S is for Sookie Stackhouse

Debra enjoyed the books to tv show conversion of the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Converting a book (or an entire series) into a tv show or movie can be tricky business. Many readers have a set image in their minds of what characters and a setting look like, and when it doesn't translate the same onto the big (or small) screen, it can sometimes be disappointing. In addition, invariably in the shows or movies, things are left out. Some of this is simply a visual thing. You don't need as much description as in a book. Some is due to time constraints, although several recent movie franchises have gotten around this by turning the final book of the series into two movies.

Most often I've read the books before I see the movies. Only rarely do I watch a movie and then read the book. Generally I enjoy the conversions, and in fact, I can think of one case in which I liked the movie better than the book. (Which is rare.) Most often I'd say I like them equally.

Some movies/shows stick fairly straight to the text, other than the needed minor changes that have to happen from a page to screen translation.

The first few seasons of "True Blood" stuck pretty close to the books. A few changes were made here and there, but I could recognize each of the books in a particular season. Eventually, though, as the series went on, it got further and further off book. The final couple of seasons had nothing to do with events that occurred in the books. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this. I enjoyed the books and wanted to see favorite scenes and storylines played out in a visual format. To be so far off book was a bit disappointing.

But I did enjoy some of the additional content that was created just for the show. It stayed true to style, so I decided it worked for me. There are still a few scenes from the books I wish had made the tv cut, but all in all, my "True Blood" experience, which the hubby and I called our guilty pleasure, was a satisfying one. In fact, I'm just about ready to go back and watch the entire series from season one.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to see my stories translated to the screen. Would I be happy with the results? Or would I feel like they'd changed too much? Maybe one of these days I'll be lucky enough to find out! (A girl can dream, right?!)

Until next time,

Happy Reading (or watching!)

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

V is for Vampire

One of my favorite types of heroes is a vampire. I know most of my fellow blog authors don't agree! But that's the fabulous thing about the romance genre. There are so many sub-genres, there's something for everyone.

But back to vampires. I love vampires. I always have, even before they became as popular as they are now. Linda Lael Miller has a fabulous vampire trilogy. And I will be the first to admit that I am one of those middle-aged women who are in love with Stephenie Meyer's Edward. Having the oh-so-charming Rob Pattinson play him in the movies is an added bonus.

And then there's the Sookie Stackhouse series. For me, it's Eric Northman all the way. I'll take him over vampire Bill any day, er night. This carries over into "True Blood", the HBO adaptation of the books. Just when I thought Eric couldn't get any yummier, along comes Alexander Skarsgard.

Logically, it doesn't make sense for a vampire to be a desirable hero. They're technically dead, yet practically immortal (Which kind of wrecks the whole growing old together thing). They're blood thirsty. And they're dangerous. Instinct would have us running from them, rather than into their arms.

Yet, vampires are sexy. Maybe it's the danger that makes them that way. Many are torn and conflicted about the life they live, so we see a little bit of the redeemable side to them. They are passionate. When their silent hearts come 'alive' with love for the heroine, it's truly a romantic moment.

Whether the traditional vampire who only wakes up at night, or the new breed of vampire who sparkles in the sunlight, there's just something about them. Something, for me, that's appealing.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Hunky Heroes and Heart-Throbs

My first celebrity crush was Erik Estrada...Ponch from CHiPs. I think I was in fifth grade! In junior high and high school I was all about Rick Springfield (still am) until Jon Bon Jovi hit the scene. My heart still stutters when I see him. If anything, he's even better looking now than back in the 80s. (Although I really was into the hair band guys.)

James Bond is the ultimate hero, especially if he's played by Pierce Brosnan - who I will watch in just about anything. Although Sean Connery gets big points for that role as well. He's really a sexy older man these days still.

Others making my "list" these days are: Brad Pitt (without the straggly beard...thank goodness he FINALLY shaved that awful thing!) and Matthew McConaughey. I've used both as inspiration for heroes (looks-wise) in my own books.

I have, of course, been head over heels for all of my heroes at one time or another. Why write them if they weren't falling in love with?

In books these days, as you may well know, I am all about the vampires. Edward from "Twilight" and Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse series are both devine. They've translated well to the big/small screen, too. Robert Pattinson is the ideal Edward, and I've enjoyed some of his other work as well (although lusting after him does make me feel a little courgarish), and Alexander Skarsgard has the character of Eric down to a T in "True Blood". Not to mention both men are sexy as all hell. (I use posters of both my favorite vampires in front of my treadmill as motivation for working out.)




MY latest hunky hero is now available in paperback from The Wild Rose Press. This Can't Be Love is Zach's story. Zach is sexy, fabulous, and crazy about Jessica. (Digital release is November 5.) My cover artist did a FABULOUS job of depicting him, don't you think?!




Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

My Favorite Things

Ah, so little time so many things to do....

As most of you know, in "real" life I'm a third grade teacher, so during the school year, between classroom responsibilities and extra curricular coaching duties, I'm pretty busy! Since summer break is upon us, I've had considerably more time to write lately. It's been wonderful...in fact, I finished my current WIP this past weekend. Now I'm working on edits a little bit at a time. My goal is to send it off (this weekend?!) to a colleague who volunteered to look it over before I submit somewhere. I think I might take the plunge and consider sending this one to Harlequin (per the advice of my trusted colleague)!

When I'm not teaching or writing, I have lots of varied interests. One of my favorites is cuddling up with my hubby and watching a movie or our current guilty pleasure, "True Blood". (You know me, I love my vampires.)

I always make time to read every day. Usually it's an hour before I go to sleep at night. But again, since it's summer now, I have more time for this indulgence as well. Currently I'm reading "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan. It's a YA adventure novel...no vampires, but there are Egyptian gods and goddesses running about.

Other hobbies include hanging with my friends, scrapbooking, gardening, listening to music, sitting on my front porch or out by my pond, and doing renovation projects around and about our almost 100 year old house.

So, to quote Julie Andrews, "These are a few of my favorite things."

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com