Friday, October 13, 2017

Celebrate the Small Things


Hello, Friday! Are you ready for the weekend? Have something to celebrate? Let's take a moment to thank our host, Lexa Cain and cohosts: L.G. Keltner and Tonja Drecker.


1. Last week was a big week for blogging. As cohost for the monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group, I was fortunate to receive 60 comments. I'm still replying and hope to visit everyone by the end of the weekend. 


Image: Nick Allen


2. I started writing a new novel. It's been a long time coming. After spending so much time in the 1800s for my historical novel, it's strange writing something contemporary again. Although architecture from the 19th century might sneak in as this story takes place on the campus of a fictional southern university. 


Image: denisbin, College of Charleston



3. Big Little Lies, the HBO mini-series.


I don't have HBO, but Liane Moriarty is an amazing author and Big Little Lies is one of my favorite of her books. So I bought the DVD collection as a birthday present to myself and it was so, so good. The actors were perfect for their roles. The script was faithful to the book about 90% of the time and the changes that were made were excellent choices. (The resolution of one of the daughters trying to sell her virginity online to raise awareness of human trafficking was handled better in the book, but that's a minor thing.) 


Image: Jan Arendtsz


I loved the setting they chose for the mini-series: Monterey Bay, California. The book took place in Australia. The title sequence (check it out here) was gorgeous and the song they chose, Michael Kiwanuka's Cold Little Heart, got stuck in my head after the first couple of episodes. Productions like this along with Game of Thrones (HBO) and 13 Reasons Why (Netflix) make me think that miniseries might replace major motion pictures as the ultimate dream for authors who want to see their work onscreen.

My next mini-series to purchase: The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu) 

What do you think? Would you rather see your favorite book as a mini-series or a movie?

22 comments:

  1. I enjoyed Big Little Lies, too, even though I hadn't read the book. I love being able to binge-watch things. Really enjoyed Atypical on Netflix and am so looking forward to binge-watching Season 1 of Stranger Things before it returns - soon! :)

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  2. Ooh, my book club read The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and I've heard good things about Big Little Lies. Happy weekend!

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  3. Enjoy writing something new. Awesome to hear you got so many comments last week.

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  4. I'm glad you mentioned that mini-series. I saw an episode on HBO and was intrigued, but then forgot the name of it.

    Good luck on the new book. Happy belated birthday!!

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  5. Good to know Big Little Lies was a faithful adaptation. I don't get HBO either, but my father does, so we watched it together as it was aired. I think a mini series is the way to go for books. You need the time to really delve into a book. (Starz is really doing well by Outlander.)

    There's talk of a season 2...

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  6. Liane Moriarty's sister Jaclyn writes YA. She did a gorgeous trilogy, "The Colours Of Madeleine" with goings-on between two universes, one of them ours, one a universe where colours can be deadly!

    A Belated Friday 13 Post























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  7. Surely, a mini series would do a much better job of faithfully representing the book. Good question. It's also a good question because I don't know what my favourite novel is.

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  8. How fun to start with something totally different—that's a big change. I'm torn on the mini-series or movie. I've seen both some that are well done and are not well done. But mini-series definitely give more time (which is often needed) for the original plot and sub-plot to develop.

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  9. Lots of good things to celebrate here. Good luck with the new story.

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  10. Yes, a series like GoT. Even then they have to cut stuff but it often is better or at least not too bad. Good birthday gift from you to you!

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  11. I loved Big Little Lies! But unfortunately did not like the series at all! I was bored. And I think it's because when they make it into a series they slooooooow down the action so much to stretch the story it gets bring! I think I rather see my books in movies. Good luck with that contemporary book! :)

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  12. I enjoyed Big Little Lies too. The setting was incredible!! I love Alexander Skarsgard and his character sure got what he deserved. :D
    Congrats on the new novel! That's exciting. :)

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  13. I like mini-series, because they last longer. :)

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  14. I read Big Little Lies and liked the story. But the TV series had some extra bits like Reece Whitherspoon's character actually having an affair which didn't sit well with me.

    Awesome on your new novel! Congrats!

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  15. Haven't read that book yet, but it's one of our book club picks in the next couple months. Looking forward to it.

    In general, Stephen King's books do better as miniseries, because they're too complex and BIG to fit into a two-hour movie. The standouts, like The Shawshank Redemption, were novellas, which is why the screenwriters were able to fit everything in. That said, Bag of Bones was horrible. So disappointing when the book was so wonderful!

    Congrats on the new novel. Are you sharing any more details?

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