Flight Plan
by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
Released: June 17, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
TB is a media and news junkie. To an unhealthy degree. But when we need storylines, TB can provide a lot of backstories for media moguls. You may have noticed that some of them have been in the press lately. While this book is definitely not about the real Murdoch family, it’s safe to say it was inspired by them. It was also inspired by TV shows such as Succession, which both TB and Miranda really enjoyed.
As for why a particular scene, there’s a bit of an inside joke. If you know TB at all, you know she has a thing for tits (we’re talking about the small birds). She also likes boobies, as if the blue-footed avian kind. Miranda keeps telling TB to be careful because people might not know TB is referring to the birds. That’s when TB said, “I don’t see the problem. Who doesn’t love tits and boobies?” She was most definitely not talking about birds at this point.
While working on the first draft, TB tried to break a record for boob mentions. Miranda nixed most of them but did leave the meet-cute which involves boobs (again, not talking birds). TB’s pretty darn proud of that one.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
TB loathes billionaires and the vast wealth disparity of modern society. When she conjured up Reggie Hawkins, TB didn’t want the woman to be a billionaire because she despises them that much. However, given Reggie’s background, it only made sense for her to be a billionaire. TB had to take it as a challenge to get over hating all billionaires and like Reggie. It helped immensely that Reggie is fictional.
Another change is that Trevor became a much more sympathetic character. At first, we were influenced somewhat by the sibling characters in the TV show Succession. If you’ve watched it, you know they have some seriously competitive natures and weren’t always loving. But it didn’t feel right for our story, so we went back to the drawing board with Trevor to figure out how to make him a better person.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
TB would get along with Gwen. She’s an idealist who believes in right and wrong and how the world should be a fair place. TB agrees with all those things. Reggie, on the other hand… TB would probably lecture Reggie every second about how she doesn’t deserve all that money. Reggie might be entertained by TB’s earnestness and you never know, Reggie might donate money to TB’s favorite charities just to get TB to shut up for a second.
Miranda would actually like to sit down and gossip with Aunt Val because she’s pretty sure that woman sees and remembers everything.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
The simple answer is yes, both of their names carry a lot of meaning. Reggie is named after her father, which he might regret because Reggie is the only child in the Hawkins family with the guts to take her father on.
Gwen is on the run, so unbeknownst to Reggie, she’s doesn’t even know the real name of the woman she’s falling for.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Reggie would binge Succession only so she could point out how they got it all wrong. Gwen would watch Anne with an E. As someone who has faced rejection and difficulties with her family, she’d find it empowering how an orphan not only survived but thrived by making a home with a new family.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Reggie probably reads The Art of War by Sun Tzu once a month just to deal with father. Reggie’s life, starting in childhood, has been an endless battle for survival. Gwen’s favorite book is The Little Prince. She loves how he keeps asking questions about the world around him and seeking truth.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
They’d have a Swedish drink called Flämmli. It has a fun component, and the first time Reggie ordered it for Gwen it was a hit. It’s become their thing for special occasions. Neither TB nor Miranda have actually tried this drink, but it looks amazing. (Both authors are huge fans of fondue, which also features prominently in the story.)
