From Book to Movie by Tara Randel



I’ll admit, I love romantic comedies. I’m also a sucker for a happy ending. I guess that’s why I love to write romance novels. I love taking the journey with the hero and heroine, cheering for them as they fight against the struggles keeping them apart. I love closing a book with a long, hearty sigh when the couple finally gets their happily ever after.

So the other day, I got to thinking, what favorite romance novels would make great movies? I know there have been some wonderful books made into movies, but c’mon people, we need to see more movies of our favorite books!

In today’s movie climate, what kind of books would be successful on the big screen? Comedies? Suspense? Paranormal or urban fantasy? How about an adventure, where our hero and heroine chase after a stolen painting or priceless gem? Or would you base your pick on characters from books you couldn’t put down? The problem is, there are so many good books to choose from, where do we start? 

Of course I have to give a shout out to the books in the Heartwarming line. So far, the stories have been a joy to read and would easily make great movies. The talented authors put their hearts and souls into their stories and isn’t that what makes a great book? Or movie?


There are always the classics. So many have already been made into movies. Pride and Prejudice and many other Jane Austin novels. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. Little Women. Romeo and Juliet. Gone With the Wind. Bridget Jones’s Diary.






Don’t forget the more recent Hunger Games and Twilight movies. Janet Evanovich. Nora Roberts, who not only had some of her books made into television movies but also had a cameo appearance in them. Add Debbie Macomber to the television list as well. I’m probably missing others.













I love to laugh, so any book by Susan Elizabeth Philips has my vote. Sassy heroines and exasperating heroes who touch my heart always make my day. I’m not much of a fan on crying, so angst books wouldn’t do for me. I do love suspense, which would come in a close second. How about Cindy Gerard for that category?

Honestly, I read a lot and the list of books I’d like to see made into movies could go on for pages. So tell me, which books would you like to see made into movies?

Comments

  1. Yes, Jenny's books would be hilarious on screen,

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  2. Gosh, so many I can't narrow it down! I know that the book is 'always better', but I'm very visual and love seeing an on-screen rendition of books I've read. Sometimes I'm disappointed. Other times I love the movie, even if it has to leave a few details out. I think book movies add to the overall sensory experience of the story, characters and setting.

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  3. I'm really strange. I love Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" books and they actually made them into a series, which lasted for one season. ARG.
    As for romance, I'd rather read the book after seeing the movie.
    I was so excited when Janet Evanovich's One for the Money came out. But Morelli wasn't Morelli! And Ranger, nope, that wasn't my Ranger.
    I think if I had to choose, I'd like to see Susan Elizabeth Phillips Nobody's Baby but Mine.

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    1. When the casting is great, the movie works, but if it isn't, it can ruin the movie experience. I loved that SEP book! My choice would be Match Me If You Can.

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  4. On the other hands, YA romances work for me. I think they nailed every character in the Harry Potter Series, and I read the books first. Same with Twilight and the Hunger Games.

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    1. For whatever reason, YA's work well when on the screen.

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  5. I know Vicki Lewis Thompson has had a couple of her books optioned, but they never went farther than option. I'd like to see Robin Carr's series. Movie makers like books with a lot of action. I had a small independent Texas filmmaker write and ask me about the rights to my Wagon Train Reenactment story--not the reprint of it. But when I told them I didn't have the movie rights that Harlequin did, they wrote back and said they only wanted to deal directly with the author. I'm sure that was a money consideration. I have a friend here in Tucson in partnership with making SyFi movies and it's a huge expense and getting rights to stories, music and places to shoot. It's interesting.

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  6. The Mary Balogh books would make great movies. And Jill Barnett makes me laugh until I cry! I agree with Pam that Ranger was off in ONE FOR THE MONEY, but I loved Morelli. And, Roz! How disappointing that someone was interested in making a movie of your book, but finally couldn't. Still - how exciting that he wanted to!

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  7. I tend to be the type who reads the book after I hear it's being made into a movie. I figure if it's good enough to be a movie, it'll be an even better read. I think all the Heartwarming books should be made into movies. We should start our own channel and production company. Who's with me? ;)

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