Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Movie or Book?

I finally used a gift certificate from my daughter yesterday. I dragged my husband to see the movie My Sister’s Keeper—the story from Jodi Picoult’s book. I was curious to see if the movie version worked as well.

I have to admit. I liked the book better.

But what it did for me was to get my brain to thinking about plots. Lots of plots. And how to spin them so they make the reader want more. I came home ready to write but I didn’t. Instead, I’ll jot down some notes and save them for when I’m ready again.

An update on my WIP: I finally finished reading through it on Sunday. Now I’ll go back and do the harder edits. The fleshing out of the characters—the dialogue and making sure everything makes logical sense. I’m not rushing this book. I want it to be my best.

I want to leave readers thinking it beats watching a movie.

What about your latest story? Do you want to read it or watch it?

24 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Haven't seen the movie yet. Hesitated because I was afraid it wouldn't be as great as the book.

Congrats on finishing your latest WIP! Looking forward to your announcement that it's being published!

MeganRebekah said...

Always being a fan of books over movies, I would definitely want people to think my book was better than the movie!

Janna Leadbetter said...

I've heard what they changed between book and movie. I suppose I'd see the movie is there really was nothing else to do, but I don't know if I'll be able to read the story. Unsure if I could handle the subject matter in that one.

But I know just what you mean: I've seem movied before and thought, I want to write a book that speaks to me as strongly.

I'm so happy for you, and that you're still feeling so strongly for your WIP. This is the way I am with mine, and I want to take my time so it gets all it deserves.

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

haven't seen that movie yet. i'm partial to books over movies myself...but if i've never read the book, i'll still go see the movie. :) at least you got out with your hubby!

Anonymous said...

Without fail the book is better then the movie. I have found that if a movie is on par with the book then it is done really well. I want my book to dwell in the readers mind after the last page is read. If it is a movie I hope for an entertaining film that sticks with the book but the reading of it is the important part I think.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Go Terri! May the red grease pencil never get dull. :)

joe doaks-Author said...

I like both, actually, but the book is inevitably better. What is nice, however, is if you see the movie first (if the movie stays somewhat accurate) you have an easier time visualizing the scenes and book characters. For example, the Harry Potter movies help me see Hogwarts much more clearly. Same is true of the characters.

Best regards, Galen

Imagineering Fiction Blog

Andrea said...

Usually that is the case.
Hope you have a blessed day.
Andrea

Great Grandma Lin said...

well, my latest story is my book-will post about it tomorrow. It's non fiction but hopefully written in a manner that will interest others outside of my own immediate family. It's a collection of my articles written for a local newspaper for the past year. Check it out tomorrow. LOOKING BACK...at the "Good Old Days." Can't see it as a movie but I agree some books are better than the film made from them.

Jan Cline said...

I like watching, but there is nothing quite like reading the words and putting your own pictures in your mind. It's a greater exercise for our imagination. So glad you are devoted to your WIP. It's a great example to me.

Carmen said...

I'll bet this book is going to be good. Hard work usually pays off! My husband is a movie fan, I like both, but would rather read...non fiction over fiction. Although there's nothing like a good fiction to warm up winter evenings. You go girl!!=D

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I was a literature major, and while I definitely don't think I'm a literature snob, I do think that the major made me very picky about what I read. I do not like most movie versions of books I've read. But to be fair, I actually prefer nonfiction; I think because I've been disappointed with fiction so many times. I tend to write short column-like pieces. Congrats on your WIP.

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Ooo, I'd loved to see my story in action. There are alot of intense "battle-type" scenes that I would love to see played out on screen!

I must say that I've enjoyed the Harry Potter movies almost as much as the books. As for My Sister's Keeper...I haven't read it or wanted to see it. I just don't want to cry. I am in need of happy things around me these days! :)

Jody Hedlund said...

I definitely want readers to enjoy my book so much that they can't wait for it to be made into a movie! ;)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My latest story? It's been a sad one. I've watched it in living color. Now, for the strength and clarity of heart to write it.

As for my preference regarding the movie or the book version of anything, tough call. If I've read the book, I almost always prefer it over any movie version.

I'm at my mom's today; she's editing for me. I'm sick of my own stuff; it's good to have another set of eyes.

peace~elaine

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Oh, I watch all my books in my head as I write them. But that doesn't mean the lend themselves to a movie format at all. I'm currently reading a book on writing screenplays that was recommended to me a long time ago. I think I put too much emphasis on what's going on inside my character's heads for my stories to translate to theatre well.

Good luck with your fleshing out and revisions.

Pat's Place said...

Wow! I am impressed with your diligence! I just read a post by Susan Wittig Albert who said that books do not get written by people who are not committed to dedicating a certain portion of each day to the work of grinding out those pages!

Andrea said...

email me at arise2write@gmail.com

Thanks, andrea

Ginger said...

Hi~I haven't seen the movie yet, but read the book a couple of years ago.

I tend to like books better than movies, but will go see a movie after I've read the book. Movies to me tend to skim over the really good details!

Best of luck to you. :)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

I haven't seen the movie or read the book yet. I'd love to see my latest WIP as a movie. The entire series, actually. What fun! But there are others I feel work better in book form. And I'd be afraid of what they'd change :D

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Read, Read, Read. I always like the books better than the movie. Although...I will say, Lord of the Rings was pretty well done.
~ Wendy

Jennifer Shirk said...

Too bad. I'm usually disppointed by the movie version of books, too.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I finished my first story. I agonized over it and felt everything as if it were happening all over again. Two wonderful writing mentors edited and read it. They said they couldn't put it down. I want my book to be read and to impact positive change for the reader. I love what you write about developing plots and characters. I need to do that with my next book. LOve your questions and this site. Thank you. Sarah

Nancy said...

I usually like the book better. Most plots get chopped up when made into movies. I do love movies though, so I'm glad I have accsss to both.