Books - Roswell High Original Series Thread - Page 5

Rachel · 02-24-2004, 04:43 PM

Actually the show followed the first book. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Wait, are you talking about Roswell High or the Roswell novellizations?
--Rachel

evaki · 02-24-2004, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rachel:
<STRONG>I don't think the appearance of the book characters is such a big deal.
--Rachel</STRONG>

Melinda Metz has something to say on this topic in the commentary that accompanies the new DVD release of season 1. She said she was approached to write the basic concept by a publishing company, that was also already setting it up for TV production. Appearently the books were always intended as a side business to go with the TV show. But they ended up like the first book so much that they basically turned it into the pilot show. Anywho... about the appearence thing. She wrote the physical descriptions of the characters based on promotional pictures that were provided to her by the publishing house. So she also was essentially told what the character's looked like from the beginning. She was never sold on their appearence as described in the books and says that she thought the TV show did such amazing casting of the characters, that when she thinks of them she imagines the TV actors and actresses also. I thought that was pretty ironic.

Rachel · 02-24-2004, 11:21 PM

Melinda and I have corresponded via e-mail for a few years now and I even got to interview her over the phone for a news article last year. Here's a few paragraphs from the article relating to the TV/Book thing:

Quote:

Then Metz's big break came when she auditioned to be the author of a book series called "Roswell High".

"The conception of 'Roswell High' was not traditional at all. It wasn't my original idea."

Pocket Books, a publishing company, came up with the general idea for "Roswell High" and then turned the idea over to 17th Street Productions, a book packaging company that develops book series. 17th Street Productions took the basis premise of "Roswell High" and developed it fully. They came up with the six main characters and the general story arc. Then they took it back to Pocket Books who decided it was time to get an author for the series. Several authors wrote audition chapters for the series, including Metz. They all had to write the scene where Max uses his alien powers to save Liz's life after she was accidentally shot.

"I got the job and began working with an editor to flesh it out more," said Metz.

Soon after Metz finished the first draft of the first book in the "Roswell High" series, she received the big news that the TV rights to the series had been bought.

"I can still hardly believe it. I just can't think of a word big enough to describe it! The odds are hugely against getting a book to TV. I was thrilled, especially when I started seeing buses with huge 'Roswell' posters on the side and even a trailer for the show in a movie theater."

"Roswell" was on the air for three seasons, on the WB for two seasons and on UPN for its final season. The TV series' first episode followed the first novel of the book series quite closely, but the two different mediums branched off in different directions from there. Metz was not initially involved in the production of the television series, but was pleased with many of the little details from her books that the show included as well, such as a dress with cupcakes on it that the main character had as a child.

--Rachel

[ 02-24-2004: Message edited Rachel ]

evaki · 02-26-2004, 03:41 PM

Very Cool Rachel [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] Thanks for sharing the article.

Anla · 02-29-2004, 01:53 AM

By the time I started reading the series, I'd been watching the show for a while, but I didn't have any problems visualizing the characters as written except for Max. The first time reading the books, I simply couldn't picture Max as blond and blue-eyed. I kept seeing Jason Behr. [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img] But later on, upon rereadings, I was able to picture him as described in the books.

sHobhnA GuerIn CRAZY CANDY · 03-28-2004, 12:05 AM

I've only read two of the books but i liked it very much. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[img]smilies/cat.gif[/img]

*Sarah Marie* · 03-29-2004, 12:38 PM

I love the book series.. I wasn*t aware... theres a new one based off the show?? As opposed to the ones that the show was based on?? I*m a little confused on that...

Rachel · 03-29-2004, 01:39 PM

Yes. There is the Roswell High series that the show is based on, and now there's a series just called Roswell that's based on the show.
--Rachel

22 Umbrellas · 03-31-2004, 10:18 PM

I only own the first book in the series and I have to say I prefer Melinda Metz's Fingerprints series, but it was interesting to compare the books and the show. I agree that they should have kept all that stuff about Liz's sister in the show; I remember reading an interview with Metz a long time ago where she said the same thing. But, as I've noticed, most TV characters seem to have no siblings for some odd reason. Probably because it's easier that way, I guess.

Anla · 04-09-2004, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sHobhnA GuerIn CRAZY CANDY:
<STRONG>I've only read two of the books but i liked it very much. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]</STRONG>

Which two did you read? [img]smilies/look.gif[/img]

sHobhnA GuerIn CRAZY CANDY · 04-16-2004, 06:45 AM

[img]smilies/wave.gif[/img]

The 2nd and the 9th. Sorry, i forget the names. i think one of them was called "the wild one". one of them had to do with nikolas, and the other: isabel got sick.

[img]smilies/cat.gif[/img]

Nab · 07-10-2004, 11:16 PM

Well, I've read all but four, nine, and ten. I got to say though, that I really enjoy the original series. Lots of little movements, some action, and some really nice character developments. I just wish I knew how it ended.

Anyone here read the new Roswell books that take place after the series?

Dreamer who loves candy · 07-11-2004, 06:56 AM

I loved these books, though they were a lot different of the TV show.

I loved Maria, though I loved all the characters the same. I thought Adam was also soooooooo cute. Too bad he died in book #9. I almost cried when I read that scene. It was just UNFAIR!!!!!!!!! The only books left for me to complete the list of all the books are #1, 2 and 7.

Nab · 07-11-2004, 08:28 PM

The characters were a little different in the books. Maria was more of a new age hippie, Max was not so serious, etc. But, they were both great on their own and together.

In Fair Verona · 07-11-2004, 09:26 PM

I have/read all the books, and I have the old cover of #3, before they actually put the Roswell stars on it. Heh... thank goodness they did. I've read them over and over again.

I just adore Adam. I really wish he was in the series, he would've made such a good addition. They really should've brought in an Adam. He was so adorable and an actual innocent character in the series.

Something I liked about the books was how the focused more on the relationship between Isabel/Michael. Though I'm a Candy and a Cliffie, I was a little disappointed that the I/M in the series was cut off a little because I thought their relationship was interesting and after the dream stuff there wasn't much about it in the show.