G.L. Gooding's Blog

I recently had the pleasure to be a special guest on Rosie Colombo’s great radio talk show “Colombo Chronicles.” We talked about many of the things surrounding my writing of Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls, including my inspiration for the story, my ability to stay true to the characters, and also about what it was like writing about the time period in which I grew up. Rose was a great host and interviewer, and you can listen to our whole conversation here:

My novel Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls tells the after story of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. One common element between these two fictions is the role of angels. For some, the role of an angel immediately labels both works as fantasies. For others, an angel in the storyline is an entertaining reminder of a divine connection with God.

The angels in both the movie and my book take on more tangible forms and critical roles than most people ever experience firsthand. Real encounters with angels defy earthly explanation—I know because I had one of those experiences myself.

In the year 2000, I lost my wife to breast cancer. She died peacefully at home on a Sunday morning. The next 24 hours were hectic and filled with incredible sadness and grief. Monday morning, while my late wife’s best friend consoled my two stepdaughters, I wandered the house, feeling lost and alone. To break the malaise, I began calling friends who had not yet been informed.

That’s when something angelic happened.

As I dialed the phone there was static on the line followed by the sound of voices. It took a moment, but soon I recognized the source. It was characters from a soap opera of the time. All My Children was my late wife’s favorite show. She had faithfully followed the program for over 20 years. It came on at noon. The clock on the table next to me read just past 12.

There were three TV’s in the house at the time – one each in our bedroom, family room, and living room. I knew the first two were off. Confused, I started to hang up. Then, I heard the voice of Susan Lucci, in her role of Erica Kane. Her words came clear, cutting through time and distance, as if she was talking just to me. She said, “Don’t worry, it will be fine.”

I put the phone down and headed to the living room and found that television off as well. Yet somehow my telephone broadcast this timely message. No one could provide a logical explanation for what happened. Whenever I think of that moment, the impact of the message – don’t worry, it will be fine – still resonates. I don’t believe it was Susan Lucci speaking that day. It was an angel delivering a message from my wife. A message of hope and encouragement. How comforting that miraculous message is for me to this day.

So, isn’t hard for me to accept the angel Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life, and it wasn’t hard to write about an angel in my book, Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls.

Here’s to lots of angels getting their wings.

Phone reciever and cord as heart on white wooden background. Love hotline concept. 3d illustration

My late Mother and the iconic actress Donna Reed were both born and raised in small rural Iowa towns in the 1920s and 1930s. In conversing with Mom over her 103 years, I became more and more enthralled by her life experience in that unique environment. The stories she shared were quite different from those I was having in the big cities of Chicago and San Francisco.

First is the obvious difference in population size. We’re talking single-digit thousands versus millions. The size and perceived vibrancy of the big city is a magnet for many living in what the media portrays as fly-over country. The bright lights and high energy of the city are attractive especially when you are young.

Fast-forward a decade or two and your youthful attitude may change. It certainly was that way for me. I began longing for the kind of places I used to hear about through Mom’s stories. I started years ago actively seeking a place that shared those characteristics and values.

And what are those characteristics and values? For the most part, small towns mean you know people better – what’s going on, who’s in need, what can be done to help is more obvious. The key here is that the individuals have to be more accountable for themselves and to others in the community. Life seems more personal. The pace is such that there are actual evenings to enjoy as a family. There are places to go and events to support and share. School spirit and support is nearly universal. Every issue from the economy to laws and regulation impact everybody in a more collective way.

Of course, small towns have issues – lack of opportunity, impact of changing technology, and lack of excitement. But compare these to the issues facing New York, Chicago, or LA. From my perspective, it is no contest. Show me a place that models strong Judeo Christian values, respects its heritage, exhibits self-reliance, and is always ready to help, and I’ll wager it’s a good place to call home.

Mary Owen remembers…

I think World War II had a big influence on this film.  I mean everyone participated in the war effort no matter who you were. My mother answered soldiers letters and she went to the Hollywood Canteen and danced with the guys stuff like that but Capra and Jimmy Stewart were different.  Jimmy Stewart came back a highly decorated bomber pilot and Capra was  making the why we fight series that  incredible hour documentary so he was privy to all kinds of atrocity footage and everything from the war and pretty close to the front lines too so when they came back they had both been away from Hollywood for five years so… they came back different people and away from the business… so there was a lot of insecurity on the set because of that and I know my mother thought maybe it had to do with her because she was not very well known at the time.

Jimmy Stewart said should we rehearse it mom said no…They got that scene on the first take, if you can imagine.

You’re invited to join us on Saturday, December 1st in The Charmed Connection for a very special event! It’s A Wonderful Weekend for more than 700 readers!  We’ll talk about my heartwarming novel Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls, a literary sequel to the iconic film It’s A Wonderful Life.

This event is hosted by The Charmed Connection so expect loads of fast-paced fun.

We are sharing exclusive interview clips with Donna Reed’s daughter Mary Owen, child star Jimmy Hawkins, and much more. We’ve got trivia games with prizes that include free eBooks, and free Amazon gift cards.

Invite your friends to join The Charmed Connection so that they can participate in the fun! All are welcome, it’s free and it’s easy to join. Click https://www.facebook.com/groups/charmedconnection/ to be taken to The Charmed Connection, then click “Join”.  It’s that simple!

I hope to see you there!

You’re invited to join us on Saturday, December 1st in The Charmed Connection for a very special event! It’s A Wonderful Weekend with me!  We’ll talk about my heartwarming novel Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls, a literary sequel to the iconic film It’s A Wonderful Life.

This event is hosted by The Charmed Connection so expect loads of fast-paced fun.

We are sharing exclusive interview clips with Donna Reed’s daughter Mary Owen, child star Jimmy Hawkins, and much more. We’ve got trivia games with prizes that include free eBooks, and free Amazon gift cards.

Invite your friends to join The Charmed Connection so that they can participate in the fun! All are welcome, it’s free and it’s easy to join. Click https://www.facebook.com/groups/charmedconnection/ to be taken to The Charmed Connection, then click “Join”.  It’s that simple!

I hope to see you there!