Last time I strolled through the seabreezy Babcock & Story bar at the Hotel Del Coronado, I heard a woman muse, “Whenever I come to the Del I always feel like I’m travelling back in time…” Having just set a time travel novel there, this tickled me greatly but of course it’s almost inevitable that your imagination would start a-swirling – here you are in a classically Victorian building famous for a 1950s Marilyn Monroe film which itself was set in the 1920s! And then there are all the personal memories you might have – from honeymoons to heartbreak, clambakes to Chris Lemmon encounters, even ghosts guiding your writing in an unexpected direction…
We run the gamut here as I chat to three fellow authors, each inspired to lure their readers away from the present day to a different time period in time as they share the story the Del whispered to them…
- Camille de Maio author of THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS
- Jennifer M Frank author of CROWN CITY BY THE SEA
- Christopher Lentz author of MY FRIEND MARILYN
- Belinda Jones author of THE HOTEL WHERE WE MET
CAMILLE DI MAIO – THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS
Tell us the story of your book in a nutshell…
The Beautiful Strangers is a story of love, family, and dreams mixed in with a real-life ghost and movie star.
When did the idea to set the story at the Hotel Del Coronado first come to you and how did it evolve?
I’ve been to Coronado several times, but in 2016 I went to San Diego for the Romance Writers of America conference. My husband and I spent an afternoon at the Del and he turned to me and said, “Why don’t you write a book set here since you love it so much?” I almost always start with setting for my books. So as soon as I decided upon the Del, I dug into the history. There are SO many fascinating things that happened there. But I was most intrigued by the woman (Kate Morgan) who died on the steps in the late 1800s and reportedly haunts the hotel. And also by Marilyn Monroe and the filming of Some Like It Hot. So my dilemma was – how would I connect these stories?
The voice of your two narrators perfectly conjures the different eras you feature, what form did your research take and did you use any ‘tricks’ to help you switch between the voices?
The Kate Morgan of the 19th century lived in a more formal time and she grew up wealthy so I think watching a lot of Downton Abbey and reading books like Jane Eyre (a favorite of mine) gave me a natural insight into that kind of speech. The Kate Morgan character of 1958 lives in an era that had a bubble-gum feel to it so I did research a few turns of phrase for authenticity, but I have to say that I most enjoyed writing the more formal language!
Was it fun imagining how a ghost might feel as she learns about her new powers?
Yes! And that is definitely not what I set out to do. The story of Kate Morgan the ghost was only ever going to be limited to the prologue. But I had a strange thing happen after I’d written it – for the first time in my writing life, I had that indescribable sense of feeling my character talking to me, urging me to write more and to explore her story. In the end, it was exactly right for this story. It allowed me to create a mother/son bond that transcended death and also to have her as a witness to other amazing things that happened at the hotel over time – visits from L. Frank Baum, Desi and Lucy Arnez, Prince Albert, Thomas Edison, etc. She becomes a bit of a biographer of the hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed writing her and I think she might be my favorite character across all my books.
If you had the opportunity to travel back in time to either of the years featured in the book – 1892 or 1958 – which would you choose and why?
Oh, goodness, I think I’m a creature of conveniences, so I would have appreciated the advances that came over the years – cars, medical advances, television, etc. I’d like to glimpse 1892, but live in 1958 if given a choice.
What is it about the (heartbreaking) legend of Marilyn that most appeals to you?
Though I read up on her life in general, I focused on who she was at the timing of Some Like It Hot. Her marriage was in trouble, she was largely controlled by her acting coaches, she couldn’t remember lines, was late for everything, and drank heavily. It was a sad look into the state of her being. But I saw, too, that there was this little girl inside. And by befriending my fictional character – who was just at the beginning of her dreams – I could explore that interior life of Marilyn Monroe as I imagined it to be.
Do you have a favorite Marilyn quote?
I don’t know if this is a favorite, particularly, but this one really matches the theme of the book: “Dreaming about being an actress is more exciting than being one.” My fictional Kate comes to Coronado with Hollywood-shaped dreams but quickly learns that real joy lies in more substantial things.
Can you recall your first viewing of Some Like It Hot?
Oh, I can’t remember the exact first time I saw it, but I just loved it! I was floored by the talent of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon to play those roles. It was funny, dramatic, and romantic. My favorite scene is when Tony Curtis – masquerading as Shell Oil, Jr. – uses reverse psychology to try to seduce Marilyn Monroe. Brilliant scene.
In the book you seem to have a soft spot for Jack Lemmon… Would you have choosen a date with him over Tony Curtis?
Oh, I would have been happy to go on a date with Tony Curtis! But my fondness for Jack Lemmon in this story comes from accounts I read about his kindness, humor, and good-naturedness. Though my scenes are fictional, I did try to write personalities accurately.
Do you have a favorite line or sentiment in The Beautiful Strangers?
It’s a bit of a theme that runs between the characters Kate and Sean, but I really like their discussions about the mica in the sand. Unique to Coronado (at least as far as I’ve seen) are those gold-like flecks that make the beach sparkle naturally. Sean tells her that he is happy being ordinary sand – not everyone can be the shining star. I relate to that. Despite the conveniences mentioned above, I do value simplicity and smallness. I’m happy to let other people shine.
What has been the best compliment you have received about the book?
The greatest compliment to me comes when readers tell me that they want to go read more about those characters, or watch Some Like It Hot or visit the Hotel Del. That tells me I’ve done my job – I’ve engaged the reader and had them thinking about that world I created long after they’ve finished the book.
Can you recall your first visit to the Hotel Del Coronado and first impressions of the hotel?
My first visit was after my husband and I got married in 1997. It was my first time in Southern California after having lived in Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It was everything I imagined that area to be – sunny weather, palm trees, beaches. It’s heaven on earth. And the Hotel Del Coronado is like the crown jewel. (In fact, Coronado means “crown”, and the crown-like chandeliers in their Crown Room were designed by Wizard of Oz writer L. Frank Baum!)
Beyond the Hotel Del Coronado, what are your favorite spots and eateries on Coronado Island?
Bookworm that I am, I love the library on Coronado! And there are so many amazing places to eat. I love the fish tacos on the beach by the Del, we have enjoyed great breakfasts at Clayton’s Coffee Shop, and I enjoy the quality of dining at Brigantine.
All your books have wonderful period settings – where are you whisking us to next?
Thank you! I love period settings and have included, so far, London, Liverpool, a border town, New York City and Coronado. I am taking notes on a future book set in Rome. But currently I’m editing a book set in San Antonio. It is about a real-life woman who inherited a major brewery after her husband’s murder (by one of his two mistress, both of whom shared her name!) and she doubled its production – only to have Prohibition hit. She was the only brewer in the south to keep her employees working thanks to her creative diversity in keeping the brewery going. It’s tentatively titled The First Emma.
Now that sounds fascinating reading, can’t wait!
JENNIFER M FRANKS – CROWN CITY BY THE SEA
Tell us the story of your book in a nutshell…
Crown City by the Sea is a historical fiction novel set in Coronado from 1885-1900. The story is told through the eyes of a girl, Ava, who grows up on the island and works at the Coronado Stables. Through Ava’s interactions with historical figures Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story, readers get to experience the making of the Hotel del Coronado and the creation of Coronado island.
Your story spans the years from 1885 to 1900. If you could pick one of those years to visit, which would you choose?
I would, without a doubt, choose to be at the Hotel Del Coronado’s grand opening in March, 1888. The festivities and excitement must have been incredible for guests who came to stay at the largest, most exquisite and modern hotel resort in the world.
And if you had to chose between meeting Kate Morgan and L Frank Baum..?
I would meet the troubled Kate Morgan. I personally don’t believe she took her own life (the surgeon testified her bullet wound did not match the caliber of bullet she bought, nor did she have any gun residue on her hands). She was in crisis and needed help. I’m obviously less inclined to meet the ghost Kate Morgan.
You undertook abundant historical research for your book, what form did this take?
Yes, the research involved was extensive and necessary. To craft the story, I needed to have as many factual events as possible to serve as anchors. I read every book available on the Hotel Del Coronado, read both Coronado and San Diego historical websites, and studied hundreds of vintage photos. In particular, I found the old newspaper archives at the Coronado Library to be most helpful. To read the headlines and hear the vernacular used in the late 19th century helped me create my fictional characters and create personas for my historical characters.
You have lived on the island for 17 years, have you noticed many changes over that period?
Although I’ve noticed endless growth and change on the island, I’ve been pleased to see a big push for preservation of the island’s history, charm and original structures. One thing has remained the same: Coronado, from it’s inception, is a destination for sunshine, fun and sun. There always has been and always will be wonderful parties, parades and fascinating people from all walks of life.
Can you remember your very first impressions of Coronado?
I first came to Coronado to visit as a teenager and I loved the quaint streets, cottages, shops and of course, massive hotel. I never would have thought that one day I would marry, become a Coronado resident and write a book about the origins of the island and hotel.
Beyond the Hotel Del Coronado, what are your favorite spots and eateries on Coronado Island?
Eateries: I love Italian food and the view of the city across the water, so the Ferry Landing restaurants like Il Fornaio are a must when company comes to town. Otherwise, I love the Stake happy hour on the balcony with the view of the Hotel Del. If I’m short on time, I love Poke 123 for a fresh, healthy meal. Favorite spots: I love to take guests to the Glorietta Bay Inn to see the Spreckels’s house, and to the Boat House to see the first structure built on the island.
The cover for Crown City by the Sea really sets the tone with the big hats, ponies and traps etc on the front lawn. Do you know the history of the photograph?
The cover photograph is from an unknown photographer and belongs to the San Diego Historical Society. They were kind of enough to let me purchase the rights to use it. It was taken anywhere from 1900-1910. I loved the photograph so much, I actually wrote it into a scene. My book designer and I thought that coloring in the turrets red would add a nice effect. The top half of the photo is in color that blends into a black and white photo as if you are going back in time.
What has been the best compliment you have received about the book?
The fact that I’ve been given a compliment at all for this book has me over the moon! Having said that, the best compliments have been that readers have learned so much about the history of Coronado, and that that they look at everything in a new way. I had the same experience researching for the story. The second best compliment has been that readers enjoyed the story itself. For a writer, to have brought some entertainment value to a reader is more than we can ever hope for!
Do you have any plans to take us, the readers, from 1900 onwards in a new book?
I don’t have plans for a sequel at this point, but I can be persuaded! There are certainly more than enough great historical events that take place after 1900 that could fill another book. I did also leave the story’s main characters in a place that could be continued… perhaps after my hiatus, I will be ready to start the research and writing process all over again. Writing a book is a long process, but with each book I write, my skills improve. The challenge of writing a book is so compelling, I can’t seem to stop. Ernest Hemingway once said, “The hardest part about writing a book is finishing it”. I have to agree and disagree – yes it’s hard to finish a book, but even harder to fill it with words readers find worthwhile.
You are so modest! I know how exhausting it can be and this was a bumper book so you deserve a rest and we’ll see you back in the book store (and doing another wonderful talk at the Coronado Historical Association!) soon!
CHRISTOPHER LENTZ – MY FRIEND MARILYN
Tell us the story of your book in a nutshell…
My Friend Marilyn is a fictional story – based on real-life events – about friendship, family and finding love where you least expect it. At the core, it’s about an everyday woman becoming friends with Hollywood’s smartest dumb blonde.
When did the idea to set the story at the Hotel del Coronado first come to you and how did it evolve?
The Del, as its fans call the resort, was where my wife and I spent our wedding night, and many anniversaries since. Several years ago we were there for Valentine’s Day and I bought a new book about the history of The Del. That purchase sparked an idea for a novel that would take place in the late 1950s during the filming of Some Like It Hot. The next day I wandered down the street to the Coronado Historical Museum and chatted with the greeter. I asked her if she knew anyone who lived in Coronado during the movie’s filming. She told me about how when she was a high-school senior everyone came down to the beach after school to watch the filming. And then she dropped the bombshell that blasted my book idea into production. Her husband, who was also in high school at the time, got kissed by Marilyn on the beach one afternoon in front of all his friends. It was part of a school-boy dare. That anecdote is in my book!
The cover to My Friend Marilyn features one of the most iconic images of all time – Marilyn and the Hotel del Coronado during the filming of Some Like It Hot. How did the cover come about?
At the beginning of the project, I approached the marketing and legal teams at The Del to be sure I’d be okay writing and publishing this fictional story. They were cool with it and I signed documents to be a licensee of the hotel. The public relations department graciously provided the front and back cover photos. To have my story wrapped in that cover is incredible. And to have my name next to Marilyn’s face, well, can it get much better than that for an author?
You obviously did abundant research on Marilyn Monroe for your book. What were some of the more surprising things you learned?
Lots of it’s in the book, but what I couldn’t smoothly incorporate includes:
- When she was younger, Marilyn feared blemishes so much that she washed her face fifteen times a day
- She used petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, as well as Nivea
- She thought the right side of her face was best
- In 1946 alone, she tried nine different shades of blonde hair color before settling on platinum
- She was known to sip vermouth out of a red coffee thermos while on set
Do you have a favorite Marilyn Monroe quote?
I found one that summed up the message of My Friend Marilyn: “Sometimes good things fall about so better things can fall together.”
A few more of my favorites include:
- “Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”
- “I don’t mind living in a man’s world, as long as I can be a woman in it.”
- “If I’d observed all the rules I’d never have got anywhere.”
What is it about Marilyn that you love the most?
She was an absolutely unique combination of Mae West and Little Bo Peep. Worldly and innocent. Strong and fragile. Sexy and sweet.
Tying in with your talk, the Coronado Museum of History and Art had a fabulous exhibit featuring The Marilyn Collection with some of her personal clothing and memorabilia..
Yes! I got to see Marilyn’s orange maternity dress from 1958 and the lime-green blouse she was wearing when the last photos of her alive were taken in 1962.
Can you recall your first impressions of the Hotel Del Coronado?
I worked at Disneyland’s turn-of-the-century Main Street USA for a number of years so, even as a teenager, I felt comfortable in that time period. Visiting The Del felt like home to me in a way – familiar but oh-so grand, like a spectacular wedding cake perched on the sandy bluff along the Pacific Ocean. The Del is like a living, breathing thing. And I’m not talking about the creaking wood floors. When you enter the lobby, it’s like it warmly embraces you…offering a welcoming hug. It invites you to get comfortable, like it does to its lingering spirits who are shrouded in mystery.
I hear you have a few Hotel del Coronado artifacts in your home…
The Del has been part of some great high points in my life and, being an antique collector, I have acquired some gems from the hotel: a set of dishes and flatware (all bearing the hotel’s signature crown hallmark); postcards, booklets, brochures, and a white-wicker chair from a guest room in the 1920s. I referenced it in My Friend Marilyn! I live in the present and look forward to the future but the past lives in me, of that I’m sure.
Beyond the Hotel del Coronado, what are your favorite spots and eateries on Coronado Island?
We like to eat at the Brigantine Seafood Restaurant and the Village Pizzeria then wander around the nearby residential areas and drool over the quaint cottages and detailed Victorian mansions.
You write with a tremendous amount of joyful energy. Do you have a favorite line in My Friend Marilyn, one you are particularly pleased with?
The first line of any book can be the most important in setting the tone – and the hook – for the reader. Mine is: “As unlikely and unbelievable as it may sound, Marilyn Monroe invited me into her bedroom.” I should also mention that the last line of My Friend Marilyn is the same as the film’s last line: “Well—nobody’s perfect.” It’s such an iconic piece of Hollywood dialogue that I knew I had to find a way to use it to wrap up my story too. Ironically, the line was only meant to be a placeholder – a throwaway line – in the script until Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond came up with something funnier. They never did. And those three words became what most film historians would call the most famous last words!
Can you remember your first viewing of Some Like It Hot and how that impacted you?
I grew up in Detroit, where every house had a basement. It was usually the domain of children on crappy-weather days. We had an old couch and a secondhand black-and-white TV down there. After school, we’d watch the Little Rascals or Three Stooges on one of the five channels we had to choose from! But at 4:30 p.m., there was always movie…and not usually a very good one. However, I remember watching Some Like It Hot on that coach. I was mesmerized by Marilyn, like most people were and continue to be. The one scene that sticks in my head is when Marilyn is walking beside a steam train in the station and a blast of steam makes her skip forward as Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon comment on the way she walks in high heels. To this day, that scene takes me back to Detroit and makes me grin.
It must have been fun to set a book in the Fifties – such a glorious time in history…
For most people, the 1950s was a time of abundance and optimism. And I’m not taking about Hollywood’s Happy Days version of it. WW2 was behind us, family life and leisure were coming into focus. And, being a huge Disneyland fan, I have to point out that Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955.
My Friend Marilyn is the first in The Great American Destination Book Series…
Yes, the series offers stories of hope, history, romance and self-discovery set at locations you can visit. At the centerpiece of these books, you’ll find grand hotels, impressive mansions and inspiring one-of-a-kind sites that have as much warmth and life as each story’s characters. In fact, the locations play pivotal roles. And when the time is right, you can walk in the fictional characters’ footsteps and create memories of your own.
And where are you whisking us to next?
- Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, Minnesota
- Fairlawn Mansion, Superior, Wisconsin
Wonderful! We look forward to checking in!
BELINDA JONES – THE HOTEL WHERE WE MET
Tell us the story of your book in a nutshell: The Hotel Where We Met is a romantic comedy with a time travel twist. There’s a very particular reason that Chloe has not met her Mr Right – he doesn’t exist. And he doesn’t exist because the right couples in history did not get together. It now falls to Chloe to travel back in time and matchmake four generations of Montague men so she can meet her true love in the present day! All Chloe’s adventures revolve around the Hotel Del Coronado – part historic landmark, part Californian fairytale…
When did the idea to set the story at the Hotel Del Coronado first come to you and how did it evolve?
For years I’ve been pondering a time travel story set at The Del and initially imagined the heroine stumbling across assorted portals while exploring the hotel’s secret nooks. But then last year I was dog-sitting on Isabella Avenue and the house had a digital door code – suddenly the idea of the numbers corresponding to a specific year in history clicked. The first code Chloe is given for her suite at the Del is 1-8-8-8 and this takes her back to the hotel’s opening year. The second is 1-9-2-9 and this transports her to the Roaring Twenties etc. This worked out rather well as it gave her a private moment to take in the changed decor and her new, era-appropriate outfit before she continued on her matchmaking mission…
If you had the opportunity to travel back in time to one of the eras featured in the book – 1888, 1929, 1958 or 1985 – which would you choose and why?
I would be tempted to re-live 1985 for the Eighties music and New Romantic fashions (though I could do without my mullet hairstyle) but really it would have to be 1958 as, like so many women, I completely adore Fifties style and the whole candy-colored vibe of that time period. It just seems a jauntier, more genteel experience and my favorite films and actors are from that period, in particular Doris Day, Rock Hudson and, of course, Marilyn.
Can you recall your first viewing of Some Like It Hot?
I don’t know about my first viewing but I have several significant viewings: on the Hotel Del beach sitting a couple of rows behind Jack Lemmon’s grandchildren, in one of the hotel rooms in my bathrobe with room service (though I’ve yet to try mixing cocktails in a hot water bottle!) and, most memorably, at Tidelands Park the year the sprinklers went off mid-performance sending everyone squealing and scattering into the night!
Do you have a favorite memory of visiting the Del?
Well, I am truly spoiled for choice here. I know my worst memory was the night my ex-husband, then-boyfriend broke up with me. I should have taken it as a red flag that he was the only person I’ve ever met who was capable of being miserable in such idyllic surroundings! On a happier note, I was lucky enough to meet Tony Curtis at the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Some Like It Hot – I was pencilled in to interview him for the UK’s Empire magazine but ended up just getting a wink, which I was perfectly happy with and still thrills me to this day!
Beyond the Hotel del Coronado, what are your favorite spots and eateries on Coronado Island?
Food-wise, I would start with breakfast at Clayton’s – classic diner coffee and the utterly yummy Acai Berry Bowl, which is basically like a big desert that you can convince yourself is healthy on account of the superfruit berries. For lunch I love a Japanese bento box (and ocean view) at Yummy Sushi. Tea has to be at Tartine – their pavlovas and pineapple cheesecakes are divine and its a fantastically dog-friendly environment on the patio. For a dinner time treat nab a bay view table at Il Fornaio, also great for Happy Hour pizza. In between I’d work up an appetite meandering the streets admiring the beautiful houses, pausing to watch the sunset either at the beach or Bayview Park.
You spent a year living on Coronado, did the bliss ever wear off?
Not for a moment. It is my greatest wish to return and make it my home again – I have never felt more welcome or a greater sense of belonging and wonder anywhere in the world. In many ways The Hotel Where We Met is a novel-length love letter to the island!
1 comment
Comment by Robert Meridian
Robert Meridian September 5, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Hi, there:
Great blog. I love reading about your pet.
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