Of course, my followers know of my passion for highlighting those behind-the-scenes, and it is always a delight to connect with incredible screenwriters. We all know that without their dedication and creativity, no movies would be made. And that is why it is my supreme honor to introduce the gifted and vivacious Karen Schaler, who has penned the first holiday premiere of the Hallmark network for 2019, Christmas Camp. Karen is no stranger to prolific and captivating writing, and her awards and talents speak for themselves. Moreover, now we can claim her as our own, and it is a true privilege to share her with my readers today!
RH: First of all, it looks like you are a native Washingtonian (I am too!). Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you got interested in pursuing a career in writing.
KS: Hello, fellow Washingtonian! I am from originally from Everett, Washington! My mom likes to tell the story that I started telling stories as soon as I could talk and I’ve never stopped. I always wanted to write movies and novels, but I was from pretty modest means with no Hollywood connections. So I thought it would be smart if I started out as a news reporter and traveled the world to see and learn as much as I could so I would have interesting stories to tell. I decided this when I was ten and picked my college that was in L.A., Cal State Fullerton, because they had a great Broadcast Journalism program. Problem was it was just my mom and I, and we didn’t have the money for out of state tuition. So when I was seventeen, I found a way to move to L.A., for my senior year of high school to be a nanny and get residency for college. Everyone asks if I was scared to leave home, my family and friends, and I honestly never was. I was excited to be going after my dream. I graduated CSUF in four years with honors with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Sociology.
I see that you have been a journalist and have done some travel shows. Please tell us about that segment of your life. (Feel free to elaborate as much or as little as you would like.)
As mentioned above, after graduating college, I started my career at as TV correspondent and anchor, starting in small markets and working my way up to where I did some freelance work as a White House Correspondent for CNN. During my 15+ years in television, I won three Emmy awards. I was primarily an investigative and crime reporter. In 1995, I was the first journalist in the world ever embedded with troops in Bosnia and in 2007, the first to be embedded with a combat Apache helicopter unit in Afghanistan. Two of the Emmys I won were for TV documentaries I wrote, produced and reported on Bosnia and Afghanistan.
In 2007, after the Afghanistan documentary aired, I was looking forward to going back to Afghanistan, as there was still so many more stories I wanted to tell, but when my news organization decided that wasn’t going to be possible, I decided it was time for a change. I quit my career as a TV news journalist and decided I wanted to tell positive stories that inspired and empowered people. With all the difficult stories I covered in the news, I always used travel as my therapy, so I wanted to share that with others now and created and trademarked the concept of Travel Therapy® helping people pick the right trips to take based on what they were going through in life. I moved to New York City, with just a carry-on bag and laptop thinking if I was going to reinvent myself with this Travel Therapy, this is where I could do it. I didn’t know anyone in New York or even on the East coast, but I got on that plane full of hope and never looked back. It was February 2008, and a few months after I arrived our U.S., the economy crashed and so did my original plan A, B, and C. But I kept going!
I started out writing my first book, Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go, and hosting ABC’s national travel show, and then started owning my own Travel Therapy TV segments that got picked up nationally on top ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and CW stations and were also airing internationally. I became a sought-after lifestyle and travel expert appearing on Good Morning America, TODAY, Fox & Friends, FOX, Inside Edition, Daily Mail TV, CNN, MSNBC, the BBC, and on dozens of radio shows and local TV affiliates across the country.
I am going on my eleventh year doing my Travel Therapy TV segments and have so far traveled to sixty-eight countries. Lucky for the movies and novels I write, I do some of my best writing on planes, and I control my own schedule.
I believe I came to know your work first through the Christmas movie you wrote for Netflix, A Christmas Prince. How did that screenplay come about? Did you have any idea how big that film would be before it was released?
A Christmas Prince was the first movie I sold and it was a spec script, and that’s pretty rare in the business. At the time I didn’t have an agent, a manager, or an attorney…also rare. I don’t think any of us had any idea how people would react to that movie! Here’s a link to a feature I did talking all about what inspired the movie and I think will offer some great insight for you 🙂
And then you followed it up with a sequel last year and another coming this year. Did it surprise you to get to write two sequels?
Within just a few month of A Christmas Prince airing, I sold my Hallmark Christmas Camp movie script, also a spec, and Lifetime called and asked me to come in and pitch ideas for their showcase movie they were looking to do with Toni Braxton and I landed that assignment. After Christmas Camp went into production, I knew there was so much more of the story I wanted to tell and I’m so humbled and honored that I was able to get a three-book publishing deal with Harper Collins, the William Morrow imprint to write Christmas Camp the novel and the sequel, Christmas Camp Wedding. The new movies and books all had to be written in just a few months, so I didn’t write the A Christmas Prince sequels, but you’ll still see my name on the screen for “Based on Characters Created by Karen Schaler.”
Last Christmas, you also wrote a movie for Lifetime (that I enjoyed) called Every Day Is Christmas. Where did the idea for this film originate?
I loved working on this Lifetime movie so much! It was such a wonderful collaborative project. It was all a whirlwind last year for sure. I was actually walking into Harper Collins to meet my publishing team for the first time when I got the call about Lifetime wanting me to come in and pitch them some ideas for their Toni Braxton Christmas movie they were wanting to do. I remember my literary agent asking me, “Is there any possible way you can do all this, write two books and new movie in just a few months?” And I remember saying, “When opportunity finally knocks you don’t say, ‘Sorry, too busy.’ You find a way to make it happen.” And that’s exactly what I did.
The idea for the film Every Day Is Christmas originated from Lifetime. When they called me to pitch, they said their Toni Braxton movie was going to be their showcased Christmas movie for 2018, and all they had planned was that she was going to be Scrooge. That was it. They wanted something fresh, heartfelt and joyful, but still played close to the original Scrooge. As you can probably imagine, those two thoughts didn’t exactly go together, but that’s what a writer’s job is–to make it happen. And I was excited for the challenge. The Lifetime executives were very open about the fact they were talking to a lot of different writers, but they’d read another spec script of mine and liked my writing and wanted to give me a shot. When I got the call that they’d picked me, I was honored and humbled for the opportunity and it truly was a fantastic experience from start to finish. This was my first time writing specifically for an actor, and Toni was fantastic to collaborate with, and so was the entire production and Network team. This was also my first opportunity to go on set and see the words I had written come to life. The movie was shot near Vancouver, so I was able to bring my mom on set as well. The memories we have, sharing this first on-set experience together, is something I will always treasure.
Tonight {July 11th}, we are going to see your first work on the Hallmark Network. Please tell us about the journey of writing Christmas Camp. And I understand is also a novel, so please tell us how that worked into this process as well.
Lily Anne Harrison Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of MarVista Entertainment
I think some of this was answered already, but here’s a bit more ☺
My inspiration for my Christmas Camp story comes from being the creator and host of Travel Therapy® TV where I’ve traveled to more than sixty-eight countries featuring the most inspiring and empowering places to visit, airing nationally on top ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and CW stations.
Seeing first-hand how transformative traveling to the right place can be with my Travel Therapy TV segments, I wanted to tell a story that has this Travel Therapy element I believe in so much. I’ve also been blessed to have experienced some truly magical places in my travels that helped me create the setting and scenes for my Christmas Camp movie and novels.
Before I sent the movie into Hallmark I trademarked my Christmas Camp® concept in multiple categories knowing that I wanted to bring my movie and novels to life so there could be an actual real place people could go to re-energize and reboot before the hectic holiday season so they could be their best selves and truly appreciate the meaning and magic of Christmas.
Last year, to go with the Christmas Camp movie and books, I partnered with one of my favorite resorts that I felt could truly honor and embrace the Christmas Camp story and feeling, The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Alex Cheeks, Milan Williams, Shadner Ifrene, Geraldine Leer, John James, Lily Anne Harrison, Bobby Campo, Reece Ennis, Ben Gavin Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of MarVista Entertainment
One of the reasons I chose The Phoenician to partner with to bring my Christmas Camp to life was because I not only knew and loved the property from stories, I had done on the property for my Travel Therapy TV segments. I also have a second home in Scottsdale, Arizona, so over the years, I’ve gotten to know the property well. Most importantly, after meeting with the management and staff at The Phoenician, I trusted that my vision would be honored and they all had their hearts in the right place for why we were doing this. Going into our talk, I created a wish list of activities I wanted to have at “Christmas Camp” that brought the movie and novels to life and also celebrated Arizona and the region. Anyone who knows me knows I have a very strong vision and I knew I could only bring my Christmas Camp to life if that vision was respected.
The Phoenician not only understood exactly what I was wanting to do, but was able, with their award-winning experience and expertise, help take my concepts to a new level and had idea for new activities that still fit the Christmas Camp story.
Ben Gavin, Reece Ennis, Geraldine Leer, Shadner Ifrene, Lily Anne Harrison, Alex Cheeks, Bobby Campo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of MarVista Entertainment
I created a real-life Christmas Camp to help share with people the power of taking a break, going somewhere special, relaxing, rebooting, and disconnecting to reconnect with what matters most at Christmas. In the movie and novel, one of my favorite lines I wrote is when Haley’s boss tells her she needs a “holiday attitude adjustment” and to find her Christmas spirit and that’s why she’s sent to Christmas Camp.
I think we can all get up in the hectic holiday season and lose sight of what matters most, and that’s why I’ve created a real-life Christmas Camp so people can come to at The Phoenician and take part in the holiday activities we’ve created that they’re inspired by and hopefully return home more relaxed and a better version of themselves.
With all the screenwriting, have you ever visited one of the sets? If so, please tell us about that experience.
I touched on this a bit above that for my third movie, with Lifetime, starring Toni Braxton I was on set for several days and got to bring my mom one day, which was really special. When you’re making these Christmas movies, there’s a very tight schedule, so it’s very fast-paced and everyone’s working extremely hard. I learned a lot being on set, seeing what it took to bring my words to life from lighting, to wardrobe, to set design. The experience was invaluable and has made me a better writer. I always say knowledge is power. Not everyone lets the writer on the set, so I was very thankful for this positive experience and opportunity.
Why do you believe that Christmas/RomCom films seem to be doing so well in today’s society?
I think right now where there is so much uncertainty and negative news that Christmas movies are a safe haven, an escape, something we can count on to bring us joy, and we know there’s going to be a happy ending.
I know I have always counted on Christmas movies as my escape. When I was reporting from war zones and doing difficult hard news stories, I would always look forward to the Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies. Christmas movies are a family tradition. I promised myself and my family that someday I would write a Christmas movie and so I could try and give back a little of that joy and happiness those movies have given us over the years.
Lily Anne Harrison, Bobby Campo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of MarVista Entertainment
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
I’m very excited to share that my publisher is releasing a NEW special edition of Christmas Camp, coming out this September that will include the sequel Christmas Camp Wedding! So now after watching the Hallmark movie, people can learn more of the story and find out what happens next for Haley and Jeff. Not to mention I have the famous Christmas Camp Hot Chocolate and Christmas Camp Cookie Recipes in the book! Now, I think I need to make some cookies for the premiere!
Then my next novel, a new heartwarming story, Finding Christmas is coming out in November. I can’t wait to share this story with everyone. I also wrote the movie first for this story so stay tuned for more news there…
AND…finally, some new news… I am currently working on another new Christmas movie for this year. That’s about all I can say at this point, but much more to come!
I also feel honored to be a featured speaker and panelist at the Austin Film Festival this year in October right after my next novel comes out. Although my schedule is crazy busy, I wanted to support the AFF because they’re doing such great work championing writers and filmmakers.
Do you have aspirations to go beyond being a writer and get involved in other areas of filmmaking? Elaborate if you would like.
Right now, my focus is on writing the best movies and novels I can as that’s keeping me pretty busy! I am talking to people about other exciting opportunities. I always believe in continuing to move forward and to try and learn something new every single day.
What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?
Actually, one of my favorite family traditions is what my next book, Finding Christmas, is about and involves a Christmas scavenger hunt!
Another tradition, of course, is watching Christmas movies, and honestly it still seems a little surreal to now have three Christmas movies that I’ve written to watch, on Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime, with more coming up.
I’m feeling truly grateful and blessed to be able to continue to do what I love so much, writing stories that are uplifting, full of heart and hope because I think we all need that right now. I know I do.
Christmas Camp At The Phoenician
First of all, let me revel in the fact that Karen is from Washington state! (Come on, it doesn’t happen that often!) Furthermore, she is from the Pacific Northwest, not far from where I grew up (Tacoma). For that fact along with countless more, I am beaming with pride for the unparalleled opportunities and rich success that she has enjoyed in her career thus far. Karen has proven time and again that she is not one of these people who waits on the sidelines for things to happen; she goes out and MAKES her dreams come true, no matter what the naysayers and faithless may say. In short, Karen is my kind of person, and so it makes sense that I would be drawn to her genuinely charismatic persona. When I found out that she wrote two joyous, memorable Christmas movies that are firmly embedded in my cerebellum, I was completely euphoric about the prospect of interviewing her. And after having this monumental moment, I find myself in absolute, superlative awe at not only her giftedness, but her savvy business acumen and progressive approach to marketing her works. It would be easy for someone of her caliber and expertise to rest on her laurels and merely let things happen to her. But remember…that’s not Karen’s modus operandi! No matter what, she keeps consistently challenging and reinventing herself towards new heights, and because of those compelling practices of hers, I tend to think her most outstanding days are yet to be!
I hope that everyone who is able to will tune in tonight (July 11th) for the premiere of Christmas Camp on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Yes, this is the first Christmas movie premiere of this year, and I am so stoked I can hardly stand it! Furthermore, while you make plans to luxuriate in what is purported to be a monumental Hallmark movie premiere, be certain that you visit her links below and consider following her where applicable. And if you are so inclined, be sure to investigate her Christmas novels as well as your opportunity to attend and participate in an actual Christmas Camp experience yourself. Karen is one of those unique individuals who never retreats and invariably discovers an innovative way to utilize her God-given talents for the betterment of others, and I am so glad Hallmark has decided to grant her a forum to showcase her phenomenal capabilities. No matter what the future may hold for this wonderful woman, I am convinced that she will radiate her light of joy and love with enthusiasm, authenticity, humor, and above all, heart. And because of that, I just don’t see an end to this virtual empire she has built in the world of film and TV as long as she remains true to herself and the stories she tells while never neglecting to recognize the blessed life with which she has been endowed. I honestly cannot see her forsaking who she is to chase the fleeting world of fame and fortune, and that is why I believe Hallmark fans are going to realize what I already know. This woman is a glistening gem who fits so perfectly within the Hallmark universe and the overall Christmas movie scene that we hope to see an endless amount of her works for many, many, many more years to come!
FOLLOW KAREN
ABOUT CHRISTMAS CAMP AT THE PHOENICIAN
(From the Official Press Release)
“This Christmas Camp is for grown-ups,” Schaler says. “From culinary classes, Christmas crafts, charitable activities, cocktail mixology, signature spa treatments, holiday movie watching and so much more, it’s all about taking time before the hectic holiday season to relax, reset and rejuvenate, so you can embrace the true meaning and magic of Christmas. I chose The Phoenician because I’ve personally experienced over the years how this legendary resort continues to focus on creating transformative and authentic experiences for guests.”
The AAA Five Diamond Phoenician recently completed a three-year renovation – the largest in its 30-plus year history. From a new three-story spa and a state-of-the-art athletic club, to multiple dining options and an enhanced pool complex, virtually every part of the property has been touched.
“It is truly a wonderful time of year to be partnering with Karen, sharing the joy from her Christmas Camp Hallmark movie and books with our guests, while showcasing our premier resort and talented staff,” says Phoenician Director of Public Relations Denise Seomin. “Karen’s passion for Christmas is truly inspiring, and we are thrilled that she will be hosting all of our Christmas Camp events. We look forward to bringing her Christmas Camp to life as a one-of-a-kind Phoenician holiday tradition.”
To coincide with the July 11 premiere of the Hallmark movie, The Phoenician is unwrapping a signature Christmas Camp® Room Package early. Starting at just $259 per night, all kinds of Christmas Camp signature experiences are included!
Available December 5-9, 2019 and December 12-16, 2019 (Guests can stay for one night or the entire weekend, whatever they wish)
Christmas Camp® Exclusive Room Package Includes:
- AAA Five Diamond Accommodations for 2
- Complimentary Champagne for 2 (one glass each)
- Daily Breakfast for 2
- 2019 Special Edition of Christmas Camp Novel with Sequel, Christmas Camp Wedding, for 2
- Exclusive Christmas Camp T-Shirts for 2
- Exclusive Christmas Camp Tote Bags for 2
- Daily Christmas Camp Activities with Karen Schaler
Examples of Christmas Camp® Exclusive Activities (Full list will be released soon)
- Christmas Camp® Champagne Reception & Book Signing with Karen Schaler
- Christmas Camp® Baking & Culinary Classes with Award-Winning Chefs
- Christmas Camp® Mixology, Wine and Cocktail Tasting Classes
- Christmas Camp® Signature Spa Treatments & Drybar Holiday Hair (additional charge)
- Christmas Camp® Decorating, Floral and Craft Classes
- Christmas Camp® Daily “Christmas Karen” Chats with Behind the Scenes Movie & Book Stories
- Christmas Camp® Holiday Movie Screenings and Q&A with Karen Schaler
- Christmas Camp® Charitable Activities
- Christmas Camp® Holiday Activities: Stargazing, S’mores, Lighted Cactus Garden Tour & more… For more information and to book Karen Schaler’s Christmas Camp at The Phoenician click here, or call (480) 941-8200 and ask for rate plan: LPR.
