Indie Book Club discussion

In another group we're discussing the differences between the Dresden Files book series vs the TV series, and this brought up an interesting question that I thought better suited to a group of writers. So for everyone who's gone through the labor of love of writing and publishing a novel, here's my question.

Suppose you were approached about turning your novel into a movie or a television series. (I don't know about you, but I have this dream often.) My question is... How much creative control would you surrender in order to bring your novel to life on the big screen?

Think about it -- we've all seen it. We've all said, "wow, that's nothing like the novel" or "I can't believe they cut this or that out". But what if some Hollywood exec came to you and offered to make your novel into a movie or show, and all you had to do was accept that things would change, get cut, and in the end might be nothing like your novel. Could you accept that?

It would depend on the reputation of the creative team behind the movie, but if it's a good reputation, I'd say go with whatever they want to to. They know how to write screenplays, I don't.

If it was Joss Whedon, I would let him do whatever the hell he wanted with it. :P

Anyone else, honestly, I don't imagine I'd want to give us so much control. I'm kind of a control freak and I would want my story to stay true to the story, rather than have the entire point messed up. If they were changing things for good reasons, like time or to simplify points but kept the spirit of things, it would be easier to accept changes.

Mia wrote: "If it was Joss Whedon, I would let him do whatever the hell he wanted with it. :P"

I agree with you, Mia. Joss can do whatever he wants with it.

In answer to my own question, I'm pretty sure I'd just agree with whatever they wanted to do with it, so long as it contained the credit "Based on the Novel by..." or at least "Based on Characters from the Novel by...". ...and of course, as long as I got a paycheck in the end. Seriously, they want to turn my dark sci-fi thriller into a weekly sit-com staring Matt LeBlanc and Chris Tucker? On MTV? Yeah, sure, where do I sign? Guess I'm afraid if I said no, they'd just shrug and move on to something else.

Now, if I were a best selling uber-power author with fans lined up to get my next book, that would change things.

Now, there is the danger of something like what happened to Ursula LeGuin's Earth-sea, where a crappy US miniseries delayed the release of the superior Studio Ghibli interpretation.

Letting someone else mess up with your vision is a double-edged weapon. Fortunately, I wrote screenplays for years before trying to write my first novel, so I know what works in the screen and what doesn't... (they read as movies, anyway ;P ) so, if I ever made the jump into Hollywood, I'd be more or less immune to the malady of seeing my works turned into a "Based on..." feature

The way I see it, if a movie exec approaches me and wants to turn one of my books into a movie, and they purchase the rights to do so, then they'd pretty much have free rein to do whatever they wanted. Yes, there might be a chance that the movie would suck, but as you say, as long as there's a "Based on the novel ... by ....." somewhere in the credits.

Maybe if my books became bestsellers (I wish!) then I'd might have more clout to demand certain things be a certain way.

As it is, I'd just be thrilled to be approached.

Big J

I dabbled in screenplays before I realized that they are collaborations. Once I got that into my brain, I saw what really happens along the way. You've got the director putting his stamp on it and the actors interpretation, the producers, the studios, production might require changes...it's a miracle that any book even resembles the final product. And writers in Hollywood have no clout at all.

I'm really not sure how I would feel having my baby totally changed. Although, money can usually change minds pretty fast.

LOL! Ain't that the truth! I'd be all careful about anyone messing with my stories, but throw in a few $$$ and I'm sure I'd look the other way!!

Jeffrey wrote: "LOL! Ain't that the truth! I'd be all careful about anyone messing with my stories, but throw in a few $$$ and I'm sure I'd look the other way!!"

Agreed! Though I can honestly say that if Uwe Boll said he wanted to make my book into a movie, I'd say no. Anyone else in Hollywood can have at it -- but him, no. I may not have any dignity, but I like to think I have a little sanity.