Thanks yet again to the delightfully charming Andrew Walker, I had the good fortune of being able to interview the writer of Love In Design, Nicole Baxter. Upon further examination, I realized that she has become quite the prolific Hallmark writer in recent years, and it is my honor to share her with my readers today in anticipation of Saturday night’s Hallmark premiere!

RH: Why did you decide to become a writer? What kind of training and/or preparation did you have for this career?

NB: When I was fifteen, my English teacher had us write a short narrative piece. My first pass was absolutely awful, but he saw something at the root of it and asked me to go back, put more time into it, and try harder. I remember thinking if I couldn’t knock something out of the park on the first go, I was no good at it. I still struggle with that to some degree–the insecurity that comes with first draft feedback. But I went back, gave it another go, and probably put a lot more time into it because of the harsh critique. At the end of the week, my teacher ended up reading it in front of the whole class. Seeing the transformation, the improvement—how far you could push a story if you gave it enough time and attention, I was hooked.

In terms of training, I was a creative writing major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but I never formally studied screenwriting. I actually thought I wanted to use my degree to become a lawyer–it felt way more sensible than pursuing a career in writing–but I never got far with that idea. After writing for a music magazine in Australia, I went to work in development for a producer at Warner Bros. I read every script I could lay my hands on, and then just started writing my own. It took me a long time to write anything decent, but the desire to write was just something I couldn’t shake.

What was the first professional script you wrote?

My first big screenwriting break was selling a comedy pilot to Warner Bros Television called 101 Reasons to Drink. Unfortunately, that never saw the light of day, but it was that little bit of encouragement I needed, at that point in my journey, to keep going.

Peter Porte; Amanda Righetti Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Marc Lemoine

Before coming to write for Hallmark, were you a fan of the network and its content?

Honestly, I hadn’t watched many Hallmark movies before I started writing for them, but now, after researching and watching a ton, I’m a total fan. They make you feel good, and at this point in my life, raising two young girls, I want to watch and write what feels good.

I believe Love at First Bark was your first project for Hallmark. How did that come about?

Kevin McGarry, Jana Kramer Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

Actually, the first movie I was hired to write for Hallmark was Love at the Shore. I was eight months pregnant at the time and super excited for the opportunity. With a ticking clock on my hands, I worked extra hard and crazy late to get it done. After the script was in, and they were happy, I was asked to do a rewrite on Love at First Bark. I love dogs, so it was an easy yes, and a picture of my Goldendoodle Bernie actually made it into the movie.

You have also written or co-written Love at The Shore, Romance at Reindeer Lodge and The Sweetest Heart. Please feel free to share anything about the writing of these that is memorable or special to you.

As mentioned, Love at the Shore was the first movie I wrote for Hallmark, so it will always be special to me and something I’m extremely proud of.

Romance at Reindeer Lodge was my first Christmas movie, and since I know how much people love Hallmark Christmas movies, I felt the pressure, but was also really excited for the opportunity.

The Sweetest Heart was the first time I got to write a movie where the romantic leads had history like they do in Love in Design. It’s honestly such a joy as a writer to be able to instantly go there, emotionally. Certain things are already out of the way, there’s no initial get-to-know-you period, you can just get into it straight away, and go deep. I love that!

Recently, Hallmark viewers saw Wedding of Dreams which you co-wrote. How/why were you brought on to write the sequel to Summer of Dreams? Had you seen the first movie before you were asked to write the sequel?

Debbie Gibson Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

For Wedding of Dreams, I was brought in to rewrite this sequel and I have to admit, I was initially a little nervous to write a movie for a pop star I grew up listening to. Luckily, the first conversation I had with Debbie {Gibson}, she took all those nerves away. Since the movie is loosely based on her life, I had the pleasure of working closely with her and seeing just how talented she is on multiple levels.

Hallmark viewers will be seeing Love in Design this weekend, and from what Andrew Walker has told me, this project has been in development for a while. How/when were you brought on? What did you appreciate about the writing of this project as it seems to be so different from many of the works out there for Hallmark?

Photo: Andrew Walker, Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

Again, I was brought in to rewrite the script, but have sole teleplay credit on this one. I absolutely love this project. There’s not only history in the manor, there’s a lot of rich and complex history with the main characters, Jeff and Hannah. Beyond that, there’s also a really loving relationship between mother and daughter as Hannah returns home for the first time in years. It’s a really playful movie, but there’s also a lot of raw emotion in it that made it really exciting to work on. Andrew and Danica {McKellar} did an amazing job; they make you laugh and cry, in a good way.

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

I’m just finishing a Hallmark Christmas movie for this year called Christmas Bells Are Ringing, and am working on three other projects for them as well.

Have you been able to visit the set of any productions you have written? If not, is this something you hope to do in the future?

I have not been to set yet, but as my little ones get older, and the craziness subsides, I’m hoping to make that happen.

As a writer, do you plan to branch out and write in other genres/styles such as books, thrillers, etc?

Right now, I’m really just enjoying writing romantic comedies and romantic dramas. I’ve done straight dramas and thrillers in the past, but at the moment, I’m really loving the happy ending.

What are the benefits and challenges to be a screenwriter in twenty-first century Hollywood?

Honestly, I feel like I’m in a bit of a bubble. My husband and I left LA and are living in Marin, just north of San Francisco now, so I don’t have to deal with all the normal pressures of living and working in LA. For me, it’s just important to work with nice people, and write about strong female characters– characters my daughters can look up to.

What is your favorite holiday and how do you like to celebrate it?

Thanksgiving, for sure! It’s a no pressure holiday that’s all about being around family, having fun, eating well and—after dinner for me—throwing the football with my big brother.

I am grateful to Hallmark for continuing to employ such gifted, energetic, and capable writers, and the fact that the network continues to feature an increasing number of females behind the camera and not just in front of the camera is something that thrills me to the core. I have enjoyed every one of Nicole’s films (though I admit that not all of them are my top favorites), and I commend her for her dedication to the craft as well as the genre. Up to this point, Nicole has been brought on mainly as a “rewriter” of scripts (which is an absolutely vital skill in today’s creative marketplace), but I am thoroughly elated that Love In Design is the one of the first of many (I’m certain) where she will receive the acknowledgment of which she is so deserving. I realize that just like any profession, screenwriting requires that one must pay his/her dues, but it is gratifying to know that Nicole is well on her way to becoming a preferred, reliable screenwriter with the Hallmark family. Furthermore, the fact that Andrew holds her in such high esteem speaks volumes. (Thankfully, she feels the same way about him!)
By this point, I may sound like a broken record, but I seriously urge everyone to tune into the Hallmark Channel Saturday night (September 15th) for the premiere of what is purported to be my favorite Nicole Baxter-penned film so far, Love In Design! Additionally, I invite you to check out Nicole’s other works at the link below and peruse those past hits of hers. It’s safe to say that I am ecstatic that she is actively occupied with the writing of a Christmas movie for Hallmark, and I can hardly wait to see what is down the pipeline for this skilled professional. After all, I am already convinced that a sequel to Love In Design is an absolute necessity (even before it airs), and who better to construct a sequel for Andrew and Danica than the woman who is responsible for crafting this phenomenal vision than the original screenwriter herself?!
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