General Discussions

Novelisation: crappy

POSTED BY: BrainMissing
UPDATED: Monday, October 17, 2005 08:45
VIEWED: 19854
PAGE 5 of 6

DIETCOKE

Wednesday, October 12, 2005 3:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrainMissing:
Who is Keith DeCandido and where the hell did he learn to write? I could have done a better job of this novelisation when I was still in high school. His sentence structure is awkward and pitifully, reminds me of some of the stories in my Grade 12 writing class at the beginning of the year (before we'd learned anything). He has even forgotten (or perhaps never heard) the 1st rule of writing: show, don't tell.

Lines that were laugh-out-loud funny in the movie fall flat when wrapped in his child-like descriptions. He has completely lost the brilliance of Firefly by explaining EVERYTHING that everyone does - how can our favourite man of mystery be mysterious when we know the motivations behind all his actions? Not to mention that I would be sorely disappointed if I truly believed those were the motivations that Joss Whedon meant him to have.

Keith DeCandido, if you're reading this, take a gorram creative writing course.

Whoever chose him, read a gorram scifi book. Find out where the talent lies. There's plenty
of writers out there who are hysterically funny, and don't insult the intelligence of their readers. Serenity deserves better than this, guys. Come on.[/QUO

I'm utterly confused. I liked the novel better than the movie. Sorry, Joss. You know I love you man. But he novel added so much more from the original shooting script.

The guy who wrote this is simply does not know great film makingl

Keep it up, Joss.

NY/NJ Browncoats: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/firefly_nyc

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BELASERA

Thursday, October 13, 2005 10:07 PM

I never, never, NEVER read movie novelisations...but, well I guess I'm a liar because I had to pick up KRAD's Serenity.
I actually read it in a waiting room today, which is just what that sort of book is good for. I don't mind the style, it's a pleasent enough read, but I'm stuck around page 100. I don't know if I want to go any further, because I don't think I can handle any more of the mad Jayne-Hating.
What is up with that? It's like every time there is a reference to anything bad, ugly, foul, or stupid...it's described as how it compares to Jayne. The reader is constantly reminded that Jayne pretty much sucks.
i.e.
Inara liked everyone...except Jayne of course.
Mal wants Jayne by his side in the Maidenhead because he needs babysat.
Reavers are even worse than Jayne. (!)
Jayne will always survive, he's like a cockroach.
Oh, I could go on and on, but I won't so much.
This characterisation is rubbing me raw, not that I think Jayne is a teddy bear, but sheeesh...find another dog to kick.

"I'll be in my bunk."

SAMURAIX47

Thursday, October 13, 2005 11:30 PM

One of the best novels I've read that had a changing POV, from sentence to sentence it seemed, was DUNE... So Serenity novelisation is not a problem in that regard...

Quote:
Somebody else suggested that the book should have been from a single POV, but the movie itself made that impossible, as there's no one character who's in every scene. River comes the closest, but I think doing the entire novel in the POV of a crazy telepath would've been draining for both the writer and the reader.......

Jaymes

REDMAN

Friday, October 14, 2005 12:17 AM

KRAD,

I've been a lurker rather than a poster to this site, and I'm not an author (although I do read a lot). I haven't read the book, but I just wanted to say that I'm impressed that you have responded to the thread. I think your presence on the forums significantly adds to the community.

Good luck with your future work. If you ever need a constructive critic I'd be happy to oblige.

LEXIGEEK

Friday, October 14, 2005 1:13 AM

My only significant problem with the novelization was when the crew lands on Miranda, KRAD wrote that *nine* people got off the ship, which, at that point unfortunately would no longer have been possible. I'm not usually one for nitpicking, but that particular gaffe seemed to rub salt in an open wound.

--
"Everyone needs something to keep them going. Mal has his ship. Zoe has her integrity. Jayne has Vera. And I've got you guys." Joss Whedon on his fans

KRAD

Friday, October 14, 2005 2:49 AM

Quote:
I don't think I can handle any more of the mad Jayne-Hating.

This made me laugh out loud, because I love the character of Jayne. The title I have for the Serenity novel I have proposed and sent to Pocket is The Hero of Canton.

However, not to put too fine a point on it, but -- did you watch the show? Heck, did you watch the movie? Wash spends most of his time making fun of Jayne, including questioning how his brain is capable of speech. Mal and Zoe constantly denigrate him. Simon calls him a trained ape without the training. Inara nearly falls over from the shock when she finds out that Jayne is a hero in Canton.

Some lines from the movie:

"Mule won't run with five. I shoulda dumped the girl? Or you? Or Jayne?" Pause. "Well, Jayne..."

"Start with the part where Jayne gets knocked out by a ninety-pound girl. 'Cause I don't think that's ever getting old."

This was in the script and not the movie, but: "That ain't even so! River's a dear heart and a boon to this crew. You just don't like her 'cause she can read your mind and everything you think is mean."

Nothing I wrote was out of bounds with what was done on the show and in the movie.

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical

KRAD

Friday, October 14, 2005 2:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lexigeek:
My only significant problem with the novelization was when the crew lands on Miranda, KRAD wrote that *nine* people got off the ship, which, at that point unfortunately would no longer have been possible. I'm not usually one for nitpicking, but that particular gaffe seemed to rub salt in an open wound.

Yeah. *sigh* I can't count.

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical

BELASERA

Friday, October 14, 2005 3:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by KRAD:
Quote:
I don't think I can handle any more of the mad Jayne-Hating.

"That ain't even so! River's a dear heart and a boon to this crew. You just don't like her 'cause she can read your mind and everything you think is mean."

Nothing I wrote was out of bounds with what was done on the show and in the movie.

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical

Ah, now don't get me wrong, that line tickled me. I suppose the unavoidable difference is that in the show/movie, I am able to process the tone and context of that sort of jab, whereas in a novelisation the jab is accompanied by a further twist to make the point stick. Jayne is such a great character because he makes himself known, and yeah, he's rotten. I find it overmuch to be constantly reminded of it.
When Jayne says, "That weirdo ain't right in the head" I dont need to be told the line is "hilarious, coming from Jayne" (128). It was funny, until Jayne became the butt of the joke.
I don't mean to say that Jayne is not deserving of a certain derision, only that the character earns it well enough through his own actions.
Nor did I mean to imply that you personally dislike the character.
But hey, the sole reason that I read this book is because I knew you were a fan, I'd seen you around. So actually being able to communicate this to you is the raddest thing ever. And if you do write another, I'll certainly read it. (with Jayne goggles on)
cheers

"I'll be in my bunk."

KELSO

Sunday, October 16, 2005 1:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by KRAD:
I love the character of Jayne. The title I have for the Serenity novel I have proposed and sent to Pocket is The Hero of Canton.

Sweet!

Jayne is my favorite character (by far). In fact I'd love to see an animated spin-off entitled Man Called Jayne :)

Man, I hope to hear some positive news on future Novels/Comics soon.

-------
Well, here I am.

KRAD

Monday, October 17, 2005 4:52 AM

Quote:
Man, I hope to hear some positive news on future Novels/Comics soon.

You and me, both....

Keith R.A. DeCandido
keith@decandido.net
www.DeCandido.net | www.AlbeShiloh.com
www.livejournal.com/~kradical