Welcome, Becky Wade! + GIVEAWAY

Y'all. Today I am thrilled to pieces to be hosting one of my all-time favorite authors, Becky Wade. If you haven't read her newest release, Falling for You, what are you waiting for?! :) It is AMAZING. And the perfect summer read. (If you're wondering, the first book in the series, True to You, is spectacular too.) So without further adieu, let's get this interview started! -- Ashley

Ashley: Welcome to the Alley, Becky! I’m so excited to chat about Falling for You. 

Becky: Thanks so much for inviting me to join you here!

A: Becky and I thought it’d be fun to talk about who would play Corbin and Willow if the book were made into a movie. (Just to clarify— the movie is only happening in my dreams!) What are some thoughts you have, Becky?

B: I find this conversation — the Who could play these characters in a movie? conversation — endlessly interesting!  I definitely have thoughts, which I’ll share at the end of the post.  But since I love to find out from readers who they envision as my characters, I asked for input on my Facebook author page.  Here are a few of their suggestions for the role of ex-NFL-quarterback Corbin Stewart:

 Karen Klepsteen said, "In my mind, Corbin has to be someone who looks good in a baseball cap (since one is mentioned in the book). Therefore, I give you Chris Evans.”

B: Well, in my book Chris Evan is never the wrong answer.  To any question.  He does indeed look good in a baseball cap. He’s six feet tall and Corbin is taller, but the muscles are right.  There’s a wholesomeness about his look that I adore but that might not be quite right for a hardened rascal like Corbin. What are your thoughts, Ashley?

A: And Corbin is indeed a hardened rascal. I think it's a fair point. But then again, you don't get the title Captain America for nothing.

"Corbin should definitely be an actual football player, in my opinion, and my favorite is JJ Watt,” said Jessica DeCoster.

A: This guy's got some good publicity behind him, donating to charitable causes, just like Corbin! And it's hard to beat the fact he actually plays football. But I have to admit, I like to picture Corbin with a little bit more scruff. Anyone else?

B: Jessica makes a good point! It's hard for a professional actor to play the part of professional football player. Hmm. I wonder if JJ would be interested in the role? Look at those arms! Be still my heart.

"For Corbin: Travis Fimmel,” suggested Stacy Simmons.  

B: I have to say, I see a lot of merit in Stacy’s choice!  I’ve seen Travis in Vikings and his charisma, inner forcefulness, and determination are right in sync with Corbin’s.  Also, his age is about right.  And his features are hard, as are Corbin’s.  Ashley, what do you think?  

A: I don't know, y'all. There are pictures floating around the internet of Travis with a three inch long beard. Would Willow let Corbin neglect his manscaping like that? ;) Trim up that beard, though, and I can definitely see it.

Here are a few of the women who readers nominated for the role of Willow Bradford, professional model:

"My pick is Julianne Hough for Willow,” said Nicole Cook.  

B: Yes!  Julianne’s face and hair look very, very similar to my vision of Willow.  The only drawback…. Willow’s 5’9” and Julianne is 5’3”.  Hmm.  Perhaps a pair of stilts or crafty camera angles would solve this dilemma.

A: I LOVE this choice. Because I could totally see Willow starring in a televised production of Footloose or having an alternate career as a ballroom dancing judge. (Did I mention I love Dancing with the Stars?) Seriously-- the hair, the facial features... it's a great match! 

Jen Wade said, "I can totally see Carrie Underwood as Willow.”

A: Ohhhh... this is a great choice too. I like to say I'd nominate Carrie Underwood to represent women everywhere because she's just so darn likable. And gorgeous. And a little feisty. As an added bonus, I could completely imagine Willow keying Corbin's "four wheel drive" in the beginning of the book. Sorry, y'all. You knew I had to go there.

B: Carrie radiates a Willow-Bradfordesque calm for sure. Also, her make-up is awe inspiring. Never in my life has my make-up looked even half this good. Never.

"I would pick Blake Lively or Rosie Huntington Whiteley for Willow!” said Natalie Pawlak.

B: Blake definitely does have the right sort of classiness and composure.  There’s something mature and thoughtful about her and both of those qualities reflect Willow’s personality well.

A: I agree. And I like how she has something unique about her persona and features. I imagine Willow to be that way too. There's almost a whispy-ness about her, which I realize makes no sense at all. But I completely see her fitting in as a model.

B: Before we wrap this up, I thought I’d open my computer files to you so that you can see the people I chose for the roles of Corbin and Willow.  Confession: I don’t base my characters on any one person.  I often have a few inspiration photos that I glance at from time to time, but I much prefer to “build” my characters in my imagination.  I want to see them more clearly in my mind than in a photograph.  

(Quick interjection from Ashley-- I love Becky's approach here because it keeps us from falling into the trap of simple description, instead pushing us into deeper levels of characterization. Let that be a lesson to us all, because Becky is a master at characterization!)

That said, Bethany House always asks me to submit photos of my hero and heroine to the art team because they reference them when deciding on the models to hire for the covers.  Thus, there comes a point in time with every novel, when I select a photo that best reflects my hero and heroine.  For Corbin, I sent in this picture of Jason Lewis.

In other photos, Jason doesn’t look like Corbin to me.  But in this particular picture, with the short hair cut, the two dogs, and the intense expression, he does.  Does this jive with the Corbin of your imagination, Ashley?

A: YESSSSSSS. Especially with the strong jawline. It's hard to resist a hero hugging an old dog. I mean, really.

B: For Willow, I submitted this photo of Amber Valetta:

The crisp bone structure, the cool and regal beauty, those almond-shaped eyes!  In my mind, Willow has those same qualities.  Thoughts?

A: Regal is such an appropriate word for Willow, because she really is! I loved how you gave her such a grace, while also writing her with accessibility. We typically see models as flat characters, but Willow has a charm about her that is very relatable. I will say, I pictured Willow's hair much lighter and a little more sass in her smile, more like the model on the cover of Falling for You.

So that's it, friends! Thank you for stopping by today, and a huge thank you to Becky for the chance to chat about her wonderful characters. If you haven't read Falling for You, believe me when I say you need this book in your life. And today just may be your lucky day!

Becky is giving away a copy of her newest release to one of our readers! For a chance to win, simply comment below and help me welcome her, or tell us who you think should play Corbin and Willow in a Falling for You movie!