DiscoverAuthors Talking BookishFrom Page to Screen: What Makes a Story Adaptable? Episode 56
From Page to Screen: What Makes a Story Adaptable? Episode 56

From Page to Screen: What Makes a Story Adaptable? Episode 56

Update: 2025-09-30
Share

Description

In this episode, Donna and Hope dive into the ever-evolving world of literary adaptations, exploring why so many novels are making their way to screens—both big and small. They break down the difference between loose and tight adaptations, share the essential qualities that make a novel ripe for adaptation, and examine the rising trend of limited series as the ideal format for complex storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for writers, book lovers and screen buffs alike.

Show Notes:

Number of films made from novels

Upward trend of series adaptations

Loose vs. tight adaptation

What characteristics of a novel make for a good adaptation?

OUR PICKS

SOURCES & LINKS

How to Write a Book Like a Movie, Richard M. Craft

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need, Jessica Brody

Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told, Blake Snyder

DO NOW:

Choose a companion novel and film. Study HOW (using the characteristics mentioned above) the adaptation brings the written work to life.

Next Episode: Hooked From Page One, the importance of strong openings

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT and SHARE. Thank you

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

From Page to Screen: What Makes a Story Adaptable? Episode 56

From Page to Screen: What Makes a Story Adaptable? Episode 56