Thursday, April 11, 2013

HOME RUN - Travis Thrasher - One Free Book

Readers, have you been hearing about the new movie Home Run? The book recently released as well. And we have the author of the book here today.

Welcome, Travis. How did you end up working on the Home Run novelization? 
In December of 2011, I received a call from one of my publishers, David C. Cook. They asked what my writing schedule was like. They were bidding on a project for a novel based on a movie. I said I'd love to be a part of it and started praying. The next week they officially presented me with an offer to work on it. I still needed to connect with the producers and get their approval, which all happened in January of 2012. 

How different is it writing a novel versus writing a novelization for a movie? 
In some ways, it's night and day different simply because the story is already there on paper for me to expand. A lot of time on a novel is spent figuring out characters and motives and themes and scenes. With a novelization, you are working off a screenplay to expand and build that story. Sometimes it's tricky because you don't always know what the backstory is and what the screenwriters were wanting to do. Writing a novelization for me is about staying true to the filmmaker's vision for the film. There's no need to deviate from the story but rather enhance and expand it. 

How much did you know about Celebrate Recovery before working on this project? 
I didn't know anything about it, to be honest. The publisher told me that it was a ministry started by Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. Obviously I'd heard of that, so I knew it had to be a great ministry. Little did I know how big this ministry is and all the amazing things they're doing.

What is Celebrate Recovery? 
Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.  It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory. Twenty years ago, Saddleback Church launched Celebrate Recovery with 43 people. It was designed as a program to help those struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process. Celebrate Recovery has helped more than 17,000 people at Saddleback, attracting over 70% of its members from outside the church. Eighty-five percent of the people who go through the program stay with the church and nearly half serve as church volunteers. Celebrate Recovery is now in over 19,000 churches worldwide.

How does the novel for Home Run compare to the movie? 
I think it's a great compliment to the movie. A book can't do all the things a movie does. It doesn't have the beautiful soundtrack, or have pictures of the attractive Oklahoma setting (or equally attractive cast of actors!). But what a novel can do is get deeper in the minds and hearts of the characters. I stuck with the story in the movie but built off Cory Brand's story by sharing why he is the person he is today. 

What was the experience like to work on this novelization? 
I had worked on one before but this was an extremely rewarding experience. I've loved getting to know everybody on the Home Run team as well as so many wonderful people in Celebrate Recovery. It was an incredible journey and I'm so glad to be a part of it. 

Do you think some people are beyond hope or repair in their lives?
Absolutely not. And I'm thankful for it. That's what this movie and book remind us--nobody is beyond hope or repair. Nobody. 

What's one of your favorite scenes in the movie/book? 
I love when Cory Brand hits rock bottom and his sponsor's reaction to it. I love the opening and closing songs of the film--they're beautiful and heart-breaking and are as important to the film as the cast and setting. I also love the scene where Cory's sister-in-law shares her story. 

What's the message of Home Run in one or two sentences? 
No matter what you've done in life, and no matter how far you've run away, God will always love you and be there to heal you. Everybody has hurts, hang-ups and habits. It's what we do with them that matters.

Thank you, Travis, for sharing your part in this project with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Home Run: A Novel - papaerback
Home Run: A Novel - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

17 comments:

Library Lady said...

We have Travis Thrasher's books in the church library.
I would love to win this one to give to the library.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Mama Cat said...

It sounds interesting to write a book based on a movie - instead of the other way around! I would love to win a copy of this book. My husband has been a servant leader since CR began at the church where we are members in Phoenix, AZ. Only God can bring the healing that we need, and it is a joy to know that a Christ-centered 12-step group is now available - one of God's great gifts! We live in Phoenix, AZ

Norma S said...

Travis, i loved what you said that nobody is beyond hope or repair.I would be ever so happy to win your book,your book sounds like it has a lot of life's lesson in it. Great cover. God bless you.
Norma S. from Ohio

Mary Preston said...

I didn't realise that it could go the other way - movie first, then book. I haven't seen the movie, but I'd love to read the book.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel

karenk....from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Judy said...

Wow! What a great interview with Travis. I can't wait to read this book and would love to see the movie. I would be thrilled to win a copy of, "Home Run."

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

rubynreba said...

Enjoyed the interview. You're so right - God will always love us and be there to heal us.
Beth from Iowa

Kathy Lindback said...

Already being a huge fan of Travis Thrasher's books, I bought and read Home Run already. If I do win another copy, I would like to donate this book to someone in the Celebrate Recovery program so that they can see that there is always hope available to them thru Jesus' healing.
Thanks & God Bless!!

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the introduction to Travis.

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

I would love to win,Enter me!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Great! Can't wait to read this book, and see the movie too! :)

Enter me!

Blanch, N.C.

Jean said...

Sounds like a greaat book...thank you for the opportunity to win it!
Jean Kropid
West Palm Beach, FL

Lourdes said...

What a great and interesting interview looking forward to reading the book.

Lourdes Long Island New York

sm said...

Never heard of a novelization! How cool is that. would love to read it. sharon, ca

Nathanael Richmond said...

Would LOVE to win.
Enter Me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Merry said...

Home Run sounds so interesting, I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
Merry in TX