Let's Write a Novel!

[sewhappy]

<p>There are so many wonderfully verbal parents posting here that I find myself wanting to do one of those group writing things, just for fun, although would not surprise me in the least if many of my favorite posters on here are published authors.</p>

<p>Okay. So here is what I'm wanting to try: Modern re-telling of the Jane Eyre story. We've had the Jane Austen stories over and over. I'm not sure how to do this but I think the whole Bronte thing could be cool. Wuthering Heights is just too iconic and in the ether. I think Jane Eyre.It has such as strong Social Justice theme that it resonates well right now.</p>

<p>So does someone hear the Muse's on this? Otherwise, I'll just go write it myself, have it optioned and be a billionaire (millionaires are so low these days).</p>

[Shrinkrap]

<p>I think my D does that mutal story thing online somewhere. I don't know how it works, but am "haunted" by the "insane" wife in Jane Eyre. Can I be her?</p>

[anothermom2]

<p>I only remember Wuthering Heights (Kathy...Heathcliff...), and the old movie with its overacting. I probably fell asleep reading Jane Eyre and never got to the end.</p>

[sewhappy]

<p>My DD told me I was "losing it" when I told her about my novel idea. </p>

<p>Oh well.</p>

[Lennon]

<p>I think you just pick the themes from the book that most intrigue you, and jettison the rest. Then it's really up to you figure out how those same themes are playing out in the world now.</p>

<p>This is a neat book--told from the perspective of Rochester's wife:</p>

<p>Amazon.com:</a> Wide Sargasso Sea: A Novel (9780393310481): Jean Rhys: Books</p>

<p>I'd live and breathe Jane Eyre for a period of time and then I bit you'll see the parallels all around you and your own story will come.</p>

[alh]

<p>What is the present day equivalent of the mad woman in the attic? </p>

<p>I like retellings and think they do very well as movies. There is no limit imho as to how many are possible and different versions are fascinating:</p>

<p><a href="http://paintedseahorse.hubpages.com/hub/Jane-Eyre-Sequels-Prequels-Spin-Offs-and-Retellings%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://paintedseahorse.hubpages.com/hub/Jane-Eyre-Sequels-Prequels-Spin-Offs-and-Retellings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Retellings</p>

<p>Rebecca...Daphne du Maurier</p>

<p>A classic in its own right, du Maurier's 1938 novel is heavily inspired by Jane Eyre and became her most famous novel. Newly married to Maxim de Winter, the second Mrs. de Winter quickly realizes that she cannot live up to her predecessor, the drowned Rebecca. Mrs. Danvers is a chilling villain as the housekeeper who has a strange hold over Manderley estate.</p>

<p>The Ivy Tree...Mary Stewart</p>

<p>Intricately plotted, Mary Stewart's novel is another work inspired by Bronte. Moody and atmospheric, it involves mistaken identity, impersonation, and deep loss. Set in northern England in the 1950s, it follows Annabel, a young lady in love with an older man with a mentally-ill wife. Fans praise its rich, poetic language and detailed plot and characters.</p>

<p>Jenna Starborn...Sharon Shinn</p>

<p>Shinn reimagines Jane Eyre as a science-fiction romance tale, with the titular character a bright but impoverished nuclear technician "half-cit" who falls for her employer, Everett Ravenbeck. Shinn follows her source closely, maintaining the original characters and events. In this sense, Jenna Starborn does not deviate much from Jane Eyre, although it employs several clever sci-fi twists (e.g., cyborgs, interplanetary travel, etc.). The heroine is not Ameletta's (Adele's) governess, but a scientifically-minded technician. The role of Ameletta's tutor is taken by Janet Ayerson, whose personal story veers from the original novel but shows another possible fate for Jenna (and echoes Jane Austen). Jenna even addresses her "Dear Reeder," a high-tech recording device that she uses as a digital journal. Jenna Starborn will appeal to science-fiction fans with an interest in classic literature, who like the idea of Jane Eyre in space.</p>

<p>Jane Slayre...Sherri Browning Erwin/Charlotte Bronte</p>

<p>If you frequent bookstores, you've most likely seen the quirkily popular Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (slated to become a film). The spoof has spawned a series of books taking works of classic literature (Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters) and tweaking them with macabre monsters and bloody battles. Finally, it's Jane Eyre's turn. Interspersed in the original story is the heroine's struggles to vanquish vampyres. Jane, meet Buffy. Credit (or blame) the series on the wildly popular Twilight books and a resurging interest in vampires, zombies, werewolves, and other mutant baddies.</p>

<p>Jane...April Lindner</p>

<p>Jane Eyre is retold for a young adult audience in this new story. Its tagline, if you will: What if Jane Eyre fell in love with a rock star? Orphaned college student Jane Moore must take on a nanny job for pop star Nico Rathburn. Fans of Bronte's novel will know what to expect, but the tale of forbidden romance and haunting secrets of the past will surely entrance new teen readers.</p>

<p>Rochester: A Novel Inspired by Jane Eyre...J.L.Niemann</p>

<p>Rediscover Jane Eyre...from Edward Rochester's perspective. Niemann takes on Rochester's dark, brooding, Byronic character and his all-consuming love for the meek, plain governess. Expect sensuous, passionate language in this masculine retelling, the first in a planned trilogy.

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</p>

[alh]

<p>okay sewhappy, what do you think? James Eyre and Mr. Rochester? Maybe an oscar contender?</p>

[cartera45]

<p>I rewrote "The Scarlett Letter" for a history class in college. It still didn't turn out well.</p>

[sewhappy]

<p>I think I'm finding Jane Eyre interesting right now because of all the class strife going on in the society, rage against Wall St and rich people and the sense of many people being really vulnerable economically. So I'd see Rochester as an I-banker type, of course. And there are lots of people who use nannies in Manhattan. So "Jane" could be a nanny and her background would be a very modest one of some sort. </p>

<p>But putting an earlier Mrs. Rochester in the attic? Can't quite see it. </p>

<p>I really enjoyed Wide Sargasso Sea. And I had thought that "Rebecca" takes a lot from Jane Eyre.</p>

<p>How about this -- a comedic modern day Jane Eyre? Am I crazy?</p>

[cartera45]

<p>Isn't that "The Nanny" with Fran Drescher?</p>

[sewhappy]

<p>Have never seen "The Nanny". </p>

<p>Also, how about switching genders -- make it Ms. Rochester and John Eyre? A male nanny.</p>

<p>Whenever I try to write something creative it always descends into farce.</p>

[alh]

<p>"Who's the Boss?"</p>

<p>It doesn't matter that every story has pretty much already been written. It is how you tell it that makes it original. imo</p>

[cartera45]

<p>I don't think I ever watched an episode of "The Nanny" either. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Also, how about switching genders

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That would be "Who's the Boss."</p>