying to reach with these books and what are you trying to say with them?

WICKED has a wide readership, from middle school kids to adults.  I get a lot of email from guys, women, girls.  What I want to say is that it’s hard to take ownership of your life and it’s possible to make terrible mistakes, and still recover from them.  There is light beyond the darkness.  Life really is magical.  And I wanted people to have a wild ride through adventure and fantasy, one they could really get into and enjoy.

3.   When will we see the next book?

 Right now Debbie and I are in the throes of finishing the first book of another series for Simon and Schuster called CRUSADE.  It’s about a vampire hunting team, and it’s got elements of witchcraft in it.  And also vampires.  As a Buffy author, I’m delighted to be writing about vampires.  We have a short story in THE ETERNAL KISS called “Passing” that is our first reveal for CRUSADE.  CRUSADE: CONVERTED will be out next June and we’re very excited about it.
 
BUFFY

1.   What connects you so well with the Buffy character?

I loved the BUFFY series from the moment I first heard about it.  I felt like I “got” Buffy.  I was thrust into a hero position in my family when my parents both died quite young, and I understood having to be the leader when you didn’t feel very well equipped to do that.  But on a lighter note, Buffy is just so fun and smart and complex that as a writer, I appreciated what goes into each episode.  Genius.

2.   Have you met Whedon and maybe talked about working on some of his other properties?

Yes I have met Joss and interviewed him for THE WATCHER’S GUIDES volumes 1 and 2.  He is one of the kindest people I have ever met.  He goes out of his way to include people in his limelight whenever he can.  I was sitting in the dark on Spike’s crypt–they were going to show it for the first time–interviewing him, and when we went outside in the sunlight I saw that my tape recorder had malfunctioned.  I freaked out.  He smiled and fixed it, and we went back over the questions again.  Smart, giving, very, very nice.
I was approached about writing CABIN IN THE WOODS, but had to drop out of the running because of scheduling conflicts. Previous to that, I pitched an idea for a FIREFLY original novel but unfortunately, the projected publishing program never came to fruition.  As soon as DOLLHOUSE came on the air, I started asking who had the rights to the books.  It seems that many if not most of my Buffy/Angel books are back in print or available as e-books, and selling well; I would love to write Buffy again. 

3.   Have you kept up with Buffy season 8 in the comic books?

I’m writing comics now (THE DOMINO LADY for Moonstone) and would love to work on Season Eight!

4.   What do you teach in your writing class on Buffy the Vampire Slayer at UCLA?

My Buffy class is actually at UC San Diego, although I do love UCLA.  We talk about the hero’s journey; what makes a family; gender and power; how did Buffy affect popular culture; how Buffy reinvented TV, and so on.  We also bring popcorn and watch an episode together.  It’s a wonderful class.
 
General Questions

1.   How does it feel to be a 4 time Bram Stoker award winner?

It is always a thrill to win an award.  Those moments are quite heady, and have great associations for me.  The year I won the two awards in one night, we were in a fantastic hotel in New York overlooking Central Park.  There we were, all dressed up.  Some of my closet writer friends were there, including my mentor, Charlie Grant.  It was a writer’s daydream experience.  When I received my award for 1993, I had dinner the night before with Joyce Carol Oates.  For me, the memories associated with what happened the night(s) I received the awards were just as wonderful as the actual awards.

2.   What draws you the darker or supernatural subject matter in your novels?

I’ve been drawn to the supernatural since I was a kid.  I don’t know why.  I read scary comics and the only magic trick I was interested in in my magic kit was sawing the lady in half!  It’s very weird to me because after I’ve watched a scary movie or read a horror novel, I can’t sleep and I slog around exhausted.  Why is that attractive?  I have no idea.  But I believe that there’s much more to us and to the universe than is dreamt of in our philosophy.  All I have to do is look at my daughter to know that miracles happen. 

3.   What do you believe is your best work?

 I love the WICKED books.  I also love my new series for Razorbill, called POSSESSIONS.  And I am quite fond of THE ROSE BRIDE.  I like a lot of my short fiction.  “Cafe Endless: Spring Rain” comes to mind.

4.   Are there any plans to adapt any of your other books into movies?

PRETTY LITTLE DEVILS, another of my books is at Gotham Group.  Fingers crossed.  I have had a few offers for options on other work, but I’ve turned them down. 

 
5.   In all your books there is always a strong heroine. What are you trying to say to young girls with these characters?

I love what Joss says about strong girls/women.  When he’s asked why he centers so much of his work around strong female characters, he asks why others don’t.  To him it’s natural, not notable, to have a strong female lead. I feel the same way.  I want my daughter to assume she’s strong and capable (which she is!)  Same with other girls.  I want to see characters that are powerful, and I want them to soak up that image and project it onto themselves. 

6.   Last question promise. Do you miss working at Sea World?

Like my coauthor Debbie Viguie, I love theme parks.  I would love to work at Disneyland someday.  Debbie worked for Disney for a while.  Sea World was a lot of fun.  When the park would close for the day, all the whales and dolphins would breach the surface and swim around like crazy.  It was incredible to see.  I have wonderful memories of working there, and if Disneyland doesn’t pan out, maybe I’ll go on down to Sea World!

Once again I would like to thank Nancy for being so gracious by granting a goon like me an interview.

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