5 Great Book to Movie Adaptions

Books are an intelligent man’s constant accomplice. However, books demand time. In this day and age, where people are constantly juggling between numerous tasks, it becomes quite impossible to find the time to read books and this is precisely where book to movie adaptations come to your rescue. Since the invention of cinema, innumerable classics have been made into motion pictures. However, there are only a few that have managed to make a lasting impression on the audiences. Here are the top 5 best movie to book adaptations of all time.

1. Lolita

Vladimir Nabokov immortalized himself by writing Lolita and Stanley Kubrick made ‘Lolita’ a household name after he adapted this classic into a film in 1962. Lolita is a revolutionizing film because it pushed boundaries and opened debates on tricky subjects like censorship and the portrayal of human sexuality on the bigger screen. James Mason and Sue Lyon did an excellent job of magically recreating two of Nabokov’s iconic characters — Humbert Humber and Dolores “Lolita” Haze.

2. The Godfather

Since Mario Puzo himself assisted with the screenplay of The Godfather, it was only quite expected that the film resembled the book in every way. The film can be seen again and again for its exceedingly talented cast which includes the name of stalwarts like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. This mafia movie traces the journey of an immigrant dynasty in New York. Here’s an interesting fact — when The Godfather was released in 1972, it included a coded anti-Vietnam message to stop the war.

3. Fight Club

It is quite surprising that this masterpiece did not fare too well with the audiences when it was released. However, it has managed to create a cult status over the years. The film does an outstanding job of portraying Chuck Palahnuik’s ideas on the bigger screen. Its stand on modern day consumerism and personal empowerment is striking and reverberates with the youth. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt’s acting is flawless and so is David Fincher’s direction.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s modern classic, which won the Pulitzer Prize, has been a favourite of book lovers all over the world. In 1962, Robert Mulligan decided to make this heart warming book into a film. Gregory Peck was picked to play the role of Atticus Finch, a character that has managed to stay with readers ever since the book’s inception. Gregory’s outstanding acting won him won him accolades and an Academy Award for Best Actor. This film should be seen again and again for its exemplary screenplay and flawless adaptation.

5. Schindler’s List

Schindler’s List is one of the best films ever made about the Holocaust. Based on Thomas Keneally’s novel ‘Schindler’s Ark’, this film recounts the story of Oskarr Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. The film opened to great reviews and managed to win applause from both critics as well as audiences. Not many people know that Steven Spielberg was quite hesitant about directing this timeless classic. Schindler’s List powerfully captures the nightmare that the Holocaust was through its strong screenplay and cinematography. This artistic genius won 12 Academy Awards and is one of the most powerful films ever made.

While these are certainty not the only books that have been adapted into great movies, there remains to be lots of future opportunity for great literature and self published work to be made into movies.

Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy these movies, isn’t in your living room but rather outside.  We, at Hylas Publishing, have recently discovered the joy of outdoor movies.  Outdoor movies are a great way to enjoy books-turned-movies while getting both fresh air and feeling connected to the earth.  All you need is an outdoor movie screen and you’re good to go.

Have a great summer everyone and let us know which books turned movies are your favorite.

How Writers Can Make Money Copywriting

In a world shortcuts and misspellings – of “lol” and emojis – you have managed to overcome it all and show a passion for writing. We live in an amazing time for writers. It is a time where you can publish a book online in minutes and start receiving sales right away, where information is compiled and shared at an incredible rate on websites and social media, and where advertising has become far more personal and far less mechanical.

This is a great time to be an excellent writer. But writing isn’t necessarily about novels and journalism anymore. Now, more than ever, companies need writers to help them grow their business and improve their ability to reach the public. This is known as “copywriting,” and it has become a critical part of modern marketing.

What is Copywriting?

Copywriting is the writing of words (copy) for both print and online materials. These days, copywriting is almost entirely online. Copywriters write sales pages, blog posts, home pages, find guest posting opportunities social media posts, and much more, all in an effort to help engage with customers, share valuable information, and drive sales.

They are also an important part of search engine algorithms. Search engines rank websites by figuring out how well they are likely to answer a user’s question or needs, and the words on a website help search engines determine whether or not a website should show up higher in searches.

Starting a Career as a Copywriter

Businesses need writers. They need people to write blog posts, create new pages for their site, and help them with writing needs. They need writers like yourself to help them build their website presence.

If you want to become a copywriter, there are many different ways to start. Examples include:

  • Upwork (and Other Freelance Job Boards) – The easiest place to begin is by signing up to job posting boards like Upwork. On Upwork, companies and individuals post writing that they need completed, and writers “bid” on how much it will cost for them to do the work. This is where most freelancers get started.
  • Open Jobs – On websites like StartJobs or Indeed, you can find companies looking specifically for copywriters, and are willing to accept those without much experience. Some jobs are for copywriting companies, while others are for small businesses that need to hire full or part time writers.
  • Blogging – Another great way to start as a copywriter is to start your own blog about a topic that you’re passionate about. Making money while blogging is exceedingly difficult, but one of the benefits about blogging is that you can try to build your name and brand all while you find employment at some other type of career.
  • Write for professional websites. Some copywriters make full-time incomes helping write resumes or cover letters.

Often the best way to begin is to start with freelancing work and blogging, and build a brand for yourself. During this time, continue to read more about the industry so that you understand what employers are looking for, and then either start applying for jobs or continue to grow your freelancing business.

Copywriting is a highly valuable skill that many employers are looking for, and are one of the best ways to make a career out of your passion for writing.

Family Holidays in a Motorhome

Everything you need to know about hiring a motorhome

Susan Lomas

Family Holidays in a MotorhomePaperback: 44 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (15 Nov 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1493759442
ISBN-13: 978-1493759446
Product Dimensions: 5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
BISAC: Travel / Europe / Great Britain

One reader on Amazon criticized this book as being too short, saying that it would have been OK as an article but not a book. It is true that the author has written this book in more of a blog format, but it is still a fun read. Susan decided to take her vacation in England by hiring a motorhome from Motorhome Freedom, a website about motorhomes with an emphasis on motorhome hire. For anybody who is considering a motorhome vacation, this is a good read and can alert you to some of the pitfalls you might come across.

About the Author

Susan Lomas (née Clements) was born in Watford, England in 1964. Rather an energetic child, she studied ballet for a while, quickly moving on to ballroom and Latin American dancing. She was educated in north London and gained a BA Honours degree in Fine Art Painting at Norwich School of Art in 1986. Susan taught Art and Design in a number of schools in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Scooter Book

The Scooter Book by Bob Woods

The Scooter BookISBN: 1-59258-076-9
Paperback
7 1/4″ x 9 1/4″, 128 pp
200 images, 4-color
Taking advantage of a hot new trend in cities big and small, this book includes information on scooter history, culture, and celebrities plus “how to buy” tips and info.

The Scooter Book is a wonderfully fun, retro-hip book that aims to take advantage of a hot new trend in cities big and small; this book includes information on scooter history, culture, and celebrities, plus “how to buy” tips and info. It includes more than 150 colorful photos of scooters, including all the top-selling models, plus period-evocative historical memorabilia from the 1950s and 1960s. The Scooter Book connects the hipster nostalgia of the scooter to today’s modern life. Lifelong rider and writer, the author, Bob Woods, takes readers on a zippy ride through scooter history, stopping off to see how World War II, Audrey Hepburn, and the Who have all played a part in this re-occurring transportation trend. He also tells how to maintain, repair, and care for a scooter and scooter-related gear.

About the Author

Bob Woods is a writer living in Madison, Connecticut. Bob was the editor of the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Magazine and has written hundreds of articles for major magazines (including Sports Illustrated and Money Magazine) on sports, business, and culture.