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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Parade Guest Penny Watson




I have been asked many times "What was the inspiration for your book?" My debut novel, Sweet Inspiration, is definitely a departure from a typical paranormal story. It's a 55,000-word light paranormal Christmas-themed, spicy romance about Santa Claus and the North Pole. A bit outside of the box for romantic stories, but also a fun and refreshing reworking of the Santa legend.


I took great joy in playing around with the standard Santa myth...making Santa into a fitness buff, Mrs. Klaus a bohemian knock-out, the elves a bunch of hard-cussing workers, and Santa's five sons a sexy group of bachelors who all help to run the North Pole. I must admit that there is one source of inspiration from my childhood that helped to mold my novel. The classic 1970 animated holiday film, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, narrated by Fred Astaire, is the story of Kris Kringle (voiced by Mickey Rooney) and Miss Jessica (voiced by Robie Lester), the future Mrs. Claus.


As much as this children's film is the story about the origins of "Santa Claus", it is also a love story between Kris and Jessica. It's a great little film, filled with villains, magic, a loving elf family, music, and of course the healing power of the Christmas spirit. Jessica is a lovely, strong-willed and loyal woman, with gorgeous red hair (just like my heroine Lucy!), and she is the perfect companion for Kris Kringle. The scene where Jessica and Kris are married in the evergreen forest, with only the animals as witnesses, is a touching and romantic moment. Even as a young girl, I totally appreciated the sweetness of that wedding scene. They are married under the stars, with nature's beauty as the "decorations" for their ceremony. This film really captures the wonder of the holiday for children, and I certainly hope that my Christmas story has captured some of that magic for adults, too.

What is your favorite holiday film/book that really captures the Christmas spirit for you?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Holidays, Penny

14 comments:

Sarah S said...

Oooh, just watched Santa Clause is Comin' to Town and The Year Without Santa Clause last night while wrapping gifts with my nine year old.

Brought a smile to my face the whole time. If that is your inspiration, then I need to go and pick up your book!

Penny Watson said...

Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by! I watched Elf last night, another great xmas film, for both kids and adults.

Sarah S said...

Well, to be honest, I'm waiting for my Grinch fix....but got Charlie Brown in a few days ago, and hearing the Heat Meiser (sp?) and Cold Meiser song just made my night.

Honestly, I don't know if there is a Christmas special I don't like, Rudolph (the original one in the Land of Misfits - saw that one a week ago), Frosty, even the new on Prep and Landing....so cute.

Penny Watson said...

I LOVE the original Grinch film, but I'm not sure how I feel about Jim Carey re-doing the original. It's tough to top Dr. Seuss!

Sarah S said...

The movie was ok... I am an original Grinch fan myself. Actually, in college we kind of "spiced" things up a bit while watching the Grinch. Every time the word "Who" was uttered we would drink. We figured it out once, if you actually drank for every Who, you would have to drink 144 times (basically a 12-pack in 20 minutes). We never really made it that far, but had a good time anyway.

Now it is a running joke between my college friends and me, where ever it snows first...."first snowfall of the season", we have to watch the Grinch that night. Usually our friend in Syracuse is the first snowfall. This year we actually had a web cam going while watching...considering we all can recite the book/show word for word, its all a lot of fun.

:)

Penny Watson said...

Oh My God! I love it! Turning the Grinch into a drinking game is hilarious. Of course, it would be better if you were drinking peppermint martinis or Christmas beers, etc.

I used to live in Rochester, NY, and honestly, I have never seen so much snow in my life (and I've also lived in NH, VT and Pittsburgh, PA)...Upstate New Yorkers are a hearty crew to deal with those winters!

Sarah S said...

Ah, well now you know WHY we came up with the game. Went to college just south of Syracuse...in the snow belt. Not much up there except cow tipping and figuring out drinking games. This was our favorite, though drinking game to Monday night football came in a close second. I especially liked our adaptation that if someone has a "career ending injury" we started century club...oh please don't ask. I'm really NOT an alcoholic, but those were some fun days!

Glo said...

Great Blog! I have all the Christmas movies on DVD, I would have to say my favorite is Santa Clause is Comin to town & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I'll be going out today to look for your book. It sounds interesting and funny.

Penny what is the one thing you really want for Christmas?

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May you have a safe, healthy holidays.

Penny Watson said...

Hi Glo! Thanks for checking out my book. It's available at The Wild Rose Press!

I also love Rudolph. I remember the first time my son watched it, I was worried he was going to be freaked out by the Abominable Snowman. He said "Did that really scare you when you were a little girl?" He couldn't believe it.

The thing I want most for Christmas???? Peace and quiet (and maybe a panini maker from Williams and Sonoma! hee hee.....;)

Merry Christmas!

Thia said...

Oooh, I love Christmas movies. I remember crying when the abominable snowman went over the cliff! My brothers made so much fun of me for that one!!

My all time favorite is White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. I just loved the movie and being from the south I really always dreamed of a white Christmas of my own!

Thia said...

I forgot to mention how much I love the cover of your book! I will be getting it post haste!!

Penny Watson said...

Thanks, Thia! I love when the Abominable Snowman puts the star on the tree at the end of that movie! :)

Anonymous said...

LOVE your blog! I will definitely be adding your book to my Christmas list!

I love It's a Wonderful Life...but I still think my favorite is Christmas Story...I mean, how can you not like..."you'll shoot your eye out"? LOL

Merry Christmas!
Tammy

Penny Watson said...

Hi Tammy...Thanks so much! I love A Christmas Story, too. Hope you enjoy my book!