LOVE SCENES by Bridget Morrissey - SPOTLIGHT/INTERVIEW

 

 

Sloane Ford was raised by Hollywood―with A-list celebrity parents, she was quite literally born to be a star. Now an out-of-work actress in her 30s, Sloane’s next gig lands her on the set of a film written and produced by her own family. But what her darling relatives don’t tell her until day one of filming is that the male lead is none other than Sloane’s worst nightmare: Joseph Donovan, Irish heartthrob and horrible former co-star.

 

Joseph Donovan may be a Hollywood sweetheart, but he’s no dream to work with, judging from past experience. His impressive good looks and sexy Irish accent don’t earn him redemption in Sloane’s book. But, the show must go on, and so Sloane rolls her eyes and gets on with production. But everything that can possibly go wrong on this project, does―and it’s not long before the film finds itself without its leading lady.

 

As Sloane steps up to take on the starring role, she’s forced to confront her long-standing hatred for Joseph Donovan. But as sparks begin to fly on set, it’s not long before an off-script romance develops….

Bridget took some time to tell us about writing LOVE SCENES

Tell us about LOVE SCENES! What inspired you to write this novel?

 One of the most pivotal moments in LOVE SCENES came to me in a dream. Without giving away too much, I woke up obsessing over the idea of two actors with a complicated past starring in a romantic drama together. That premise propelled me forward. Along the way, I pulled in elements I love to write about, namely large, messy groups of people. In this case, it’s a famous family full of witty, guarded, creative types all working on a movie. I love thinking about who we are to each other and exploring the dynamics within complicated relationships. I also wanted to challenge myself to really examine redemption. What does it take to move forward with someone who has hurt you?

 LOVE SCENES is your first adult novel after writing YA. Tell us about your experience writing a new genre. What did you find most challenging or exciting?

 Writing YA was really fulfilling, but with LOVE SCENES, I had so much fun creating this world. When the idea first came to me, I immediately started drafting extensive character charts and backstories for both Sloane and Joseph. The story idea latched onto me in a powerful way. It all felt very sweeping and urgent. Almost everything I came up with in that initial brainstorm session ended up staying. Somehow, this book arrived in my brain as a fully-cooked idea. The challenge was making it as satisfying on paper as it was in my head.

 Sloane, the book’s heroine, takes a job acting alongside her least favorite co-star of all time. Why did you choose to set this story against a Hollywood backdrop?        

 Acting is such a grind. Most that are lucky enough to break through have very little control over the people they work with or the projects they represent. It’s really interesting to me, because we always associate bad movies with the actors that starred in them. For the most part, those actors had no way to prevent that project from being “bad.” With few exceptions, they don’t write the scripts or direct the scenes or cast their costars. So I wanted to plant my book in the heart of that world, but also give my protagonist more access than normal. Her entire family works in all aspects of show business, and she still doesn’t have much power or control. That was a really exciting, dynamic setup for me.

What research was required to write this book? How did your own experience as an actor inform parts of the story?

Living in Los Angeles, the majority of my friends are actors. They were all a huge help to me as I drafted this book. I also absolutely love watching behind-the-scenes featurettes, as well as listening to commentary on various movies and TV shows. All of that played very heavily into how I constructed this world. I watched interviews, read memoirs, and took in whatever other content I could get my hands on from various Hollywood families. Particularly famous children who’ve gone on to have their own acting careers.

 As for my own experience as an actor, I know what it is to put on a costume and step into another life. I also know what it’s like to stand around for a long time waiting for the camera crew to reset a shot. So much of this book takes place in the real life moments between cut and action. It helped to know the technical side, but ultimately, my past life as an actor informed the emotional beats most of all. The highs and the heartaches that come from opening yourself up to be viewed by others.

 If LOVE SCENES became a movie, who would you cast in its leading roles?

 I never want to directly inform what other readers picture, because I think a lot of the fun of a book like this is inserting whoever you want into the leading roles! Sloane should be played by someone who can strike that perfect balance between accessible and guarded. Joseph has to have a rugged charm and a palpable tenderness. Together, they need to spark off of each other. There has to be a playfulness between them. They should be two people you can tell really trust each other. While directing a scene in the book, Sloane’s sibling, Tyler, says, “Play it with the love, not the anger.” That’s the spirit I’d want to see on screen. Two actors who are finding the love as they work through the pain of their characters’ pasts.

 What do you hope readers will take away from LOVE SCENES?

A lot of LOVE SCENES is about messy, complicated people figuring how to love each other as best they can. I hope that resonates with readers, and they put the book down remembering that we all have a right to ask for better from the people we are closest to in life. We can also ask for better from ourselves! Amazing things happen when we make room for that kind of personal growth, and we let our relationships evolve. That’s ultimately the heartbeat of this story. Giving yourself permission to forgive and to change.

 

Bridget Morrissey lives in Los Angeles, California, where the novel is set. A former actor who has appeared in a number of commercials, Morrissey offers readers a vivid and realistic behind-the-scenes look at the makings of a film―and all the backstage happenings that take place when the camera’s not around. With careful research and insight from other actors, Morrissey delivers readers a meticulous look at the set of a Hollywood production.

www.bridgetmorrissey

LOVE SCENES will be published Tuesday.