On Topic: It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of LOST, but one of my other current television loves is Vampire Diaries (comes on Thursday nights @ 8 on the CW, for those who are interested).
I've been fascinated with vampires since the first time I saw "The Lost Boys", back in the day. I love all kinds of vampires. From the ones who are little more than slobbering grave monsters, to the more aristocratic Anne Rice types.
And yes -- I have a weakness for teenage vampire stories. (It doesn't hurt that the men who play said teenage vampires are H-O-T!)
The way I see it, my teenage years were the most emotionally challenging of my life (at least up to this point. Check back with me after I have a couple kids). So naturally, I can feel for characters who are perpetually stuck in that phase of their existence. It's the be careful what you wish for answer to "if only I could be young again and still know what I know now" idea.
Anyway, my whole point in choosing this topic today was. Vampire Diaries is a television series that is based off an old book series. LJ Smith wrote her first story with these characters back in the early 90's. I've read a few of those books and they were okay. (It was a much earlier version of YA, and it was a little blander than what I like in my teen stories) But Kevin Williamson (Dawson's Creek & Scream, Scream 2, etc) is the writer for the television show. He's a phenomenal writer, and has a way of continually building the tension & drama. I get addicted to his shows time and time again.
The thing is, Kevin took a good deal of liberties with the story line and characters from the book series (though, IMO, he made definite improvements). Sometimes though, I wonder how LJ Smith ultimately feels about that. Obviously she consented to the television deal, and I'm sure she isn't complaining that her series is back on the NYT best seller list after more than a decade, but ... how does she feel about those liberties?
How do you think you would feel if this situation were to arise with your story/series? Be it a television show or movie adaptation, do you think it would be unsettling for you to have someone else writing your characters instead of you?
4 witty remarks:
Did the same thing happen to True Blood? I haven't read any of the Sookie Stakehouse stories, but I've heard some the plot lines/characters have changed.
Personally, I don't know if I would mind. I think that something I would have to deal with to understand. I do know I am VERY attached to all of my MS's, so I imagine it would be difficult. But, if they make it better, whose to complain?
~JD
I've never seen this Diaries show but True Blood is about 180 degrees different than the novels - and the show is way better IMO.
It's not often I would say that either.
Huh, I never thought about True Blood, but you guys are right that is another book series turned tv show. Then again, I only saw one episode of the show and didn't care for it all that much ... and I've never read the books.
Justine - my biggest fear is that they would make it WORSE. "The Queen of the Damned" is one of my all-time favorite books. The movie is an abomination. I would cry if someone did that to my characters!
Eek! Worse! I never thought about that. That would be awful. Again, I don't know exactly how I would feel unless it happened to me...and..umm...I doubt that knock will be coming to my door anytime soon. LoL ;-)
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