Thursday, May 31, 2018

Dragon Mythology part 4

Dragons are spread throughout the world but until I started researching them for my novellas I never realized there were dragon legends in my own backyard. North America is rich in its own dragon lore that no one realizes exists.


There are three types of dragons that were not previously mentioned that live in this area. The first lives in Canada and is known as a Drake. These dragons are small and lizard like with bodies that are close to the ground. They look like large lizards with bellies that are close to the ground like crocodiles. They also do not breathe fire and in some mythology are not as smart as other dragons.

The Mid Atlantic region is home to the Great Serpent. As the name implies these dragons look like serpents and may be large or small. They are imbued with magical powers, guard a specific place or object, or have a unique form of wisdom. They can often control natural phenomena as well. Some great serpents will have horns or antlers. Great Serpents may be totem or ancestors of a family or group. They are often guardians of local wells, watering holes, or sacred places.

The last type of dragon from Meso-America is called a Quetzalcoatl and often takes the form of an
amphiptere. These dragons have the body of a serpent and may or may not possess forelimbs. They will always possess wings that are usually feathered, but can be membranous like a bat instead. This dragon was widely feared throughout Europe, although it can be found throughout the world. If a family featured an amphiptere in their crest they were seen as fierce fighters.

You can read Dragon Mythology Parts 1, 2, & 3 here.

When I read about the Quetzalcoatl dragon I knew I had to feature it in one of my dragon shifter romances. An American dragon had to appear somewhere in a series set in the USA. Plus it's too cool not to. My newest novella offered the perfect opportunity. While its still a work in progress and I have yet to write the Quetzalcoatl dragon's part I thought I would give you a sneak peek.


Sweet Surrender: Dragons of the South Book 2
Excerpt

At the top of the canyon Paxton uncovered Mac’s 350z roadster and climbed in. Normally Mac drove but Paxton needed to focus on something else right now. Mac got in beside him without a word. Paxton tried not to look at her legs or her thigh that disappeared into her dress even though he knew it ended in a perfectly shaped ass. The car’s speed steadily increased. He took a turn distracted by thoughts of her breasts and only his reflexes saved them. Mac made some offhand comment about him being excited for once. 

Paxton growled excited hell, he needed to get laid. Mac had him so worked up he had to do something before he made a mistake. Paxton loosened his grip on the steering wheel and slowed down. He had to calm down. He took a few deep breaths then looked at Mac. Part of it was her fault. Her emotions were rubbing off on him. Paxton took her hand laughing slightly as he apologized. He shouldn’t have let things get so bad. 

****

Mac watched her partner. Paxton never acted like this. He never did anything remotely impulsive or based on emotion. Everything with him was a calculated move. Even their partnership was strategic. He did what was best for everyone. Despite being raised together and told from the time they were young that they were going to be partners if Paxton found someone better for the territory he would have paired with them. Mac understood but it stung. 

To see Paxton caught up in this now like some horny teenager was more than amusing. He hadn’t even realized what he was doing for most of the trip to the city. Mac wasn’t exactly playing fair though; once she realized it Mac was fueling those emotions. Paxton needed that push to finally get over himself. Mac settled into her seat as Paxton held her hand. Tonight she’d find a pretty girl for them. Paxton could do whatever he wanted to get comfortable having Mac there and the following night Mac could do as she pleased. Mac could hold out one more night.

                              

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Book to Screen Debate, part 2 by Toi Thomas

 from Pinterest via Fifth Grade Freebies 
Did you know that the book to screen debate has made it into the classroom?

Did you know that there are tons of bloggers and vloggers whose major content is simply comparing films to the books they are based on?

What does this say about the current state of cinema? Well, I think it says a lot.

First off, things are starting to come full-circle. There are now books being written that are based on movies, and yes, these books are putting a spin on things… but that’s a post for another day.

Are you having déjà vu?

No. 😜

I know I said the same thing last time about movies I thought were better than their books, but you’ll just have to wait. I’m saving all the juicy stuff til the end.

So, now back to this comparison phenomenon. So many people are consumed with getting down to the nitty-gritty of why books and their associated films are so different. I have two theories to present.

1) I think a lot of people are like me in the fact that my love of books and my love of movies is neck and neck for the total domination of my mental capacity. I love a good book and I love a good movie. When I see a movie based on a book, part of my mind feels like this has to be one of the singular greatest experiences I will have in my life. Yet, that is seldom the case.

Pexels.com
In recent years, I’ve experienced a lot less disappointment in film adaptations of books after taking into consideration the points I mention in part one of the series. I don’t look at these film adaptations as being associated with the books the way I used to and it’s helped me to enjoy many movies I fear I wouldn’t have been able to.  

Still, I sometimes find myself playing the comparison game. I’m trying to find clarity in the fog that is creative license. The fact of the matter is that movie makers have a certain amount of creative license to follow the author's guidelines (their book) or not to follow them, in order to produce something that will speak to the masses. Believe it or not, sometimes I’m glad Hollywood does this.

There are so many bestselling science fiction futuristic stories that are so compelling and riveting, yet they all tend to portray a future where only one race or ethnicity is depicted. This isn’t such a big deal in dystopian futuristic stories, but the utopia-type stories just don’t seem to make sense. When Hollywood takes it upon themselves to add cultural diversity to the film versions of these stories, I praise them for their foresight.  Hollywood is aware that the global viewing population may not buy into a futuristic film with a cast of all one color or ethnicity.

Still, there have been times when Hollywood has attempted to diversify a cast to exaggerated extremes, and the story gets lost behind unspoken political messages.

2) I think people simply like to compare things. People like to weigh the pros and cons, and they love to make lists. Reading is great entertainment. Watching TV or film is great entertainment. But in this instant digital age of reality stars, commentary and comparison are also great forms of entertainment. It used to be that only hard-core fans delved into the making of a movie or read interviews with bestselling authors, but that is no longer the case. In this day and age, free information is entertainment just waiting to happen, and if people can discuss or argue over a movie vs a book, they will. More money for the author (if they negotiated a good contract) and more money for the filmmakers.

I’ll be back on June 13th to talk more about The Book to Screen Debate. Find out more about me, my work, and my inspiration at the following links:

Amazon | Goodreads The ToiBox of Words | YouTube | See a list of my other posts here.

#book2screen, bookvsmovie,
COMMENTS

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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Toi Thomas shares more on the books vs movies debate. Stop by and say hi!!
 
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Ruth de Jauregui

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Books VS movies? I usually like the book better. But in cases where the movie came first, I usually like the movie better. I guess I like whatever came first -- usually. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Except --- The Lord of the Rings could've been a six movie series!!

Great post Toi! Thank you.
 
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Chris Weigand

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Interesting article.
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Thank you.

Chris Weigand via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A little more about the book to movie comparisons with Toi.
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Rebecca Tran

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Toi Thomas continues the book vs movie debate on Our Author Gang. Join the debate today.
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Grace Au

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Awesome article, Toi. I have a friend who has taken a Hallmark movie and turned it into a book...actually, she's done several.
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Grace I'm interested to find out how your friend dealt with copyright? Did she ask permission to write a book about the movie?
 
She was in touch with Hallmark. If you go to Hallmark's website and look, you have to nose deep, though, there is a section about how to submit to them. My romances are too racy for them.

Lorraine Carey via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
It's a hard call. Great post here!
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Thank you.
 
+Toi Thomas You are most welcome.

Toi Thomas via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, I continue the Book to Screen Debate and explain why the comparison itself is a form of entertainment.
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Erika M Szabo

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
The film adaptation is always different than the book, some slightly, and others where the story is almost unrecognizable. I loved the Moonlight series when it came out and I wanted to read the book that it was based on. Well, the book was totally different and I didn't like it. "There are now books being written that are based on movies, and yes, these books are putting a spin on things" I'm looking forward to that post :)
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Yeah, I have two examples I'm excited to share.
 
+Toi Thomas Looking forward to it :)

Nikki McDonagh via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
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Nikki McDonagh

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great post Toi. So difficult to get an adaptation right.
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I agree. Some are done well, while others make no sense.

Mary Anne Yarde

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
This is such an interesting series, Toi. I am looking forward to reading The Book To Screen Debate!!
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Thank you.

Joe Bonadonna

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I like this series, Toi, as movies are the main lover of my life.
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+Joe Bonadonna Thanks
 
+Toi Thomas -- you're very welcome! 

Joe Bonadonna via Google+

8 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on Our Author Gang, Toi Thomas continues her talk about books as a source of cinematic inspiration.
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