While he read, I could see the excitement in his eyes, the enjoyment on his face, and even heard a few giggles here and there. I took great pleasure in watching him while he was reading and wondered what was going through his mind. I can tell that he'll devour this book in just a few days and be on to the next one.
I teasingly asked him if it was better than mine (he's read the first chapter of my WIP and says he loves it) and being the kind-hearted soul that he is, he answered no. I know he was just trying to make me feel good and I love him for that. But, now I can't wait to get my hands on that book so I can see what it is about the book that has him so enthralled.
For me, my enjoyment of a book is primarily based on the first few chapters. I'll admit it. There are plenty of books that I have tossed aside because they didn't grab me in those first chapters. It's a shame, because there have been books that I've forced myself to push through that ended up being great reads.
I like a lot of action in the first chapter. That's what grabs me. A lot of action that leaves me with a lot of questions. That's what makes me want to read more. I guess I don't need to learn tons about the characters right off the bat. I just like that initial excitement of the character being caught up in some sort of predicament.
So, in a few days, I'll be getting my hands on The Lightning Thief and picking it apart to see if I can gather any information that will help me in developing my novel and making it a great read. Maybe my novel will be so exciting that they'll want to make a movie based on it! One can only dream!
What is it that reels you in when reading a new book. Do you need a lot up front or can you wait for a story to slowly develop? What books have you read that you would like to see as a movie?
SIS Bren
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14 comments:
Hi Bren
Smurfette read The Lightning Thief and loved it.
Like you, a book needs to grab my attention from the start.
I have found that when a movie is made based on a book I am disappointed. Books are so much better. Smurfette noticed a lot missing from The Lightning Thief movie.
Hi B.J.,
I agree. I am always disappointed with the movies. But still, I would love to see my book turned into a movie. Maybe I could have creative input and make sure it stayed true to my book!
SIS Bren
I'm hoping the Black Dagger Brotherward (JR Ward), the Lords of the Underworld (Gena Showalter), or the Immortals After Dark (Kresley Cole) will be made into movies. I'm not fussy - any one will do.
I hate books that start out slow. I want to be grabbed from the get-go too! I haven't read The Lightning Thief but I've heard excellent things about it. I've also heard the movie is only vaguely similar. :)
There's few things worse than seeing a favorite book butchered once it hits the screen. BBC (British Broadcasting) is the only production company I can think of that generally always sticks with the original storylines of novels.
I haven't read The Lightning Thief, but, from the sound of it, I'm sure my daughter would love it. She's my little book gobbler. I'll have to grab her a copy.
Bren, I always think of my book as being made into a movie, too! I even have the soundtrack picked out. How's that for being cheesy? Hey, if we don't dream, we might as well lay down and die. So, you watch for my movie to come out and I'll watch for yours :)
Wow. How topical for me. I watched the movie version of The Lightning Thief a couple of weeks ago. I loved it. I hadn't read the book so had nothing to compare it to.
I enjoyed the story so much that I decided I wanted to read the book. That entire series is a huge hit with kids at my library. I bought and downloaded to my Kindle. I think I'm on Chapter Six or so. The story and the writing are top notch. I'm really enjoying it. I bet 'R' laughed out loud at the toilet scene. It was pretty darn awesome. :)
Even only Six chapters in I can tell you that many scenes did not make it into the movie. Obviously they had to cut for time. The movie gets to the heart of the matter quickly and focuses solely on that. I still think the screenwriters and director did a darn good job with the adaptation. I loved the visuals. The big difference for me was that, in the book Percy is 12. In the movie, they cast an older boy. He, and Annabeth, were more like 15--14 at the youngest. Which gave it a slightly different angle.
Anyhow, great story!
As to your question, I don't need a lot up front when first reading a book. Just enough form an emotional connection with the main characters. As for what book I'd like to see as a movie, can I pick one of mine? I think ALL ABOUT IS EVIE begs to be a movie... or a TV series. And Gerard Butler MUST play Arch. Anyone know how I can get him a copy of my book? ;)
SIS Beth
Brenda,
I usually like something going on right at the beginning to catch and keep my attention, but if I don't get it I will usually keep reading for a few more chapters to see if it at least builds on what it started with. If not, then I'm done with it. Not exactly instant gratification but close enough.
I'm not sure that I'd like to see -any- book I've read as a movie, and here's why. When I read something my mind sets all the details the way it likes them: What the characters look like, what the setting looks like, etc. My mind can get pretty specific, and if I see another person's interpretation that doesn't match mine then I'm usually disappointed. Not always, but more often than not.
Okay, first I'd like to address Berinn! Girl, I'm with you, but we may be renting the movies at our local "ADULT" store (wink wink--nudge nudge) If you know what I mean!
Bren,
After reading your post, I reread the first chapter of my WIP. I think there is enough turmoil and implied action (if that makes sense), but what I did realize is that there is virtually no dialogue until the very end of the chapter. I'm wondering if that's a problem.
I think I need to read The Lightning Thief. Seems to be getting rave reviews here at SIS.
I think Linda Wisdom's HEX series would make a great television series. I know they tried a witch series recently, but Linda's characters are better.
Beth's Evie series would totally make a good TV series!
Hi Berinn,
Sounds like you know what you want and if Elle says you'd have to rent it fromt the adult store, than they must be steamy! I'm in!
SIS Bren
Hi Tori,
We seem to agree on a lot of things. In our land of Ifandwhendia, we'll have to only allow books with super exciting first chapters. So it is said....so it shall be done.
SIS Bren
Alyson,
I love the term "book gobbler" and will have to apply it to my son!
I also love that you have a soundtrack picked out for your movie. I don't necessarily have a soundtrack picked out but I DO know that I want Danny Elfman to do the composing.
Dream on and dream big...I'll be watching for your movie!
SIS Bren
Hi Beth,
SO funny, "R" DID laugh at the toilet scene and even had to tell me about it. I can't wait to read it.
Of course you can pick one of your own and glad you did. I agree with Elle. The Evie series would make great TV!
SIS Bren
Krys,
I have always been a firm believer of reading the book before watching the movie for exactly the reasons you stated.
I, too, like to let my mind conjure up what the people and surroundings of a book look like. My mind pictures it so vividly that I also am almost always disappointed with the movies. Like you said, "not always, but more often than not."
SIS Bren
Elle,
I keep forgetting to mention that I've read chaps 1 and 2 of your WIP and I LOVE IT!
As for not having much dialogue, I don't think it's a big deal at all. I do like dialogue, but I think you've set the story up nicely. It's intriguing and exciting!
SIS Bren
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