Books

Author Philippa Ashley may live in Hammerwich, near Lichfield, but she now has the attentions of Hollywood, with her debut novel being made into a TV movie called the '12 Men of Christmas'.

Her writing career began at a young age, first seeing her name in print as a 4 year old, after having a joke published in the Beano!

After studying English Language & Literature at Oxford, Phillipa went on to a career in journalism and PR, interviewing actors and sports people including Tim Henman, Nigel Havers, and Brian Blessed.

Decent Exposure

It was while Phillipa was watching a BBC period drama called 'North & South' that she became inspired to write her first novel, called 'Decent Exposure'.

"I joined the BBC drama messageboard and started writing North & South fan fiction just for fun in 2005." says Phillipa. "That got me interested in creating characters and stories, and I wrote that first novel which won a national award."

Phillipa describes 'Decent Exposure' as a sexy romantic comedy set in the Lake District. It was published in October 2006, and is now being made into a movie with the West Wing's Kristin Chenoweth playing the lead character, Emma or EJ (as she's named in the screenplay.)

Other stars in the film include Josh Hopkins (A Perfect Storm, Ally McBeal) and Anna Chlumsky - the child actress who played Vada in My Girl - in one of her first roles after many years away from acting.

Thrill of a lifetime

"Having my debut novel turned into a movie is the thrill of a lifetime. Many writers dream about it, but you never expect it to actually come true," says Phillipa.

Kristin Chenoweth (Getty Images)

"With the Hollywood writers' strike and then the global credit crunch, I'd put it to the back on my mind but finding out it's being made literally took my breath away. Kristin Chenoweth is a wonderful actress and I'm looking forward to seeing the other cast members - especially Will, the hunky mountain rescue hero!"

The film is being made by Fox Studios, with the setting changed from the Lake District to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Visiting the Set

Phillipa got the chance to visit the set in the foothills of the Rockies in July 2009 - which she described as a "bit like Cannock Chase, but with Bears and Cougars roaming around." 

"They had 12 gorgeous men to play the mountain rescue team.  I pointed out that only the hero is handsome in my book and the others are 'ordinary' average looking Brits!" she says. "The director just smiled and said 'Well, that's Hollywood!'."

Phillipa meets actor Josh Hopkins

The movie airs in the USA on Lifetime on December 5th, but Phillipa is hopeful it will come to UK TV and also be released on DVD.

She's also holding an auction of signed memorabilia from the film to raise money for the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, who helped her with research for the book and movie.

Other books

Phillipa has also written 3 other romantic books for publishers Headline/Little Black Dress - 'Wish You Were Here', 'Just Say Yes' and 'It Should Have Been Me' which came out in 2009.

Since her book was made into a movie, a US publsiher has bought up all her titles for publication in the States.

When she's not hard at work writing her latest romantic work at home in Staffordshire she's spending time with her husband and daughter in the Lake District - walking, visiting literary locations, and trying to track down the ultimate Lakeland pub and tea shop!

Phillipa's books are available to buy or order from bookshops and Amazon.  Local stockists include James Redshaw in Lichfield and Waterstones in Greengate Street, in Stafford.