Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.SHE WROTE: Heidi's DLD 1: Title Page
Well, Heidi pretty much put it all on the first page. You open the book and get Bob and Gary Cooper (that's redundant) and a 3D helicopter with a thick gold rope and then Wonder Woman and me and in the middle Moot and Pepper. But she's got some great stuff sprinkled in, too, like a bottle cap labeled "Adventure" (Adventure Beer, maybe?)glued on top of a piece of cloth with the definition of romance printed on it and a button that says "TEAMWORK/TRUST." Basically, she's got the whole book right there.
You know, when we were writing it, we couldn't have done that, summarized it into a double page spread like that. I don't think we could do it now for Agnes. Oh, there'd be a frying pan and a flamingo for sure, and a bloodhound, but not the essence of the book the way Heidi distilled Don't Look Down here because it isn't just the things that we know are important in the book, it's the things that readers respond to. Every book really is a collaboration; whatever we write, you take to the next level because you make it your story, you make the characters yours, you write into the white spaces what happens behind the scenes, what the characters sound like, look like, think about in the scenes that aren't their POV scenes. It's the reasons movies made from books are so often a disappointment; the moviemakers are filming their collaborationi with the writer, not yours.
And this is the first page of Heidi's collaboration. Gotta love that bottle cap.
71 Comments:
Abolutely spot on. Great work Heidi. Greetings everyone else
Geez. You didn't tell us there was MORE.
I may have to take back everything I've ever said about people from Iowa.
Heidi you are amazing. You must live awfully close to the border.
bw
I'd say, "Woo-hoo" for being #3, but considering the problems I had getting through ... I think blogger's broke again. And then I saw Heidi's work.
Wow. Just how cool it that?
kwnqdv: Kicking with nincompoops quickly downs verily.
To use a Jenny word, I'm gobsmacked.
Jenny said ... It's the reasons movies made from books are so often a disappointment; the moviemakers are filming their collaboration with the writer, not yours.
And that's why she's the best-selling author and not me. It would have taken me a page to say that and not say it nearly so well.
coklu: Cherries opine knowledgeably lacking ukeleles
i looked in the corner and went "he's hot" and then realized it was Bob.
i am not supposed to think of the GAM that way. scope dope, where's the soap?
but good work Heidi. so, where's the bottle cap from?
Jenny also said ... Every book really is a collaboration; whatever we write, you take to the next level because you make it your story, you make the characters yours, you write into the white spaces what happens behind the scenes, what the characters sound like, look like, think about in the scenes that aren't their POV scenes.
So okay, anyone else getting a bit choked up? Because it summarizes so well what all my favorite books do for me, and why they become my favorites. I always feel like each book is a personal gift from the author to me. Like saying "okay, here's a little something to engage your imagination. Let's see what you can do with it."
So many fun things on a single page! Clearly some people interact a LOT more actively with books than I do...
But I agree with MCB that the best books DO engage the imagination (even if not all of us produce original works of art in response!). If there's no connection or A-Ha!, it's not going to be re-read and recommended.
Great work, Heidi, and thanks for sharing it with us, Jenny!
People, you are missing something ESSENTIAL here! She mentioned a bloodhound! We're going to get another dog in Agnes!!! (excessive use of exclaimation points, penalty: 15 yards)
I just re-read Manhunting yesterday. Is it the only Crusie without a quirky pet (or four)?
"It's the reasons movies made from books are so often a disappointment; the moviemakers are filming their collaborationi with the writer, not yours."
EXACTLY! In my humble opinion, it is very rare that a movie lives up to the book. I am not sure I have ever connected it in that manner.
Thanks.
glamour-geek said...
People, you are missing something ESSENTIAL here! She mentioned a bloodhound!
Yep. His name is Rhett. Or was when last he was mentioned. That's why Agnes whacks someone with the frying pay - he's trying to steal her dog. Or that's the last explanation I remember.
It may have something to do with two sensitives pianists from Dubuque.
TOTALLY agree on the collaboration thing. I always add my own ideas and the characters almost become real people to me. Movies tend to kill the mood for me because they don't make it like I saw it (DaVinci Code comes to mind).
That being said, when will DLD be coming to a theater near me?
vhodpa villain had outstanding death per Agnes
Heidi...You are amazing...
You pretty much tell the whole DLD story.
I think I remember somethin about the dog, way, way back several many comments ago.
xlhoiol...red
xtra oil needed
mcb and louis: You're right, of course. Agnes defends her dog with the frying pan. It's that juvenile dementia setting in...because I'm not old enough yet for the senile dementia.
That will be coming along tomorrow. :)
Another "hear, hear" for the insight about movies based on books. I usually avoid them because they look "wrong," which is to say, not how I envisioned the environment, and even if they got it "right" (like the "Lord of the Rings" films, for instance), something else is off... The only problem is that now, having had it explained so rationally, I won't in conscience be able to complain any more.
As an experiment, I would love to put a dozen people, self included, in a room with a bunch of raw material and ask them to make "collaborations" on a mutually-agreeable book. I just wonder how wide the spectrum of interpretations would be.
Corinne said "As an experiment, I would love to put a dozen people, self included, in a room with a bunch of raw material and ask them to make "collaborations" on a mutually-agreeable book. I just wonder how wide the spectrum of interpretations would be."
If the room was full of CBs, it could be wild indeed. And I'm just talking about the reception beforehand. the story that would come out of that collaboration boggles the mind...
Something I hadn't really thought about until I saw in in this photo is the blend of all these different themes, motifs, characters, authors.....Heidi's right, it's the perfect blend. (Look at the lower righthand corner on the mini DLD cover.)
K.l and corrine:
There would be lots of yex and violence.
In the book, I mean.
corinne's project would be really fun. plus, this way we get to see each other in person. though you probably won't live up to how i'm picturing you...which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
OH said "though you probably won't live up to how i'm picturing you...which isn't necessarily a bad thing." I have suddenly decided that when I go to a conference that OH will attend I'm donning a disguise. Or having plastic surgery first.
RG what did you do with your outfit from the party?
I never understood why I didn't like movies made from books I enjoyed until Jenny just explained it.
Trying to decide here if I'm more blown away by Heidi's art or Jenny's comments.
Heidi - WOW...just WOW!!I coulda don dat...but wait...oh yeah...no creative gene at all...and - uh uh...no patience. Doesn't keep me from greatly appreciating those that are creative and crafty tho!!
Jenny got it right on the money about movies made from books. The only movie from a book that got it right, IMHO, was Hondo with John Wayne from a book by Louis L'Amour. The dialogue in the movie was practically word for word from the book, and (thank God) they used an actress that looked like a real woman instead of a glamour queen.
BTW JJ/JT/Regis - a belated happy anniversary to you and your DH. Sounds like you guys are a good fit. Sometimes, even when you are young, you get it right the first time.
dloxa - an edible treat from Mississippi that you eat with bagels
OFF TOPIC ALERT: someone warn the GAM (and anyone else living on a barrier island) that it looks like SC will be getting a head-on hit from Hurricane Ernesto (see link):
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/hur_dir/hur_pos_nt5.html
And now back to your regularly scheduled hilarity.
bncdov Bob never ceases doing ops violence
This really is wonderful. And thanks Jenny for the great comments.
This is so creative. My Mom is an artist (she sells her paintings)and so was my maternal grandmother (although she never sold because she said it was a gift from G-D) but somehow I missed out on that gene. That one and the one for writing good sex scenes, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm in such a good mood I wrote a great one today. *grin*
Robin: if you want my disguise it's all yours. : ) But really, the best disguise is to not tell OH or any other CB you're going to a conference and then spy on them. I've got some good binoculars. : )Otherwise they take photographs when your face is all contorted, like when sucking on a lemon, (not that I suck on lemons that much, occassionally, in the bar ... every night) and then they put the photos up on their website ...
At RWAust I took a class on collage making and it was so much fun. I didn't know a soul in the room and after five minutes it was "Hey who needs a Hugh Jackman?" "Oh he's hot, let me see." "Who has the book with those guys with the great six packs, I could use one of those over here?" "I need a red-haired girl." "No too, pretty. No movie stars. I want a REAL girl." "Anyone find a picture of a gun?"
Truly, it was such fun and I think it could only be better if it were a project like k.l. mentioned and done with a group of CB's.
rg
OH took her life in her own hands by commenting ... though you probably won't live up to how i'm picturing you...which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Who's closest? Just smack the brat, will ya?
RG wrote: (not that I suck on lemons that much, occassionally, in the bar ... every night)
I eat lemons. I think that's why tequilla is the only liquor I can tolerate straight up...because I get the 'citrus shooter' afterwards. ;)
RG I saw that class offered and didn't take it because couldn't see myself doing any such thing. Then got home and got stuck in a rewrite because couldn't describe some of the char. Because of Jenny talking about and posting her collages, I thought maybe if I had visuals...Ran out to the groceries here in town that have very few magazines. Bought one of each and spent a weekend looking for pictures that personified my char then looked for pictures of the houses. It was amazingly helpful and got me going again. Not that I could do a collage. Now after that and your post am thinking I might take that class if offered again.
Know where I found pictures that were spot on for some of the kids in my series? A fishing freebie paper. I found pictures of two of the little girls who are major characters in my third (as yet unwritten but outlined book) Yep OH one of them is Lindsay.
Once again I owe thanks to Jenny and the CB's
me: just watching CNN and saw the projected path for Ernesto and thought "Oh, no. Bob. This might interfere with his writting of Agnes." There is something warped here.
Clearing my virtual throat. Bob, now you take care of Deb and Hannah and yourself. We are concerned about you all. Not just the book. Really.
For those of you going to NJ: The Cherry has a camera and knows how to use it -- and does not hesitate to post pictures on the blog. Of course she misplaces things for a couple months first, but still. Just a little FYI.
Random info dump: I receive the ECU online newsletter, I guess they figure since I pay a gob of tuition I should get something in return other than the expectation of someday having a college-educated child, and today there was a link to an article about an artistic exhibit at Duke that some of you "crafty" types might find interesting. I am not at all crafty (not like this anyway) and I thought it was fascinating.
Here is the blurb and the link:
ECU Professor Jan-Ru Wan's stunning fabric works embody Buddhist principles
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A35782
And if I may quote from the article, I thought this was really interesting and had meaning for other artistic endeavours as well:
Often crafted of multiple, carefully constructed components or delicate repetitions of labor-intensive practices, her works take on meaning by accretion and accumulation, impressing the viewer with their intricacy, scale and herculean commitment of time.
The description made me think of the work of certain prolific collaborating writers with whom we are all familiar.
Reading the article, the artsy stuff made me think of Jenny and the Buddhist/Taoist references made me think of Bob. Not to say that Jenny can't think deep thoughts, of course. Or that Bob can't do crafts...
bw
Just out of curiosity, OH, what exactly do you think we all look like?
Jenny? Make sure Bob gives you the Masters before Ernesto hits! Or you could, you know, post them here. Just for safekeeping. I'm just thinking about you guys. Really I am. Honest. Yes I do have my fingers crossed behind my back and so what?
Bob, you take care of you too.
Heidi - hats off to you! I'm in awe of your work and the way you captured what touched us as readers. I've never seen anything like it before and, well, it's very moving. Not only are you very talented, but you're a sweetheart to boot! Thank you Heidi and thank you Jenny and Bob for sharing.
Movies and books - My DH hates watching movies with me where I've read the book because I'm always tossing things at the TV when they get it all wrong. Like in the firm where they changed like most of it! Oh, I kept yelling "That's not what happened! He didn't tell her!" Sigh, it's never as good. I loved the book THE GENERALS DAUGHTER, and while the movie was entertaining, just not the same.
Speaking of movies - just watched a good one and I stayed awake for the whole thing! INSIDE MAN, with Denzel Washingtong. I liked it very much.
OH - That is an excellent picture of Bob - very sweet and he is just as adorable in person.
Lou - Thanks for the happy anniversary. During our dinner, we went to Bones and Fish or something, good resturant, anyway, DH and I were talking and he looked at me and said, "I still like you being with you." I said, "I like you too." But thought, Oh lordy, the man is going to make me cry in public, I hate that. Then the idiot said. "I think we've found the key to happily ever after." Like a fool I said, "What's that honey." He said, "E-mail." I laughed because his office is in the basement, mine on the main floor and the man e-mails like ten times a day. Even set up out "Date" on e-mail. Sometimes he even picks up the phone and calls me, but rarely comes upstairs unless he's hungry. But I do think I've gotten it right the first time. DH is a keeper.
Maybe we need to make a CB picture page. Our own CB collage. We could get Bryan to jet all over the world taking glam shots of us so we would be at our best (or as good as it gets in my case), and he could help us shop while he is at it.
mexdd
what happens when your daughter visits Mexico
You all know what I look like - and it's not REGIS or BRYAN, although I can't be sure about Bryan since he hasn't been around to post the picture he's promised me!
Stay safe Bob.
Am going to look at the site referenced by BCB in a moment
In case anyone is interested in the circus I live in, was just fixing dinner involving tuna and had to call DH to rescue me from interested felines leading to choruses from DH and DS15 directed at resident canines "Do not eat the cat!" I love my household because they make me laugh. Reminds me of DN(dear niece) sitting at family dinners saying "I love this family" as she cracks up at remarks made. She's right. I love them too despite snarky comments I have made in past posts.
Meals with my whole birth family are often like reading the comments on this blog. Very difficult not to spit out whatever you have just ingested as you burst into laughter.
Christina Why did you ask OH how she pictured us? She'll tell us you know. Then we'll all have to go to CA to smack her.
Okay MCB, that's just scary. You posted close to the same thing I did.
Only book-to-movie adaptation I recall that got it more than right was Eye of the Needle. Great book. Better movie. (of course, I don't watch many movies)
And are you all suggesting that the threat to his Domain posed by an approaching Ernesto would induce Bob to give up Mastery of Acts Three and Four? To Jenny?
I think it would take more than that. Give the man a little credit.
bw
rxyrxfv: preseription for dealing with approaching storms
Orangehands asked about the bottle cap; it's from Hobby Lobby, I think. Or Archivers. Not sure at the moment.
I used my collage stuff to some degree (the little word phrases like "the perfect blend" and "happily ever after") -- the first two backgrounds were from leftover stuff. All the trims, though, I bought for this book. Well, most of them.
Incidentally, this is an actual copy of DLD, glued and cut up, etc. When you get further in I use quotes from the book, cut from the book. A lot of the images are from Google. The Pepper kid is some Halloween picture that came up when I typed Wonder Woman. A popular misconception is that this is my daughter dressed up. My daughter especially believes it is her, which I find interesting.
At one point that Wonder Woman figure could swing on that rope, but I got nervous and double-sticked her to the background.
As I've just evidenced, I could go on all day about how I did this. I don't keep up well on all the comments, but if anybody's specifically interseted in the craft aspect of it, type HEIDI (nothing like my own name to get my attention) somewhere in your comment and your odds are good. I'll try to keep up this week.
It's totally different to do an AB from a collage, I found. I do all this stuff by instinct -- the themeing, etc, but it was a mental jungle gym to do so many pages. I think there are ten? Maybe not that many. But a lot. It took me several days just to lay stuff out,and I collected images for months. When I collage I work in sections, and I did here, too, but it was trickier because they were so stand-alone as soon as you put them on the page. Plus I'm so anal that I wanted it to tell a story, so I kept fussing.
It was really fun, though. I think I'm going to do it again someday.
Movies vs novels. Deedeedo, movies about novels don't usually work. They're usually just too big, such as Lord of the Rings. Howsomever, a short story adapted well can. Don't look, Jen-T.... McMurty et. al. adapted Proulx' Brokeback Mtn. extremely well. Much of the dialogue was Proulx'. The beginning wasn't. We weren't allowed to watch H. Ledger pee in the sink and scratch his pubic hair, entertaining as that might have been.
Corinne, we did collaborate on a fan-fic book, starring LaFavre (yeah, Tal, I cn spel). It was wildly successful, already out of print.
tsiiabk: To Sin Is Illusory. All Boys Kiss.
Some sad news:
AgTigress's father died last night, not unexpectedly as he had been very ill. At the moment she's on a dial-up connection that is extremely frustrating, so she asked me to let you know. Once she's got better access, I'm sure she'll be back in touch--though of course she won't be free to play online for a while.
She really appreciates all the support and sympathy she has received here. It has meant a great deal to her.
Oh, Tal. Please tell Tigress that our thoughts are with her now.
Tal: Please give Tigress our sympathy and condolences. And tell her we'll look forward to the time when she can rejoin her fellow CBs here.
Ah, Tigress. Words are inadequate, I am sorry for your loss.
Come talk to us again when you're ready. We'll be here.
bw
Tal - please give Tigress my deepest condolances. Even when it's not unexpected, it's still very hard. Hugs from me.
Tigress, C/O Tal,
Even when you know it's coming, it's still hard when the time comes. My deepest sympathies, condolences, and hugs.
Tal, big hugs to Tigress. Tell her our thoughts are with her and her family.
rg
AgTigress: My sincere sympathies.
(((((ag tigress)))))...thanks for sending these along, Tal
Tal...
Please pass on sympathies to ag tigress.
Louis
tal: tell tigress how sorry we all are and that i hope her memories of her father bring her comfort. as many hugs as you need, tigress.
Tal, Please pass on my condolances to Tigressand her Mother at this sad time.
Tigress, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
I've just emailed the Tigress my condolences, but thought I should also add them here for good measure.
Let us know if you need anything, AgTigress. We're here for you.
((((((Tigress)))))
I wish I could do that in person. My deepest condolences.
agtigress My sincere condolences. Lots of CB {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We'll be here for you when you get back.
r
Tal, thanks for letting us know. We appreciate it.
Tigress, I'm so sorry. Words are inadequate, and even though we knew it was coming, it's just not the same as having it happen. You said something once about his future destination not being in doubt no matter what religious beliefs one has; it sounds like he was a marvellous man, of a quality not commonly found. You and your family have our thoughts and prayers. I hope you all find consolation, healing, and peace.
AgTigress - although I find it hard to express condolences this way (on a public blog), I want to do so nevertheless. I lost my own father when he was only 60 and my American host father (who also meant a lot to me) a few years ago, and no matter how long before you know about their disease and possible death, it is always hard and stays that way for a long time. And even if death comes as a relief in sickness and old age, we need a lot of time to accept it. So I hope you find consolation and strength as you need it.
AgTigress: My thoughts and prayers are with you.
AgTigress: I'm sorry.
AgTigress- I'll be thinking of you. I'm sorry for your loss.
lbooth
AgTigress, I'm deeply sorry for your loss, and your mother's. I pray that your family can find comfort in one another.
AgTigress,
I know that there are no words to express your loss, nor words to take away the pain. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers. Take time every day to just breath and find a peaceful place.
AgTigress - my thoughts and prayers are also with you, your family, and especially your dear Mother.
((((HUGS)))) for your comfort now, and wishes that when you get through the immediately exhausting busyness ahead of you, you'll be able to rest your body and your mind.
We'll be here carrying on with CB silliness, and saving your spot.
You know what I love about this blog? We can get totally silly, but when one of us is unhappy or sad or hurt, we are united to help him or her.
This is a really good group of people and it's lovely to see us all come together to support AgTigress in her bereavement, but also to celebrate when someone has an accomplishment to share.
And I like what Marcia said about saving a spot. It's like having the best table in the cafeteria and knowing that your friends will always have a space open for you, whether your day is good and you need a pat on the back or bad and you need some support.
What a lovely, lovely place this is.
Hugs to all of you.
I agree G-G. I got all teary-eyed reading the outpouring of love for AgTigress and her family. What a great group.
rg
AgTigress: Thinking of you and wishing you peace.
And what marcia and glamour-geek wrote. Well said.
owshum: Awesome. Pretty much somes it up, doesn't it?
Um, should be "sums it up."
If only my life came with spell
check. That just gave me a flashback to my "ruff draft."
Home is where your heart is - here's my heart. :)
Tigress,
Wishing you peace and comfort.
hugs, Carla (the semi-lurking newbie)
AgTigress, take care of yourself and your mom now. As others have said, even when you know it's coming, it's still hard. I'm glad you have and had your husband's support throughout.
Tigress - Sending my deepest sympathies to you and your mother. Loss is never easy...ever...even if you know it is coming.
I lost my mother a couple of years ago (she was 91) and I know how difficult it is.
Be sure to take care of yourself and join us again when you can.
P.S. Tal - thank you for letting us know!
oh, yeah, tal, thanks for letting us know.
Only now checking the blog thanks to the never ending move, but AgTigress, I'm very sorry for you loss. It never doesn't hurt. I'll be thinking of you and your family.
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