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.

YA Books Make the Best Movies

Young adult genres are in high demand just because there is a whole new audience craving some good literature from their favorite genres!  Naturally, there is much excitement when this YA book is brought to life in the movies.  Some classics are Lord of the Rings based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.  Some more are The Call of the Wild written by Jack London, I Am Number Four by James Frey and Jobie Hughes as Pitticus Lore, and The Lightning Thief written by Rick Riordan.  One of my favorites is The Vampire's Assistant based on the book The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan.

What Inspires the Writer In Me- Poems

Poems provide a special part of inspiration to our minds.  They feed the imagination of all things into a form, like music.  I am inspired to write poems when I think of all things that come naturally to me.  I think of how my flowers and trees blossom from a seedling to a beautiful peace of work, like artwork, the excitement I feel when I have won a match in tennis, and the world around me as I take part in these things.  These things come naturally to me, like music comes naturally to a musician once they have learned their piece.  With poems, writers make their own music!  That is what works for me.

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.  

My Favorite Settings In Books- Action Genres

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I do love the appearance of a familiar setting for books that I read.  When I am reading an action book, I like there to be an appearance of something calm, and pleasant.  I also like it when the book starts off with action, or in a dangerous place.  I like to be surprised when I open the book, and not know what to expect for a setting until I read.  I like it when there is a description of the characters along with the setting.  One of my favorites is a dark spooky place where people manage to make a living and live there.  Of course, there are so many options, I just leave it to the writer to introduce a fit setting.  I trust the setting will be a perfect place for some battle ground!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Expanding your vocabulary to include terms that describe your character, a chapter, book, scene, or genre opens up the door for new ideas to come flowing in.  You may never use any of them, but they inspire you to write with that defined tone.  I decided to search "horror vocabulary" to see what comes up and defined horror with a few words of my own also.  Here is a link to some horror vocabulary words:

Vocabulary list #1

Vocabulary list #2

     Notice how there are always contrasting tones to the one that you choose.  In a horror book there will be "scary words", and there will be words that make you calm; and unprepared for what is to come.  In a romance there will be words of love and words of conflict.  We already know this as writers, but it put me in a writing mood!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Has writer's block struck again?  Relax, your story is not going anywhere- hand it over to the pros!  Try letting a character from your book write the story.


     The character is in a climax, he's at the edge of that cliff, and actually feels much like you right now- frustrated, exhausted, and challenged.  They'd laugh if you told them that they could write the rest of the story.  But then they would realize, it's no joke.  Imagine their emotions, and the outcomes they make for themselves.


     Did the character create an even better story?  Has this new author written you over?  Ha!  By the time this is finished, you might feel like the character yourself!