starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness. Four of her novels have been Indie Next Picks. Milchman's short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies as well as Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and a recent piece on touring appeared in the Agatha award winning collection Promophobia. Milchman's new series with Thomas & Mercer features psychologist Arles Shepherd, who has the power to save the most troubled and vulnerable children, but must battle demons of her own to do it. Milchman is a member of the Rogue Women Writers and lives in the Hudson Valley with her family.
Here she shares some ideas for an adaptation of her new novel, The Usual Silence:
Having their work made into a film or show is pretty much every writer’s dream, but there’s also a tension inherent in adapting a book to an audio-visual medium. Because while the lines and dots and dashes that make up text perform an alchemy in the reader’s mind, as soon as we put a voice and face and body to a character, everybody pretty much sees and hears the same thing. Through our own lenses, of course, but still—there isn’t that unique magic that allows every individual to read their own personal version of a story.Learn more about the book and author at Jenny Milchman's website.
So I don’t have a cast in mind for The Usual Silence, which features a thirty-seven year old psychologist who happens to be beautiful with fiery red hair (I did watch Perry Mattfeld in In the Dark and she captured Dr. Arles Shepherd’s blend of anger and compassion particularly well, so if she’s available, maybe give her a call); a hard-working mother to an Autistic son; and a middle-aged dad with an ailing heart whose daughter has gone missing; plus two child characters, children being particularly tricky to cast. Oh, and a hot potential love interest, dark-haired, blazing blue eyes. A guy.
But I do have a dream director in mind. Someone who’s been a force in the industry since she was a child and has proven herself to possess staying power to which every creative would aspire. Who understands both the everyday oppression women and girls face in this society and others—as well as our ability to transcend that oppression.
Jodie Foster, please direct The Usual Silence, either as a movie or, since the novel is but the first Arles Shepherd tale, by turning it into a limited series.
Can I have my people call Jodie’s?
My Book, The Movie: Cover of Snow.
The Page 69 Test: Cover of Snow.
The Page 69 Test: Ruin Falls.
My Book, The Movie: Ruin Falls.
My Book, The Movie: The Second Mother.
The Page 69 Test: The Second Mother.
Q&A with Jenny Milchman.
--Marshal Zeringue
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