Art of Adaptation - 11 Ways Authors Must Adapt

My Demon adaptation on Webtunes!

Hello, Sup readers and writers!

We have arrived at the end of the year, and it seems most fitting that I make this post a wrap-up of the previous eleven months, highlighting how authors must use adaptation in their writing.

Some of the best film adaptations on Netflix!

From adapting novels to film, games and videos to writing with AI, and all the way to dealing with the illusion of time, join me in this recap of the Art of Adaptation.

Adaptation to Film

Let's begin with the most obvious interpretation of adaptation with January's post on The Art of Adaptation - Films in 2025. In essence, this is the making of one medium suitable for another. As in, a novel to a film or series. 

Why do this? Sometimes we are compelled to adapt. Other times, it is part of the act of creating. Mostly is it is through the very hard work of an agent selling film rights to a producer. However they get there, this is where the author doesn't hesitate. Doesn't bulk. They give a resounding YES, sign the agreement and get out the confetti. But don't think for a moment this process is easy...

Adaptation to External Pressure

In February, the focus was on the adjustments authors make when turning their manuscripts into books. Basically, it's pressure to change some part of the submitted story, a process called revision. I give some great examples here.

Where do these pressures come from?

It might be from the author's agent, suggesting changes that will make the work easier to sell. Or, maybe it's the editorial department asking for a change that puts the work more in line with the imprint. Perhaps it is from sensitivity readers if the book succumbs to stereotyping, racial profiling, cultural appropriation or biases. 

Whatever the pressure, if it is meaningful to the book's publication and success, writers usually will adapt...

Adapting to International Films

Next, let's look at the Healing Magic of KDramas. 

KDramas, once categorised as foreign films but now referred to as 'international', have a magical appeal,

tempting viewers with new settings, customs, styles and ideologies while staying firmly rooted in familiar feelings, narratives and archetypes. Think of them as the epitome of immersion into another culture, the next best thing to being there. 

As well, watching KDramas activates multiple areas of the brain. Think of viewing these films and reading the subtitles as enhancing comprehension, memory, recall and attention to detail. It's stimulating and entertaining all in one!

Narrative Persuasion

Next, I explore how the reader might adapt to the story world based on the writer's ability to persuade...

in other words, how the author might push readers out of their comfort zone and into new experiences and perspectives.

Can stories really do this? Cause us to change our attitudes in real life

Simply put, storytelling has the potential to effect change through a technique called narrative persuasion...

Fantasy Monsters 

This form of adaptation as multiple aspects, so I divite it into two parts: 

Part 1 - Exploring the physicality and psychology of our darkest nightmares and how they have adapted and changed over time. 

Part 2 - Here I share some wonderful and eclectic new examples, all released this year, 2025!

Alternate History

To create an Alternate History work, you usually start with a 'real-life' event and then take a big 'ol step backward to alter how that event was shaped. Of course, the story will then have to adapt to the changes you envision, becoming something else entirely. Hopeful, it will be provocative, and inspiring... or maybe just haunting. You'll find great examples here!

AI 

For many authors, writing is a deep, personal process, rich in emotion and intricately woven with their unique voice. AI presents an intriguing proposition here. With tools that can analyse narrative structures, suggest plot twists, or even help in world-building, could these innovations enhance the creative process? Could they destroy it? 

This post had an element of controversy as I asked AI to write it, then deleted one paragraph and rewrote it myself. The goal was to see if readers could spot the difference, and thus far, no one has. Can you? 

Crafting Mood with Language

In the same way a carefully curated soundtrack can transform the mood of a visual scene, so too can the choice of words shift the emotional landscape of a written narrative. In this Art of Adaptation post, I explore how language can evoke different moods and feelings, using examples from two beloved vampire series: Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles" and Charlaine Harris's "Southern Vampire Mysteries."

Take 5

We know that most authors have adapted to an intense and competitive work expectation, but is this good for us? Our creativity?

Do we have to work so hard to meet deadlines and other expectations? 

No, we do not. Before you shrug this off for any multitude of reasons, consider some interesting facts
from our historians and evolutionary biologists on Taking 5...

On Time

This is hands down my favourite post of the series. 

It looks at how easily we adapt to time without thinking. From an author's belief in rigid time constraints, to the readers' suspension of disbelief in 'reality'.

My big question to you is, what would happen if we changed our story and started saying, "I have all the time in the world?"

Let's find out in 2026!

***

I hope you enjoyed the series and this longer-than-planned recap.

Happy holidays!

xo Kim

If you have suggestions for 2026 posts, let me know. I am still brainstorming the topic for the year!

January - The Art of Adaptation - Films in 2025

February - The Art of Adaptation - Authors' Response to External Pressures

March - The Art of Adaptation - The Healing Magic of KDrama

April - The Art of Adaptation -  Reader Persuasion

May - The Art of Adaptation - Fantasy Monsters Part 1

June - The Art of Adaptation - Fantasy Monsters Part 2 

July - The Art of Adaptation - Alternate History

August - The Art of Adaptation - AI: A New Chapter for Writers

September - The Art of Adaptation - Crafting Mood with Language

October - The Art of Adaptation - Take Five

November - The Art of Adaptation - On Time

***

About Kim Falconer

Kim Falconer, also writing as AK Wilder, has released Crown of Bones, a YA Epic Fantasy with Curse of Shadows as book 2 in the series. 

Currently, she is ready with the third book, planned to be out in 2025. TBA

Kim can be found on AKWilder.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and KimFalconer.com. 

Throw the bones on the AKWilder.com site.. See you there!

Read Blood and Water, a PNR alt history that will leave you questioning every natural disaster ever endured.

“There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth.”

Great Leaders in Speculative Fiction #11: Faramir in "The Lord of the Rings"

.

"I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend." ~ Faramir, The Lord of the Rings

Welp, here we are in December -- & ready to spend time with another of speculative fiction's great leaders. It's the last post of the year in this series, but by no means the least, because the character is Faramir, from JRR Tolkien's epic classic, The Lord of the Rings.

Faramir  in The Two Towers

Those who have read the books will almost certainly know why I want to shine the leadership spotlight on Faramir. I get, though, that those who have only seen the Lord of the Rings films may be a tad puzzled at this point. :-)

For those among you who fall into the latter category, I hope today's post illuminates not only why I think Faramir is a great leader, but why he's among my favorite characters in The Lord of the Rings books -- and why I was hugely disappointed by his treatment in the films. #JustSaying 

The Lord of the Rings

By way of background, in The Lord of the Rings the realm of Gondor and bastion city of Minas Tirith (the Tower of Guard), are largely standing alone against the growing might, and evil, of Sauron and Mordor. Faramir is the younger of the Steward (ruler) of Gondor's two sons, and he first appears in the latter half of the second book, The Two Towers. 

Minas Tirith

The ringbearer, Frodo, and his companion, Sam, encounter Faramir in a disputed borderland where they are waging guerilla warfare against the forces of Mordor. In the third book, The Return of the King, Faramir commands the final defense of Gondor's Osgiliath outpost, and fighting retreat to Minas Tirith.

Frodo & Sam on Mordor's border

Faramir has many outstanding leadership qualities, but the defining one is his moral center. When the one ring comes into his power Faramir repudiates it without hesitation, because he knows that its power, while immense, is also hugely corrosive and corrupting. And although deeply committed to Gondor, his loyalty is not blind. So despite knowing that his father, the Steward, would want exactly that, Faramir will not take the ring's corruption into the heart of Minas Tirith. 

Although a successful war-captain, who leads a series of successful forays against the enemy, Faramir is also merciful. So just as he will not take the ring from Frodo and Sam by force (as his brother Boromir attempted to do), he also refuses to slay them just because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite considerable misgiving, Faramir also spares Gollum at Frodo's request--which turns out to be a wise decision, and also a fortuitous one in the end, although his father and brother would both have dismissed such mercy as weakness. 

Nazgul attack

In the books, observers view Faramir as "stern and commanding", as well as "wise" and of "keen wit", so it's perhaps not surprising that his mercy demonstrates sound judgment. Yet however quiet his strength, Faramir shows considerable leadership chops--which is powerfully demonstrated when he holds Gondor's army to a fighting retreat from Osgiliath, rather than allowing his troops to give way to panic and rout. This is no small feat when not only facing vastly superior numbers but the supernatural evil and unrelenting attacks by the Nazgul ringwraiths, i.e. there is a very good reason they concentrate their attacks on Faramir.

Eowyn of Rohan

All reasons that it makes complete sense for the brave and beautiful Eowyn of Rohan to fall in love with him -- not as a 'consolation prize' because she can't have Aragorn, but because Faramir is the real deal. As both a man and a soldier he lights up the pages of The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Unquestionably, too, he deserves his place in the pantheon of speculative fiction's great leaders. 

Eowyn & Faramir: movie poster

~*~

Prior Posts: Great Leaders in Speculative Fiction ~ 
Where To Find 'Em & Why They Rock

February: Mara of the Acoma in the "Empire" series by Raymond E Feist & Janny Wurts

March:  Kaladin and Dalinar in "The Stormlight Archive" by Brandon Sanderson

April: Pyanfar Chanur in "The Pride of Chanur" series by CH Cherryh

May: John Aversin in Dragonsbane, by Barbara Hambly

June: Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

July: Ulric of the Nadir in Legend by David Gemmell

August: Signe de Barbentain in A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay 

September: Dr Mensah in the "Murderbot" Series by Martha Wells

October: Katsa & Bitterblue in "The Graceling Realms" by Kristin Cashore

November: Coltaine in "Deadhouse Gates" by Steven Erikson
.

~*~

About Helen Lowe 

Helen Lowe is an award-winning novelist, poet, and lover of story. With four books published to date, she is currently completing the final instalment in The Wall Of Night series.
.
Helen posts regularly on her “…on Anything, Really” blog, monthly on the Supernatural Underground, and tweets @helenl0we.