Celluloid Diaries: How romantic movies shaped my writing

Friday, January 9, 2015

How romantic movies shaped my writing

80s romantic movies

I'd like to welcome guest author Stephanie Faris on the blog today. Stephanie is the author of 30 Days Of No Gossip and 25 Roses. When she isn't crafting fiction, she writes for a variety of online websites on the topics of business, technology, and her favorite subject of all-fashion. Today she'll reveal how romantic movies shaped her writing.


***

Having been a teen in the 80s, I grew up on romantic movies. My favorite movies as a teen were those set in the high school environment. I assumed it was because I was in school myself at the time, but I didn’t realize someday I’d be a writer, with most of my books set in the school environment.

I got the idea for 25 Roses from my own life experience, but there is an underlying romantic tone throughout the book. That romantic tone is always flavored by the books, TV shows, and movies I enjoyed growing up—they shaped my view of fiction today. Here are five of my all-time favorites, four of which start with the letter “S,” oddly!

Clueless

Every girl loves a good makeover movie, right? That moment when an ordinary girl emerges looking amazing gets us all. Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless features a privileged girl who decides to help out the less fortunate by providing makeovers and matchmaking services. While 25 Roses has similar elements, unlike Cher in Clueless, Mia is hardly privileged. She helps out her fellow classmates because she relates to always being invisible. She feels as though she is one of them.

clueless

Secret Admirer

I remember seeing Secret Admirer on cable as a teen and loving it. I thought Lori Laughlin was so beautiful and I didn’t see how C. Thomas Howell could see her as a buddy. A secret admirer starts sneaking secret admirer notes into C. Thomas Howell’s locker and he assumes it’s from the prom queen. Because, of course, everyone knows prom queens have nothing better to do than sneak notes into boys’ lockers. I tried the “note in a locker” secret admirer thing when I was in school but it never quite worked out for me!

secret admirer

Sixteen Candles

We all love Sixteen Candles so much because Molly Ringwald’s character is so relatable. She has a crush on a boy who (she thinks) doesn’t even know she’s alive. She feels awkward and invisible compared to her beautiful big sister…Mia has that same feeling about her big sister in 25 Roses. Aside from My So-Called Life, I can’t think of another piece of entertainment that has more accurately depicted what being a teenager is like than Sixteen Candles did.

sixteen candles

She’s All That

Freddie Prinze Jr. bets a friend he can turn the school dork into the prom queen. In the process, he falls in love with her. This film mixes commentary on school hierarchies with that makeover magic we all love.

she's all that

Some Kind of Wonderful

I’m including this one because many of you may have missed it. While Mary Stuart Masterson was a little too hostile to be likeable, I loved the girl-likes-boy-who-likes-other-girl theme of this one. It also makes me feel a little better about the fact that my books seem to focus heavily on the social hierarchy in school.

some kind of wonderful

There they are! I won’t say they all directly influence my writing, but they were partly responsible for my views on romance and high school. I’d be interested to hear what movies influenced other people during their tweens, teens, and early 20s.


***

romantic story

About Stephanie's latest novel, 25 Roses:

Mia moves from the shadows to the spotlight when her matchmaking plans go awry in this contemporary M!X novel from the author of 30 Days of No Gossip.

Mia is used to feeling overlooked: her perfect older sister gets all the attention at home, and the popular clique at school are basically experts at ignoring her. So when it’s time for the annual Student Council chocolate rose sale, Mia is prepared to feel even worse. Because even though anyone can buy and send roses to their crushes and friends, the same (popular) people always end up with roses while everyone else gets left out.

Except a twist of fate puts Mia in charge of selling the roses this year—and that means things are going to change. With a little creativity, Mia makes sure the kids who usually leave empty-handed suddenly find themselves the object of someone’s affection. But her scheme starts to unravel when she realizes that being a secret matchmaker isn’t easy—and neither is being in the spotlight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

81 comments:

  1. 25 Roses sounds very interesting! I adore 80's romantic films and really like books/novels set in the school setting. Movies/TV definielty influence my writing! I think since I grew up with the quirky sarcastic Seinfeld-like shows of the 90s, my writing is very sarcastic <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I miss good sitcoms. The ones now aren't quite like they were before reality TV came in and took over the networks.

      Delete
  2. Hi Vanessa and Steph ... I think those days were so far away I've forgotten all about them .. I really got hooked into historical romantic books .. but films not a lot - though the classics ('recent') ones I enjoy .. Out of Africa, Notting Hill, Pretty Woman ... but you're writing for the right audience and hitting the mark by the sound of it ... good luck Steph .. and Happy New Year to you both - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny--I'm not much of a movie watcher today. Mostly TV shows. At one time I loved movies but now it just seems like too much of a commitment.

      Delete
  3. Van romantische films weet ik niet veel. Wel kan ik mij "Sissi" herinneren met Romy Schneider, die films waren voor die tijd natuurlijk super romantisch.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I admit I'm a sucker for romantic comedies. I was still (just barely) a teen when Sixteen Candles came out, and yes, that depicted the teen years of the 80's perfectly. Next closest one would be Better Off Dead.
    Congratulations, Stephanie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't see Sixteen Candles until it came to VHS and I loved it! I saw Better Off Dead around that time and remember loving it, too, but I haven't seen it in years.

      Delete
  5. Clueless, 16 Candles and She's All That are definitely among my favorite movies. I'll have to cheek out the other two as I haven't seen either of them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They aren't as well know, especially Some Kind of Wonderful. I think it kind of slipped under the radar. I saw it at the theater. Pretty in Pink is another good one, although I had issues with the plot and characters in that one...

      Delete
  6. I loved "She's all that"! Huge Freddie Prinze Jr. fan. I'm a sucker for romance movies too and still watch them when I can! My husband hates them. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish there were more really good ones now. Or maybe I'm just old and the teen movies today just SEEM like they're all Disney Channel-ish!

      Delete
  7. While my high school experience was nothing like Molly Ringwold's in Sixteen Candles, I love that movie so much. I wish my experience had been more like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think even though it wasn't the same, the character was so relatable because the writer captured the insecurity and awkwardness that comes with being a teenage girl. I think every teenager feels that she doesn't quite fit in, even the ones we thought had it all together.

      Delete
  8. I remember every one of these movies growing up in the 80's and they were wonderful. I love these types of stories and as I have begun my own writing career I have based it on a fictional love story as well with a lot of twists and turns of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think these movies definitely stick in our minds, as do the books we read when we were young. They formed that foundation on which we now view fiction.

      Delete
  9. Oh my dog! I used to LOVE that movie Clueless!!! I have seen it a thousand times! haha!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like "oh my dog." I'm going to have to use it! Clueless was a fun movie. I've actually only seen it once...and it was when it first came out. I don't know why I haven't re-watched it!

      Delete
  10. okay here's where my movie lameness comes into play--the only one I saw from this list was Clueless! Such a cute movie. Better get one seeing the rest of these at some point, especially Sixteen Candles since it's such a classic (although I adored Pretty In Pink!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to see Sixteen Candles if you like Pretty in Pink. You'll love it!

      Delete
  11. Some Kind of Wonderful was one of my favorites! I loved Mary Stuart Masterson in that movie. Just now looked her up on imdb to see what she's been up to. I'm not understanding why she hasn't been in more movies than she had been.

    Pretty in Pink, Fresh Horses, and Last American Virgin were some other favorites of mine. Wow, nostalgia!

    Thanks for sharing these. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She did the Law & Order thing--where all actors/actresses go to retire, I guess! Elisabeth Shue is on one of those TV crime shows. They all blend together.

      Delete
  12. I loved Clueless (even though I wasn't exactly a teenager....)
    Sounds like a great book!
    Lynne x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was already in my 20s by then. I felt too old to enjoy it, but that was okay!

      Delete
  13. Quite a shame that I haven't seen some of these movies. Nonetheless, it's great that you were impacted by such movies to become a better writer

    ReplyDelete
  14. She's all that was such a great movie!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't seen it in years. I want to see it again!

      Delete
  15. I remember watching Clueless all the time as if it was the teenage Bible. lol Sixteen Candles is a classic. I also love Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club. I feel like watching all of these movies now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. AH!! This is such a flash back of my childhood!!! The one you are missing is PRETTY in PINK!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't care for that one...it bothered me that she had this great male friend who really liked her, then this jerk...I don't know. I just remember greatly disliking the fact that the nice guy lost out to the popular guy! Even though I'm not a big Jon Cryer fan.

      Delete
  17. I love romantic movies - and other 80s ones! My best are The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Breakfast Club is one of my all-time favorites, too! I haven't seen St. Elmo's Fire in years. That was one of my first dates...I think it was R, so I'm not sure how we got in!

      Delete
  18. She's All That is the only one I've seen out of these. Sounds like a cute concept for the book, although I don't usually go for these romantic easy-reads.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lekker ontspannen bij romantische films heerlijk.
    :-))

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a fun post! I'm having flashbacks to my own teen years with those movies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. For some reason, my fav teen romances were Valley Girl and Real Genius (yeah, not really high school, but college is sort of still teen...) Also, Jon Cryer was great in Pretty In Pink. Now you've made me all nostalgic for the 80s! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This brings back a lot of memories. Clueless was one of my favorite shows.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are definitely right about how shows and movies and such shape you writing. My writing is quite persuasive and usually contains quite a bit of imagery. What a great throwback this is :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've never heard of these series, but then I started my 20'ies in the first half of the 80's.
    Funny to read how an author can be inspired.

    OT: the triatlon was last June, not now. But they did have the traditional dip in the sea here the weekend after New Year. I passed, as Always.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is an awesome post because it so brought memories back. I always loved the movie Grease also. That had the awesome love story with Olivia turning into more of a gorgeous woman. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can't hear Sixteen Candles without thinking of the Bush album Sixteen Stone :P

    ReplyDelete
  27. These are some really fun movies! I love Sixteen Candles and pull it out every now and again to watch it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Van romantische films weet ik niet zoveel, misschien als ik een overzicht zie of zo. Die platen zijn wel romantisch die je ons laat zien!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Geef mij maar af en toe een romantische film

    ReplyDelete
  30. Some of my favorite movies! I really feel sorry for the people who didn't grow up in the 80's...classic movies and music. They missed out!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Well I didn't came to this world until 2000. But The Breakfast Club is one of my favorites movies.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I haven't seen a single one of these movies that have been mentioned! And I do watch quite a few romance movies myself. It was cool to see how it influenced your writing!

    Check out my post: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2015/01/reader-problems-tag.html

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my goodness so many flash backs to these movies I have not thought of in forever. Its always fun to see how movies we have seen influence our writing and our life.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I remember so many of those movies from when I was a kid. She's All That was one of the first ones I remember Rachel Leigh Cook being in.

    ReplyDelete
  35. That was a blast from the past... I forgot all about those "oldies" (never thought the day would come when I would say that LOL) 16 candles and Molly Ringwald... one of my favorites

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sixteen Candles & Clueless are the ones I have loved so much. But I am sure the others would be a great treat too having shaped your writing skills. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am sad I missed the giveaway. While I love Clueless and still watch it every so often I do have to say that I think She's All That is a better movie. Being a very poor child of the late 80's/90s, I think it resonated with me more.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I must have been too busy watching Star Wars and Indiana Jones back then -- never saw any of these!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I've only seen Clueless from this list. I've heard so often how good Sixteen Candles is, but I think I've moved out of the target audience range :-(

    ReplyDelete
  40. I only recently saw SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL for the first time, due to buying a DVD that had a few movies on it. I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Nice. I also find a great source of inspiration from other places like books and movies.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Boy, do I love some of those movies. I was born in the 80's but definitely still loved those movies and the romantic comedies of the 90's - full of teenage rebellion and angst. Life seemed so much more simpler back then.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow, I caught only a few of those movies. I'll have to do some catch-up watching.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Congrats, Stephanie! I've seen Clueless and She's All That before.

    ReplyDelete
  45. holy cow! I just did some MAJOR FREAKIN' flashbacking right now! love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congrats to Stephanie. I have seen some of these movies, not all. I was a big movie watcher in the 80s and 90s. They definitely shaped my imagination at the time.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Exciting to see Stephanie here! I've missed a couple of the movies listed here, but was happy to see the inclusion of Some Kind of Wonderful. I agree, not many know it and whenever I refer to it I get a blank stare.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Reading about these movies brought back many memories for me. I LOVED 16 Candles!! A true classic :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Congratulations to Stephanie! Such lovely list of movies! I'm hoping to catch some of them after my Big Bang fest!

    ReplyDelete
  50. OH ALL THE MOVIES!

    Sixteen candles is hands down one of the single most fabulous flicks out there, right? Right. Love it. I never thought about romantic movies shaping me, as I'm not all that into romance anymore. (Unless it's good, like Outlander) but even then I have to pace myself just in case, you know?

    At anyrate, the book sounds great, and the post was a really fun visit back to the past!

    ReplyDelete
  51. ccleaner pro crack The later/current edition has also removed all of the Eyvind Earl concept pieces that had earlier been displayed so beautifully in the original edition.
    GoldWave Crack

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thank you for sharing!
    Really a good post.
    Now You Can Easily Download Every Crack Software From Here*
    Please visit!
    I think you are looking for this software. visit our website:-
    ============================================
    https://softcracks.info/
    ===========================================================
    AOMEI OneKey Recovery Professional
    Movavi Photo Editor
    GoldWave

    ReplyDelete
  53. Many thanks for sharing such incredible knowledge. It's really good for your website.
    The info on your website inspires me greatly. This website I'm bookmarked. Maintain it and thanks again.
    I'm really impressed with your writing skills, as smart as the strucAOMEI
    AOMEI OneKey Recovery Crack

    ReplyDelete
  54. Combinaison imperméable

    – Manipulation de poudres toxiques
    – Isolation
    – Désamiantage, dépollution
    – Contrôle amiante
    – Nettoyage de terrains contaminés
    – Applications en fibre de verre, résine et céramique
    – Fabrication de ciment
    FacebookACCOUNTShttps://www.facebook.com/combinaisonsjetable
    NORMES DE PROTECTION

    Type 5 : EN ISO 13982-1 : Protection contre les particules sèches dangereuses
    Type 6 : EN ISO 13034 : Protection contre les légères projections de liquides
    EN ISO 1073-2 : Protection contre la contamination par des particules radioactives
    EN ISO 1149-5 : Exigences relatives aux vêtements antistatiques Combinaisons Jetable

    ReplyDelete

  55. I was looking for this information from enough time and now I reached your website it’s really good content.
    Thanks for writing such a nice content for us.
    2021/03/12/hitfilm-pro-crack-free

    ReplyDelete
  56. C 700 Einwegschutzanzug Kat. III Typ 5/6, weiß
    mikroporöse Beschichtung 65 g/m²
    FacebookACCOUNTShttps://www.facebook.com/Schutzanzug-Einweg-103521112239048
    Kategorie III, Typ 5 + 6
    Eigenschaften:

    abgeklebte Nähte
    dreiteilige Kapuze
    Gesichtsgummi zur optimalen Anpassung der Kapuze
    Arm-, Bein-, und Taillengummi
    Abdeckblende über dem Reißverschluss bis zum Kinn Einwegkleidung Rot

    ReplyDelete
  57. Really Good Work Done By You...However, stopping by with great quality writing, it's hard to see any good blog today.
    Crcrack
    HMA Pro VPN Crack
    Crack Softwares Free Download

    ReplyDelete
  58. I like your all post. You have done really good work. Thank you for the information you provide, it helped me a lot. I hope to have many more entries or so from you.
    Very interesting blog.
    vstkey.com
    Bitwig Studio Crack
    Audio Ease Altiverb Crack
    AnyDesk Crack
    Wise Care 365 Pro Crack
    Altair Inspire Studio Crack
    Wondershare Filmora Crack

    ReplyDelete
  59. check my blog click this site visite site view website have a peek at these guys go

    ReplyDelete
  60. Very nice! The article has actually peaks my interest. I really enjoyed reading this post.
    Virginia Personal Injury LawyerA is a legal professional who specializes in representing individuals who have been physically or psychologically harmed due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party.

    ReplyDelete
  61. fatal motorcycle accident in northern virginia
    The article on how romantic movies influenced your writing is well-structured and engaging, with a clear thesis statement highlighting the impact of romantic films on your writing style. The article includes personal anecdotes about specific movies and their influence on your creativity, as well as structured content that helps readers follow your journey from movie-watching to writing. The analysis of movie themes is insightful, and the inclusion of diverse examples from different eras and styles adds depth to the analysis. The use of quotes from movies and literature is well-selected and provides textual evidence to support your points. The writing is clear and coherent, making it easy for readers to follow your thought process. Transition sentences between paragraphs enhance the flow and connectivity of your ideas. The article showcases personal and artistic growth due to exposure to romantic movies, and the impact on readers can be discussed. A strong conclusion summarizing the main points and reflecting on the lasting influence of romantic movies on your writing would be beneficial. The article also requires proofreading, engaging with comments and feedback, and adding visual elements like images or movie posters. Overall, the article shows promise with its personal touch and insightful analysis of the influence of romantic movies on your writing.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Amazing, Your blogs are really good and informative. I got a lots of useful information in your blogs. Transition sentences between paragraphs enhance the flow and connectivity of your ideas. The article showcases personal and artistic growth due to exposure to romantic movies, and the impact on readers can be discussed virginia personal injury lawyer. It is very great and useful to all. Keeps sharing more useful blogs,,..,,..

    ReplyDelete