My Book- A Movie?

     Have you ever told yourself that you were born a writer, so to speak?  Or that you've always been interested in writing; a young story teller.  Are you?  If that's true then you have an advantage over us all!


     Do you remember playing toys with a friend or sibling and being able to make up scenes on the spot?  That's your advantage.  Going back to those times, it was so easy to make up a story.  You knew the characters you were playing as much as you knew yourself or your friend.


     What? - It's not the same thing.  Well, of course it is!  Writing is much more difficult than playing out a story, especially if you're a youngster, but now you have literature on your side.  Our dilemma is the force that we put on our writing, which in many cases is severely needed in order for the book to be finished.  Remember how it felt to make your story like a movie?  You imagined in your mind the twists and the turns of your character's bodies that were not at all possible for your toy figurine to make.  If only writing was as playful as story making, we'd all be better off.  But it can be just as fun!

My Book- A Movie?

     Not only do tough questions put forth an awesome story line, but they also relate the reader to the character and to the scene at hand.  Put us there, right then, with that person(s).  We like to be on the edge of our seats, to cry, to laugh and to be embarrassed.  We want it to happen to us, because we're there. Right?  Are we there?


     Find out by asking the tough questions.  They are fun for both the reader and the writer.  Like in our previous example, saving one person out of a group of people that we love would be the most difficult thing to do both mentally and physically because we would be straining to save just one more person even though we know that we simply can not.


     Just think of what we do when we watch a movie.  Lots of the times we say, "I would have done this..." or "I don't know what I would have done!".  The author leaves its audience thinking and that's exactly what you want them doing!

Poems Make the Best Movies- Revisited

I love the different ways in which poems speak to you.  It shows that words have so many meanings.  The actions and meanings of these words can speak loudly in a movie based on these poems.  That is why they really do make the best movies!  Some movies based on poems are Troy based on the poem Iliad by Homer, The Raven based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe, and The Grinch based on the poem How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss.  A lot of these are classics.  There is always enjoyment in seeing words come to life and speak loudly through poems.  They make great stories! 

My Book- A Movie?

     Just as a director decides on so many different aspects relating to the film making process, a writer must do the same in his/her book and can learn from the questions that are raised and the types of solutions that are offered.  Think of how the cameras are set in a scene, and the (mood) being captured in so many different ways.  The script should bring the point of view to life; providing more narrow and decisive camera options.  An author can do the same.


    Camera angles, for example, change numerously throughout a scene, but make no mistake; every angle has a purpose.  When thinking of this idea enough one can almost see the cinematic techniques within a novel.  Take some time to focus on these ideas.  When watching a movie or reading a book, do this also.

Novella Books Make the Best Movies

Novellas are special in that they give the reader a good book to read that is a little longer than the normal short story.  I love it because if I want to carry out the story a little more, I have time to finish the extra bit at the end because it is shorter than a novel.  It is exciting to see this carried out into a movie.  Some popular movies that have been based on novellas are A Christmas Carol based on the book by Charles Dickens, The Invisible Man based on the book by H.G. Wells, and The Mist based on the book by Stephen King.  Some of my favorites are I Am Legend based on the book by Richard Matheson, The Time Machine based on the book written by H.G. Wells, and Apocalypse Now based on the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.  These books make a great break to sit down and enjoy.    

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     The writer's experience is a novel in itself!  We go through so many adventures and trials both in our books and in real life.  Every author's experience is different!  How fun is that?  Our readers only get to go through half the fun that we do.  It's like some of those movies where people leave on a quest, go through and learn so much, and actually have a great, unforgettable time.  But once they're back home - they never want to do it again - they don't want to leave.  If people who don't write could go through what we do, without the hassle of writing, I'm sure they wouldn't forget it either.  It's fun, self-fulfilling, and it makes you full - as if to say, " the cake was the best cake I've ever had and my stomach's so full there isn't room for any more." -  Ha, ha - it's kind of like kids when they're worn out.  Give them time and they'll go at it again.

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

There hasn't been a movie without a soundtrack.  Every movie has one.  Music brings out the feelings/emotions, problems/tensions, direction, and mood/setting of a subject matter.  Although the reader may not be able to read with music playing, the words on the pages play themselves out as such, and the writer of a book can certainly apply this technique to "feel" the material that he writes.  You might even find that your book is inspired by a song.  If nothing else, the song could inspire you.

My Book- A Movie?

     We've put our book on the big screen; thought of it as a movie, looked at visual techniques, and much more.  But have we put ourselves in the character's shoes?  Like an actor knows his script and becomes the character in mind, body, and soul, authors must play the part of every character in their book.

     So, can we become as close to the character as the cast of a movie becomes to each of their roles?  I say yes.  It's hard, but I think we manage to get to this point in different ways.

     Screen writing has it's advantages in this area.  The writer can put forth a setting, actions, and appearances as plainly and matter-of-factly as I would tell you in conversation.  But still, when taking an acting class in college, I really did question  whether the author was able to to put as much time in getting to know his characters as I was.  I remember pairing up with partners and helping each other in many exercises that we did.  Mossing around the campus, we "walked like our character".  Other times we were in conversation as our character.  It definitely helped me play my part.  Sometimes I wish there was a writing class like this; helping each other get to know and develop our characters.  When it's a class, it's not as embarrassing to do these activities.

Action Books Make the Best Movies- Revisited

Action books have continued to inspire, like always!  They have kept up their pace in the movies.  I thought it was about time to make an update on this post.  Do you wonder why I love action books?  They always seem to snap you out of your every day routine that we are all so used to.  Particularly the characters.  You think "Man, I would not have been ready for that."  Here are some more of my favorite action books that have been made into movies: Die Hard was based on the book Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, Die Hard 2 based on the book 58 minutes written by Walter Wager, and Shutter Island based on the book by Dennis Lehane.  There are some great movies coming out, so there will be another update soon.  

Science Fiction Books Make the Best Movies

Science fiction books explore some of the classic topics all of us have wondered about being possible.  These books spark my curiosity countless times.  I love science fiction genres.  They bring to life and explore the options of the many things that all of us are wondering about.  I love it when I can see these books in action on the big screen.  They make the best movies!  One of my favorites, War of the Worlds, was based on the book by Herbert George Wells.  The Puppet Masters was based on the book by Robert A. Heinlein, and i, Robot is based on the book by Isaac Asimov.  Some resent ones are Mars Needs Moms based on the book written by Berkeley Breathed, and Cowboys and Aliens based on the book by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg.

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What Inspires the Writer in Me- Fantasy Genres

Fantasy books tend to inspire many people, including those who make it a movie!  To be inspired to write a fantasy book, I am first thinking of inspiring many others from an unforgettable story.  That is the first start for me.  One of the main things that inspires me to write a fantasy book is to take a look at some of the normal things around me: nature, people, technology, science, etc.  Next I think of something way out there with my imagination, like a tree floating in the air.  That is a wild imagination, but it is something nice to have in a fantasy novel.

Poems Make the Best Movies

I love reading poems.  They bring a different light to the life and details on earth.  This provides a high quality movie, engaging the audience.  When I checked, I found that some of my favorite movies are based on poems.  I did not know this was possible before now!  Once again my favorite genres and hobbies are brought together.  One of my favorites, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, originated from the poem of the same name by Paul Dukas.  Some others are Braveheart based on the poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace by Blind Harry, and Beowulf by an unknown author.

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Fantasy Books Make the Best Movies

Fantasy books bring out the most unique perspectives of every story.  It is not surprising that they make unforgettable movies.  One of my favorite fantasy books made into a movie is The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.  The book series made the movie series of the same name.  Other popular fantasy movies based on books are Game of Thrones based on the book A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, and Alice in Wonderland based on the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

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Horror Books Make the Best Movies- Revisited

I love horror genres!  Besides a good scare, reliving the horror makes a good piece of the action.  Horror books are well written, and manage to keep your interest on one thing-to make you scared.  You don't see what is coming, or maybe you do, and that is what is so traumatic.  There are so many horror books made into movies, it is well worth blogging about it again.  Some are The Wicker Man written by Anthony Shaffer, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, and The Rite based on the book Rite: Making of a Modern Exorcist.  Some more are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Psycho by Robert Bloch.  Some of my favorites are Deliverance by James Dickey and The Ring based on the book Ring by Koji Suzuki.  I am sure there are some more to come.

Short Stories Make the Best Movies

Short stories are so irresistible to someone who wants to sit down and read a nice story for a break, and finish at the end of the break.  I am one of those people!  With this in mind there is no wonder they make great movie material.  The Stephen King stories are some popular ones, like the movie 1408.  The Fly is another movie based on the book by George Langelaan.  The Headless Horsman is one of my favorites by Washington Irving.  There are countless short stories out there that have full potential to be a movie.

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Romance Books Make the Best Movies

The most touching romance stories start with novels.  I am not sure wich one is more popular; novels or movies.  Either way the great stories start with the book!  Twilight is one of the popular movies right now.  It is based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.  Of course many have heard of the Notebook, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks.  Gone with the Wind is another movie based on the book by Margaret Mitchell.  One of my favorites is Confessions of A Shopaholic.  There many more movies to be made!  I have a lot of books on my list that I would like to see to be made into movies!




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My Book- A Movie?

     Have you ever watched a movie in writing mode- I mean, focusing on the acute movements that that powerful actor is making, thinking how you would write this in words?  The only approach that brings you back is a grim look from your buddy when he notices that you look like a zombie.  Not cool, but if you can keep your composure, thinking of a movie as a book can be helpful.

     When you're ready to write sometime, put your book on the big screen and see how it would look.  Close your eyes if you have to.  What do you notice first in a sequence of events?  And what pace were they noticed?  What kind of mood did the setting present?  How does your buddy feel in that theater chair- considering that he does'nt have a zombie distracting him?

     Now, how does that feel?  It should feel pretty good.  The only thing left, is to put all of those observations into words and let your writing set the tone, picture, and pace. 

Comedy Books Make the Best Movies

There are a lot of good comedy movies out there, but some of the ones that really made me laugh were written by an author with a good sense of humor.  Confessions of a Shopaholic and Marley and Me are some of my favorites.  Confessions of a Shopaholic was based off of a book written by Sophie Kinsella.  This is a really funny movie for just about any girl.  The movie Marley and Me was based off of the book written by John Grogan.  The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger is another comedy movie based off of a book.  In Her Shoes was based off of the book by Jennifer Weiner.  Another good comedy film is Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.  This is based off of the book Bodies Are Where You Find Them by Brett Halliday.  Must Love Dogs was a movie based on the book written by Claire Cook.  Those were some good reads and great entertainment!  I would like to see some more to come for this year.