Why read a book when you have Netflix? 📺 (Updated)

I sat in a dentist's chair when I decided to sign up for Netflix. My hygienist told me about the (at the time) relatively new site, how it worked and why she loved it. My curiosity peaked, and it only took some mild convincing from her to encourage me to go home and sign up.

And it was fantastic! I had the opportunity to watch various series from episode one and explore new movies, and it was all at a price I could afford.

I was in love.

So with this in mind, why are people still reading books? What do they have to offer in the world of Netflix, the Internet, and five billion television channels? 

People have asked me these questions more than once, almost as people were challenging why I even bothered writing books. What could I possibly offer them that other forms of entertainment - entertainment that takes far less effort than reading a book - couldn't surpass? 

Fair enough.

Movies are easy. Television is easy. You flick them on, and off you go. But they do have limits.

I recently read a book that blew my mind. The ending wasn't anything I could've anticipated. I was stunned. I was impressed that the author had managed to surprise me. Knowing this book was also made into a movie, I didn't hesitate to check it out.

I hated it. The movie didn't live up to the book. It was terrible. Some important parts of the book were removed, and the ending completely changed. It was boring and terrible. I was horrified that the writer allowed her book to be butchered. 

We've all seen great books annihilated by soulless Hollywood producers, but that isn't always the case. I can also think of a great television show based on a series of books that I found very lackluster.

The point is that movies and television are different monsters. It's hard to beat the visual aspect of an action-filled car chase or the beauty of a sunrise in a far-off land. 

On the other side, movies and television have limits. The average length of a movie is 130 minutes, so audiences have to be pulled in fast and told a story that makes sense, with all the key points at a pretty accelerated pace. Directors and producers are limited by their budget and may not be able to film specific scenes because they would cost too much. Other factors such as investors may also factor into what does and doesn't make the final cut. And, of course, the right actors can make all the difference in the world. 

Books are the wild west of the entertainment world. There are no limits. You can write a 200 or 1000-page book; it's up to the author. Details and descriptions can be never-ending or limited. Editors may suggest you cut down the length or make other suggestions, but I feel that a writer has a little more room to breathe and can choose to work with publishers that share their vision.

Plus, there is a connection with the characters. If you're reading a book, it's over some time. You read their most inner thoughts, fears, and desires. This isn't always as easy to do in movies or series. It may take a few episodes of a show or a good portion of a movie before you decide how you feel about a character. It depends on their vulnerability or relatability. 

It might be just a personal thing, but I find that there's something peaceful about grabbing a book and spending time alone, getting absorbed in the pages, and doing so at your own pace. You can read quickly, finishing a book in a night. Or you can slowly absorb each line, each paragraph at a relaxed pace that allows you to not miss a detail. You can see yourself in each character or envision a celebrity in the role. To a certain degree, the story is as much yours as the authors because you can envision the scenes, the characters, and every detail in just the way you wish.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

 

Mima is the author of Fire and the prequel, A Spark before the Fire, as well as The Rock Star of Vampires  Her Name is Mariah and Different Shades of the Same Color. Join Mima on Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Goodreads also, check out her Amazon Author Page

For some reading, check out her blogs – personal or writing

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Why overly structured writing doesn't work 💻 (Updated)

Growing up, I was told that a writer had to have a well-constructed plan created before starting a book. You needed to create characters and have them figured out well in advance. You needed to know all the details before writing the first chapter. And you needed to know the ending before you started.

I think this is wrong. Overly structured writing, much like an overly structured life, doesn’t work. It’s awkward, it is uncomfortable, and it’s not fun. The characters create themselves, as do their storylines, and really, that’s what makes the entire process magical and exciting. If your imagination is allowed to run wild, it can go to many exciting places. 

I often say that attempting to force your characters to be or act a certain way steals something from the creative process. It's similar to forcing your children to be something they are not. If Billy Jr. hates hockey, he's not going to become an NHL star, and even if he does, it's not going to end well if his heart isn't into it. You can't play God with characters, but you can let them lead the way. That makes the best storytelling of all. 

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

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