All language subtitles for The Mistletoe Inn (2017) Hallmark 1080p HDTV.en SDH

[♪♪♪]

Dinner?

Can we make it dessert
instead, Dad?

I'm meeting Garth
for a book-reading,

and I'm already late!

[Dad]: How about
some Christmas cookies?

Okay, sounds perfect.

I'll swing by
as soon as I'm done.

I've got to go.
I'm here.

Love you.

Sorry.

[muted conversation]

Hey, Garth.

[man]: Thank you.

Kim?

Sorry I'm late.

I didn't think you'd still come
to the book reading.

Why wouldn't I?

After what I left for you...

the envelope?

Oh, your chapter pages
for your new manuscript?

I'm so sorry.

I had a crazy day
at work.

Kim, don't
read it here.

Solid opening sentence,

excellent use of adjectives...

Is this a break-up note?

I'm sorry, but yes.

You're breaking up with me
with a note?

I just didn't want to
embarrass you in public.

Why?

It's in the note!

[man]: All right, everybody,
let's begin.

All right,

just come back here
with me, please.

Look, Kim,

you're... you're
really great,

but I've been working
at "Dash of Romance" blog

for three years,

and I'm at a point

where I need to get serious
about my own writing,

and I need to be
with someone

who's serious about
t my writing!

Real writers
show their work, Kim.

They talk to each other
about writing all the time.

We've been together
nearly two years.

You've never shown me
so much as a word!

But that's just because
it's not ready yet!

I mean, what if you hate it?

The point
I'm trying to make

is that I am showing my book
to publishers.

We're at
different levels.

I'm sorry.

I just need to be
with a serious writer right now.

Goodbye.

[Christmas music playing]

There she is, Sarge.

Our Christmas angel.

Ready to fly again.

Hey, Dad.
Hey, Sarge.

Hi, honey!

Is it really
that cold out there?

Well, yeah,

when you factor the wind chill
from the car heater not working.

Honey, you work
for a car dealership.

Yes, Dad,

but they're not going
to give you a free car

as a Christmas gift.

Maybe they'll
give you a deal.

You have been there five years.

Ugh, it sounds so long
when you put it that way.

Kim?

What's wrong?

Apparently, I'm single again,
just in time for Christmas.

Aw, kiddo.

[Kim]: Well,
we met at a book reading

and broke up
at a book reading,

so...

seems only fitting.

In literary terms,
we'd call that "bookending."

I never liked Garth anyway.

You didn't?

And what was his lame excuse?

Oh, something about
him being a "real writer,"

and me not.

Ha!

Have him read the manuscript
for your romance novel.

It's great!

Well, you're my dad.
You have to say that.

Anyway,
I haven't finished it yet.

He's so critical.

Garth's not entirely
wrong on one thing.

If you want to be an author,
you need a bigger audience.

Now, more than ever,

I want to get
that manuscript published

just to prove Garth wrong.

So finish it.

Submit it to publishers.

Stop playing it safe and
put your work out there.

Honey,

if Mom were here,
what would she say?

Honestly?

"Quit complaining
and take a chance."

Yeah.

It's getting late.

I made your room up.

Stay here tonight.

Everything will be better
in the morning.

I promise.

[♪♪♪]

[laughs]

I wonder
what you're doing tonight,

H.T. Cowell.

I did it!

Say sayonara
to last year's models.

I just sold the last one!

Whoo-hoo!
Good for you!

Oh, my goodness,
look at this.

Oh...

unless Terrence pulls off
a Christmas miracle,

you have the trip to Aruba
in the bag.

Speaking of Christmas,

you doing a little
holiday shopping yourself?

More like workshop-shopping.

I figured if I'm going
to up my writing game,

I've got to do something
really bold,

so I decided
to look into writing workshops.

Way to go, girl.

Summer MFA program...

no, that would be too much time
off work.

Look at this.

Semester in Italy...

oh, I wish
I could do that.

Hang on a second.

"Mistletoe Inn
Romance Novelists' Conference."

Five days at an inn
in Vermont

right before Christmas?

That's right up
your alley.

This is totally fate.

Is there any way you think

you guys could manage
without me for one week?

Sure!

Thank you.

Oh, that one's cute.

Nah, look at all the pitch.

It's too sticky.

How about that one?

That's not
a Christmas tree,

that's a Christmas shrub!

How silly of me.

All right,
that one's nice.

That is right out
of "The Nutcracker."

[laughs]

"Right out
of 'The Nutcracker, '" huh?

I like that.

I'm going to use that
in my book.

Well,
it won't be much good

unless you let people
read it.

Oh, I am way
ahead of you, Dad.

Check this out.

I found the perfect thing

to jump-start
my writing career.

Ta-dah!

"The Mistletoe Inn
Writing Competition?"

Mm-hmm. I just
decided to go ahead

and take the plunge.

H.T. Cowell is speaking
on closing night.

He is my favorite
romance author,

and he has never actually
been seen in public.

That's definitely
a selling point.

I just realize

that if I don't
actually do this now,

I'm never going to do it.

I'm so proud of you, honey!

Thank you.

And it says here

that your manuscript
will be read

by an established
publisher

and a literary agent...

oh, and that
there's a competition

for this Cowell fellah
to read your book?

There is?
I must have missed that part.

Hey, you're not going

to let a little competition
scare you off, are you?

Too late.
I've already registered.

That is so good, honey.
Oh!

Thank you.

You will be back
in time for Christmas?

Of course I will be!

Celebrate with lunch?

Yes, please.

[laughs]

[♪♪♪]

Someone will be right out
to help you, miss.

[loud crash, yelling]

Excuse me!

I'm so sorry.

You almost crushed
my laptop!

Goodness, your stuff
is just spread

all over the place.

Well...

I see somebody came
prepared for the holiday.

Okay, you know what?
This is personal.

I'm sorry, I'm just...
I'm trying to help you here.

All right.

What is this stuff?

That's...
that's very important to me.

You here
for the Writers' Conference?

I am. Guilty as charged.
My name's Zeke.

Kim.
Nice to meet you... I think.

Who brings a clock radio
to a hotel?

That's not a clock radio.

This is my white noise machine.

It helps keep me calm
while I'm writing.

You know, I just met you,
but somehow,

I'm having
a really hard time

picturing you calm.

What is that item?

This?

This is my typewriter.

[laughs]

Okay.

1950 called.
They want their technology back.

All right,
laugh all you want.

This is
the exact same model typewriter

Hemingway used to type out
his books.

Plus, this baby helped me
bang out the first novel

I got published.

You got published?

Uh, it's a book deal.
Book's not out yet.

Well, maybe I need
to get myself a typewriter.

Maybe you should.
Works great for me.

See you around.

Bellhop!

Hi.

Hello.

You look lost

in that "conference
registration" kind of way.

I didn't know that was a look.

Oh, it is.
Trust me.

I had it last year,
but way worse.

I'm Sam.

Hi! Kim.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Wow, this is so exciting.
Hello.

First conference?

Yeah, and I'm as giddy
as a kid on Christmas morning.

How does it all work?

Well, the mornings
are filled

with lectures
that we are assigned to,

and that just leaves
the afternoon

for workshops
to choose.

I still can't believe

H.T. Cowell is speaking
on closing night.

I've read every word
he's ever written.

I know,

and no one even knows
what he looks like,

though in my mind,

he's has a twinkle in his eye
of a Dylan Thomas,

and a Jack London-esque passion
for life.

[laughs]

The real mystery

is why he hasn't written
anything in five years.

Well, rumor has it

he's announcing his new book
at this conference.

Really?

And apparently,
it's 800 pages long.

I know.

It'll be like a monsoon
after a five years of drought...

[laughs]

And I have a theory...

that he's already here.

Yeah.
Oh, well, we'd better hurry up.

Mixer's in an hour.

Oh, yeah, the mixer!

I have to go to my room
to change.

Oh, let me show you.
This way.

So we meet again.

Small world.

Mm-hmm.

Think maybe
they overdid it

with the Christmas
decorations?

Well, it is called the
Mistletoe Inn, after all,

and I happen to think

you can never have too many
Christmas decorations.

Interesting theory.

Uh, you know,
I think that is me.

That is me.

Oh, fancy that.
See you around.

Guess you will.

[door beeps]

[door beeps]

Oh, no.

Oh, no...

[Sam]: Hi.

Wow,
you look... amazing.

Samantha,
what happened?

I thought we were supposed
to come dressed up

as our favorite
literary character!

Oh, they sent an email
canceling that.

I guess people complained.

They did?

I know,
but don't worry.

You are pulling this off!

No, I'm going to go change.

Oh, no, no, don't.

It shows
a defiant spunk.

I love it.

Let's grab a drink
at the bar.

Okay...

Look at how festive it is
in here.

Ooh, holiday drinks.

Snowball Express,
Rudolph's Big Ride,

Santa's Helper,
or the Tiny Tim.

I think the Tiny Tim
sounds very appropriate.

I'll get you
a Tiny Tim,

and I'll have
a Gingerbread Gimlet.

Okay.

Be right back.

Thank you.

Let's get this...

Who designed this thing?

Oh, I am so sorry!

Oh, hello.

Hi.

I don't know

why they can't just give us
normal name tags.

[British accent]
'Ello, gov'na!

Oh...

It's like
Charles Dickens over here.

Yes.

I seem to have missed
a very important email.

Well, I'm glad you did.
I think that's a great costume.

Now, the question is,

which Charles Dickens character
are you?

That is the question.

It's a mystery.
I'm going to solve it.

I'll see you around.

Okay.

Mm...

who's your friend?

Oh, he's the guy

across the hall
from me.

He's cute.

I'm so not interested
in men right now.

[Garth]:
Kim, is that you?

What are you doing here?

I could ask you
the same question.

Hello?

What writer wouldn't want
H.T. Cowell to read his work?

He's been an idol of mine
for years,

and you know that.

Garth, I'm the one

that turned you on
to H.T. Cowell last summer.

That's not how I remember it.

Okay.

Nice... outfit.

Let me guess...
uh...

Alice in Wonderland?

[Zeke]: No,
not Alice in Wonderland.

I just figured it out.

You're the Ghost
of Christmas Present, right?

Yes, good job!

[Zeke]: I got it!
Hey, that's a great costume.

Don't you think...

Garm?

It's Garth.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Well, I should
go do an update.

I'm live-tweeting
the conference

for all of my fans
at the "Dash of Romance" blog.

All 23 of them?

2,300.

Right.

See you around.

Okay.

Okay, I know

you're not supposed
to judge a book by its cover,

but it does seem
like you two know each other?

Yes, you might say

that Garth
is my Ghost of Christmas Past.

My sympathies.

Samantha!

Luanne.

[kisses]

This is Kim and Zeke,
and this is Luanne.

I am surprised your husband
spared you for a week.

Well, for H.T. Cowell
coming out of hiding,

my husband doesn't have
much of a say.

[chuckling]

[Sam]: Kim here
is singularly focused

on winning
that H.T. Cowell competition,

as am I.

You admire him
that much, huh?

Oh, yes.

I think he's the only author
I've ever read

who can fully capture
the way a woman feels.

Amen to that.

Cowell's solid.

I think I've read better.

[Kim]:
Oh, yeah?

Does that mean

you're not in the
competition yourself?

Oh, no, no, no.
Of course I am.

So, Kim...

how many books
have you written so far?

Well, um...

I've written
one book...

which is
almost finished.

It's about 3/4
of the way done.

I still have to get the
ending quite perfect,

but, um...
yeah, one.

Well, it is
very important

to get through
that first book.

I remember
my first book.

Of course,

I was in high school
back then,

but still counts.

[laughs]

And you,
Zeke, is it?

How many books
have you published, Zeke?

Who, me?
Uh...

just, uh...

just the one.

A published author
in our midst?

Which publisher?

[Zeke]: Well,
it's funny

when you use
that word "published."

Uh, it's not quite...
published yet.

Now, what does that mean?

It's a book deal,
so it's coming out.

It's just not quite
out into the world yet.

Your editor's ripping it
to pieces, isn't he?

Gosh, I just remembered

that I left
my coffee machine on upstairs.

So...

I'm going to go.

[Sam]: Luanne!

You ought to be nice
for the newbies.

You just scared him off.

Darling, if he can't hang
with the real writers,

then he should stay home.

Now, Kim,
we have all been you.

Many authors
say not to show your work

'til you've wrote
at least five books,

but, you know.

Okay.

Well, that's really good advice.
Thank you.

I think

this is probably my cue
to leave.

Tiny Tim and I are
feeling a little inspired,

so we're going to go to our room
and do some writing.

Cheers.
Happy writing.

Yes!

See you tomorrow.

- Okay. Bye.
- Bye now.

All right, you need
to reel it in

on the newbies.

Kim!

[chuckles]
So...

you finally finished
writing that book?

Mm-hmm.
Almost.

Almost.
Right, okay.

So...
why didn't you tell me?

I guess
for the same reason

that you didn't tell me
about this conference.

Guess we both have secrets.

Well, you'd never showed
any interest

in coming to conferences
before.

Until now.

You're not the only one
who takes writing seriously.

Is that right?

Mm-hmm.
I just might win this contest.

Look, uh, Kim,

you might want
to lower those expectations

just a bit.

What do you mean?

Well, I mean,
it's your first book.

You're still green.

You won't win.

Don't sweat it.

I'm never going
to be good enough for you, am I?

I never said that, Kim.

It's really good
to see you, Garth.

May the best writer win.

Yeah. He will.

- Kim!
- Oh, hey.

You're not
going out are you?

The sun's barely up.

An early morning run

helps give me
a jump-start to my day.

I bet when you were a kid,

you stayed up all night
waiting for Santa.

Didn't everyone?

Anyway,

the final chapters
of my book

are still holding me up.

I've got to do
something to clear my head.

Okay,

but our first session starts
in a couple hours.

Then I guess
I'd better run fast.

Whoa! Sir!
Excuse me!

Oh, you dropped
a couple of them.

[laughing]

There you go.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, hey!

Whoo!

Whoa!
Whoa-ho-ho!

Hold on.
Don't get up too fast.

[Kim]: I'm okay...
I think.

Anything hurt?

Uh, just my pride.

Whoo!

Yeah, the sidewalks
can get pretty icy.

Am I bleeding?

Oh, no, no, no.

You're just...
you're a bit slushy.

Ah.

Hey, listen,
you went down pretty hard.

Are you sure
you're okay?

Yeah.

The humiliation will fade,
I hope.

Do you want
to come inside the cafe?

It's warm,

the peppermint lattes
are kind of great,

and our first session
doesn't start for an hour.

You know,

I think I am going to head back

and try to shower off
the embarrassment.

Okay.

So I will just see you...
soon.

All right. Okay.

Whoa...

[laughs nervously]

So, how was your run?

Horrifying,

and if you ask me
for details,

even more horrifying.

Oh, well, I think

it's time to pick
our workshops.

See this partridge-in
a-pear-tree-looking thing?

[Kim]: Partridge?
I thought those were quail.

[Sam]:
Oh. Well...

a partridge is just a quail
with a better publicist.

[laughs]

So you just pick the ornament,

and our workshop group.

That's fun.

I'm Group B.

Oh!

Oh, I'm Group C.

Oh!

I wish
we were together.

Me too.

Hello!

Well, hi there.

Is this seat taken?

I think it is now.

Perfect.

Good morning,
fellow writers!

And good morning, Kim!

Good morning.

Good morning.
I'm Karen Watanabe,

your facilitator
and senior book editor

at City Publishing.

For the next several days,

we'll discuss the finer points
of romance writing,

but first,
some tools of the trade.

We'll meet every day

with nightly assignments
to improve your process,

and you'll share
your work with the group,

but this is a safe space
for ideas.

Writing is brave work.

Ridicule is the tool
of shallow people.

Don't be
one of the shallow people...

and don't be
a writing-Scrooge,

miserly sharing your work.

We're all here to learn.

As to the competition

to have your work read
by Mr. Cowell,

each workshop will compete

in three rounds
of daily assignments.

The winner of each round

will select one chapter
from their manuscript.

The more rounds you win,
the more chances you have.

So, let's pair up

with a writing partner
for the week,

to give each other feedback,
go to lectures together,

and help each other
survive.

Shall we?

We shall.

Hey, do you...

I see we have a lone wolf.

You know what?
It's no problem at all.

I love working alone.
I will...

I will persevere.

Oh, hey!
Sorry I'm late.

My group was full,
so they sent me over here.

[Karen]: Ah-hah!

I think we've found
your new partner!

Him? I'm not sure
that's such a good...

Perfect.

For your first
assignment tonight,

you'll compose two pages

of a fictional man
and woman

meeting romantically

in a holiday setting.

In the meantime,

introduce yourself
to your partner, please,

and we'll get started!

Well, hi there.

My name is Kim.

My likes include
perfect Christmas trees

and eggnog.

My dislikes include
writing partners.

Nothing personal.

Hilarious.

Tell me something,

did I do something
to offend you?

What's going on?

No!

It's just between
the costume

and the faceplant,

I am not used to
embarrassing myself

quite so many times
in a 24-hour period

with one person.

All right,
that's fine.

That's my area.

No, that's...

that's your area.

It's going to be
a long week.

[whale song playing]

[whale song
from white noise machine]

[quiet laptop typing]

[loud typewriter typing]

[typewriter dings, stops]

[typewriter starts again]

[Kim]: Hah!

[typing stops]

[starts again]

[knocks]

[Zeke]: Agh!

Can I help you?

I am trying to write!

Uh, yeah...
so am I.

Well, it sounds as though

you're sending Morse code
down the hallway.

Well, I'm not,
but if I was,

it might say something like,

"Leave me alone, please.
I'm writing."

Is your typewriter
supposed to sound like that?

Because maybe
you need to return it

to the swap meet?

The swap meet?

Look, you've got your process,

I have mine.

Uh-huh, and my process
requires tranquility

in order to focus.

Well, my process involves
typing on my vintage typewriter.

That's my process.

Well, my process involves

not allowing
other people's process

to derail my process.

[whale song playing]

Did you decorate your
hotel room for Christmas?

Yes, I did, okay?

I happen to find it

extremely inspiring
when I'm writing to have...

Oh, that explains
all the Christmas gear

in your suitcase...
[laughs]

I'm sorry,
is that amusing to you?

No, it's just that
we're standing here,

arguing underneath
the mistletoe.

Oh, goodness.

Yeah.

So... what are you writing
there, anyway?

Where are you going?

Um, what are you...
what are you doing?

That's not finished.
I'm still polishing that.

Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
I like it.

This is great.

They're meeting in line
while waiting for Santa.

That's really good.

Your title gives it all away,
right?

"Love in Line for Santa?"
Come on.

A title's got to be a hook,
not a hammer.

I don't recall asking
for your feedback.

We're partners,
remember?

"Safe space."

Come on, if you're going
to be a writer,

you need to be
a tad more resilient.

And if you want
to survive this weekend,

you have got
to keep your noise down.

Do you understand?

[whale song playing]

Your whales are calling.

The whales are saying
good night!

[mimics whale song]

It's a fantastic title.

[Sam]:
Late night, huh?

[yawns]

Yeah, you could say that.

Zeke, the fellow
across the hall from me,

he was up all night
clacking!

"Clacking"?

Yeah, and clicking
on his typewriter.

Seriously?
Does it still do that thing

when it gets
to the end of the line?

The ding-dings
ringing in my ears.

Oof.
Excuse me?

She'll have
a North Pole Special,

and I'll have the Elf Espresso,
extra strong.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, I can't focus.

Strangers are reading my work
at this very moment.

Kim, if you want
to be a writer,

you have to be read.

Otherwise, may as well
just keep a diary.

That's a good point.

That's the whole reason
I'm here, right?

Right.

How are you doing,
anyway?

What's going on
with you?

Oh!

I may have spotted
the elusive H.T. Cowell!

No!

Mm-hmm.
See that fellow over there?

Him?

[Sam]:
He's wearing tweed.

So is half of Scotland.

Well, yes,

but tweed is how the men dress
in H.T. Cowell's books.

I can think of at
least three examples.

Okay.

I think
you might be onto something.

Mm-hmm.

Nice work!

You keep an eye
on Mr. Tweed.

Mm-hmm.

I've got to get
some of this reading done

before class starts
up again.

Excuse me.

Wha...

No!

What?

[gasps angrily]

He didn't!

The nerve of...

Kim?

[Kim]:
Unbelievable.

Zeke!

Hey, good morning.
Look at that.

I see you took my advice
on your title!

What's the big idea?

What big idea?

Don't play innocent
with me.

Your story,
"Christmas on the Ice?"

Yeah?
What's wrong with it?

What do you mean,
what's wrong with it?

The couple meets

when the woman faceplants
into a snowdrift

and the guy
is drinking coffee!

You wrote about us.

That's what makes it
great fiction.

Except it's not fiction,
and just for the record,

I did not "blather"

when I climbed
out of the snowdrift.

Well, you kind of did.

Look, real life
is inspiration

for every writer!

Besides, that coyote-like
"yelp" you made

when you slid
across the ice horizontally...

you just can't make
that stuff up!

That yelp
belongs to me,

and you can't just
borrow it for your story!

Life is fodder
for fiction.

Fodder? What are you,
a horse?

What, no snappy
comeback to that?

Well, I wasn't sure
you were done,

and I know you need
total silence

to come up with dialogue,
so...

Okay, Zeke, let me
tell you something.

I am here
to learn, to focus,

and to be
a serious writer.

I am on
a mission, okay?

Okay, fine.
Look, I'm sorry, all right?

I know I can be awkward.

I'm a finance guy.

I probably
just don't get out enough.

Well then, perhaps you ought
to stick to investment advice,

and leave the writing advice
to the professionals.

Even if I think
you have talent?

I don't care what you think...

you think I have talent?

Look,
the story you came up with

for the assignment,

it's funny,
it's smart, it's festive.

That's a triple threat
that you just pulled off.

Having them meet in line

at a Santa's Village
in a local mall?

And then all the angst

of thinking
the other's married with kids,

when the kids turn out
to be nieces and nephews?

That's a fun twist.

Honestly, I was jealous

of how you came up with that
so fast.

Oh, thank you.
I really appreciate that.

I mean, your dialogue
needs a bit of work...

Why don't you just quit
while you're ahead?

Okay.

Kim!

Yeah?

[Karen]:
Just a heads-up.

Your story's great.
I loved it!

Seriously?

And the title fit perfectly.

Not going the obvious route
was a smart choice.

Anyway, congrats!

You just won the first round
of the competition.

I won?

[Karen]: Zeke,
you got a minute?

Ah.

I won!

Kim!

Hi.

Just wanted to say...

good job
winning the first round.

Really...

surprising stuff.

Thank you.

So how'd you do it?

You didn't just pull
that story

out of your hat, right?

Well, I actually was thinking
about this time

when I was about five or so.

My Mom and Dad took me
to see Santa Claus,

and we were
waiting in line,

and I looked over
at them,

and they started kissing.

At the time, of course,

I was super
embarrassed about it,

but then,
in retrospect,

it sounded
really romantic,

and a great thing
to base my story on,

so that's where I got
the idea from.

Wow, all of that
to just...

right out of the gates.

Well, score one
for beginner's luck, right?

[Sam]:
Garth.

So close!

You were about
to make a classy move,

until you dropped
the beginner's luck comment

and sank it all.

[laughs]

Shoo, shoo.

Oh, my gosh!
Congratulations!

Rocking the workshop!
You already won the first round.

I guess
on to round two.

Well, tomorrow's assignment

is "writing a description
for a romantic dinner."

That sounds
kind of daunting, so...

Well, you're doing well
in English.

How about Chemistry?

What?

You know...
you and Zeke.

Oh, Sam, don't be silly.
He's so...

Perfect.

No, hardly.

Anyway, I'm not sure
if you've noticed,

but my ex is kind of lurking
everywhere, so...

Well...
all the more reason to flirt.

That's so not my style.

Anyhow, this week,

my motive has nothing to do
with men.

It's just ironic, you know,

being at a romance writers'
convention.

Right?
Oh, and...

here's your chance.

Let me guess...

you came to gloat
about the title?

Oh... no.

To congratulate you.

Well, thank you.

And to gloat.
You're welcome for the title.

Hey, I admit it,
you were right.

Okay?

I have a lot of resistance
to feedback.

For me, it feels more like
facing a firing squad.

So...

you know...

thank you.

Okay?
You happy?

Let me buy you a coffee.

I'd be happy

if I could come up
with romantic stuff

as fast as you can.

What about
your face-plant ice story?

Honestly, I just typed up
everything that happened,

so you pretty much did
all the work for me.

Look...

I'm sorry that I used
your life for fiction.

It's just that...

writing has just been
so hard for me lately.

Really?

You know, the truth is,
I've hit kind of a dry patch.

You get writer's block, too?

Oh, yeah.
It happens to the best of us.

That makes
quite a partnership...

a seasoned writer
with writer's block

and a newbie who
can't take criticism.

I'd say our career prospects
are rather dim.

All right,
how about this?

From now on,
you and me,

we help each other make the most
of this conference...

or at least
declare a truce?

Peace?

I suppose.

So...

what's on the schedule?

Are you following me?

No, I just left my schedule
upstairs.

I think it's a lecture called
"How Not To Get An Agent."

You okay?

Yeah.
No, I'm fine.

You can't go to that.

I can't?

Look, didn't we just agree
to help each other?

That speaker
is a proven dream-crusher.

Look, I've been
to enough of these

to know that you don't need
a professional nay-sayer

telling you
how slim your chances are

at making it.

Plus,
I've seen her talk before,

and that speaker's a menace.

Besides, I could teach you
everything in that seminar

with far better results.

You could, huh?

You're not trying
to sabotage me, are you?

Win this competition
for yourself?

Why would I do that?

You already won
the first round.

Plus, Karen said you've got
to trust your partner.

Guess what? That's me.
I'm your partner,

and I'm telling you,
don't go!

Zeke, I can't not go
to the lectures!

I'm a newbie writer

with one unpublished story
to my name.

I came here to learn.
That's the whole point.

All right, look...

give me 10 minutes
of your time.

If you think I'm wrong,

you still have time
to go to the seminar.

Okay. Fine.

Great.

Meet me in the lobby
in half an hour.

Bring your coat.
Can I eat this?

Thanks.

Snowmen?

Oh, no, actually,
snow-ma'ams.

There's two of them.

I got some lost-and-found items
from inside

to help me make my point.

Which is what, exactly?

Just hear me out.

This is Evelyn Crab.

She is a failed author,
which simply means she gave up.

She became a book agent

and now enjoys being spiteful
to newbie writers.

Why?
For one reason...

because she can.

It's nice to meet you, Evelyn.

Oh, no.
Miss Crab, thank you very much.

Sorry.
Miss Crab.

Okay, this is Kelly Lovelife.

She adores
reading and authors,

and she discovered in college

that she knows how to sell

and how to encourage people
towards their goals.

She's going to be offering
counterpoint today.

It's nice to meet you,
Miss Lovelife.

Oh, uh, Miss Lovelife
prefers you call her "Kelly,"

and she wishes you
a very Merry Christmas.

Oh, look at that,
Miss Crab just rolled her eyes

and suggested that agents keep
a healthy distance

from their clients.

Miss Crab says
that just because

your family and friends
might think you're talented,

doesn't mean
you're actually talented

in any sort of professional
sales sense of...

hold on a second.

Miss Lovelife's
whispering something.

Yes, Miss Lovelife?

Oh!

Miss Lovelife says that
you're off to a great start,

and every tiny victory
along the road

is worth celebrating.

Oh, hold on.

She says

that the point of writing
is not to be discovered,

but rather self-discovery

that, hopefully,
other people can enjoy,

so that's... whoa.

Miss Crab does not look happy.

[laughs]

Well, why would she?

I mean, there's ice water
in her veins.

[laughs]
There you go.

Now you're getting
into it.

Now, come on.

Doesn't this beat getting
hammered over the head

for an hour inside?

I have to admit
that it does.

And how are you feeling

about that "one unpublished
story to your name" now?

Well, I might
be crazy,

but I think

that Miss Kelly Lovelife
has just boosted my confidence.

[laughs]

[giggles]

How long do you think

those snow ma'ams
are going to last?

All winter, probably.

Do you think?

Hey!

Hey. There you are.

What happened? Did the
lecture let out early?

Oh, no, I escaped early.

"How Not To Get An Agent"
should have been titled,

"How To Never Feel Inspired
To Write Again!"

Oh, and your ex, Garth?

He was applauding
everything she was saying.

I am so not sorry
I missed that.

Well, next up,

I think we're
supposed to write

five descriptive
paragraphs

of a romantic
holiday dinner

for tomorrow's
assignment?

[Zeke]: That's right.
I'll be seeing you.

I promise
to type more quietly

if you keep
your whales down.

You have a deal.

Oh, um, actually, hang on.

Why don't the three of us
go for dinner tonight

as research,
you know,

for our romantic dinner
assignment?

Hey, that's a great idea.

I'm a little bit rusty,
admittedly.

Garth's idea of
a romantic dinner

was free wine and cheese
at a book launch.

I mean, I guess we could,
uh, get a table.

Oops! Uh...

Sorry, there goes the mark.

I have a little
spying mission to do,

so...

why don't you two go
to dinner together?

You two enjoy dinner.

Well, you know,
I mean, uh...

there are some great
restaurants around here.

Definitely.

Right.
I was thinking for research.

Uh-huh.
For the assignment.

Yeah, perfect.

So...

I will see you in the foyer
at, say, 7:00?

7:00 sounds perfect.
That's great.

Okay! 7:00 it is.

'Til then!
Alrighty.

Research.

Huh.

You look...

great.

In the name of research,

I never do anything halfway.

Well...

in the name of research.

[Zeke]:
That was amazing.

Oh, it really was.

May I clear
your plates?

Thank you.

[Zeke]:
Thanks.

Thank you.

Now, we're not here to
talk about the food, though.

Research.

Okay, well...

I think the candles
are a nice touch.

[laughs]
The candles?

Come on, you can do
better than that.

Let's see...

check out that chandelier.

Okay.

[waiter]:
How was everything tonight?

So good.

I'm writing you
a four-star review

as we speak.

Would you like to have
dessert tonight?

Uh, could I have the
fresh berries, please?

[waiter]:
Berries.

I'm going to have
the chocolate mousse.

Excellent.

Thank you.

So listen,
I've been meaning to ask you...

um...

what's your book about,
anyway?

Oh...

let's...

let's talk about you.

Can you even still buy
typewriter ribbons anymore?

You know,
I know what you're doing,

and you're changing
the subject.

Don't do that.
Look...

you talked
about your work today,

and you won, right?

Well, the winning,
I really liked.

The sharing of the
work, not so much.

Well, I think

that you need
to get over your fear

of sharing your work...

is what I think.

Okay, fine.

My book
is about a woman

who finds herself single
at the holidays

after a string
of failed relationships,

and she meets this guy
who suggests

that they pretend to be dating

in order
to survive the holidays.

That's fun!

I'd love to read that.

I'll think about it.

Oh, while
you think about it,

maybe you can tell me

what got you writing
in the first place.

"Who" got me started writing.

It's my mom.

She had such
a way with words.

She would write these
offbeat short stories

for our annual
Christmas newsletter.

They were so funny,
they could just make you laugh

until you had tears
rolling down your face.

Your mom sounds great.

Yeah, she was.

She, uh,
she passed away four years ago,

at Christmas time.

I'm so sorry.

Thanks.
I miss her.

My dad is fantastic,

but, you know, my mom
was like my muse.

She read every word
I ever wrote,

and somehow,

her feedback
always went down really easy.

Anyway,

how does
a guy like you

get into
writing romance?

You know,
I've always thought...

that all literature
is romance, essentially.

You know,
the human heart is our canvas.

It's the landscape
that we toil in,

from Shakespeare
to J.K. Rowling.

That's really poetic.

Well, thank you.

I mean, I always wanted
to be a writer.

You know, I was in finance.
It was very cut and dry,

and then, one time,

I picked up
this romance novel,

and it got
the wheels spinning.

I mean, my wife...

used to say that I was
a die-hard romantic,

so I decided to channel
our relationship,

and our marriage,
and the life around us,

into my writing,

and it was great.

I mean,
everything flowed...

when things were good.

Everything...

and then...

when...
when the divorce hit...

it was like hitting
a brick wall.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Yeah.

Is that when
the writer's block started?

Yeah.

I feel like
I fell off the romance horse,

and I just, I haven't been able
to find a way back on.

So how come you go
to writers' conferences?

Well, yeah, um...
oh!

Thank you.

And your mousse.

Thank you.

Why do I go
to writers' conferences?

I guess...

I'm desperately hoping
something will shake loose.

You know?

Well, I do have an idea.

I'd like to propose
a little exercise.

Oh, so you're helping me now?

Mm-hmm.
You need it, right?

So the shoe
is on the other foot.

This is what it feels like.

Do you have a problem
with that?

You know what?
Strangely,

I have no problems
with this at all.

Well then...

so here we are,

in a romantic restaurant
at Christmas time.

I want you to look
around this room

and tell me

what the most romantic detail is
that you can see.

Don't make it
something trite

like the Yule log
burning in the fireplace,

or the faint echoes
of Christmas music

in the background.

Okay, all right,
I'll try.

One romantic thing...

Well, I guess
it would have to be, uh...

Go on!
Spit it out.

How shiny that spoon is.

How shiny the spoon is?
Are you kidding me?

You are seriously
not even trying, are you?

I mean, I have a reason.

There's a reason
why the spoon is romantic?

Yeah.

It's because of how it reflects
just a hint of candlelight...

into your eyes.

♪ Deck the halls
with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa, la, la, la, la
la, la, la, la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa, la, la, la, la,
la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Don we now are... ♪

What's the deal
with you and Garth?

[chuckles]
Garth...

He was always
the "serious writer"

of the couple...

or at least
he liked to think so.

At parties,

I would hang back
and stay quiet

while he held court
to the crowd

on all his
brilliant ideas.

Well, you know...

some people feel bigger

by making others
feel smaller.

Yeah, he certainly feels
like he's a big deal

now that he's at the
"Dash of Romance" blog,

but it was partly
my fault, too.

I'm just getting to the point

where I'm able to say the words
"I'm a writer"

without wanting to hide.

So, Writer...

you going to show me
your manuscript?

Well, I don't know.

You're so opinionated.

Kim, look, you helped me.
Let me help you.

If you want to grow,

you need to learn
to take criticism...

even if that means
standing still...

while people
throw snowballs at you.

Metaphorically speaking?

Nope!

Whoa!

What was that for?

It's for using
too many adjectives.

Are you serious?

Mm-hmm.

How else are you going
to get a thick skin?

Why, you...!

Your paragraphs
could run a bit shorter, too,

by the way.

All right,
Mr. Writer's Block!

Does this knock
any ideas loose?

Ah!

What, that's all you got?

Now you're getting
the hang of it.

Resilience!

[screams, laughs]

[yelling, laughing]

[laughing]

Thank you for helping me.

Likewise.

I think
I might have misjudged you.

I think
I might have misjudged you, too.

I guess...

I guess we should head back.

Yeah.

We've got a class
tomorrow.

We do.

Yeah. Come on.

Thank you for trusting
my taste in restaurants.

And thank you

for knowing
the way back to the Inn.

You're not going to do
any typing tonight, are you?

Typing? No.

As a matter of fact,

I think I am going to
be doing some reading.

Oh, yeah?

Mm-hmm.

You're giving me
that manuscript.

Oh, Zeke,
come on...

Kim, listen,

sometimes, you've got
to take a chance.

Instead of dipping
a toe in the pool,

you've got to just jump
right into the deep end.

Uh-huh.

I... I... fine!

Okay, I surrender.

I think
it's in here somewhere.

There it is.

You do have
a computer, right?

Give me that.

I hope.

You promise to be nice?

I promise
to be truthful.

Come on, let's
get out of here.

Aw...

[Sam]:
Where's Zeke?

Oh!
Believe it or not...

I gave him my manuscript
to read.

Oh, wow!
That's brave of you.

So your "research dinner"
must've gone well?

I think it did.

He threw snowballs at me,
so...

Ah, okay.

Ooh, any plot updates

on the Gentleman in Tweed?

Oh, I am convinced
he is Cowell.

I mean, he's still
playing it coy, right?

But get this...

last night, he ordered
a glass of Flying Loon Merlot.

Straight out of the dinner scene
in chapter eight

of "Love Among the Maples."

Right, right, right.

Anyways, we have plans

to tour a goat cheese farm
later,

and I intend to get
to the bottom of this.

Samantha,
they broke the mould with you.

Thanks!

See you later.

I have to run
to the next one.

Bye!

Good morning, everyone.

Morning, Kim.

How was your romantic dinner
last night with, um...

Oh! Did he
skip out on you?

Food poisoning?

Man, he just left you all alone.

Thank you for your concern,

but I will be just fine
on my own today.

Let's hope so.

Sorry I'm late.
Made it just in time.

Good morning.

How are you
this beautiful morn...

I bet you're one
of those people

that opens Advent calendars
one day at a time, aren't you?

Out with it!
Did you read my manuscript?

Well,
I picked it up last night.

And you couldn't put it down?

Actually, I haven't quite
finished reading it yet.

You hated it.

No, no, no, I just, you know,
I read slowly, carefully.

Is that okay?

Oh, that's just stellar.

Waiting around for pain
is super-fun.

Look,
I hate to break it to you,

but waiting for feedback
is part of the job.

[Karen]:
Welcome back, class...

and I think we have
our latest winner to announce

for round two
of the competition.

Congratulations,
"winner."

Thank you.

Save me a seat
at lunch, partner?

You got it.

Hey.

Congratulations.

Thanks, Kim,
and you know what?

Sorry about
yesterday's blog post.

What?

Oh, tell me he didn't...

"Ex-Mas
At The Writers' Conference"?

As in "my ex."

You know, he's just trying
to throw you off your game,

right?

Well, it's working.

Look, Garth was always
going to have the upper hand

when it came to that sort
of assignment.

I mean,
look at his blog.

It's nothing
but a bunch of...

you know,
mundane observations.

Ugh... I know.

I guess there's always
round three of the competition.

Well,
what does it matter?

You already won
the first round,

and you got your hat
in the ring

with Cowell.

Yeah, it's not
just about that.

It's about the fact

that Garth doesn't
believe in me.

I just want to
prove him wrong.

Kim...

look, whether it's Garth,
or Cowell,

or anybody
reading your work,

the only person who needs
to believe in you...

is you.

Now look, can we please
go back inside,

where it's warm?

Zeke, please.

Am I any good?

Kim...

you get more compliments
than anybody in our group.

But that's on
the writing assignments.

You've read
some of my manuscript.

You must have
some thoughts?

I mean, I'm just one guy.
Why do I matter?

Because I just want to know

before I chase this rainbow
any further,

before I start sending
this stuff out

to publishers.

I mean...

I don't know
if I can take any more rejection

in my writing.

I've certainly had plenty of it
when it comes to dating.

Come on, now that,
I find that hard to believe.

Oh, trust me,

my dating life
makes the Titanic

look like a pleasure cruise.

[chuckles]

Would you please just tell me
your thoughts?

Look...

I think...

that you need
to stop obsessing,

all right,

and there's a great industry
lecture today at noon.

It'll take your mind
right off of this.

I thought
you hated the lectures?

I do.
I'm not going.

I've got a manuscript
to finish.

Okay...

but hurry up and finish it...

but take your time.

[Sam]: I am soited
for this talk.

Catherine McCullen!

She's like the Grand Dame
of romance fiction.

I know.

[Sam]: Here she is.

[applause]

Seasons Greetings,
everyone.

As you see,

I never travel
without my tree.

[audience laughs]

As I was thinking

about what to talk
to you about today,

I flashed back
to my friend H.T. Cowell.

He has a very interesting
approach to writing,

which I don't think he'd mind
if I shared with you.

Think of a Christmas tree
as the story you're living,

or the story
you're wanting to tell.

A string of lights
illuminates our path.

Each bulb is a plot point

or a meaningful event
in our lives.

Ornaments

are the characters
and concepts...

giving the tree personality...

and the angel
is our clear point of view

from above,

that lets us peek...

into the lives of others...

which just leaves the gifts
under the tree,

and the gifts
are what each person takes away

from what we create...

our gift to them.

I have just got
to meet H.T. Cowell.

I'm working on it.

That will be
a tough act to follow.

Even for Cowell.

How's he going to top
that at his big speech?

[Sam]: Not possible.
Just not...

What?
Oh.

[Kim]:
Yes?

All done.

And?

And I'm taking us
to lunch,

so go grab your coat.
I'm going to get the car.

That's not an answer.

Grab your coat.
I'm going to get the car.

Go.

He loves
the book. Yay!

He loves it.

All right, you brought me
to a happy place.

I'm here.
I am prepared.

Hit me with it.

Listen, we're on
a work break, all right,

so let's enjoy
our crepes first.

We can talk
about that later.

Zeke,
tell me the truth.

Go on.

All right,
fine, look...

I think you're
genuinely talented.

I think you're as solid
a writer as it gets.

I think that your
structure and dialogue

are fun and lively...

"But"?

But I just...

I don't think
it's there yet.

Ouch.

No, come on.
Hear me through.

I think your characters
aren't fully realized yet,

and I think that the details
don't feel personal.

Okay, let me give
you, for instance,

the hotel where they're
staying in New York,

the Leone, right?

Yeah.

Does it have
a doorman?

Does it have solid doors
or revolving doors?

Does the vintage lobby
take your breath away

when you step inside,

or is it a shell of
its former glory?

I don't know.

I don't either.

That's the problem...

is the details
don't feel real...

almost as if,
I don't know,

like you'd never been
to New York or something.

Well, I haven't spent
much time there.

Well, a writer's got
to know her world inside out.

Where's a good snowball
when you need one?

And we have to
see that world

through your
characters' eyes.

That's really
important.

Look, honestly,
I'm not talking down to you

from a high horse, right?

I'm the guy who fell off
the writing horse entirely,

remember.

I think it's a
solid first draft.

All I'm saying is,

it just needs a little tweak
and a little work, that's all.

We all do.

All right, so,

as someone
who's about to be published,

in your humble opinion...?

It's not publishable yet.

[phone text chimes]

Zeke again.

Don't care.

Despite giving you feedback,
he's still a great guy.

I know,

but I still can't help
being mad at him.

Because he didn't fall
in love with your manuscript?

I mean, that seems a little...
just a little unfair.

Maybe just a little bit,

but see, that makes me mad, too

because I'm being so childish.

Then you probably
blame him for it.

Well, yeah,
'cause it's his fault.

- No.
- It is!

What?

[they laugh]

No, look, it's one thing

when I get feedback
on my writing exercises

from the class,

but Zeke not liking
my manuscript,

that's like a piece of my soul!

Okay, whoa.
He did not "not" like it.

He just...

he just said
it could be even better.

Also, you know,

Zeke's where
we want to be...

the book deal,
right?

Well, it's just one book.

Well, it's more than you and I
combined.

Plus, you've got
to give him props

for giving you pointers.

That's true.

Yeah.

Well, hey,
I have my big sitdown tomorrow

with a book agent
and publisher, so...

You're going
to be great.

If nothing else,

maybe Zeke helped take the sting
out of it,

You're so talented.

Thanks, Sam.

Cheers.

Yes.
Cheers.

[♪♪♪]

[phone rings]

Hi, honey!

[Kim]:
Hey, Dad.

I just wanted
to hear your voice.

I didn't wake you, did I?

Not a chance.

I've been up for hours
wrapping gifts.

How's the conference?

Are you
a literary rock star yet?

Well, I haven't destroyed
my hotel room,

but, um...

I was up pretty late working.

How's it going?
Seriously?

Well, the criticism
is kind of hard.

I'll bet it is.

It can be hard
to give tough advice,

even harder
to listen to it...

even when it's meant to help.

I wish I could just carry you
around with me all day, Dad.

[chuckles]

It'd be murder
on your lumbar.

[laughs]

Well, I have
my professional panel today

with the book agent
and publisher.

Do you have any words of wisdom?

It's time
to put your game face on, kiddo.

Love you, Dad.
See you later.

Hey, Zeke.

Hey...
oh, hey!

I caught you
just in time.

Look, I came down

because I wanted
to wish you good luck,

and because I kind of
wanted to apologize

for I said yesterday
if it was too harsh.

I didn't mean...

No, Zeke, stop.

I know that those snowballs
you threw at me

were only meant
to help...

and it occurred to me,

you spent so much time
reading my book,

you didn't even have time
to turn in your assignment

for the competition.

Well, you know,
I was torn,

but then I figured
I'd much rather finish

a very talented
new author's manuscript.

You don't have
to say that.

I wouldn't
if it wasn't true.

Well, it's time for me
to face the music.

My professional panel
is starting right now.

Well, listen,

if I can give you some
unsolicited advice,

just think of them
as snow-ma'ams.

Okay.

All right.
You got this.

Thanks.

I'm sorry.

[woman]:
Thank you.

Come in, we've got
to keep things moving.

Miss Rossi?

Yes.
You can call me Kim.

That's all right.

We enjoyed your premise.

You know your way
around a sentence,

and your structure
is respectable,

but from the sample
of the manuscript

that you submitted,

at times,
your characters...

they lack authenticity.

They seem
a little too perfect.

I'd like
to see the world more

from their perspective.

Mess them up,
give them problems,

contradictions,

something that they...
they ache for...

and more detail,
a lot more detail...

and when you do that,

you might have
a really good book here.

Would you be willing
to work with me to get me there?

Oh, no.

This still has first draft feel.

Mm.

You've got
a long way to go,

but, and I mean this,

don't be discouraged.

I can assure you,

he hasn't said that
to anyone else here today.

[laughs]

So keep up
the good work,

and you've got talent.

So you're saying...

We're done.

For now.

Thank you.

Oh... right.

Thank you.

Hey.

How'd it go?

Ugh.

I just want
to hide in my room

and bury my head
in an H.T. Cowell book

and forget
about the world.

Really?

You know what?

I have
an even better idea.

Come on.

[Zeke]:
You have officially entered

the world
of the professional writer.

[laughs]

Okay.

In fact, a rejection is
something to be savored

and celebrated...

like a fine wine.

It is?

Mm-hmm.

Wait, what...

what is this?

[Zeke]:
We're celebrating.

What?

There you go.

Oh...

As a matter of fact,

I remember
my first rejection.

Yeah?

Yeah.

I strolled down to the mailbox,

thinking I was going to pick up
some Christmas cards,

and instead,
I got a rejection form letter.

It was like a snowball
to the face,

but the good news is,

the sting gets
a little less each time.

I remember
my first rejection.

It was Timmy Lonnegan.

On the playground
at recess,

he just dumped me
in front of the entire school.

Look, whether it's love,

or whether it's writing...

it takes
a lot of resilience

to stay in the game
long enough

for a happily-ever-after...

and Timmy's loss, by the way.

Well...

[laughs]

Listen, I've got an idea.
Would you be willing

to try something
a little different tomorrow?

Like what?

Well, they've given us
the day off to do re-writes,

so we don't have class anyway.

That's true.

I want
to take you somewhere.

Maybe a little trip?

A trip?
Where?

Just trust me.

Plus, my motives
are partly selfish.

I mean,
they say a change of scenery

can work miracles
for writer's block.

[laughs]

I don't know
what it is about you...

but I'm in.

Okay.

Good morning!

I tend to think
morning begins

after I've had
my first sip of coffee.

I'm pretty sure
they have coffee

where we're going.

Did you bring
a change of clothes?

Yes.

We're not going duck hunting,
are we?

'Cause I don't like that.

It's winter.
No ducks.

Lucky them.

So where are we going?

Green Mountain Valley?

Winooski River?

New York City.

I got us tickets.

We're going
to New York City?

Like, right now?

Mm-hmm.

Are you kidding?

No.

I've got
more frequent-flyer miles

than I know what to do with.

I'm a finance guy, remember?

I've got clients
up and down the coast.

Okay,
I have a confession to make.

Mm?

I've never actually been
to New York City.

Yeah, that's pretty clear

from your descriptions of it
in your book.

You know, you're pretty
funny sometimes.

Now is not one of them.

Big Apple, here we come.

[Zeke]: Thanks so much, Sam.

- [Kim]: Thank you!
- [Sam]: You're welcome.

Bye!

Oh, you always hear

about how New York cabbies
are so rude,

but he was totally
into my questions.

That's what I'm telling you.

You've got to experience a place
with all your senses

to be able
to write about it.

Okay, so this is
Midtown, right?

So Soho and Wall Street
are that way.

Broadway's
behind us somewhere.

Oh, I am officially
overwhelmed.

Zeke!

Look, it's the hotel

that I wrote about
in my book,

the Hotel Leone.

Uh-huh,
that's right.

Why'd you choose
this one?

Um...

I liked the look
of the facade.

[Zeke]:
That explains

why your descriptions didn't
quite capture the details,

but that's okay,
right,

'cause now
that you're here,

in person...

any thoughts?

Well...

doorman... check.

Carved wooden double doors.

Those are really nice.

It just kind of takes
your breath away.

It feels like being a kid
on Christmas morning,

like, that moment when
you're just about to open

your very
first present.

What do you say
we open this present

and see what's inside?

- Let's do it.
- All right.

[♪♪♪]

Wow!

What do you say we take
an elevator

to the top floor?

We should check in first.

Separate suites,
of course...

Check in?

What do you mean,
check in?

A client of mine
runs this hotel.

I called in a favor
for a couple suites.

Amazing!

Thank you!

After you.

Wow!

[Zeke]:
Check out the view.

Oh, my goodness!

[sighs happily]

Christmas in New York.

Wow, I can still barely believe
this is really happening.

And?

Is it everything
you expected so far?

Actually, no.

No?

It's even better.

[phone rings]

Sorry.

Oh, this is Samantha.

You don't mind
if I tell her where we are?

No, knock
yourself out.

Hey, Samantha,
I'm so glad you called.

Wait,
why are you whispering?

I'm having dinner
with Mr. Tweed!

[Kim]:
No!

I know.

So I went by your room
this morning,

and you weren't there.

What's up?

[laughs]

Zeke and I
are playing hooky.

Hey!
Research trip.

Yeah, research trip.

Zeke flew me
to New York City.

That's so exciting!

And speaking
of more exciting news...

I won the third round
of the competition

in my workshop,

so I guess my hat's
in the ring, too.

Hey, congratulations!
That's awesome.

Hope you have a great time
tonight.

You really deserve it.

Oh!

Here he comes.
Got to go. Bye.

Okay.

So...

you ready to hit the
streets of New York City?

Definitely.

[♪♪♪]

What I mean is,
New York is so amazing,

but the details...

they're different
than how I expected.

The street lights
off the pavement...

the electricity
in the air...

Go on.
Be specific.

It also smells different
than I thought it would.

Okay.

Sure, there's
the roasting chestnut smell

that I expected,

but there's also the air

coming up
from the subway grilles...

the taxi exhaust

mixing with the smell
of expensive perfume...

it's really beautiful.

[Zeke]: Yeah.

[Kim]: Oh!

This is exactly
what I've been looking for.

Chestnuts literally roasting
on an open... cart grill.

[laughing]

Not quite
an open fire,

but close.

Good stories are
grounded in the details,

aren't they?

That's right.
Can I get a bag?

Okay, thanks.

Writers are
just people

who pay really
close attention

to those details.

Chestnut?

Yes. It's hot!

Yes. This is your
first New York chestnut.

My first New York chestnut!

[♪♪♪]

[loud typewriter typing]

[knocks]

Hey!
How's the writer's block coming?

[Zeke, through wall]:
What writer's block?

Is my typing too loud?

No, it's kind of soothing,
actually.

[typewriter typing
starts again]

Hi!

Hey.

How'd the writing go?

It was great.
I was up all night working.

Yeah, me too.

[phone text chimes]

Hey, Kim, look,

there's...

there's something
I've been meaning to tell you.

Hang on a second.
Samantha just texted.

She says they're expecting
a huge storm in Vermont,

and they've just moved
Cowell's lecture

from tonight to today...
2:00 p.m.!

Okay, uh...

look, let's not panic.

Not panic?
But we're 300 miles away,

and they're canceling flights.

What do you suggest?

I suggest
you be ready in five,

and I'm going to find us
a new flight.

On no notice
with a storm coming in?

Then I can rent a car.

We can drive there
if we have to.

We'll be there
in time.

Well...

I hope so.

Hey, Kim?

I just wanted
to double-check.

It's Chapter 19, right?

Thank you!

Yes, Chapter 19.

I've just been
so inspired here.

That's so great.

I'm loving
this new confidence thing

you've got going on.

I know, right?

It's the first time
I've actually been excited

about somebody reading
my work.

So great. Well,
I'm going to be

the first person
in the auditorium,

and I will save us seats,
so just please hurry.

Thanks, Samantha!

Okay, bye!

Hi, I'm submitting

for Kim Rossi
and Samantha Pyke.

Thank you.
Noted.

- Hi.
- Just give me a minute.

[Kim]: Samantha's
saving us seats,

but she said
it's already packed.

Kim, wait, before
you go inside,

there's something
I need to tell you.

Zeke, we're going
to be late!

I'll see you inside.
Hurry!

So you missed
the submission, huh?

Oh, no,
Samantha submitted it for me.

Your name's
not on the board.

That's impossible.

Kim!

Hurry!

My gosh!
Sit down.

I had to fight
these people off

for these seats.

Samantha,
what happened

to my manuscript
submission

to be read
by Cowell?

Oh, I submitted it.

My name's not
on the board!

Are you sure?
I submitted it myself.

It must be
some sort of mistake.

I don't know.
It's not there.

[applause]

Oh, my gosh!
It's him!

I told you,
it's him!

I was right.

Modern romance as we know it

was invented by the French
in the 12th Century...

and I don't know
an author

more in touch
with that legacy today

than H.T. Cowell.

It was the saddest day
of my career as his editor

when he decided
to stop writing new books...

but...

I'll let him tell you more.

Ladies and gentlemen,
H.T. Cowell!

[applause]

I never planned to be a writer.

I mean,
I dabbled a little...

but I had a button-down job
in the city,

and my wife would get worried

if I spent too much time
writing.

So I played it safe...

and it was only

when I was riding the train
into the city every day

that I would think of stories
and characters

based on some of the passengers
around me.

What if that bike messenger

swept that transit worker
off her feet?

What if that woman reading
the "Wall Street Journal"

suddenly turned and proposed

to the construction guy
one seat over?

Anyway, uh,

one thing led to another,

and pretty soon,
I had one bestseller,

and then another bestseller...

and that whole time,

I avoided the press
because...

because I needed
to be anonymous.

I just...
I wanted to stay an observer.

Well, pretty soon,
I was writing all the time,

and I was juggling
deadlines,

and I didn't even notice

that my second love
was taking me away

from my first,

until my wife
asked me for a divorce.

Looking back,

I should have done things
differently.

Writing
about love and romance

became a lot harder

when love and romance
disappeared from my life.

Pretty soon,
my writing stopped,

and I withdrew from the world.

The truth is,

I had really drifted

from what it was
that I loved about writing

in the first place,

which is seeing the world
through someone else's eyes,

whether that's a character...

or just someone special...

especially at Christmas.

Yeah.

So are the rumors true?

Are you releasing
an 800-page book?

[Zeke]: Uh...
they're sort of true.

My publisher is releasing
an 800-page anthology.

So no new book?

Not as such, no.
I'm sorry.

Not right now, anyway.

Oh, come on, look,

I didn't come here
to be a downer,

so maybe I can...

serve as some sort
of cautionary tale.

Don't play it safe.

Don't hide out...

even if it feels
easier sometimes.

You know, recently,

somebody reminded me...

that inspiration
can come from anywhere...

and surprises
come along every day.

Whoo!

Thanks.

[applause]

Kim! Kim...

Hey...

You didn't answer
my texts.

Well, I didn't know
what to say.

You lied to me.

You've been lying to me
since we first met.

For someone who says

writing is all
about the details,

you sure left one
important detail out.

For a reason, okay?

I wanted you...

to know me for me,

not H.T. Cowell.

You promised to be
honest with me.

You had so many
opportunities

to tell me
the truth.

Instead, you wanted
to save your big reveal

for the promotion
of your anthology?

No, it's not like that.

I never wanted
to go public at all,

but even
bestselling authors

have shelf-lives,

especially if they don't
produce new work.

So the board
at my publishing house

told me I had to come here,
I had to go public,

I had to promote
the anthology...

or they wouldn't
publish me anymore,

but look, listen,
I just never expected...

that I would meet
somebody like you.

And that whole story
about having a book deal...

Gosh, talk about fiction!

I don't even know
what to call you.

What's your name?

Well, my mom
calls me "Zeke..."

short for "Hezekiah..."

and Kim, we do know
each other...

in person
and through our writing.

Except the person
I thought I knew

was a struggling writer
just like me,

not some writing star!

Former star.

And what,
you needed some newbie

or a muse or whatever

to get re-inspired?

And all this time,
you're telling me

to be "authentic"
with my work,

and you're
completely hiding

who you actually are?

I... I...
I wanted to tell you.

But you didn't
trust me enough

to tell me the truth,

and that's the worst
rejection slip of all.

[Kim]: That writer's conference
was a real eye-opener,

and I learned
something really important.

Okay.

No more playing it safe,
in life or in work.

I'm going to scale back my hours
at the car dealership

and fully commit myself

to being the writer
I was born to be.

Wow.

Maybe we should send you
to a writers' conference

every Christmas.

Next time, I intend
to speak at one.

[phone rings]

Oh, hang on, Dad.
I have to get this.

Samantha!
How are you?

I'm good, actually.

How about you?
How's the writing going?

I have been rewriting
like a fiend.

Look at you, going pro.

[laughs]

Make sure you don't just write
your way through the holiday.

Hey,
I'm a Christmas romance writer.

This is the time of year
I feel most inspired.

Uh-huh.

Well, speaking of which,

have you...
heard from Zeke at all?

No.

Even if I did,

I don't know
what I would say to him.

Well, I don't know
how to break this to you, but...

I won the contest
to be read by him.

Congratulations!
That's amazing.

Yeah, well,
it felt good to beat out Garth.

[laughs] I bet.

It's the least I could do
for you,

and tomorrow,
I'm going to meet Zeke,

so if there's anything
you want me to ask him,

anything at all...

No thanks.

Are you sure?

I mean,
you two are so good together.

Even if I could get past
the fact that he lied to me,

what would a big-shot author
want to do

with a wannabe writer like me?

Do not sell yourself short.

Well, hey, maybe my new ending
will work.

Oh, so you have new pages?

I do.

Send them to me!
What are you waiting for?

Come on.

Think of it
as an early Christmas gift.

You know what? Yes.

I will send them to you.

I could totally use
a fresh pair of eyes on them.

Thank you.

That's my girl.

Merry Christmas.

I've got to run.
Bye, Sam.

Merry Christmas, Kim.

Kim!

Garth...

Hey!

Um... wow.
What are you doing here?

I just came
to say Merry Christmas

and that...

I was wrong.

Not that I'm disagreeing
with you,

but what about?

Oh, about, you know,
you not being a real writer.

Oh, that.

I mean,
to be honest,

at the conference,
your pages were amazing...

some of the best,
by far.

But I thought you said
it was just beginner's luck.

No, pff, not at all.
It was a joke!

Obviously!

It was funny.

Yeah, um...

well, I was wondering,

actually...

Go on.

Well...
maybe you want to...

pick things up
where we left off, you know?

Go on a date sometime?
Talk about writing?

Um...

gee, you know what?

Uh, I think...

I think
maybe you were right...

about us being
on different paths.

Right... but...

the paths,
they can come...

And I am just really busy.

Yeah, no,
you're busy.

I'm pretty busy myself.

Oh?

You know,
here's a thought.

Maybe...

you could...

put in a good word for me...
with Cowell?

[laughs]

Aw, you're too funny, Garth.

[laughs]

You have a Merry Christmas.

See you later.

Yeah, uh...
Merry Christmas.

Bye.

Bye.

Not bad for a guy

who eats frozen dinners
90% of the time.

It's perfect, Dad.

Now we just have to
get the gravy finished.

[doorbell rings]

Can you get that?

I'm carving.

Who would come by
on Christmas Day?

Just a friend of mine.

Didn't have any place
to go for Christmas dinner.

Oh.

Hello there.

Hi!

Merry Christmas?

Merry Christmas.

Zeke, what are you doing here?

I mean, I can't not
chase after you.

I'm a romance writer.

You're also
a successful author

pretending he isn't one,

and you just used
a double-negative, by the way.

[laughs]

Look, Kim...

I was wrong
not to be more honest with you.

I just...

I was just so happy
spending time with you

that I didn't want
to shatter the magic.

I'm so sorry.

Well...

I did learn one thing
at the conference.

What's that?

It's never too late
to rewrite a chapter

'til you get it right...

'til you get it perfect.

So you're saying...?

Hi, my name is Kim.

I'm H.T.

My friends
call me Zeke.

[laughs]

Well, in that case,
it's nice to meet you, Zeke.

Ooh!
Almost forgot.

This is for you.

Merry Christmas.

"Pendant Publishing"?

They want to...
work with me on my novel?

Your rewrite
was amazing.

Wait, how...
how did you...?

Samantha.
She sent me the new pages.

So you forced them
to take it on?

No, no, no,
I just got them to look at it.

It was your writing

that made the
chief editor flip.

Seriously?

Serious.
He loved it...

and that's all
because of you.

I don't even know
what to say.

Thank you so much!

[laughs]

Wow...

Well, I think
that's what they call

a happy-ever-after.

Yeah, I suppose it is.

So kiss me already.

We are standing
under the mistletoe,

after all.

So we are...

[♪♪♪]