How Cinematic is Your Book?

In a lot of ways: very. I "see" the scene as I write it, and I like visual juxtapositions and some set pieces (though I write contemporary).

But I tend to have a pretty character-driven plot, where a lot of it is the character flailing, fucking up or digging themselves a bigger hole by overreacting, making a mistake or acting stupidly and impulsively in a way that seems totally logical to them at that specific moment. No matter how good the actors or actresses are, that doesn't always work onscreen. When you're watching something, rather than reading it, it's easier to remove yourself and point out stupid leaps or "logic" errors. When you're in a character's head, it's easier to understand.

I don't think descriptive writing = good film potential. I think it has a lot more to do with captivating, engaging characters and plot (and commercial appeal) than whether or not the writing is full of imagery.

I think my stories would make awesome movies -- movies I'd like to see, anyway. None of them would be big blockbusters (unless they were quirk-tastic underdog movies like Silver Linings Playbook or Juno). They'd probably be indie films with tiny budgets. Not going to lie, it would be a huge dream come true to have something I wrote get adapted for film.

Clee, an agent for YA authors wrote in her blog that it's common for aspiring authors to suggest that their novel has film potential, and that there is no need for them to say so. Aren't all novels written visually, or should be. In fact Sol Stein says that part of your edit should be to check that you have something visual on every page. The agent went on to say that it works the other way around: when your novel is selling very well, film people sit up, consider it for its concept and take it from there. In the meantime, authors do best to keep writing good stories.

Sorry to throw a wet rag, but I think she's right.

Another thing is, I always base my characters, visually, on a real person (be they someone I know, an actor, a historical figure etc). Their personality is entirely of my own invention, but I always like to have in mind what they look like.

I'm a visual artist, so my writing is pretty visual. I'm one of those that "watch" the story in my head and transcribe what I see.

I don't think having a visual/cinematic book has anything to do with whether it would make a good movie, though, and I don't think saying your book is cinematic means you even want it made into a movie. Like someone else said, mine would be pretty expensive to make into a movie. There are some ridiculous explosions, and there would have to be a LOT of visual effects because there are crazy magical battles and things. I'm not a filmmaker. I'm a writer and a photographer. I just want to write the best book I can in a way that interests me. Whatever else happens is out of my hands, because it's not my medium.

Would I say no to a film adaptation? Haha, no. Would I be disappointed if it never became a movie? Nope. Like I said, it's not my medium. If I'm lucky enough to get published, that will be more than enough for me. ^_^

My books are very cinematic and visual. Reviewers have said they feel like they're watching a movie or that they could see it as a movie. It is the only way I know how to write, but I also adapted some things in Kings & Queens so that it could transition easily to film, in case, 'cause you never know, like a letter was turned into a video message.

wishflower said:

I'm a visual artist, so my writing is pretty visual. I'm one of those that "watch" the story in my head and transcribe what I see.

^_^

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I do this too. Sometimes I can't sit down and write a scene until it's all worked out in my head. It's sometimes hard for me to capture in words exactly how I see it. Like I can show a steamy kiss with words, but it's always so much hotter in my head than on paper, which is frustrating.

A friend recently told me that she was casting the movie as she read my book, and I've had a few others comment that they'd like to see it as a movie. (We can dream, can't we?)

Since it's a contemporary coming-of-age, I think my book would translate pretty easily to film. So if there are any agents out there looking for books to option for film...

I disagree that a book has to be visual to have good film potential. If a director is creative enough, he or she should be able to fill in the "visual holes."

breaking_burgundy said:

I disagree that a book has to be visual to have good film potential. If a director is creative enough, he or she should be able to fill in the "visual holes."

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I definitely agree with this. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a character driven, epistolary novel, and I thought the movie was pretty fantastic. (Of course, Stephen Chbosky also wrote the screenplay and directed it, which definitely helps.) The epistolary format seem like it'd be especially hard to adapt, but if it's done right, it works.

I'm actually pretty focussed on writing cinematically, but that's just because I have high ambitions. Need to prepare for CONQUERING THE WORLD MUHAHAHAHA!

wishflower said:

I definitely agree with this. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a character driven, epistolary novel, and I thought the movie was pretty fantastic. (Of course, Stephen Chbosky also wrote the screenplay and directed it, which definitely helps.) The epistolary format seem like it'd be especially hard to adapt, but if it's done right, it works.

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I agree. It's a fantastic movie.

Becca C. said:

I don't think descriptive writing = good film potential. I think it has a lot more to do with captivating, engaging characters and plot (and commercial appeal) than whether or not the writing is full of imagery.

I think my stories would make awesome movies -- movies I'd like to see, anyway. None of them would be big blockbusters (unless they were quirk-tastic underdog movies like Silver Linings Playbook or Juno). They'd probably be indie films with tiny budgets. Not going to lie, it would be a huge dream come true to have something I wrote get adapted for film.

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I agree, but I do think that there's also an element of specifically *what* you're describing that does help with the film potential of descriptive writing, and it makes it a good bet. For instance, THE NIGHT CIRCUS - I haven't read it, so I can't comment, but from others' reviews, it doesn't seem to have much of a plot, but a lot of gorgeous gorgeous writing. It's been optioned for a film, I believe? And maybe some of that does have to do with the setting. For instance, an excellent literary writer can probably write a very evocative description of a high school hallway. But there's an extra level of cool, and appeal, if you're describing something wicked like a circus. Something fantastic and other yet strangely evocative and palpable to us.