Sunday, November 27, 2011

My favorite time of year!


One of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, is over.  I love getting together with friends and family, cooking too much, eating too much, and just simply being surrounded by people that I love and that love me.  And now everyone is moving on…preparing for the Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

In the past we’ve discussed Fairy Tales, and the fascination with re-telling them.  Now, we even have Grimm and Once Upon a Time to add to that list.  But, what about the holiday season, and the stories told at this time of year?

I have to admit, by now, I’m sure all of you know, I am a holiday junkie, and love all things Santa related!  But, what makes a great holiday movie.  I’ve written my first holiday short story, which will be available as part of a special holiday promotion with Red Rose Publishing.  In developing the story idea the elements I wanted included were:  Christmas magic, giving/charity, HFN/HEA, a little holiday love, and of course there had to be a little snow J

But, as I sit watching this season’s run of holiday shows, the same questions came to mind as when we’d discussed fairy tales.  Are there fresh ideas?  Every movie I’ve watched this season seemed to have an It’s a Wonderful Life meets A Christmas Carol meets “Here Comes Santa Claus” theme.  Nothing is wrong with that, but are we afraid of new ideas?  Do we stick with traditions so fiercely that if someone has a different view of the holidays, they can’t break through?  Is this why someone produced Jason X?

The creators of the stories of my childhood and my parents’ childhood were great, but isn’t it our time to begin to create those same wonderfully written imagined places for the next generation?

What are the must have items for a great holiday story?  How many remakes of an old classic have you seen this holiday season?

3 comments:

Kaye Manro said...

Hi Angela!

Good questions. I sometimes wish we could have different themes for the holidays. But the tried and true ones are so appealing it just wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Angela said...

Kaye, it's so funny, but I think that seems to be the way so many people look at it.

I admit, I watch them all. But, I would love to see a new twist.

Josie said...

Well, A Christmas Carol has been done again and again, but the story is timeless. As a musician, it's the holiday songs that tend to get a little "old" after the millionth time. Let's take "Jingle Bells" for instance...