Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Different Fictional Outlets
Tear the World Down- We Are the Fallen (Tear the World Down, 2010)
Once again, it’s time to step away from the box.
What does this have to do with writing? Has anyone else started to notice a trend lately with their favorite series? Anita Blake is now a Comic. (Kim Harrison) The Hollows are going Graphic (Not to mention the Twilight series has gone there already). And my favorite old school Manga (Sailor Moon) was turned into a cartoon series (1990s) and even spawned into some movies. The art of picture novel is looking for a broader audience, starting with you. Yes, you my little novel reader. Why? Why not. In the world of Internet, Podcasts and the Kindle, there are fewer and fewer people picking up the written word. And in the world of the writer, change is on the horizon and you’ve got to find ways to make yourself marketable to the masses. Marketing yourself to the masses means widening your written horizons. And to widen those horizons and stay true to your abilities, you’ve got to think on different creative levels to gain those would be readers.
Now, you might be wondering what the difference is between comics and graphic novels (I hear it’s a topic that comes up a lot). Or even wondering WTF manga is or if it’s a new term for the Alan Alda. (I promise manga is NOT.) And because I heart the Wiki, the Wiki is what I’ll use to explain these to you (or not. You’ve probably stopped reading by now. If that’s true then boo on you.)
Comics are pretty self-explanatory, I would think. Most of us grew up with Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, The Hulk, Wonder Woman, Batman as comic book heroes (and heroines). I couldn’t wait to read the comic strips (ie: Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts) in the newspaper on Sunday morning. (Do they still do that?) Recently, Hollywood has gone Comic book mad and made a bunch of comic books into movies. (Kick-Ass was pretty kick ass. The Losers, meh, I wasn’t sold on it. I thought it was lackluster at best.) Comics are a series told over a span of editions and volumes. Usually comics are targeted over the broader audience range, aiming for kids and adults alike. While there may be violence and the occasional “encounter” with a member of the opposite sex, it’s usually pretty mild. Comics have been around for a while and lots of people are collectors and enjoy the simplicity of comics as an art form. But when you flip to the last page in your comic, it’s not the end of the story. Just the end of the comic until the next edition comes out.
Graphic novels takes a comic book to the next level by making the comic book an actual illustrated version of a novel. There is a beginning, a middle and an end to every book. I think the actual work is more detailed, vivid, the novel themes seem to be darker. A great example of GN to movie is Watchmen. The GN isn’t geared toward younger audiences, tending to go for more adult themes.
Experts and readers alike argue over the terms of comic book or graphic novel. Some people are not keen on the “graphic novel” label. I’m a fan of the definition to separate the two.
Now, Manga. Manga being Japanese comics/graphic novels (interchangeable). (See, I told you not the Alan Alda.)
I’m a fan of the visuals Manga inspired comic bring to the page. The art form of Manga is beautiful all on its own. Japan, with the original art form of Manga, haas everyone beat on the beauty the artist can bring to the page with the story. One of my favorites is Sailor Moon. The story of a clumsy girl who happens to turn out to be the leader of a ragtag mix of girls destined to save the universe from evil doers who would harness the good in everyone to destroy everything.
Amerimanga is often referred to when speaking of Manga inspired American comic/graphic novel illustrators and writers. The American art form of Manga is a different style than the tradition Japanese Manga. I believe mostly based off the differences in culture and popularity of the illustration design.
When thinking of all three forms, I think of the difference in illustration as visual form of difference. And if thinking about visual differences in outlets, I can’t stop this blog without writing about the recent trend to bring book series to life on the TV and Silver Screen.
In the move to get more readers excited about reading, Hollywood has come calling to several authors for big time movie contracts and TV deals. One of my favorite series of all time, Stephanie Plum (Author: Janet Evanovich) is finally *crossing fingers* going to make it to the big screen. Ms. Evanovich sold her rights to the first book, One for the Money, more than a decade ago. Several scripts were written. A TV movie made and shelved quickly and more scripts and production companies later, the book is finally coming to life. Nicholas Sparks *eye roll* has plenty of books turned movies (I will concede The Notebook broke my heart, but I did not cry.) Not to mention the interest the movie builds for movie goers who don’t typically read fiction. The Time Traveler’s Wife, My Sister’s Keeper and The Lovely Bones generated more interest in the fiction novel that inspired the movie. (I’d like to see the numbers on book sales after the movie made it to the big screen and numbers on library loans.)
But movies aren’t the only way to go. Many book series’ have been turned into TV series’. I bet you know of True Blood on HBO. (Fangbanger, anyone?) Charlaine Harris started the Sookie Stackhouse series (AKA: Southern Vampire series) in 2001 (I’m pretty sure, correct me if I’m off.) and the series and it’s popularity has grown into a massive following of readers and TV Series lovers alike.
The series Blood Ties on Lifetime hooked me into a world of a vampire, Henry (none other than Henry, dead son of Henry the VIII) partnered to a former police officer turned private investigator, Vicki Nelson, to solve crimes of the paranormal kind. The Blood books were written in the 90’s (early 90’s) and just adapted into a TV series in the mid 2000’s. This was one paranormal series I had not enjoyed before the series made it to TV. I’m sad that Tanya Huff stopped at 6 books but it was about the closure she gave her readers without dragging it out and killing the love of the characters.
Okay, I can talk about this all day, so I’m just going to get to the question. With the growing trend of the written word into visual form, could you imagine branching your novel out into a visual representation of your story? And what form would you want it to take?
Once again, it’s time to step away from the box.
What does this have to do with writing? Has anyone else started to notice a trend lately with their favorite series? Anita Blake is now a Comic. (Kim Harrison) The Hollows are going Graphic (Not to mention the Twilight series has gone there already). And my favorite old school Manga (Sailor Moon) was turned into a cartoon series (1990s) and even spawned into some movies. The art of picture novel is looking for a broader audience, starting with you. Yes, you my little novel reader. Why? Why not. In the world of Internet, Podcasts and the Kindle, there are fewer and fewer people picking up the written word. And in the world of the writer, change is on the horizon and you’ve got to find ways to make yourself marketable to the masses. Marketing yourself to the masses means widening your written horizons. And to widen those horizons and stay true to your abilities, you’ve got to think on different creative levels to gain those would be readers.
Now, you might be wondering what the difference is between comics and graphic novels (I hear it’s a topic that comes up a lot). Or even wondering WTF manga is or if it’s a new term for the Alan Alda. (I promise manga is NOT.) And because I heart the Wiki, the Wiki is what I’ll use to explain these to you (or not. You’ve probably stopped reading by now. If that’s true then boo on you.)
Comics are pretty self-explanatory, I would think. Most of us grew up with Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, The Hulk, Wonder Woman, Batman as comic book heroes (and heroines). I couldn’t wait to read the comic strips (ie: Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts) in the newspaper on Sunday morning. (Do they still do that?) Recently, Hollywood has gone Comic book mad and made a bunch of comic books into movies. (Kick-Ass was pretty kick ass. The Losers, meh, I wasn’t sold on it. I thought it was lackluster at best.) Comics are a series told over a span of editions and volumes. Usually comics are targeted over the broader audience range, aiming for kids and adults alike. While there may be violence and the occasional “encounter” with a member of the opposite sex, it’s usually pretty mild. Comics have been around for a while and lots of people are collectors and enjoy the simplicity of comics as an art form. But when you flip to the last page in your comic, it’s not the end of the story. Just the end of the comic until the next edition comes out.
Graphic novels takes a comic book to the next level by making the comic book an actual illustrated version of a novel. There is a beginning, a middle and an end to every book. I think the actual work is more detailed, vivid, the novel themes seem to be darker. A great example of GN to movie is Watchmen. The GN isn’t geared toward younger audiences, tending to go for more adult themes.
Experts and readers alike argue over the terms of comic book or graphic novel. Some people are not keen on the “graphic novel” label. I’m a fan of the definition to separate the two.
Now, Manga. Manga being Japanese comics/graphic novels (interchangeable). (See, I told you not the Alan Alda.)
I’m a fan of the visuals Manga inspired comic bring to the page. The art form of Manga is beautiful all on its own. Japan, with the original art form of Manga, haas everyone beat on the beauty the artist can bring to the page with the story. One of my favorites is Sailor Moon. The story of a clumsy girl who happens to turn out to be the leader of a ragtag mix of girls destined to save the universe from evil doers who would harness the good in everyone to destroy everything.Amerimanga is often referred to when speaking of Manga inspired American comic/graphic novel illustrators and writers. The American art form of Manga is a different style than the tradition Japanese Manga. I believe mostly based off the differences in culture and popularity of the illustration design.
When thinking of all three forms, I think of the difference in illustration as visual form of difference. And if thinking about visual differences in outlets, I can’t stop this blog without writing about the recent trend to bring book series to life on the TV and Silver Screen.
In the move to get more readers excited about reading, Hollywood has come calling to several authors for big time movie contracts and TV deals. One of my favorite series of all time, Stephanie Plum (Author: Janet Evanovich) is finally *crossing fingers* going to make it to the big screen. Ms. Evanovich sold her rights to the first book, One for the Money, more than a decade ago. Several scripts were written. A TV movie made and shelved quickly and more scripts and production companies later, the book is finally coming to life. Nicholas Sparks *eye roll* has plenty of books turned movies (I will concede The Notebook broke my heart, but I did not cry.) Not to mention the interest the movie builds for movie goers who don’t typically read fiction. The Time Traveler’s Wife, My Sister’s Keeper and The Lovely Bones generated more interest in the fiction novel that inspired the movie. (I’d like to see the numbers on book sales after the movie made it to the big screen and numbers on library loans.)
But movies aren’t the only way to go. Many book series’ have been turned into TV series’. I bet you know of True Blood on HBO. (Fangbanger, anyone?) Charlaine Harris started the Sookie Stackhouse series (AKA: Southern Vampire series) in 2001 (I’m pretty sure, correct me if I’m off.) and the series and it’s popularity has grown into a massive following of readers and TV Series lovers alike.
The series Blood Ties on Lifetime hooked me into a world of a vampire, Henry (none other than Henry, dead son of Henry the VIII) partnered to a former police officer turned private investigator, Vicki Nelson, to solve crimes of the paranormal kind. The Blood books were written in the 90’s (early 90’s) and just adapted into a TV series in the mid 2000’s. This was one paranormal series I had not enjoyed before the series made it to TV. I’m sad that Tanya Huff stopped at 6 books but it was about the closure she gave her readers without dragging it out and killing the love of the characters.Okay, I can talk about this all day, so I’m just going to get to the question. With the growing trend of the written word into visual form, could you imagine branching your novel out into a visual representation of your story? And what form would you want it to take?
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61 comments:
Adult comic book. ;)
Uh, adult movie?
San Fernando Valley, here I come!
Interesting Sin.
And I didn't have to duck once to avoid fluttering eye lids!
I'm a big fan of audio books where an actress or more than one actress/actor can use different voices for the different characters.
Generalising the graphic novel concept to the digital age, I could envisage using a computer (or very advanced form of kindle) to link the written word or spoken word to video input.
So we could be listening to Terri reading her big bang moment and if desired, click the link to get a synchronised video representation of the action. You could be given a choice of images for the hero/heroine and a heat rating to suit your taste.
I would love to give it a try!
Especially if I could hear/watch the pirates in action. :D
As I haven't seen many historical romance novels branched into movies/graphic novels, I'd be surprised to see mine in.
Though, my stuff always seems to have some sort of suspense plot (I really like suspense plots in everything) so I think that'd be fun to see on screen. I have no idea who'd play who though.
Now Haleigh's stuff... I could completely see that on screen. FM would make a great movie.
Great blog, Sin.
Chanceroo, I knew you'd say that. lol At least yours would have a plot and a beginning and end. I could dig that.
Such an interesting question SIN, since I have spent my on-line sojourn taking my visual images of RL and turning them into words.
Figures that I would be doing things backwards.
And Chanceroo, I think you'd enjoy We Are the Fallen . It's the original band members of Evanescence with a new singer. I don't think Carly's voice is as strong as Amy Lee's (Evanescence) but the music is good for inspiring all kinds of action and drama.
Q, you are naughty.
I like when you go all techie on me. While I'm not a fan of the audio book (I have specific thoughts of how the characters "voices" sound in my head while I'm reading and to hear them aloud and not match my "voice" it messes with the story in my head. If that makes sense.) but I can totally see where you're going. It's only the next logical step for the writing world to go in. Take the audio and match it with the digital visual representation.
Live actors or something like a video game?
Ooh, a video game of my book. A choose your own adventure game where you can choose if my heroine goes into a building to shoot it up or just takes a rocket launcher and blows it to bits.
Marn, no baby yet? Tell him to stop cooking or he will be overdone.
I would love to see a series of Gothic regencies put into graphic form. I think it's the thought of the fashion. I love the fashion from those days. The lace, ruffles, velvet, all the buttons.
But isn't that what writing is about? Taking the visual in your head and turning it into words so the reader can see what you see?
Jules, you're not backwards. You're ahead of the curve.
so the reader can see what you see?
God help you.
God help the reader. I know what I see in my head is not what anyone else wants to see. I just don't care if they want to visualize it or not.
But isn’t that what writing is about?
I wouldn't know. I don't have a writing background. And I don't think that taking an English 101 course your freshman year of college counts for beans.
I just don’t care if they want to visualize it or not.
Don't encourage me.
Sin, what an intriguing post! I definitely see my books in a very visual way when I'm writing them, so I would love to have somebody awesome make them into a movie or HBO series. :)
I haven't really thought about a graphic novel though. I used to read comic books all the time as a kid -- Betty and Veronica rocked! And I loved Richie Rich, but I think that was wish fulfillment. LOL
Now I've got something else to ponder while ripping through revisions!
Marn, I wouldn't think there were any historical romance manga either, but Anne Gracie wrote about one of her books being manga'd:
http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2010/04/ive-been-mangad.html#comments
Strange, but true.
And I always here that the longer they cook, the more tender they are? No?
Donna, I've thought about the movie vs tv series (HBO- because I need sex, drugs and violence to be a part of the whole she-bang). I think I'd rather see a series of mine.
Blood Ties is probably one of my favorite book to TV series I've seen. I really think the crew and casting was done perfectly. True Blood, not so much.
Jules, I live for encouraging you. I like the outcomes. lol
Hells, I checked that out. That would be SO cool.
Yeah, we're back.
Okay, I wouldn't be interested in Manga for my books per se, though if that's the only way foreign countries wanted to publish them (i.e. Anne Gracie) then sure.
But I'd love a big film version. Johnny Depp as Luc; Kate Beckinsale as Lillith; Gerard Butler as Adam; and someone gorgeous as Eve.
I've always wanted the Marissa Chronicles to be a graphic novel. But until I can find a sugar daddy to help with the financing the dream still lives on.
I was thinking of you the other day and wondering how you've been doing. Still writing?
Or we find you someone who can draw amerimanga :)
I'm down for that too :D
Still writing Sin.....very, very, very slowly.
I blame that on my Kindle. That thing is addictive.
Hi, my name is Geisha and I'm a Kindle addict.
Hence why writers shouldn't be allowed to have those sorts of devices. We like procrastination too much. lol
I could see your Adam and Eve series as a graphic novel. I can see the looks on Lucy's face now. LOL
I do like the audio idea, Q. You devil...
Like music videos...we'll move onto book videos? A book video channel... No, not Lifetime. Something more cutting edge, done with graphics instead of live actors. Or dead actors for those zombie stories making the rounds...
Hmmmmm!
Anne Gracie manga'd? Now I've seen everything....
No baby yet, folks. Please, I'll be shouting from the rooftops....
And Hellie, I have no idea about the more tender thing.... (Note to self: decline Hellion's offers to babysit.)
videoes=videos
I like this idea, Chanceroo. Sort of like MTV (back in the day when they actually played music videoes) except for books.
Animation graphics would be cool. Sort of like the visual graphics on a like Final Fantasy level.
The art for her story was done REALLY well. I love the idea of romance manga'd. Sailor Moon is a bit of a romance. The Japanese version (not the Americanized version) of Sailor Moon has a lesbian couple. I thought it was pretty progressive in the early 90's.
*LOL* I'm actually good with babies. I only ignore their screaming for ten minutes before I check on them.
Actually I'm sorta imagining Marnee shouting as we speak... "GET. THIS. BABY. OUT. OF. MEEEEEE!!!!!"
Better than me. I ignore all screaming and tantrums. Not to mention you will not will the Will not/Will too war with me. I will argue until you run out of patience.
Okay, I suppose I can see the Manga expressions on Luc's face. *LOL* Esp when he plans. Or after he sleeps with Lillith.
I ignore all screaming and tantrums.
We're still talking about babies, right, and not Mattycakes?
Actually I’m sorta imagining Marnee shouting as we speak… “GET. THIS. BABY. OUT. OF. MEEEEEE!!!!!”
This resembles reality so much it isn't even funny.
I like the idea of a narrator, music and graphic annimation... But then again, I tend to write with a narrative voice!
This resembles reality so much it isn’t even funny.
I have that problem a lot in my writing.
I can't imagine having a baby. They expect you to take it home and everything.
LMAO I can’t imagine having a baby. They expect you to take it home and everything.
I can't imagine being married to Mattycakes but shit happens. LOL
Uhm...I'm only reading in this video set up, right? That's all? Because I do not think the other is in my contract.
My kiddo came two days early and I can't say I was upset about that. But then I had like the easiest pregnancy in the world.
Somewhere there is Jane Austen Manga. I've blogged about it before. Thanks for paying attention, gals. ;)
Yeah, that's why I can't imagine getting married either. You have that really great day and the awesome dress, exchange some sweet sentiments, then you're expected to share your domicile with someone who conveniently doesn't remember to pick up after himself or channel surfs during your TV show.
Wait, Santa blogged about it. Duh. This is what I get for trying to be a smart ass.
Hitting the road. Errr...waves. Whatever.
Chanceroo, I can see your fiction as like the Final Fantasy series... the dramatic visuals with the equally dramatic music in the background.
I still would like to see a choose your own adventure video game. LOL
I have to say - I would totally love to see a book of mine turned into a Lifetime Movie. Not the kind from the 80's that are all abusive husbands and stalkers, but the newer ones they've had like the Hair Diary Mysteries.
BTW - I just saw on twitter - Sourcebooks Casablanca editor Deb Worksman is taking pitches online tomorrow at the Casablanca blog. http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/
I've been reading about a choose your own adventure type of books rising in demand. I remember them from...lord...twenty years ago? Would be fun to write them...
Totally just go off your rocker and spin different scenarios for where things would go...
I could see myself doing that... Hee, hee. It's nuts enough!
Everyone ready to pitch get thee to that blog tomorrow!
I'm sorry. I can't remember anything from yesterday, let alone a blog from a different week :(
I couldn't write a choose your own adventure book. My adventures would get too wild and crazy. I was always the person who picked the wrong adventure and got killed or fell off a mountain side or was attacked by rabid wolves... but the other side seemed so docile that I never felt bad about having to close the book early.
But then I had like the easiest pregnancy in the world.
*confused look* It's like you WANT to be stabbed.
I think I'm schizophrenic enough to do it. Just have to treat it like the story Scapegoat had us read last week, with each blogger taking up the story. Save that I'm the one who keeps taking it up... I could see it...
*the voice of Joe Peschi
..."Ooooh! Yeah, then they could fall off the cliff... No! What if the mothership beams them up...! No, even better! A time tunnel opens up and then..."
And I'm off!
*confused look* It’s like you WANT to be stabbed.
I laughed so hard I almost choked on my homemade chocolate chip cookie!
I decide to write something for the Avon blog writing prompt, since it was Regency-ish. Actually it was totally a HOA thing, because I was avoiding something else.
If you wanna look (but you don't gotta!), here's the link: http://www.avonromance.com/2010/05/avon-invites-you-to-be-the-writer-2/
Don't be wasting a good chocolate chip cookie, Donna. And I don't want to be stabbed, it's just true. I can be a cautionary tale for only so many things. *shrugs* Pregnancy just happens to not be one of them. Now, that was 11 years ago. I'm pretty sure my body would not like it so much now. Which is why I'm never doing it again. LOL!
Off to check out Donna's link. I should probably eventually read this blog. LOL!
Checked link. I think that one would be fun to try. Without reading all the comments first, of course. That would just louse things up. Could be fun.
Doooo ittttt! LOL It counts as writing, in the sense of "mental exercise". :) Which means it burned off the two cookies I ate earlier, and I burned off calories by MAKING them (something I haven't done in a while).
No wonder I'm tired! LOL
Look at you with the peer pressure. I could give it a shot and I think I will, but I haven't written any on the WIP since Sunday night which means I gots lots of pages on that to do first.
But the idea for the writing prompt is brewing. By tomorrow I should be ready to give it a whirl.
Now pass me a cookie.
Ah, Bo'sun -- no peer pressure! Here's two cookies. :) One for working on your pages, and one for the idea that's brewing!
Hellion -- nice story! I loved it!
Yours rocked it, Donna! I should have read before I posted. *LOL*
I was always the person who picked the wrong adventure and got killed or fell off a mountain side or was attacked by rabid wolves…
Gawd SIN, sounds like one of those phone calls I get from my DS.
And Janga ... if you're hanging around don't tell them about the time I was Hanging out with the neighbor's Malamute!
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