Why hasn’t GREEN DARKNESS been made into a movie?

Fans of GREEN DARKNESS, including both of us, have asked and re-asked that question. We had heard from the publisher that we were not the first ones to take out a screenplay option on the novel.

Why weren't the previous optioners successful? 

While there may be no answer, we can’t help but wrack our brains with the question. We came up with  a few theories:

1) Perhaps they didn't try hard enough? 

2)Maybe they didn't love the book the way we do.

3)When the book was first published, reincarnation was a new and perhaps frightening philosophy. Since then, people have come to accept it and even if they may not believe in it themselves, they recognize that others do. Many films have dealt with the subject.

4)While this may annoy many lovers of the book, the bald fact is that Celia is not terribly likeable. She continues to pursue Stephen in the past even though he tries to keep her at arm’s length. 

5)The novel's method of returning to the past is a real stretch of the "willing suspension of disbelief". We've dealt with that differently and in a more believable way, but to do so we've made a significant shift in the story telling. It's a change that makes the story deeper and more emotional, we feel.

6)The most obvious reason? Cost. But we've taken steps to keep the costs down as well. 

Ultimately, it will be the test of time and our resources to prove whether we were right.

Plunging ever onward~~

Angela & Marla

Naworth Castle - its private and public sides

           

           

Hello, to all the patient fans of GREEN DARKNESS. We are still on track, looking for a producer to take the adaptation to the next step toward a film.

We have also been trying to get a response from Naworth Castle. After many attempts, we have done some research of our own. 

In the absence of a Q & A  with the present owners of Naworth Castle, let's talk about the location in part III of our series of GREEN DARKNESS locations.

Naworth Castle, known as "Naward" in historical documents, traces its origins back to the late 1200s or 1335 depending on the source your reference. In GREEN DARKNESS it is located in Scotland, but today it's officially listed as being in Cumbria, England, a mere 10 miles from today's Scottish Border.

 
Ownership of the 2,000 acre estate changed hands several times over the 700 years of its existence, starting with the Baron Dacre. The present owner Philip Howard is the 13th Earl of Carlisle, one in a long line of Earls.

This romantic stronghold is not open to the public as a day-to-day hotel, but exclusive overnight stays can be arranged for a minimum of 10-18 people who will stay in the bedrooms in the Dacre, Morpeth, and Lord William's towers and the courtyard rooms.

Tours can also be arranged to see the 2 pre-Raphaelite libraries, Medieval dungeons, Great Hall, and Lord William's bedchamber. Philip Howard will serve as your guide. Weddings performed at the estate have been scaled back since 2002 when it reverted to being just a private home. That said, official ceremonies have still been known to happen at Naworth from April - September.

Films and TV productions have used Naworth as a shooting location since the 1980s. The castle's medieval exterior and grounds need little or no dressing for period pieces, as does the adjoining walled garden with its 17th century feel. The 20 rooms in the west wing have been stripped down to the original stonework, making them perfect for authentic, interior sets. 

We wonder what Anya Seton would think of Naworth Castle in the light of today's ongoing improvements -- something tells us, she might have had her characters spend more time at this grand estate.

It looks like a wonderfully atmospheric location. Don't you agree?

Till next time~~
Marla and Angela

Is Green Darkness YOUR Favorite Book?

Recently, we were thrilled to hear that one of our blog followers had found a mention of GREEN DARKNESS in a book she was reading! The book was THE UNFINISHED GARDEN by Barbara Claypole White. A character declares that Green Darkness is her favorite book!

 

Our curiosity was tickled, so we contacted Barbara White and she confirmed that it is HER favorite novel as well. I guess the character was speaking from the author's heart. :-)

 

We were so delighted with her response and enthusiasm for a film version of the book that we decided not to let the momentum lapse.

 

We then contacted Barbara Samuel-O'Neal who wrote the preface to the latest edition of GREEN DARKNESS. She was thrilled to hear of our project as well and said she'd mention it in her blog. 

We have heard from a number of our blog readers, who have told us the same thing. 

 

GREEN DARKNESS is not just a "well-loved" book it is a FAVORITE!

 

GREEN DARKNESS was on the Bestsellers list for 6 MONTHS! We can't get firm statistics, but we estimate AT LEAST 250,000 copies sold during that time. 

 

The book has been in print almost constantly since 1972.

It has been translated into at least 9 languages. 

There's a study guide online.

Amazon.com has designated it a "Rediscovered Classic". 

 

We asked ourselves, if this was the favorite of novelists, then there must be hundreds, perhaps even hundreds of thousands? of others who are still  great fans of this book. 

 

We need to find them. Are you one?

 

If GREEN DARKNESS is one of your favorite books, please let us know!

If you would like to see this on the screen, please let us know!

 

Waiting to hear from you~~

Angela & Marla