That Cavanaugh Woman

Okay, I'm kind of running a survey, here. I'm writing a sequel to The Women of Camp Sobingo wherein Trudy Cavanaugh continues the saga of being a small-town girl-turned Army officer wife-turned-publishing titan.
For those of you who have read The Women of Camp Sobingo, what would you have this woman do in the sequel? I'll give you a starting point: She has returned to the US with her wounded husband, who retreats into a world of drug abuse due to his pain. She has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Cavanaugh Enterprises by her father-in-law, Colin Cavanaugh, who dies shortly thereafter. This appointment infuriates Philip, her husband, who believes he would inherit the family business, and his drug abuse escalates to the point where he has to be committed. Katherine, Colin's widow and Philip's mother, has mellowed and now enjoys her role as doting grandmother to Trudy's son PC. Gail Rutherford is not finished with Trudy, however, as she once again threatens to blackmail the family with the admission she was Colin Cavanaugh's lover. Trudy beats her to the punch by writing an editorial in her publications, setting the facts out for all to see.
I have PC being gay and Trudy's acceptance of his lifestyle, and she asks Clayton Johnson for help in getting the young man a job in the fashion business. (Clayton was Leah's mentor in the early days of her modeling career.)
Of course, there is a member of the board who thwarts Trudy at every decision (Garrett Snow) and she must deal with his roadblocks, too.
Okay, so far, this is a brief outline of the story.
Send me your suggestions for the story lines for any of the characters mentioned. All ideas will be considered and acknowledged in subsequent posts.
How about for today, we look at Trudy Cavanaugh's story line? Then each day, somebody else will be the victim -- er, subject......

story line
The Women of Camp Sobingo
That Cavanaugh Woman

Exictement Over a Possibility

I have a friend who has been active in the movie industry in Los Anglees for many years. Although she is retired, she still keeps up with associates and has her ear to the ground, sometimes sending me amusing anecdotes from her working years in Hollywood.

So when I mentioned to her I was thinking about sending my novel to someone who might possibly make a television movie, or a regular movie, for goodness sake, I was boggled by the fact that I had no idea where to start. I mean, the Lifetime Movie web site doesn't have a place for someone to send a comment, or suggestion, or a book. And it's not a script, so I can't send it to places that ask for movie scripts. I've learned that much in my writing career: they mean what they say. If they're asking for scripts, don't send them a novel.

Imagine my surprise when she emailed me that she knew someone who was interested in my novel. After I picked myself up off the floor, I complied with her request to send her a copy for this person, and I included an autographed copy for herself and a copy of my latest novel, Forces of Nature. She said she was going to a function next weekend where she would be seeing this person and would give her my book.

Now, my logical mind says, this is just a kind gesture on my friend's part. And this doesn't mean that the Hollywood person will really like my novel enough to turn it into a movie. Or even read it, for that matter. So I'm trying not to get too excited.

But I did email my publisher, who skyrocketed over the possibility. She's almost as excited as I am.

We'll see. But wouldn't it be wonderful?

Tags: army wives

Another New Reader ....

A friend of mine called me yesterday -- long distance -- to tell me how much she was enjoying my book.
Friends have to do that, you say. Nope. Not my friends. We're all old dames and we tell each other the bitter truth. There is no obligation to withhold hurt feelings; we've all lived long enough to know a criticism won't kill us, and I, especially, as an author, am accustomed to criticisms of my works.
So, considering that she was out of town, running up her cell phone bill to call me to tell me how much she liked my book, I was happy to hear from her.
See if you will agree.
Go to Amazon and search for Marilyn Celeste Morris and all my books will come up. Or you can go directly to: http://www.amazon.com/Women-Sobingo-Marilyn-Celeste-Morris/dp/0979654505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220629897&sr=8-1



Tags: army wives

And a Spin-Off for The Novel......

Good Lord! I'm going to write a sequel to The Women of Camp Sobingo.
As if I don't have enough to do. My publisher is expecting the sequel to Sabbath's Room sometime before the end of November (good luck with that!) and here I dream up yet another novel.
Well, it's not another novel, per se. It's a continuation of Trudy Cavanaugh's struggles to maintain the Cavanaugh Enterprises position as number one in the publishing world, while nursing her injured husband, raising her son to adulthood and dealing with the myriad problems with the massive estate. Throw in her attempts to resist an affair with Alex Collins and the manipulative Gail Rutherford, whom he has married while Trudy was in Korea, and you have another whole novel.
Sound exciting? I hope so.
Watch this space.

Tags: Camp Sobingo

Reviews Coming In

Thank goodness I'm getting some feedback on TWCS.

Here are a couple of reviews, of which I'm proud, to say the least:


By
CA Wendy G "CA. Wendy G" (California) - See all my reviews
The author does a wonderful job of weaving the personalities and back ground of these women into the current story line which allows us to know the characters personally. We are reminded of the courage of our troops and their wives and children and the aftermath of these experiences for many years. This book is thought provoking and a must read.

What a great read! , August 26, 2008
By Nancy Honts
This book had me at Trudy Cavanaugh. I could hardly wait to meet the other women of Camp Sobingo, and they didn't disappoint. As each of the women begin to be fleshed out the book is impossible to put down. What a great read!!!

I have aspirations of having this novel made into a movie -- maybe Lifetime? But how does one go about that? Who do I nag?

Tags: military wives
Tags: Reviews

A Few Reviews

I gave a copy of my book to a friend on Sunday when we met for dinner at her house. I had asked her beforehand, if I could give her a copy, telling her, "I know you don't read much, but if you would like a copy of The Women of Camp Sobingo, I'll autograph one for you and bring it." She graciously said yes, but I wasn't too sure she was only humoring me, as I have known this woman for over 20 years, and she has told me she didn't read much due to a reading problem, somewhat like dyslexia as a child, so I knew I wouldn't be offended if she didn't really read it.

However, on Monday night, she called me, saying, "I just wanted you to know I've read the first 100 pages and I'm hooked. It's excellent, the way it moves, the way you've taken each woman and traced her background in different chapters....I love it."

Now THAT'S a review!

Now, I have to go look at the first 100 pages myself, to see what all the fuss is about....

Tags: readers

Reviews Up on Amazon!

I'll be honest with you. Most of the reviews on Amazon are from friends and family. But at least I have some comments there......



By
Terri Dlugosch (Cupertino, CA) - See all my reviews
From the moment I picked up the book, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Morris makes the reader feel for every character and explores the relationship between the women beautifully. Can't wait to see what she does next!


Great Story, well written, August 26, 2008
By
CA Wendy G "CA. Wendy G" (California) - See all my reviews
The author does a wonderful job of weaving the personalities and back ground of these women into the current story line which allows us to know the characters personally. We are reminded of the courage of our troops and their wives and children and the aftermath of these experiences for many years. This book is thought provoking and a must read.


What a great read! , August 26, 2008

By Nancy Honts
This book had me at Trudy Cavanaugh. I could hardly wait to meet the other women of Camp Sobingo, and they didn't disappoint. As each of the women begin to be fleshed out the book is impossible to put down. What a great read!!!


There will be more to come, as every person I know who has a copy of the book has been asked to write a review on Amazon.

Buy it! Read it! Write a review!

Every little bit helps.


Tags: Amazon reviews