David Eddings Books Movies
Giraldo Allain
When I first heard that this classic was being brought to life under the skillful hand of Peter Jackson and his team, I could not wait. Years later, when the box set became available, the hefty investment was a no-brainer for me.
Now that the Game of Thrones film series is complete, studios are rushing to find the next fantasy series to keep fans happy. From what I can see, there will be plenty to keep you glued to your screens. Here are a few that could be very good if done properly.
This series by Michael J. Sullivan is one of those rare self-published successes. The tales of assassin Royce Melborn and former soldier Hadrian Blackwater are exciting adventures that gradually introduce the reader to an incredible new world. The fast-paced action and the well-written dialogue between the unexpected friends keeps the narrative flowing from start to finish.
So, there you have it. A few popular fantasy books made into movies, a few lesser known fantasy books made into movies, a few fantasy books now in film production, and a few I would like to see turned into movies.
I always caution readers: when it comes to film, be careful what you wish for. Writers and readers are partners in story, and so when a book comes to the screen, it doesn't always match the reader's vision. It seems like the more you love a book, the more likely you are to be disappointed in the movie.
If a film is made, it's unlikely I'll be the one to decide on the cast. Which is a good thing, because I'm woefully ignorant of possible candidates. When it comes to things other than writing novels, I tend to defer to the experts.
The Seven Realms series is high fantasy, set in the queendom of the Fells. Han Alister, a thief-turned-wizard joins forces with Princess Raisa ana'Marianna to defend her right to the Gray Wolf Throne. There will be four books in the Seven Realms series. The titles, in order, are The Demon King, The Exiled Queen, The Gray Wolf Throne, and The Crimson Crown.
Ideas for novels come from multiple sources - the influence of other writers, the accumulated experiences of the author, and so on. I have always loved high fantasy, beginning with The Lord of the Rings, continuing with Mary Stewart's Hollow Hills series and Marion Zimmer Bradley's Arthurian stories, David Eddings's Polgara series, Mercedes Lackey, and George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire.
The Seven Realms series is set in a world that I created for The Star-Marked Warder, an adult high fantasy series that I never finished. I began writing SMW while I was shopping The Warrior Heir. I'd recently read Martin's first three books in SOIF, and I was especially impressed with what he did with character. I wanted to create characters that would seize hold of the reader and not let go.
While I was in the middle of writing SMW, The Warrior Heir sold, and I abandoned SMW and began writing and revising The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir. After finishing The Dragon Heir, I knew I wanted to return to high fantasy, but write it for teens. So I took some of the characters from SMW back to when they were teenagers - and that's how it all began.
The Heir Chronicles are contemporary fantasy, set in Ohio. The first three books relate to the struggle of the lesser magical guilds (The Warrior Guild, The Sorcerer Guild, the Seer Guild, and the Enchanter Guild) to free themselves from the dominion of the powerful Wizard Guild.
As the series opens, a high school boy discovers he is among the last of a race of gifted warriors. He's been hidden in a small town, but now he's being hunted by wizards to compete in a tournament to the death.
I began writing what became The Warrior Heir when my sons were 13 and 16. Their experiences in middle school and high school took me right back there. All I have to do is walk into a school gym, breathe in the stink of sweat and terror, and I'm 15 years old again.
My sons both enjoyed reading fantasy, and I did, too. Harry Potter had come out, and, of course, was doing very well. Although HP was contemporary, there was a medieval feel to it. I wanted to write a story that could take place at Strongsville High School, where my sons attended. I wanted to write a contemporary American fantasy. And so I did.
I plan to follow the pattern I've used so far - my cast will include both familiar characters and new viewpoint characters. The action begins shortly after the ending of The Dragon Heir. I'm putting a new twist into the struggle between wizards and the Anawizard Weir, digging up the bones of a secret that's been hidden for decades. Possible tagline: Peace just doesn't work for some people.
Many of the magical words in the Heir Chronicles come from Old English. There are English/Old English dictionaries online. For example, in The Dragon Heir, lf ling used for a drug used to enhance wizard performance, also known as mind-burner. In Old English, ling means burning, burning of the mind or ardor; lf means elf, sprite, fairy, or goblin.
I have been where you are - waiting for the next book in a series to come out. I think it's been especially hard with the Seven Realms series because it is a true tetralogy - one story line over four books. The Heir Chronicles is more of a series of stand-alones - The Warrior Heir and The Wizard Heir can each stand alone.
The fact is, with novels of the kind and size I write, a book a year is an industry standard. Trust me, at this pace, I'm always working on more than one book at a time - revising one and writing the first draft of another. I've published a book a year since 2006, and until three years ago I was working full time at a day job, too! Plus neglecting my family.
I'm thrilled that you are eager to read it - thank you! But I want to make sure that it's as good as it can possibly be when it comes to you. The writing of the book is just the beginning. Then other folk take a hand. The awesome Carrie Ryan has posted a blog on what goes on behind the scenes in the publishing process that says it better than I possibly could. -me.blogspot.com/2010/05/whats-taking-so-long-i-want-your-third.html
Please don't. I'm sure it's a great idea - for you to write! I've never been the kind of writer who can write fiction to order. I can't imagine writing to someone else's outline - it's like forcing my feet into someone else's shoes. Besides, I have so many ideas of my own that I'll never live long enough to write them all. New ones coming along all the time. I wish I could write faster.
Don't be discouraged. The fact that you are extending my stories and following my characters around tells me that you're thinking like a writer. What if? What if? What if? That's how it starts. That's what I used to do with my favorite books, movies, and TV shows. It's great mental exercise for a writer (and a source of some great fan fiction, I'm sure!) Eventually you will be able to put the parts together in your own stories.
I support non-commercial fanwork - it's a great way to exercise your writing muscles. Many contemporary writers began this way. I wish there had been such a vibrant fanfiction community when I was coming up. Though I'm unable to read it, there's a huge community out there that will.
I'd LOVE to come to your town - really, I would. I love to meet readers. But even an author who is lucky enough to be sent on tour doesn't generally decide where she goes. My publicist will usually ask if I have any suggestions. If I've been hearing a lot from, say, Denver, I will mention it. Beyond that, bookstores fill out request forms for authors they would like to host. Publicists quickly get to know which bookstores, libraries, and schools host awesome events that bring a great turnout. They will also look at the size of the market, what book sales are like there, transportation costs, etc.
For efficiency and cost reasons, my tours will often focus on one region of the country, and we try to switch around. Finally, if I'm aware of an event that would be the perfect place to showcase my book, I will mention it. For example, this year I'm going to Dragon*Con, The World Fantasy Con, and several bookfests.
Is there anything you can do to make it more likely an author will come to your town? Well, first, move to a major market. JK. Tell the author, of course. Also let her know if you know of an awesome venue in your town, such as Decatur Bookfest. Get to know bookstore owners and librarians. Ask if they ever host author visits. I have had visits happen just because of that.
I read a wide variety of authors, fiction and nonfiction. Some I like include Alice Hoffman, Anita Shreve, Barbara Kingsolver, Anna Quindlen, Sara Donati, Charles Frazier, Tad Williams, George R.R. Martin, Jean Auel, Diana Gabaldon, Tracy Chevalier, Catherine Gildiner.
Some young adult books I enjoy include works by Jonathan Stroud, Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Suzanne Collins, Megan Whalen Turner, J.K. Rowling, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and John Green - plus many others. There are so many good books out there right now.
Not early on. I was dreamy and not really with the program. The stories in my head distracted me from what was going on in the classroom. I suspect I may be undiagnosed ADD. When my teacher suggested I repeat first grade, my mother talked her out of it. I have a twin sister and she didn't want me to have to explain it all my life.
I began reading fluently in third grade. I began writing almost simultaneously - poetry and stories. After that I kind of bloomed. My grades got better and better through college. Reading changed my life.
First off, anything about animals. My mother read the Beatrice and Ramona books to me. I burned through the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books; my parents had a friend with shelves and shelves of them. I just kind of moved into grownup books then. There weren't so many books aimed at teenagers in those days.
Even though I was a scientific person in my day job, I've always been interested in magic. When I was a kid, I was sure I could figure out how to fly. My mother's family came from southern Ohio, and they told magical stories involving witches and strangers at the door.
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