Whinin' bout storytelling

[kanna]

I've been wondering about the practice of taking a well-worn concept or familiar setting and making it fresh. Obviously, since I'm writing Narnia with teens, it's something that I think about a lot. I read a "kid goes to a fantasy world" story lately that sounded like it would have a new perspective, but ended up actually feeling a little tired in

Comments

[modsandrockers]

"I'm sure I've passed over some perfectly good books because they don't grab me, and I know I've picked up some pretty lame ones because they sounded like they had a cool concept."

Don't be a "EVERYTHING HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE HOW CAN WE FIX THIS" person. People will pre-judge any theme in a book for their own reasons that you have no control over.(Or for me: THE INCLUSION OF ELVES OR ORCS. I JUST CAN'T DO IT I AM SORRY LOTR HAS ALWAYS RUINED THAT FOR ME. You're probably nicer than I am.) I think the best advice in script and story making is to write something you're very infatuated with/believe in at the time. As Linds above me mentioned, you have the visual aspect going for you, and people always respond to that before words. (See: Every horrible movie that still is somehow enjoyable at least for one viewing because of art direction, or even to a lesser extent, special effects. Or also, the fact that some people refuse to watch subtitled movies because they have to read.) I'd be more apt to pick something up if it had appealing artwork, than an appealing blurb if we're talking about quick store choices. BUT I AM ALSO AN ARTFAG. The most disappointing thing to me, however, is when a storyline and art style don't seem to mesh very well, especially when both have elements I enjoy.