The new hit show “Daisy Jones and the Six” has been a huge success amongst lovers of the book thanks to the series’ magnificent writing, costumes and music. This 10-episode series is adapted in a way that is so similar to the book, really making the events and characters come to life. The reason the show is so amazingly written is that the author of the book, Taylor Jenkins Reid, helped produce it. 

When finishing up writing the book, Jenkins Reid felt that there was a big opportunity for a live adaptation. So, she contacted and started working with well-known film producer Brad Mendelsohn. Together, they came up with their dream team of people for the show, covering everything from lead actors and actresses to directors. With Jenkins Reid being able to help in the live adaptation of her own book, she got to see her own story unfold in front of her eyes, watching the characters come to life, which must be so fulfilling for an author.

Getting to work hands-on with the many different producers and directors gave Jenkins Reid the opportunity to mold the script and events happening on screen as she saw fit. Having this opportunity is very amazing for authors because they get to see their book and its memorable characters come to life and because of this, I believe that authors should help with their own book-to-screen adaptations. 

This pattern has become more and more prevalent with shows and movies that are based on books, such as “The Hunger Games,” “Normal People,” “Conversations with Friends” and more. This new pattern is giving the authors of amazing books the opportunity and freedom to bring their works to life, producing them in a way they approve of for the screen. This opportunity gives the authors a chance to let fans see what was going on in their minds as they came up with the plot of the book, really showing how they may have originally imagined the characters and plot points.  

One perfect example of this is the show “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The author of the book series, Jenny Han, helped create the adaptation of the show, as well as being executive producer. With Han helping create the show, she was able to make the book and its lovable characters come to life on the big screen and help fans really see how Han imagined them when writing them out. As well as telling the events of the book through the screen, some other elements were added in it like the ‘Debutante Ball,’ which I feel really helped the story develop. Han did an amazing job with making this show and I really feel like other authors can take inspiration from her about directing their own book adaptations. 

When authors are able to help in the production of their own book-to-screen adaptations, it gives them more creative liberties to make the screen version how they may have imagined the story in the first place. When the authors are a part of the production process whether it be casting or helping direct it, they are able to see their original work and visions come alive in front of their eyes. What I have noticed in some adaptations is that when the author does not help, the story tends to get lost and parts of the book are taken out. So, to satisfy book lovers, the best option is to let these big authors with amazing books and visions help in the making of screen adaptations.