Well, in fairness, I was talking about the movie to give an example most people likely know. I’m sure the book was excellent. “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” is one of my all-time favorite books and yet the movie was a train wreck. And I would still use the movie as teaching example despite the book. And don’t be sorry :).

Sorry to barge in- did you even READ that book?
‘Die unendliche Geschichte’ or ‘The neverending story’ by Michael Ende is a wonderfull book for children (with 2 stories happening simultanious but seperated bij red and blue ink) teaching them the power and joy of imagination.
Something you all are also trying to find for yourself here 😉
Yes, the storylines they used for the movies are horrible, but don’t belittle something you haven’t read!
(pardon my english, I am dutch)

HA! That is so funny that your dog reminds you of the luck dragon. That is how I found myself at this blog! I was thinking about my labradoodle and was just looking up pictures of Falcor and got side tracked reading. lol

I realize this is a couple of years after your post, but I stumbled in and wanted to point out that The Neverending Story was a book long before it was a movie. It was written by German writer Michael Ende and translated into English before the movie was ever made. It’s a well-respected book, and often considered a classic in children’s literature.

Granted the movie only covered the first half of the book (and left much out, as adaptations often do), but the book was successful long before the movie. Just thought you might like to know.

[…]Structure Part 2–Plot Problems–Falcor the Luck Dragon & the Purple Tornado « Kristen Lamb's Blog[…]…

Scenes are for action and sequels are for thought. Read Jack Bickham’s Scene and Structure and James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure to learn more how to balance.