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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6425
Action/Adventure: July 09, 2014 Issue [#6425]

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Action/Adventure


 This week: Does My Story Need to be Movie-Worthy?
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I'm so excited to be your Action/Adventure Newsletter Editor this week! Please let me know if you have any feedback, or if you have any topics you'd like covered in a newsletter. I will be glad to research it for you and do my best.

Sara*Heart*Jean


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Letter from the editor

Does My Story Need to be Movie-Worthy?
With so many books being made into movies and television shows, do you need to make sure what you write is movie-worthy?


There are so, so many books being made into movies and television series in recent years. Many of them are science fiction, fantasy, and even, yes, action and adventure. I'll even mention one by name - World War Z. So, it begs the question, do all books need to now be "Movie Worthy"?

While movies are very much on everyone's mind (and often), I think that there are a few things to remember when writing a story.

1. The pacing for movies and books are very different. In books, pacing is achieved by shortening or lengthening words, or language, or sentences. In movies, it is often achieved with music, or facial expressions, or other sounds.

2. Movies are much shorter than books. Movies have to pack things in and leave things out. Sometimes, they leave entire characters or scenes out. (Sometimes, my favorite ones. *Frown* ) Books can have much more detail than movies can, but then, there are some things movies don't have to describe. Like the scenery and the clothing.

3. Books that are made into movies are rarely "accurate". They may have the same vibe or characteristics, but as a general rule, things have to be changed to change it from a good book into a good movie. Rarely do the two mix.


So, essentially, what I am trying to say is... no. You don't need to write you book with the idea of it eventually becoming a movie. If your book or story is chosen to be made into film, or other such things, the necessary changes will be made by those writing the scripts and directing. Allow your inspiration to flow, and focus on writing a good story.

And don't forget, the book is always better than the movie, anyway.


Editor's Picks

Let's welcome these newbies to the site by reading their Action/Adventure stories and leaving a little feedback. Yay, Newbies!!!

 Ganster Gold Open in new Window. (E)
Jason is a thief sharpening his skills at an outpost planet.
#1998954 by E.K. Cloud Author IconMail Icon


 The Shrieking Shack Open in new Window. (18+)
An entry for arakun's Daily Flash Fiction Challenge (<300 words)
#1998553 by C Fowler Author IconMail Icon


 Monkey See, Monkey Do! Open in new Window. (E)
A short story I wrote in middle school. It's quite cute. I fixed spelling mistakes.
#1998322 by RapunzelZWI Author IconMail Icon


 Murder In The Woods Open in new Window. (E)
Crime Story
#1998135 by mfsalminen Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1999645 by Not Available.


 The Eternity Maze Open in new Window. (E)
The ultimate test- a maze of death, and a phouka girl with a dream.
#1999225 by Kristy R. Romero Author IconMail Icon


 Just a Little Faith Open in new Window. (E)
A young girl in history who time travels to the future and tries to adapt to its ways.
#1999145 by catzeal Author IconMail Icon


 Camp Al Tactical Open in new Window. (18+)
This is my point of view in a Civil War Training Weekend.
#1999079 by Nickolai Bolinski Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Feedback and Questions from "Action/Adventure Newsletter (June 11, 2014)" Open in new Window.:

Shadowstalker-- Covid free Author Icon said, "One of my items made it into newsletter! I'm moving up in the world! *Smile* The way I approach loose ends many times is to treat the story like a mystery instead of an action one. Any good mystery writer knows you don't reveal the big bad, or the crucial evidence right off the bat. Or if you do, you mislead the reader so they don't KNOW this. Sherlock Holmes would not be such a good detective story if he didn't go through the "aha!" moments. that moment when the light bulb goes off over his head and a Crucial clue comes to light. We as the reader still stay stumped along with Dr. Watson until Holmes explains it to us and then we can get that "aha!" moment as well. And a good mystery like Holmes would never be interesting if it didn't have multiple mini mysteries going on, or to bring it back to action/adventure, loose ends. If he only focused on one thing at a time, well, he wouldn't be so unique a character."

That is a very cool way to look at it! I like it.

billwilcox said, "Yes, loose ends, those silly pieces of string in our day to day lives that we constantly attempt to tie. Great newsletter sweetie *Cool*"

Aww, thank you, Billy. I was wondering if you were still reading my newsletters. *Smile*

The Run-on King PDG Member Author Icon said, "I wrote a second chapter to my fifth book and they way I used 'was' is to show how the character was helpless in dealing with hurricane weather. One of the students brought up a point that we do use this a lot in normal speech which is my writing model at the moment. This bring up the point I am asking about. How often should we use the helplessness in our characters in action adventure? If you need to see the piece I wrote happy to share just not going to give a shameless plug lol."

Well, this is an interesting question. I will offer my answer, and then I'd like to open it up to the rest of the readers, and see what they think, as well!

I think that there needs to be a time when the character feels useless, or IS useless. But it needs to be carefully planned. There cannot be too much of it, or too little. Every character needs a weakness, but cannot be so weak that they become a drag to the story. The weaknesses need to be different for different characters, and they need to come into play at a time when it is incredibly necessary to get through it. Use their helplessness as a means of making the story feel as if their goal will be impossible to complete... and then there should be a triumphant (but believable) completion.

So! I would like to get your ideas on the question above, if you are willing. How often should we use the helplessness in our characters in action adventure?

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