Looking for a little romance and laughs...by Kristin Wallace

“It is truth universally acknowledged that RomCom movies are not popular and never get made.”

Pardon me for stealing from Jane Austen. I’ve heard plenty of complaints over the years about the lack of romantic comedy books and movies. About how hard they are to sell, and that audiences don’t go see them. With few exceptions, this might remain true on the big screen. However, that’s not the case on Netflix, where romantic comedies are not only plentiful but also very successful. 

Since we’ve all been stuck at home, we all have more time to catch up on #Netflixmovies. I’ve watched many romantic comedies so I thought I’d share some of my favorites in case you missed them.

Always Be My Maybe

What’s it about?

They were childhood sweethearts. Now they live in different worlds. The chemistry’s still there but will the timing ever be right?

This movie is absolutely hilarious and put a spin on the popular “billionaire” trope that is still popular in romance. In this instance, the billionaire is a woman. It stars Ali Wong and Randall Park and both are amazing. Plus, you'll love a scene-stealing cameo by Keanu Reeves.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

What’s it about?

When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down.

This movie is based on a popular YA series. The story is original while still being a familiar tale of the awkward/shy girl who suddenly catches the eye of the popular boy. Lana Condor (Lara Jean) is fantastic and perfectly captures the spirit of teen angst. 

Set It Up

What’s it about?

In desperate need of a break from the office, two beleaguered assistants team up to trick their workaholic bosses into falling in love. Of course, they might also end up falling for each other. 

This is a fun and engaging movie with some good performances. I especially loved Zoey Deutch as aspiring sports writer, Harper, and Lucy Liu as her demanding boss, Kirsten.  

Love Wedding Repeat

 

What’s it about?

Different versions of the same day unfold as Jack juggles difficult guests, unbridled chaos, and potential romance at his sister’s wedding.

This is a screwball comedy with some great performances. (If you've ever seen "Death at a Funeral" you will love this movie.) Jack’s sister’s ex shows up and threatens to ruin her wedding. She wants Jack to give him sleeping pills. But what happens if the wrong person (or several wrong people) accidentally takes them? The best part is the narration by the impeccable Judy Dench. 

Sweet Magnolias

What’s it about?

Three lifelong friends lift each other up as they juggle relationships, family, and careers in the small Southern town of Serenity. The women team up to renovate an old home and turn it into a "ladies only" spa. 

This is a series rather than a movie so prepare to binge-watch. It’s based on a book series by Sherryl Woods, which I didn’t realize until I saw her name in the credits. Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) is a mom of three who is reeling after a messy divorce from her cheating husband; Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott) is a single mom and the chef/owner of a restaurant who’s dealing with a rebellious teen daughter; and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley) is a tough as nails attorney who seems to be part of love triangle involving her first love and a possible new romantic interest with a chef at Dana Sue's restaurant. There’s also some nice eye candy in the form of Cal Maddox (Justin Bruening), a former pro baseball player who is now the coach of Maddie’s son’s high school team. Not awkward at all!

So there are my suggestions...have you seen any good RomComs I should catch? 

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational romance and women’s fiction filled with Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith. She is the author of the three best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales, Palm Cove Tales, and Covington Falls Chronicles.

How I Got Into the Christmas Spirit by Julie Cameron

Several years ago, while I was working with my manager in Los Angeles for my screenplays, she asked me if I had any that were holiday themed.

“They’re really looking for holiday movies right now,” she told me, which wasn’t great news for me at the time. I struggle mightily with the holidays.

But I didn’t want to lose momentum with my manager, so I said, “Uhhh… I can put one together.” Never say, “No” to your representation when you’re first starting out, right?

I ran away from home and holed-up in a condo in Winter Park, Colorado for a week to get it done. I brought in food, wine (lots of wine), and stayed in a place without internet access so that I could focus entirely on writing the screenplay. The pizza delivery guy and I were on a first name basis.

My first idea was to expose the commercialism around Christmas and make it an enlightening expose on how it’s all about the money.

Did I mention that I struggle with the holidays?

Or that I actually write romantic-comedies?

I wrote frantically at odd hours of the day and night, almost never leaving the condo for the entire week. When I finished the first draft, I was really excited about it. And so was my manager. And that was the birth of Christmas Spirit in screenplay format.

But, here’s the thing: It didn’t end up being about commercialism. I had interwoven all of my favorite family traditions and turned it into a love story, not only between the hero and heroine, but about Christmas itself. I realized that I love my family traditions, and that family is the very best part about the holiday season. My new screenplay was an homage to the holiday season.

The problem came, however, when I realized that, if I sold the screenplay, I would lose the rights to the story. I had become very attached to my story and the characters.

No problem, I thought. Simply “plop” it into novel format, put it in past-tense, add more detailed descriptions around all the dialogue, and voila! Instant book. Easy-peasy.

Not so much…

I did all of that, then sent it to my Content Editor for input. His response? “Yeah, you write like a screenwriter.” We worked, and then we worked some more. The book finally came together and was the beginning of a whole new series – and a whole new way of writing – for me.

Christmas Spirit is the first in the Landon Legacy series. The second book, Family Spirit came out in 2017, and also has a screenplay. The third book and screenplay, because, yes, I tend to write both at the same time now, is in-progress (I’ll probably need to run away from home again).

The screenplays for both Christmas Spirit and Family Spirit are currently with a production company in Los Angeles. (Nope, not Hallmark.)

Keep your fingers crossed for Christmas Spirit as a holiday movie in 2020. Putting it out there, gang. Wish me luck!

Julie Cameron is an award-winning author and screenwriter of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. She sits on the Boards of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW), and Writer's Guild of Astoria.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Rose City Romance Writers Chapter of RWA, Willamette Writers, and Oregon Writers Colony. 

As a content editor, writing coach and instructor through her company, Landon Literary, Julie is also a member of Independent Book Publishers Assn. (IBPA), Colorado Independent Publishers Assn. (CIPA), Editorial Freelancers Assn. (EFA), and Northwest Editor’s Guild.

When she isn’t writing or working with clients, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and fellow authors in the literary community.

To learn more about Julie check out these links:
Landon Legacy series
www.JulieCameron.net 
@JulieCameronAuthor 

@JulieCameron.writer