Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Thu, Jun 03 2010
Why the first is a tough act to follow
My spouse and I watched Oceans Thirteen this evening while computing on laptops. I've always had a hard time with sequels, whether in film or in books. I think I've begun to understand the reason. When we experience a story we develop a sort of expectation of what characters are like. A sequel story usually means that time has passed between the stories. Characters may change, and in the case of films, actors may change. The director has moved on with life. The one writing the sequel, whether it be book or film, has changed. Those of us reading the book or watching the movie have moved on and grown. Going back and trying to reproduce that original magic of a story is probably one of the most difficult things one could ever come close to making equal, much less making better. It might be good to think about that if we're ever tempted to write serial novels. That being said, I enjoyed the film and am glad to finally be able to pinpoint why sequels tend to disappoint me. I think I even got a few good ideas of my own on what to try if I ever attempt such a writing task.
posted at: 21:38 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
My spouse and I watched Oceans Thirteen this evening while computing on laptops. I've always had a hard time with sequels, whether in film or in books. I think I've begun to understand the reason. When we experience a story we develop a sort of expectation of what characters are like. A sequel story usually means that time has passed between the stories. Characters may change, and in the case of films, actors may change. The director has moved on with life. The one writing the sequel, whether it be book or film, has changed. Those of us reading the book or watching the movie have moved on and grown. Going back and trying to reproduce that original magic of a story is probably one of the most difficult things one could ever come close to making equal, much less making better. It might be good to think about that if we're ever tempted to write serial novels. That being said, I enjoyed the film and am glad to finally be able to pinpoint why sequels tend to disappoint me. I think I even got a few good ideas of my own on what to try if I ever attempt such a writing task.
posted at: 21:38 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
