BACKSTORY

Behind the Scenes of a Famous Film-Thriller

De: Pat Dunlap Evans

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

In this Writer's Digest award winner, the film "Adaptation" meets the novel “Bridget Jones's Diary” in a mind-bending novel, when a depressed divorcee and striving screenwriter searches for new love and Hollywood fame. But wait: Is a serial killer stalking her and her daughter?

Narrated by two editors, the heroine's letters, and brief screenplay scenes, this story's dynamic format begins as Merry Mayfield, a midlife Columbia University film school grad, relocates to Austin, Texas, after a devastating divorce and the loss of both parents. Through her diary-like notes to her adored professor, you’ll share Merry’s pains, passions, and joys — especially for the charming teacher who inspires Merry’s love for existential drama and film.

As she resists her brother’s demands to forgo screenwriting for a sales career, Merry wallows in too many martinis, sexual adventures with Mr. Wrongs, and brazen acts that lead her to trouble. Between Merry's rants about the meaning of life and absurdist drama, her domineering brother and evangelical sister-in-law incessantly try to exorcise Merry’s demons.

Even more offbeat characters drift into Merry’s world, such as two wild hairdressers, an arrogant theater producer, a hard-loving art dealer, her ex-husband pro-golfer, a neighbor who inspects elevators, and a shy journalist. As Merry struggles to parent her three unhappy teens, she naively dates a stalker until he angrily sets his sights on her oldest daughter. What happens next will shock and surprise readers who love a multi-format tale that unwinds with a wry smile.

“Reader tip: Be sure to read the Foreword and Afterword chapters to appreciate this story's ironic (and surprising) turn.” — J.K.K., reviewer

Backstory received an honorable mention for contemporary fiction in the 2021 Writer's Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards. “Telling part of the story with the script format was a very interesting concept. It was different and … entertaining all the way around.” — Judge, 9th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards.