What I learned from made for tv holiday romance

Here be a lot of Hot Frosty talk

I'm tired.

I'm tired of condescending hot takes and patronizing rage bait. I'm saddened by real news that only ever seems to point to the crumble society. And I'm exhausted by the deluge of AI slop overwhelming my internet browsing.

There's enough to get mad about in the world right now, and I am in no mood to let click chasers lure me in with inciting headlines and horror stories.

I just can't, not if I want to hold onto my sanity.

SO. Joy. Like I said last time, I'm embracing it. Seeking it out. And where better to find it than in the tropey delights of holiday made-for-tv moves? And it appears I'm not alone. Much to my delight and surprise, after someone recommended Hot Frosty to me in the comments (I can’t find the comment!), this little snowman darling started popping up everywhere! My brother who lives far away asked if anybody's seen it yet. My BROTHER! You don't know him, but trust me when I say he is not recommending romance on the regular.

Billed as Frosty meets Encino Man - if you don't know, Encino Man is one of my all time fave films. This makes Hot Frosty a must watch for me. And its not just me! Guys, this thing has buzz. More so than 2022's Falling for Christmas with Lindsay Lohan (that pink outfit though🔥) .

So after a disappointing viewing of Christmas A La Mode (it was fine) I decided to stop messing around and jump right into Hot Frosty.

And. What a delight. Just pure wholesome Holiday goodness. Love conquers all. But not only did the movie deliver, as a writer, there's a lot here to admire in Hot Frosty, and indeed, a lot to admire in all the made for tv romance movies. And apparently I picked the perfect year for this because Hot Frosty has already been dethroned after a seven day run on Netflix's top 10 by The Merry Gentleman starring Chad Michael Murray, which, you can be sure, I will be watching next.

Hot Frosty’s name is Jack SNOWMAN, which - I mean - surely his last name should have been Frost, no?

Lets get into it.

1. The story doesn't take itself too seriously. It's called Hot Frosty and basically asks "what if Frosty was hot?". This is a movie that knows it's silly - but make no mistake, everyone involved is fully embracing the silly and committing to the story. And I think that commitment, that dedication and palpable DELIGHT in the silly is what makes the movie so charming. The cast is peppered with recognizable stars, all of them bringing their A-game. They're having fun and they are all in. And I think that's important for any story teller. Don't take it all too seriously. Buy into your stories, believe them, but remember to have fun.

I think the Meet Cute is the most fun part - this is not Hot Frosty, this is just a fun Meet Cute I made up

2. There's a sincerity to Hot Frosty, and all holiday romance movies that, as a viewer, is very inviting and makes or breaks the success of the movie. Hot Frosty believes its central premise - love winning over all things and I think the audience feels that sincerity. If the writer doesn't believe or know what it is the story is trying to do, neither will the audience.

Enemies to lovers is probably the best romance trope

3. For holiday romances, trope is not a dirty word, and in fact, is something to be celebrated and played with. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, will they won't they, small town girl next door, home from the big city, high school sweethearts. These are the staples of the holiday romance. I think working with tropes relates to not taking the story too seriously. Let go of stuffy writing rules or preconceptions that trope is a dirty word. If holiday romance movies are any kind of proof, tropes are well loved for a reason! We recognize them! We're familiar with them! Why not embrace tropes to see what you can do with them? See if you can play around and make them fresh! It doesn't have to be romance, The Chosen One is a well-trod trope of fantasy and sci fi and audiences love it time and again. What would set your Chosen One apart? What makes them different?

4. Motivation - keep it simple! What motivates a character is the heart and soul of any story I work on. What's great about the holiday romance is the characters' motivations are practically written on the screen and they inform every decision the character's make, every action and reaction. What motivates a character doesn't have to be complicated! In fact, simplest can often be best. In Hot Frosty, Kathy is a widow who has lost her true love, her happiness. Enter Jack, the ripped ice statue come to life! All he wants is to be with Kathy - that's it. That's his whole motivation for everything. Kathy is resistant to his charm (unlike everyone else in town) but little by little his acts of love thaw her cool exterior and slowly but surely, she finds happiness again. *Chef's kiss* When I come back to my own work, what are my characters' motivations? Are they simple? Are they clear and plain or are they overly complicated?

So that’s my Hot Frosty take away, my holiday romance lesson for this year. If I find anymore gems, I will probably share them here in the next newsletter.

Til then, here's hoping next year we get "Hot Grinch."

Doodle

What!? You mean besides all the romance movie doodles above?! Here’s an old one

I don’t KNOW Margot

What I’m Working On

Slowing down for the holidays! Between all the kids’ hockey, recitals and just general holiday activities, time is getting gobbled up by yuletide fun, which I’m all for. Evenings are all about Christmas movies but I am still using the time to chip away at a picture book proposal that is making me very happy.

Also, what would a newsletter be without a shameless plug, eh?! If you’re looking for a fun fantasy on your holiday reading list - for young readers or just yourself, I would be so thrilled if you checked out my book The Bear House this holiday!

What I’m Reading

I love notebooks, so was very excited by this awesome notebook shared by

Nathaniel Roy

!

Adam Ming

encourages arts to keep a drawing suitcase! Great post on the importance and usefulness of keeping a sketch book.

And that’s it from me! Happy Holidays all!