For those of you who aren't privy to my Twitter or Facebook feed, I'll clarify. Hi, my name is Alivia. And I'm addicted to Titanic ANYTHING.
The original Titanic that James Cameron was released on December 19, 1997 (thanks Siri). 14 years later and people are still willing to buy tickets, regardless of price, to see this movie on the big screen! In case you missed that, I'll repeat. FOURTEEN YEARS.
As a writer who aspires to see their work one day on a big screen, this does a number of things for me. For one, it gives me hope by showing me that you don't need any fancy jingles or bells or whistles to make something memorable- you just need a good story. Two, it reminds me that a good story is timeless. Two very important key pieces an author should always keep in mind while writing.
Think about it- if your story went on the big screen tomorrow, would people be willing to see it again fourteen years later, regardless of monetary inflation? I don't want to be harsh, but for most stories this is a no. There are a small few out there that will forever hold a base. Star Wars and Harry Potter come first to mind. I highly doubt I'm the only one who'd go back to see the movies all over again on the big screen fourteen years later if they were played. But what about say, Sucker Punch? Shutter Island?
I'm not saying all stories need to have an enrapturing romance or edge of your seat action or thoughtful underscores. But it does help. If you break down Titanic, you easily understand why it still captivates hearts young and old to this day.
- Romance. Rose and Jack, regardless of actors portraying them, had a passion. Their words were carried them through, and each statement said 'I love you' without actually saying it every two minutes. When it clicks, it's pure unbridled magic.
-Action! Sprinkled in bursts, having action gave people time to savor the softer scenes while clawing at their armrests the second the music picked up pace. Do you need explosions and car chases and gunfights? No! How about a fistfight? Or a foot chase?
-Underlying themes. Rose felt trapped, and wanted to break free. Jack, with his entire being, held the freedom she so obviously envied.
I have many a day where my sole aspiration is to write something memorable like James Cameron's rendition of Titanic. To create that level of building pressure on the heart to the point where you feel for almost every character on that screen.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go see Titanic again on the big screen and cry because JACK STILL DIES. /sob
Small side note; check back tomorrow for a post on a re-cap of ILLUMINE'S WISH! And don't forget, April 20th is the cover reveal of OBUMBRATE!
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