Write mother, write son. The epic six-episode miniseries A Thousand Tomorrows, based on the popular novel by the prolific and bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is currently streaming on Pure Flix (with new episodes dropping Fridays). The screenplay is a collaboration between her and her scriptwriter son Tyler Russell. They talked with me about the process of bringing the project from page to screen.

JWK: Karen, you first became known for writing true-crime books. Now, you’re best known for your many faith-themed novels. What led to the change in genres?

Karen Kingsbury: Well, true crime was because I was a reporter. My husband and I were praying for a way to have me work from home. The true crime books just came out of my job. I had been covering those types of stories in Los Angeles for a couple of years. It was not my favorite (genre) but it was a huge blessing to be home with my kids. Then the dream was to write the books that I’m writing now. So, I’m very thankful to be doing books like A Thousand Tomorrows.  

JWK: And Tyler, what led you to take up writing?

Tyler Russell: I always loved storytelling. I think I was definitely influenced by my mom and growing up watching her create and tell stories. So, I think I always had it in me. I just never really knew that I would start writing by collaborating with the best writer ever (!), my mom. It’s been an amazing experience

TR: A lot about the art of discipline. My mom is very disciplined. She knows when it’s time to tune everything out and stay focused on work and get it done. I’ve also learned that putting God first in our work is the best way to go because when we put Him first everything else falls into line – and just to do everything with excellence. I continue to learn amazing lessons from her as we work together.

JWK: What is it like to collaborate? Do you ever have disagreements? How does that work?

TR: I mean, yeah. I think the occasional disagreement might come up when it comes to maybe a character or a storyline moment but, at the end of the day, we’re family and we honor each other, we honor the Lord and we just want to tell the best story. I think we’ve learned how to give and take. Sometimes she’ll say “Alright, you’re right. We’ll go with your idea” or sometimes I’ll say “Alright, Mom, you’re right. Let’s go with yours.” I think it works really well, don’t you?

KK: Yeah…I wrote the book a few years ago but Tyler and I got to collaborate on the screenplay for Pure Flix. When we would sit down to work on that I would say mostly we saw eye to eye on it. Tyler brings a lot more talent and understanding of screenwriting to the table. So he actually did the first draft. He brought in some characters, some little storylines that weren’t even in the book but helped to tell a better visual story. I honestly respect him as a writer so it went pretty smoothly.

TR: I hope people enjoy the story. I hope it inspires them and entertains them. Most of all, we see that our characters Cody Gunnar and Ali Daniels both are in the rodeo world and they are both facing different challenges. Cody’s dealing with anger, pride and pain from his past and Ali’s dealing with a medical diagnosis and the fear of everything that comes with that – but they both choose to be strong and courageous in their own way throughout the series. As they are drawn together through love, they learn how to face their challenges and to be strong and courageous. So, my prayer is that people who watch this show are able to apply that message to their life and be strong and courageous wherever they’re called to do so.

KK: I feel the same way…This is a love story. We don’t have a lot of love stories in this space. I’m very thankful that Pure Flix was excited to see A Thousand Tomorrows become a six-part episodic series…This love story between Cody and Ali in the rodeo world reflects in many ways the way God seeks after us. Our goal here is that people don’t just get a beautiful show and great entertainment but, when they watch A Thousand Tomorrows, they can take part in the video lessons afterwards. There’s a downloadable study guide at PureFlix.com or at KarenKingsbury.com. Also they can grow together with their friends – like watch it with their friends and their small groups – so that they can take some of the lessons of forgiveness, dealing with anger – How do I love when I don’t feel like I’m capable of loving? – and take some of those issues, wrestle through them together, and then end up growing closer to God and to their family and friends.

TR: Yeah. I mean we wrote this first season as a six-part series. Of course, Mom has two other books that deal with Cody Gunnar and his family. So, there is more story to be told. I think it just depends on how the audience responds and what Pure Flix says about it. We’re really pleased with this first season and we’ll see what the future holds for Cody Gunnar.

JWK: In the meantime, are the two of you working on anything else together?

KK: Well, what’s super-exciting is that my husband and I started a company – Karen Kingsbury Productions – last year. Tyler and I took my book Someone Like You (and) made it into a screenplay and filmed the movie in the fall here in Nashville. Tyler directed it. The movie is now finished and we’re taking it for test screenings in Los Angeles in early March. Then we’re gonna hopefully see that in the theaters in October. I really believe, honestly, a couple of years from now people will say “Oh, Karen Kingsbury. Aren’t you the mom of that famous director Tyler Russell?” Because he did a phenomenal job. I hope you’re gonna get to see that soon.  

TR: Correct. In this case Mom wrote the first draft of the Someone Like You screenplay and then I came in and we collaborated on the second and following drafts. Then I got to direct it. I started directing in college and, since living in Nashville, I’ve done some short films and music videos. This is my first feature film but I feel like it’s the perfect way to start because I’m so familiar, obviously, with Mom’s stories and her style and I love the story of Someone Like You. I think it’s beautiful. Similar to A Thousand Tomorrows, it’s just a beautiful story that deals with real life, real issues and touches the heart.

Note: You can read my prior conversation with Rose Reid who plays Ali Daniels here. I’ll be running a chat with Colin Ford who plays Cody Gunnar next week.
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The Thorn hits movie theaters as a two-night Fathom Event next Monday (3/6) and Tuesday (3/7). The immersive Easter-themed stage spectacular about the Passion of Jesus features music, drama, aerial acts, movement arts, modern dance, and big visual effects and has been seen by an estimated 1.5 million people over more than 25 years. Check out the trailer for the on-screen event below. Ticket info is here.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11