That Time My Father Loved The Divergent Movie

So. After a week of the film hitting theaters, I finally saw Divergent. As a fan of the book series, I was expecting to enjoy it. I did. A lot.

My family went with me to the theater. 

Including my dad.

And he loved it.

Dad: "The movie was awesome. I loved it."

Me: 

Dad: "No, really. I loved it."

Me:

Dad: "For real."

Me:

 

 

Dad: *asks me questions about the plot* *seems genuinely interested in my answers*

Me:

 

So now you know. 

How To Procrastinate Revisions Without Feeling Guilty: The Vampire Academy Edition

So. Revisions. I loooooove them, but man. I love procrastinating, too. Luckily, I haven't been *too* wild with my procrastinating. I've been pretty strict about finishing this round of revisions faster than the previous one, so yeah. I have goals. They will be met. But I will also waste a little time. :) 

So. I'm sure you've heard there's a film adaptation of Vampire Academy on its way. It's called Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters. I am BEYOND STOKED for it, folks. Beyond. Stoked. Imagine my delight when Richelle Mead herself went to London and visited the set. 

So. Here is my guide to procrastinating revisions without feeling guilty: the Vampire Academy edition.

1) Twitter.

You check through your Newsfeed and find this little gem:

First impression: WOW. #vamovie
— Richelle Mead (@RichelleMead) July 5, 2013

And then...

Just met @KozlovskyD: so nice, perfect gentleman, even more handsome than his pictures. Kissed my hand. You can all start freaking out now.
— Richelle Mead (@RichelleMead) July 5, 2013

AND THEN...

She is charming...she is captivating...I met Richelle Mead. It was a remarkable moment of the day. I'm very glad, you are in London...
— Данила Козловский (@KozlovskyD) July 6, 2013

2) Blog posts.

Naturally, you're expecting a longer version of those Tweets. Richelle goes ahead and gives you TWO blog posts. The following is an excerpt from Richelle's first blog post about her set visit:

Everyone's been asking: how does it feel seeing my book brought to life? In a word: amazing. I'm just blown away at how much thoughtfulness and detail goes into this process. You guys seriously can't imagine how much work and manpower a movie requires. The actors work so hard, and then there's a huge unseen crew who's working just as hard every step of the way on tasks you would never even guess. I may have originally conceived these scenes, but they're the ones who have to visualize every single detail--from those amazing guardian jackets to the class assignments on the student's desks. Nothing is left to chance. Director Mark Waters was so in his zone making sure everything was perfect that I felt bad when he came and said hi to me--but of course he did because he's a super nice guy, and I'm so thrilled at the work he's doing. I've been telling people for years: I make books, not movies. Movies are these guys' specialty and it shows. They've visualized the scenes for the screen in ways I never could have, and if you're picturing incredible things for this movie...well, they're going to be even more incredible than what you're imagining.

I also loved her second post, but WHOA. That bit I just posted above? It makes me feel all sorts of giddy. :D


3) Repeat steps #1 and #2.

That guiltless part I spoke of in my title? Well, it's freakin' Vampire Academy. Why would I feel guilty about procrastinating with FREAKIN' VAMPIRE ACADEMY?????? So go ahead and re-read as many Tweets and blog posts as you can. Whenever you want. Because obviously.


Happy Monday. :)

I Blame One Direction--My December So Far In Pictures

So. December's here. YAAAAAAY. I know it's only been a few days into this month, BUT I am so. Freaking. Stoked. And to demonstrate why, I've chosen to show y'all in a picture essay of sorts.

I am currently working on this:

Draft 2 of le WIP. Which is EXCITING and AWESOME and NOT SO MUCH all at the same time.

I bought my first ever Blu-Ray film:

I still prefer regular DVDs, though. BUT THE SPECIAL FEATURES. I couldn't resist. 

I've been planning for my January trip here:

This will be my first time going to Vegas (!!!!!!!). And my mom's going with me (O_O). 

I've also been listening to a lot of this:

and this:

I... I don't know what to tell you. It just... happened. One day, I was minding my own business and BAM. One of their songs came on the radio and I was like, "OMG CRAPPY SONG IS CRAPPY." Then I heard it again and was like, "OMG CRAPPY SONG IS SORT OF OKAY." Then I was like, "OMG CRAPPY SONG IS PERFECT FOR DANCING AND DOING BOY BAND GESTURES TO RANDOM STRANGERS ON THE STREET." 

I have been singing One Direction for weeks now. I have also been choreographing a few of their songs in my head. One day, folks, I will be in a boy band and I will be the Harry Styles of said boy band. Just. You. Wait.

I don't care if I've traumatized you My apologies if I've traumatized any of you. This is a hard reality to swallow, I know. But it is my truth, and only now as I speak can I be free at last. 

One Direction makes me do ALL the boy band dance moves, and it has made all the difference in my writing. Maybe. I think. Sort of.

Happy Friday!!

Blog Chain: From Page To Screen

So. This blog chain round is brought to you by the awesome Michelle, who wants to know the following:

There are so many book-to-movie adaptations out there. Which are your favorites? Which are your least favorites? Why? Do you make sure you've read a book before you go see the movie adaptation, or do you prefer to read it after, or not at all?

LOVE this topic. *dances* Okay. My favorite book-to-movie adaptations tend to be those who either stay pretty faithful to the book or make me love the book even more after watching it. Here are two of my absolute faves:

THE HUNGER GAMES. 

Super, duper faithful to the book. Also, Liam Hemsworth. *sigh*

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Not totally faithful to the book, but honestly, I get SO EXCITED whenever I'm about to watch this movie. It makes me want to pick up the book and read it again, even though reading the book was a traumatizing experience for me (Harry pissed off at his friends? Dolores Umbridge invading Hogwarts? WHY SIRIUS WHY????). 

And here are two of my least fave adaptations:

 

ERAGON

I liked this movie, but it is nowhere near as suspense-y, intricately layered, and HARDCORE as the book. It did let me stare at Garrett Hedlund, though, and I shall be forever grateful for that.

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

This is my favorite Harry Potter book. No, really, it is. But the movie disappointed me. No Dumbledore's Army battling the Death Eaters as they invade Hogwarts. No funeral for Dumbledore. AND THAT KISS WITH GINNY WHAT WAS THAT I CAN'T EVEN. *sigh* 

As for reading the book before seeing the movie, I always try to do so. BUT only if I like what the book's about. I saw Water For Elephants without reading the book first, for example, thinking it wasn't going to leave a humongous impression on me. I ended up liking the movie a lot, and now I want to read the book! *makes grabby hands* I'm the kind of person who gets OMG excited when film rights are sold for books I love, though. I don't really worry about the quality of the movie until I actually see the movie. Or a trailer. I can be fickle like that. :)

I just want someone to bring November 2013 here already so I can watch Catching Fire. Because obviously.

Make sure you check out Cole's post for the chain, and stay tuned tomorrow for Margie's!

Now tell me: did you like any of these adaptations? Are there other adaptations you're head over heels for?? 

Guest Post: YA Characters And Movies With Josin McQuein

*originally posted on September 22, 2011 @ Reel YA*

Today Reel YA welcomes YA author Josin McQuein! Her debut novel, ARCLIGHT, comes out in 2012, but you can already add it on Goodreads. You can also check her out over at her blog, in which she shares snippets from her WIPs (trust me, they're awesome). Josin's here to answer the following question: which YA character would you love to see star in their own movie?

Take it away, Josin!

When I was asked to do this guest post, my first thought was to put the question in context of which book would I like to see onscreen. It was an easy choice, and a happy one, as The Hunger Games is already on its way to being a movie. I've been wanting to see Katniss (and Haymitch, who I love for his Jack Sparrow-esque "I'm neither as drunk or as stupid as you think I am" ways) on screen since I read the book. 

But I wouldn't be me if I only answered the question in the obvious, so I also started thinking of characters independent of the stories in which they starred. Thinking of those who weren't showcased in their own stories, but rather served in background roles. 

Put on their own, some of these characters could easily float their own movie--think of how much life and history is implied to Carlisle Cullen. His voice, ancient as it is, is that of the everyman. 

Think of Severus Snape and the layered tragedies that made up his life. True, neither of these characters are young, but they were once, and therein lies the promise. I'd love a full story of the young life of either of those men.

There are those like Laurel, from Wings, who are described as so beautiful it would seem a shame not to showcase them on film if they actually lived and could aspire to a life onscreen. There are those like Kat, from The Heist Society, who are feisty and resourceful, and you'd know they be the chameleons who could be and do anything. I'd love to see how an actor with the abilities of those from Shade (where anyone under a certain age can see the dead who haven't crossed over) would use that to their advantage. After all, if dead men really could tell tales, there'd be some juicy gossip to be uncovered.   

The best writers make characters who aren't just real enough to appear in their own story, but ones who are as real as the actors who can shed their own skin and portray anyone they want. There are some characters out there with real charisma and star quality. While it's easy to look at a story as a whole and say "Wow, I'd love to see that!" It's much more difficult to pinpoint a character and think "Wow, I'd love to see him/her!"

Huge thanks to Josin for stopping by! And whoa, I would l-o-v-e to see movies with all these characters, especially Snape and Carlisle. Those would be incredible. 

How about you? Would you love to see these characters' YA stories on the big screen, too? Or do you have other favorites? 

Douchebags Are Not Sexy, Folks

Yesterday, the lovely Mindee Arnett asked a few questions on Twitter:

Anyone else there seen This Means War? 

If so, are we agreed it's an example of a love triangle that did not work?

**WARNING: spoilers ahead**

Since I've seen the movie, I figured I'd chime in with my views on it. Yes, I completely agree with Mindee's assessment of the love triangle--it didn't work. At all.

First of all, Reese Witherspoon's character is torn between these two men:

Tom Hardy on the left, Chris Pine on the right.

Yep, Reese has a REALLY HARD DECISION to make. Well, that's what it seems like on the surface. You see, Chris Pine's character is a douchebag. He knows it. He embraces it. He lives and breathes douchebaggery with no shame whatsoever. His days are spent scoping out women, using lame pick-up lines on women, flaunting his money in front of women, hooking up with women, and making fun of his best friend (Tom's character) for believing in true love.

In the end, Reese's character picks him.

SHE PICKS THE DOUCHEBAG, PEOPLE. 

Does he change throughout the movie? He falls in love with Reese's character, yes, and he forsakes his womanizing ways after he falls for her. But here's my biggest problem: I have no idea why she fell in love with him. Tom's character is a gentleman extraordinaire. He treats her with respect and kindness. He takes her on romantic yet fun dates. He loves his son and introduces Reese's character to him so they can bond. Also, HE'S TOM HARDY.

*face palm*

I understand some women dislike men who are too sweet, too mellow, or too "safe". I get it. But for the love of Batman, why pick the dude who objectifies you and womankind in general? The same thing is often seen in fiction, which is why I'm bringing it up. A bad boy, or a boy with an edge, isn't the same thing as a douchebag. The latter is a class all its own.

 Sorry, but to me, douchebags are not sexy. They are not rockin' ze boat. 

Give me sweet, mellow and safe Tom Hardy ANY DAY. *stares at Tom*

Now tell me: have you seen This Means War? If so, what do you think about the ending? Do you find douchebags appealing, or are you like me and think they're not appealing at all?

Breaking News: Sam Claflin Cast As Finnick in CATCHING FIRE

Per The Hollywood Reporter:

The Snow White and the Huntsman actor is the latest to join the follow-up, to be directed by Francis Lawrence. Described as "charismatic" and "clever," Finnick -- from District 4 -- won the Hunger Games when he was 14.

Claflin had been widely speculated to join the sequel, which is set to hit theaters Nov. 22, 2013. He joins new castmembers Jena Malone as Johanna Mason and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee.

Claflin starred in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and as Prince William in Huntsman. He recently finished The Quiet Ones opposite Mad Men alum Jared Harris and Mary & Martha with two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank.

Personally, Finnick is one of my favorite characters from Catching Fire, and the trilogy as a whole. While Sam isn't exactly the Finnick I had in mind, I know he's talented and was chosen for a super good reason. *crosses fingers*

How about you? Excited about Sam playing Finnick? Not so much? Sound off in the comments!

Guest Post: Movie Vamps and YA with Lisa Gail Green!

*originally posted on September 15, 2011 @ Reel YA*

For Reel YA's first guest post, I'd like to introduce you to the fabulous Lisa Gail Green! Not only does she have an awesome blog, she's also a HUGE fan of YA paranormal stories. And today, she's here to talk about one of her fave paranormal creatures: vampires. 

Take it away, Lisa!

Amparo asked me to write a guest blog in answer to the following question: Which movie vampire should have their own YA novel?

It’s a fun question! So many possibilities, really. I mean, Lost Boys seems far too obvious. Blade is awesome, but he has his comics. And well, Edward is clearly taken. But in my opinion, there’s only one real answer here.

Bela Lugosi’s Dracula.

Before you cry foul, let me explain. See, I know Dracula is actually a book by Bram Stoker. I get it. And I know there have been countless movies made since the 1931 classic. But seriously – picture it – Dracula, the YA novel.

Brooding and mysterious, locked in his sixteen-year-old skin forever, Vladimir Dracula is cursed to feed on the life-blood of innocent humans. When he meets Mina, he falls fang over heels, but how can she ever love a monster?

It’s got the love triangle, the handsome immortal, the misunderstood monster, and the horror.

I can picture it now, a scene with Mina being lured outside to find Dracula, who fights against his instincts, knowing they will only lead to her death. Talk about teen themes to explore. Fighting against those intense emotions and urges isn’t always easy. Come to think of it, injecting raging hormones into any bloodsucker would be a fun ride. It almost writes itself…

Van Helsing would certainly be an interesting teenager, too. I could picture him being a modern day honors student with secret kick-butt abilities.

Mina would be the confused and smitten girl. Of course we’d make her a bit stronger and more independent than the typical female heroine. The same with her friend Lucy.

And of course we can’t forget Renfield. I’d make him a popular jock, who under the mind control of Dracula, becomes his unwilling servant and loses his grip on reality.

Forget the movie, now I really want to read this book.

Which movie vampire would you give his/her own YA book to?

An Open Letter To Princess Merida

Dear Princess Merida,

You are not a boy.

I know, I know. You figured that out already. Especially now in your teen years, right? Puberty, nature's ultimate enlightenment tool...

But I'm not here to discuss your body. Sure, it's solid evidence that, in fact, you are not a boy, but it's not the driving point of this letter. No, the driving point comes from a different place. A place where you are deemed a wannabe. A place where you are not allowed to know how to defend yourself and cry at the same time. A place where someone like you is scrutinized over and over and over. 

Why? Because according to some people in this world, you have to be one thing. The minute you step away from that one thing, you are either WEIRD or AWESOME. You can be weird because you're not interested in falling in love. You can be weird because you'd rather climb mountains than practice your curtsy. Or you can be awesome for the very same reasons. Depends on who you ask, really. 

And if you ask me, all I have to say is this: you are a girl.

Which means you are a human being (an animated one, but who's discriminating?).

Which also means that, similar to boys, you are complex. No one thing should define you. Like boys, you have every right to want and not want whatever you like. Like boys, you can love something today and hate it tomorrow, or vice versa. But unlike boys, you get judged by those very similarities. Sucks, doesn't it? Maybe we should get together sometime and shoot some arrows in the name of equality?? I'd totes shoot for that. 

So go ahead, my dearest Merida, be a complex girl. Wave your multilayered flag high. And above all, always stay brave. 

Sincerely,

An Unbearably Complex, Multilayered, Not So Brave Female Person Who Wishes She Could Climb Mountains And Ride Horses And Shoot Arrows Without Fracturing Her Skull In The Process.

P. S. I WANT YOUR HAIR.

Movie Trailer Monday: BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

So. For today's Movie Trailer Monday, I bring you a sneak peek at something I can't really describe.

If I could, though, my words would come out something like this:

OMFGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATHISLOOKSBEYONDAWESOMESAUCEOMFG

And that isn't very eloquent, IS IT??

So. Because of my inability to express any coherent thoughts, I'll just settle for showing you the trailer for Beasts of the Southern Wild:

I'll be checking this one out when it hits theaters on June 27th!!

Movie Trailer Monday: LOOPER

Yep, Movie Trailer Mondays are BACK. No. I can't believe it either.

Okay. For today's edition, I'd like to share with y'all the awesomeness that is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Not only is he super talented and nice to look at, but his character is... well... just see for yourself.

Check out the trailer for Looper, which hits theaters on September 28th!

Now tell me: have you seen any awesome movies lately? Recommendations are always welcome! :D

(Worldbuilding) Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

HELLO, blogging buddies!! It has been A WHILE since I've been around. *slaps wrist* No worries. This week, I kick off my return to ze blogging world! I'm aiming toward a 3-day a week blogging schedule, so let's see if I stick to it. *crosses fingers*

So. Today, I'm here to talk a bit about a movie I saw last week that ruled. My. World. And it did so by breaking ALL the rules. 

Folks, this movie is brilliant. Yes, it's a horror movie, complete with your cliche characters and frequent  (at times cheap) scares. But WHOA. It's not your average gorefest. The film, co-written and produced by the uber-awesome Joss Whedon (Buffy! Angel! Firefly! Dollhouse!), is so, so clever. You think the premise sounds familiar, and you think you know exactly what's going to happen.

You are wrong.

Why? Cabin In The Woods is that type of movie that's aware of the genre it belongs to. So aware, in fact, that it takes its rules and conventions, then twists them in a way that's never been examined before.  In appropriating the rules and conventions of the horror genre, Cabin In The Woods creates its own rules and conventions, the kind that no other horror movie's ever had, or probably ever will. 

This is why I liken it to writers worried about the next hot trend and whether they should pursue it or not. To me, you can chase after any trend you want, but if you spit out the exact same thing with different character/place names, nothing will come of it. You want to stand out? Snag an agent and editor? Study the rules and conventions of the genre you're writing in, then turn them upside down. Don't just challenge yourself as a writer, challenge the genre as a whole. Push it toward new, uncharted directions. That, to me, is what makes a successful story.

Now tell me: have you seen any movies/read any books that challenged their genre lately??? Recommendations are always welcome! 

Happy Monday :)

Guest Post: Clueless + Werewolves = YA Author Kathleen Peacock!

Hello, all! I'm THRILLED to share today's guest post with you! Please give a warm welcome to Kathleen Peacock, a YA author whose debut Hemlock will be out this May! Since Kathleen's novel includes werewolves, I figured I'd ask her to write about which werewolf she'd love to see in a YA book. But to be totally honest, her idea was MUCH better.

Check it out below!

Clueless: The Whatever Edition

When I was first asked to guest post on which movie werewolf should have their own YA novel, my first thought was, “Awesome!” That thought was immediately followed by the sound of crickets chirping. Gingernaps? I wouldn’t want to read an entire book from Ginger’s PoV. An American Werewolf in London? David wasn’t bitten until after high school and we all know how hard it is to sell YA with a protagonist over eighteen. Oz from Buffy? Not a movie and can you imagine an entire book told from Oz’s PoV? You’d be lucky if you could get him to say enough to scrape together five chapters. Double spaced.

So I did the only thing I could think of: I asked if I could pick a movie that was based on a book and add werewolves to the plot. And the movie I came up with? None other than Amy Heckerling’s totally classic Clueless.

Now just hear me out… Clueless is actually a slick reboot of Jane Austen’s Emma. Both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility have gotten the monster treatment (with zombies and sea monsters, respectively). Plus, think about how totally awesome it would be if Cher was both fashionista AND furball.

Still not convinced? Just take a look at how these lines from the movie could easily be tweaked to reflect the werewolf angle.

Original: Okay, so you're probably going, "Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?" But seriously, I actually have a way normal life for a teenage girl.

The Werewolf Edition: Okay, so you're probably going, "Is this like a Purina commercial or what?" But seriously, I actually have a way normal life for a teenage werewolf.

Original: Christian said he'd call the next day, but in boy time that meant Thursday.

The Werewolf Edition: Christian said he'd give me a howl the next day, but in werewolf time that meant the next full moon.

Original:

Mel: You mean to tell me that you argued your way from a C+ to an A-?

Cher: Totally based on my powers of persuasion, you proud?

Mel: Honey, I couldn't be happier than if they were based on real grades.

The Werewolf Edition:

Mel: You mean to tell me that you threatened your way from a C+ to an A-?

Cher: Totally based on what big teeth I have, you proud?

Mel: Honey, I couldn't be happier than if they were based on real grades.

A HUGE thank you to Kathleen for stopping by and making me 1) fangirl Clueless even more, and 2) make me laugh so. Hard. Make sure you buy your copy of Hemlock when it hit stores May 8th! 

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. 

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. 

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control. 

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk. 

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Guest Post: Movie Villains Who Deserve YA Novels by Lindsay Scott!!

Today's guest post is very special to me, folks. My dear friend and critique partner, Lindsay Scott, is here!! You can follow her blog and on Twitter, as well as on Operation Awesome. 

Lindsay's going to discuss one of my favorite topics in the universe: villains. Particularly, which movie villains she'd love to see narrate their own YA novels. 

*dances*

Okay. Let's get to it.

Take it away, Lindsay!

Villains.

We love to love them. Love to hate them. But out of all the teen movie villains out there, who would be a good choice for spending 300+ pages with? Ladies and gentlemen, I present my choices for your consideration.

Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions (1999):

Sure, Cruel Intentions was based on the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, but Kathryn would be an interesting character in her own novel. She's manipulative, self-serving, devious and intelligent. All qualities of an excellent villain.

But it's her hidden side, the small tear of (perhaps) regret, that emerges at the end of the movie that makes me want to delve further into her character. 

Jason Dean (J.D.) in Heathers (1989):

I guess he can be called a lot of things other than a villain: the self-styled bad boy, mysterious stranger, anti-hero. Even psychopath. J. D. is many things, but he's never boring.

The thing that's interesting about J.D. is that he isn't set up as a villain from the beginning--the "Heathers" are seen as the antagonists:

It's only as the movie continues that we discover his true nature. Like Kathryn, J.D. is cunning, manipulative and a little (okay, okay very) twisted. But his ability to justify his actions, along with his backstory, make him a interesting character.

Regina George in Mean Girls (2004):

The movie was based on a self-help book (Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman), but Regina George... how do I begin to describe Regina George?

Enough said.

Which movie villain would you like to see in a YA book?