Claus of Inspiration
As much as I love me some Hallmark movies, their Countdown to Christmas is a LOT to handle. Honey when I tell you that it is a race to watch all the new movies plus some of my old favorites by December 26th it would be an understatement. Especially since I’m one of those crazy peeps who doesn’t start watching until after Thanksgiving. (I believe every holiday deserves its due.) But every year there seems to be one or two that really stand out and touch me in some way, and last year it was “Catch Me If You Claus”. Which amazingly enough turned out to be the inspo for my latest series, Elfing Toys.
First and foremost, I love Luke Macfarlane. I will pretty much watch anything that guy is a part of. He is one of my ideal fictional boyfriends. Funny, but sensitive, and just an all-around good guy.
In this one, he plays the son of St. Nick who is having a bit of a problem completing his first year as the main dude. As with all Hallmark movies, wackiness ensues before the two main characters fall in love, and as I sat there watching this hilariousness I thought, “What if the North Pole was somewhere unexpected like right outside of Miami, Florida”. If I haven’t mentioned it before, I have a weird sense of humor.
Anyway, Elfing started out in Florida, then moved to California. I think at one time it was in New Jersey (everything is legal in New Jersey. lol) There was a brief stint in Texas, Maine, and Montana before it came to rest in Colorado. CJ, or Chris Jr., didn’t always have siblings either. I think in the beginning Nicholas was a cousin and Joy didn’t even exist.
That is sometimes one of the fun things about when you get inspiration for a story or a series so far in advance. You get to sit with the characters. You get to allow them to grow and change. Elfing had time to become real in my mind. To take on its own personality the same as Chris and Nicholas. And thank god Joy came along. That girl is a hoot and a half. All of them grew into the Elfing Toys series and I would have had it any other way.
I’ve got a new favorite Hallmark movie this year and while the movie hasn’t had the same effect as Catch Me if You Claus, something else has sparked my interest. It’s one of the reasons I love movies and television and all the sort of entertainment. I never know what might pop off in my mind, but that’s for a different post. Until then, enjoy the Elfing Toys series.
Toodles.
