Lynn Chandler Willis's "Wink of an Eye"

Lynn Chandler Willis has worked in the corporate world, the television news business, and the newspaper industry. She was born, raised, and continues to live in the heart of North Carolina within walking distance of her children and their spouses and her nine grandchildren. She shares her home, and heart, with Sam the cocker spaniel.

Here Willis dreamcasts an adaptation of her latest novel, Wink of an Eye:

I've had many readers say they can visualize Wink of an Eye on a screen, whether it's a big one in a theater or a small one in a home entertainment center doesn't matter. They can see the story. Which, to me, is a good thing because it means I've succeeded at bringing these characters to life. When a reader can see the character, or hear the soundtrack, or even hear the character's voice, I've done my job.

All writers have different methods to their madness and mine involves casting characters. Some writers only have a basic idea of what their characters look like, how they talk, or walk. I get an image stuck in my head and that's the character. From the beginning to the end, I seldom waver on blonde hair or brown hair, tall or short. I know exactly what that character would look like if they were to leap off the page and onto a screen. Whether a reader shares my vision or not, doesn't matter. They have their own vision and until the role is actually cast, they can envision who they'd like to see play the part just as I do.

From the very beginning of Wink of an Eye, from initial concept, I had the following actors in mind to play the major roles.

Private Eye Michael “Gypsy” Moran: Gerard Butler
Claire Kinley Sellers: Julie Bowen
Sophia Ortez: Eva Longoria (with short hair)
Rhonda Walker: Jean Louisa Kelly
Rodney Walker: Kevin James
Burke McCallen: Barry Corbin
Angie Moran: MariLu Henner
Gram: Cloris Leachman

And one weird thing about this is I want Gerard Butler's look as Gypsy Moran, but I want Keith Urban's voice, minus the accent. I hear Gypsy with that sort of raspy, slightly high pitched voice.

So how about you? Who would you cast as Gypsy?

Visit Lynn Chandler Willis's website.

--Marshal Zeringue