May 19, 2008
Tera Lynn Childs Blogs on Adaptations
Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty Guests
When I first decided to become a writer, it seemed logical that I would write what I loved to read: historical romance. The breathtaking tales of Johanna Lindsay, Suzanne Enoch, Sabrina Jeffries, Julia Quinn and especially Jane Austen inspired me and I wanted to write equally breathtaking stories. My foray into writing historicals was short-lived because, well, they’re hard. I switched to writing contemporaries where I didn’t have to think about voice or word choice or historical accuracy any more. (Hats off to the wonderful historical authors who make this seem so easy!) Anyway, eventually my quest for my voice’s niche led me to young adult fiction, but my heart was still in historicals. So is it any wonder that my first attempt at writing YA was a modern adaptation of a Regency classic? Here’s some of what I wrote:
Everyone knows a homecoming king needs a queen. No one really cares whether he wants one or not, the whole school is so certain of this that some people are already claiming his royal title.
Not the most brilliantly penned lines in literary history, but a fun modernization of the opening lines of Pride and Prejudice, no?
Since my roots in writing are in historical romance, I thought I’d play around with a few more of my favorites, rewriting choice bits in my own voice from a contemporary teen point of view. Here goes…
Daphne ignored her three brothers, who hovered at the edge of the gym. What girl in the history of high school had to spend her first homecoming dance with three–yes, three!–older brothers watching every move? It was bad enough she didn’t have a date–who’d be crazy enough to ask out the baby sister of the Bridgerton boys?–but the only reason she was dancing right now was because her oldest brother’s friend, Simon, had been guilted into asking.
adapted from The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Can’t you just see the Bridgerton siblings taking the high school world by storm? The brothers would be every teacher’s nightmare. Especially Colin. Most especially Colin. He’d have gotten very familiar with the principal’s office, I’m sure.
“No way.” Meredith stared at the glowing computer screen for a second, then clicked the message into the trash.
“What?” Ella asked. “Let me see.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said. Another quick click and she moved the message back into her inbox. As Ella read the email, Meredith paced. She’d thought Nick was gone for good, but that hope had disappeared. Along with her chance at valedictorian.
adapted from Once Upon a Wedding Night by Sophie Jordan
Imagine all the notes and missives of Regency–and yes, Sophie, Victorian–England, coming at cyber-speed. I bet dumping a girl via parchment was as much of a faux pas back then as a texting dump is today.
“Step off!” a girl snapped.
“Come on, baby. You know you want some.”
Alex didn’t want to play hero–not tonight. The end of school party raging inside had gotten too much for him to handle. Too much spiked punch and wild, summer-is-finally-here abandon. He’d escaped into the backyard and planned on escaping all the way back to his car, and then home.
But he couldn’t let a girl get groped in the garden. That was so not cool.
“I told you to let go, Reggie!”
“You’re just playing hard to get,” the clearly thought-impaired Reggie replied.
Well, the sooner he broke up this little love/hate-fest, the sooner Alex could go home. He stepped around the corner of the garage, ready to give Reggie a mouthful of fist, when the girl–a blonde babe he’d never seen before–hauled back and kneed the idiot in his fruit basket. Guess she didn’t need rescuing, after all.
adapted from When Dashing Met Danger by Shana Galen
Must admit this one was the hardest. Not because of the content–a party is a party in any era, and so is an unwanted grope–but because this was my first attempt at writing from the POV of a teenage boy. It was more fun than I expected.
I’m not sure what this proves–except that a good story is a good story, whatever the setting and/or genre–but it was a lot of fun. Anyone want to take a whack at modernizing one of your favorites? Or, if you’re afraid of dipping a toe in the YA pool, share your favorite moment and I’ll see if I can work some teen mojo.
Hugs,
TLC
4:39 am | Share This
Shana Says:
Welcome, Tera!I loved reading your adaptation of WDMD. I also loved Oh. My. Gods. I think kids everywhere are going to be clamboring for the sequel.
Margo Maguire Says:
How great! I loved those excerpts, Tera - very creative, indeed. Now I”ve got to get my hands on Oh. My. Gods.
Emily McKay Says:
That’s such a great title!
Personally, I think all of Shakespeare’s stuff would translate well to high school. I guess all the modern movie adaptations proved that, huh? But all that drama and betrayal. It’s perfect!
Sophie Jordan Says:
OMIGOSH! You’re so talented to be able to do that!! Love, love it!!
Now if that doesn’t whet everyone’s appetite to read Tera’s terribly witty, fun, romantic book, then I don’t know what will!
Sophie
Tera Lynn Childs Says:
Shana and Margo — Thanks! It was a lot of fun to adapt these.
Emily — Shakespeare is sooo adaptable since his stories are so universal (the #1 reason why he’s still popular today). 10 Things I Hate About You is a great one and on my all time favorite movie list!
Sophie — Must admit, yours was the hardest at first. But once I decided it didn’t *have* to be the displaced heir and secret baby thing, it was easy.
Christie Craig Says:
Great post and great writing voice, Tera. Talent oozes your words.
I have Oh, My Gods, on my bedside table and look forward to reading it soon.
CC
Colleen Thompson Says:
I’ve already passed it on to one of my tutoring students on the proviso that she recommend it to her school librarian!
Robin Haseltine Says:
I love your idea of transforming historicals into YA. What a creative approach :bananadance: I have Oh.My.Gods on the top of my TBR pile and can’t wait to get to it. Great interview!
limecello Says:
Hi Tera!
LOL That’s such a great idea, and I loved reading this post - especially the Bridgertons adaptation :D. I’m not going to try my hand at it though :P.
Amy Addison Says:
Oh, what fun adaptions. Thanks for sharing.
Pwhndvve Says:
Honi soit legate left buy cytotec dead hand held.