PeggySue Wells is our guest today.
She wrote a book called Homeless for the Holidays. She’s here to share the story behind her story.
Christmas is coming, and Jack Baker’s finances, friends, and future are as gone as last year’s holiday.
One year ago, Jack Baker had it all—a beautiful family, a lucrative career, and a generous bonus to spend on the annual Baker family Christmas extravaganza.
Now the Bakers are homeless and clueless about what to do next.
Amidst the holiday traditions and trappings, one family learns what is truly important when they lose all they have and find they have everything.
What inspired you to write this book?
Homeless for the Holidays, is the hope-filled novelization of a film with the same name, based on the real-life experiences of producer George Johnson. Unemployed, Johnson penned the screenplay in three weeks. Though the usual budget for a film like this is $1.5 million, George kept costs to $30 thousand. Expecting fifty people might show, open auditions were announced in the Auburn, Indiana newspaper. Eight hundred actor-hopefuls auditioned. Altogether, there were five hundred people in the cast.
The film featured local residents including media personalities who played themselves in the scene where main character, Jack Baker, opened his front door to find his cul-de-sac filled with television and radio crews. In the media crowd was Marsha Wright, Johnson’s friend who loaned her house—decorated for Christmas—as the setting for the Baker family home. Marsha agreed to novelize the story, inviting author PeggySue Wells into the writing process.
“A screenplay tells a story in 120 minutes,” PeggySue said. “A book allows the author to tell a far longer, embellished tale. Writing from a screenplay is akin to receiving a newly constructed home on a bare lot and having the freedom of an unlimited budget to decorate and landscape.”
Drawing from seasons she experienced growing up, and as an adult, when employment and finances were less than adequate, PeggySue added the between-the-scenes details of what life could look like as a family faced an extensive period of unemployment. She shared the completed manuscript with folks who had been unemployed and homeless, adding what she learned from them to the manuscript.
PeggySue’s favorite character in Homeless for the Holidays is the Baker’s son, Adam. The mother of seven, she mined Adam’s sense of humor and quick wit from quips made by her own young adults. The generous review provided by The Christmas King, Richard Paul Evans, made her heart happy.
“The world needs hope more than advice,” PeggySue observed. “Throughout Homeless for the Holidays, hope shines bright.”
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing the story behind your story.
PeggySue Wells is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of twenty-eight titles and an audio finalist, including Rediscovering Your Happily Ever After, Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries, The Slave Across the Street, and Slavery in the Land of the Free.
Program producer, connector, and optimistic dream driver, she enjoys dark chocolate, Savannah Grey tea, and writing from her home in the 100-Acre Wood in Northern Indiana. Okay, it’s actually five heavily-treed acres but looks like a hundred from her office windows.
PeggySue is the mother of seven and “Mimi” to her grands, otherwise known as her “Grammy Awards.”
Follow PeggySue on social media: Website, Twitter, Facebook
PeggySue is giving away a copy of Homeless for the Holidays. Follow the directions below to enter.
I hope to never be homeless in the first place but unforeseen things happen so I guess I would go to my mom’s! It is an overwhelming thought for sure.
Linda, one of my favorite stories is from my co-author, Marsha. Her mom was a WW2 pilot. Her first Christmas away from home, she and several other WASPs were flying planes to an assigned base. Margaret saw they would refuel in Fort Wayne. “Could we stay over? My parents have room for us to overnight at their farm house.” But the commander felt they should overnight at the next refuel stop. In Fort Wayne, one of the planes would not start after fueling. The commander turned to Margaret, “Did you say your parents live nearby?” They got a ride to the family farm and surprised Margaret’s parents Christmas evening. Her mother wept tears of happiness while she stirred up farm-fresh vittles. The next day, the plane started right up on the first try. Margaret said she never knew what her friend did to affect the engine starting but after the war, Margaret invited that friend to be her co-pilot for an air race. It was a small thanks for one of Margaret’s best Christmases ever.
Looks like a great read. Love the cover! I will add this to my “to be read” list. 🙂
Melissa, thank you for stopping by Liz’s blog and reading about Homeless for the Holidays. I look forward to hearing what you think of the new novella, releasing October 7.
I have no idea what I would do but I do have family and a lot of friends who would help me out.
Janet, friends and family who will help one another is a treasured gift. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and can be as close as family.
I’m sad just thinking about being homeless over the holidays! My dad and brother have been homeless in the past, and it’s heartbreaking.
Dianna, sounds like your dad and brother have stories of their own. The word “home” for me is a place where we connect and belong, sweet and messy, the environment where we learn about God, others, the world around us, and ourselves.
I’d be doing a lot of praying! And contacting family… 😉
I can’t imagine being homeless, but during the holidays would compound the loneliness. Oh what a clever title. It really caught my attention. Thanks for a chance to win!
I’m excited for both of you about your combining your writing talents with this new book! It’s a new adventure and you’re sure to bless others with your efforts! Kudos!