Woodenheart
GENRE
FANTASY
Core Theme
TRUE LOVE
TIME PERIOD
Other
COMPARABLE TITLES
STORIES BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON AND THE BROTHERS GRIMM
CHARACTER LIST
WODART/WOODENHEAR: A TREE TURNED HUMAN. HE IS FILLED WITH WONDER AND AWE ABOUT THE HUMAN WORLD. HE IS A ROMANTIC WHO WANTS TO FEEL TRUE LOVE.
LYRA: THE WARD OF KINGDOM WHO IS TECHNICALLY A COUSIN TO THE KING. SHE IS CARING AND CONSIDERATE. SHE IS WODART’S TRUE LOVE.
RILLIAM - THE SELFISH AND AMBITIOUS SON OF THE KING’S GUARD THAT WANTS TO MARRY LYYRA AND STEAL POWER FOR HIMSELF. HE DOESN’T TRUST WODART.
BOG - RILLIAM’S RIGHT HAND MAN. HE IS LOYAL, STEALTHY, AND CLEVER. HE LOOKS INTO WODART FOR RILLIAM.
KING REMITHAR - LYYRA’S DISTANT COUSIN WHO HAS RAISED HER AS HIS WARD. HE PROMISED TO PROTECT LYYRA AFTER THE DEATHS OF HER MOTHER AND FATHER.
THILLA - THE KING’S LOYAL AND HONEST SERVANT WHO WITNESSES RILLIAM STEAL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS ABOUT LYYRA’S TRUE LINEAGE.
Logline
A wish is made allowing a special tree to experience love as a human. Falling in love with a human girl leads him into a confrontation with a criminal, who is out for blood. Thievery and murder bring a conclusion to the girl who will die without a transformation. The Everwood Princess then steps in.
Target Audiences
Age: 13-17,7-12,18-34
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
In Grimmiwinn in the mythical Land of the Seven Kingdoms.
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: No
Starting Description
A woman loves the trees in the magical woods called the Illium, One tree there makes a wish to be a human in order to experience love. A transformation takes place, and human he becomes. By rescuing the woman from death he enters into the world of man to find love.
Ending Description
Rilliam the thief confronts Wodart and Lyyra to steal the jewel. A sword thrust later and Lyyra is near death. Only the Everwood Princess can rescue them. A grand transformation occurs. The king's men arrive and slay the thief believing Lyyra to be dead. Lyyra and Wodart live on as trees.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Twist
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Main Character Details
Name: Wodart
Age: ageless
Gender: Other
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Naive,Romantic,Engaging
Additional Character Details
Name: Lyyra
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Complex,Confident,Empathetic,Faithful,Outspoken,Romantic,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Rilliam
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Villainous,Narcisstic,Criminal,Greedy,Power Hungry,Secretive,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: M'ru the Everwood Princess
Age: ancient
Gender: Female
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Complex,Visionary,Leader,Strong Moral Code
Genre
ROMANCE, FANTASY
Brief
A tree wishes to come to life and falls in love with the ward of a nearby kingdom; she is really a princess. They must fight to be together as a selfish thief tries to steal power from the rightful princess and as the tree’s time as a human comes to an end.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
I do think the Book Profile accurately reflects the book, although the log line is not as strong as it could be. The passive writing style makes it feel less active than the story feels overall.
Draw of Story
The writing style is what immediately drew me to this story. This writing feels like it could be read and enjoyed while sitting around a campfire, or as a bedtime story before turning out the lights. It has a classic folklore tone and style that feels both nostalgic and warm. The storytelling aspect of the writing is definitely a great strength for this book. It’s engaging and fun to read.
Possible Drawbacks
At times the dialogue in this story was a bit confusing. It would be helpful to note which character is speaking from time to time, instead of allowing the dialogue to flow completely freely. The shifts between Wodart and Lyyra’s perspectives are also quite sudden. Making it more clear when the perspective is going to jump from one character to another would make this a smoother read.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The classic folklore/storytelling style is the hook. The overall theme of true love also feels so magical and endearing.
Fanbase Potential
This project would appeal to viewers of every age. While this could be the perfect film or animated short to watch with a child, it could also be a quick, enjoyable, and entertaining watch for adults as well. Because it is universally appealing in different ways, I believe it could have a large fanbase.
Awards Potential
Unless this was made as an incredibly high quality, creative, and dreamy short animated film, it probably wouldn't have awards potential. It feels a bit too commercial to realistically have much of a chance with awards season.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE PRINCESS BRIDE
What’s New About the Story
While the writing style does feel similar to classic fairytale stories, it also feels unique. The narrator is a nice, original touch. The story itself is also quite imaginative and original.
Lead Characters
Both Lyyra and Wodart feel so good and pure of heart. They stand out because their love is heartfelt and genuine. It is easy to root for them.
Uniqueness of Story
I do believe this story is a rare gem.
Possible Formats
Film:Indie, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This story has a strong narrative style, an original premise, and heartfelt themes at its core. While it probably doesn't provide enough content to be made into a full feature length film, as a short film, this would be a powerful and enjoyable adaptation.
Brief
A tree wishes to come to life and falls in love with the female ward of a nearby kingdom, who is really a princess. Together they must fight to be together forever as a selfish thief tries to steal power from the princess and the tree’s time as a human comes to its natural end.
What We Liked
This is a thematically powerful story with a wonderfully strong writing style, engaging characters, and an original premise. This project touches on some sweet and universal themes, such as love and longing. It would appeal to readers of all ages. The ending is also satisfying and memorable.
Film: This story has a highly satisfying conclusion, which would make it perfect for film. The core theme of love is so strong and it feels fully fulfilled by the end of the story. There is also some franchise potential, as the narrator successfully sets up the possibility of future stories in this kingdom.
TV: Though this story only represents one tale, there are many stories to be told about the Land of the Seven Kingdoms. A vast and original world such as this one would be perfect for a TV anthology series. The dreamy style would make for compelling and lovely visuals.
Key points:
Heartfelt themes.
Poetic writing style.
Engaging and original story.
Original premise.
Appealing to viewers/readers of all ages.
Synopsis
The story begins with a boy asking his father to tell him the tale of The Tree of Two. This the the story the father tells him... Lyyra, a young woman walks through the Illium forest and wonders why it is the one place where she feels at home. Meanwhile, one of the trees, Wodart, wishes he could experience life and love as a human. M’ru, the Everwood Princess, grants his wish, but only until the summer solstice. He meets Lyyra in the woods. Wodart accompanies Lyyra back to the castle and discovers that she is a ward of the king. Rilliam, the man she is set to marry, is suspicious of Wodart. He asks his guard, Bog, to learn more about him. Rilliam is concerned that Wodart wants to interfere with his plan to reveal that Lyyra is actually the king’s cousin. With the truth revealed, Rilliam could try to challenge the king for his throne and take power for himself. If Lyyra got in his way, he could dispose of her, but not before stealing the powerful magical gem she wears around her neck. In time, Wodart and Lyyra’s relationship grows. They admit their love for each other shortly before the summer solstice, when Wodart is due to turn back into a tree. Wodart and Lyyra kiss and the powerful stone glows on her neck. Rilliam witnesses the kiss from afar. During the summer solstice, the king tells Lyyra the truth about her lineage: she is a true princess of Grimmiwinn. Wodart begins to transform back into a tree and he flees into the forest. Rilliam tries to capture Lyyra but she escapes, running after Wodart. She finds him in the forest, learns the truth about him, and pleads with him to let her stay so they can be together. Rilliam catches up and stabs Lyyra while trying to take the magical stone from her. Before she dies, M’ru transforms both Lyyra and Wodart into beautiful, entangled trees, rooted forever.