On Fiction Writing

• A major political shift that affects the stability of world super powers, and leads to widespread panic, economic instability and worldwide famine
• A worldwide pandemic
• Nuclear war
• A mega volcano eruption
• An asteroid impact 

Now, Stephenie Meyer, despite turning these glorious monsters into teenage clichés, has injected a much-needed jolt of life into the paranormal genre with her impossibly successful Twilight Saga. For this, she gets major points. However, when comparing vampires of yesterday and today, which author comes out on top; the dark, tortured souls that inhabit Anne Rice’s fantasy world, or the glittery heartthrobs that torture teenage dreams of Twihards worldwide?

…..continued at www.onfictionwriting.com

Often when a book is adapted to film, whether for television or movies, a little of the magic is lost. I’ve found myself excited to see my fictional world brought to life many times, only to be disappointed with what Hollywood presented me. The problem is that writers have the luxury of however many pages it takes to convey our story, characters, setting, etc. to the reader. A screenwriter does not. So, he must pull what is necessary from the plot and dialogue, and then the setting is created based on what the filmmakers see when they read. This can differ greatly from what you or I imagine. Then it’s on to casting the characters, which can be a tightrope walk. Sometimes the writer describes the protagonist as a tall man with dark hair and rugged good looks, but Brad Pitt gets the role. This can be jarring when you’ve fallen in love with a George Clooney type of character in your mind.

True Blood is a refreshing change from my previous experience with book to film adaptations. But which is better, the film or the books?
 

hidingfromsomeone:

Fifty Shades & The “Philadelphia Incident”

I’m not really sure if this is the best place to voice these opinions and concerns. And I’m not really sure if it’s my place to be voicing them at all. This whole topic isn’t easy for me to discuss (it’s very personal) but I’ve never been very good…

nce I wrote a story about this girl who called up a demon. My initial plan was to have her go all badass and the demon would be this sexy beast kind of demon who saves her and blah, blah, blah. However, after researching demons I realized it wouldn’t be quite the happily ever after I had in mind. First, demons are really fucking scary. Second, you cannot control a demon. Nope. Not ever. That’s not to say it might not be worth calling one.

Chuck Wendig is a man of great energy in need of a handicap – which is why he has been invited to the Rack.  Chuck is a novelist, screenwriter, and game designer. His books include  DOUBLE DEAD, BLACKBIRDS, MOCKINGBIRD, and the recently unleashed SHOTGUN GRAVY (Atlanta Burns), the first novella in a series that he’s about to whip out onto the unsuspecting world. Oh, and there’s the short stories artfully arranged in an array of journals and zines. And did I mention the spec screenplays, and his contribution to RPG?

Bring on the Rack. http://onfictionwriting.com/rack/Chuck-Wendig/18/