Thursday, December 15, 2011

Something has happened ...



You guys.

You GUYS.

YOU GUYS!!!!!
(that is the biggest font available, fyi)

watch this:




I just got chills. 


BECAUSE UNIVERSAL PICTURES HAS OPTIONED 
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE!!!!
(Yep, still the biggest font.)

*flails, pops champagne, throws confetti, gets confused and throws champagne while drinking confetti, which by the way, does not go down easy. Kack.*


[a little silent space ...]



















Honestly, I do not know what to say or how to say it. I feel dream-drunk, like so many good things are piling up that my life has become this surrealist landscape -- and now the Universal globe is part of my landscape. Part of my life. [*tremor of spastic glee*] I came up with an official statement and stuff, and it's been extremely odd seeing it crop up here and there like I am somebody to quote, and maybe I should be careful what I say and try to sound professional and not like somebody who accidentally drinks imaginary confetti on her blog, but really. (Pretty please don't anyone quote me sounding dorky.)


I. Am so. Excited


(I am also holding-my-breath relieved, because Clementine has a little cough and is so far sleeping pretty well, unlike last night, so wish us luck!)

But back to excitement. Okay. A few years ago my whole family went to the Grand Canyon. My sister was getting her PhD in Arizona so we were all there together and it was a perfect opportunity. And when I stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon and looked out ... it was weird. It didn't look real at all. Like, the depth ... My eyes and my brain were having this argument that went something like this:

Eyes: It's real.
Brain: I really don't think so ...
Eyes: Yeah. It is.
Brain: I remain unconvinced.
Eyes: Trust me. I'm standing right here.
Brain: But it looks like a painting.
Eyes: I'M STANDING RIGHT HERE.
Brain: Definitely a painting. A really big painting.
Eyes: IT'S REAL!
Brain: Nah.

And so on. Anyway, I kind of feel like that right now, trying to process the hugeness, and also having this experience of meeting studio executives for the first time in my life and discovering that not only are they real people, they are really really nice down-to-earth people with really really cool creative jobs that they love. At least, that was my impression, a wonderful impression. In fact, when I was at Book Soup in West Hollywood on my book tour, one of the Universal executives was in the front row and had such a warm, friendly face that I found myself addressing her a lot as I talked. Of course, I had no idea then who she was, and it was very cool to find out! 

This is all new to me, so I don't know what happens now, but I will let you know!

Meanwhile, here is the official press release from Entertainment Weekly's Shelf Life:



Thank you, Entertainment Weekly!

And thank you, MTV's Hollywood Crush for the totally awesome announcement! 




(If you want to see their early ideas for Karou, it's HERE
Of course, it's way too early to be playing this game, but it's a fun game :-)


Of course: THANK YOU, UNIVERSAL PICTURES!


At the end of the day, the biggest imaginable thanks are for my wonderful agent, Jane Putch, who is not a typical literary agent, but also my manager, life-changer and friend. THANK YOU!


So there it is. Whew. Man o man. Incidentally, my birthday is one week from today. Could there be a better present?? :-)

(Eee, and there's Clementine coughing :-(. *hits publish; dashes away*)


* * * * * * * 


Oh hi, I'm back. C is sleeping again, and I remembered something: 



Voting ends 12:01 am Dec 17, so you have 24 hours. #TEAMKAROU!

(Thank you!)




48 comments:

sarah said...

Wow, awesome! Congratulations!! Yours is the third YA book this week that has been optioned, it really is exciting.

I hope your girl is all well. I had to laugh (hope you don't mind me saying so) - famous writer gets her book optioned by huge movie company, and in the meanwhile worries about her daughter's sleeping :-)

Kate said...

Wow, WOw, WOW!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! Congrats!!! This post just made my day, not only for the announcement, which is obviously the key, but for the way you wrote it! You're so funny! You always make me smile and laugh! :) And I agree with sarah elwell, you're a great mom! :)
Happy week away Birthday! :)

Lynda said...

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! That's amazing, that's fantastic, its . . . its . . . its . . . WOW, a dream come true for you and for your readers! So much joy in your life right now I bet you feel you are floating in the sky like a balloon. Congratulations and Happy Birthday! I know there are a lot of exclamation points in this comment but can you blame me?

Kayla Lamb said...

Such exciting news! :D

Unknown said...

I heard! It's so well deserved. Congratulations!

Irene said...

Congratulations!
Funny how kids are like a down-to-earth-magnet.
(not so funny when you need precious SLEEP, though)
p.s
Vote: Check!

Flameysaur said...

*votes*

But yay. I just discovered this book (and you) a week ago? And still, love the book (listening to the audio book) so much. I am shoving it on all my friends and bragged about it to a "lets complain about bad writing" forum I'm in.

Also happy to hear this is a trilogy. I was really hoping (and pretty positive) BUT now 100% sure, which is good.

Congratulations and hope your daughter is doing well. I like her name, different but...not super weird. Also, everyone will know how to pronounce it thanks to that song.

Anonymous said...

Yay! Congratulations, Laini! So well deserved and so exciting! (That simply isn't big enough for the news - could you picture those words as solid silver and the size of skyscrapers? Thanks.)

mel said...

wowzers.

that is just. freakin'. awesome!!!

*squeeee*

thrilled to bits...absolutely thrilled to bits.

five bejillion congratulations on well-deserved aweseomeness!!!

(hope your wee girl is okay)

Natalie Zaman said...

Am completely unsurprised by this. Yes. I am remaining calm--will turn into a total hummingbird when I'm camping outside the theater for the midnight showing! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxNat

Jeanne said...

Congrats! That's so amazing!!

Kristan said...

Laini, this post is going to make me cry... You sound so happy, and you SO deserve it. Karou deserves it. Your book is simply stunning -- everything I aspire to as a writer, everything I long for as a reader. I recommend it constantly, and I can't wait until a wider audience gets to meet Karou and Brimstone (OH BRIMSTONE) and Zusana and all the other wonderful characters I love. (Or love to hate.)

Thanks for sharing your rich, wild imagination in such lovely ways. Obviously the good karma is coming back to you now. :)

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! Congrats Laini!! You totally deserve it your books are amazing and you're AWESOME!!! I would sooo be one of those crazy fan people lining up outside to watch it first!! Did I mention how you're awesome??

i already voted for Karou!!! She's winning!! \^o^/

Connie Onnie said...

My sister Debbie and I went to a local handmade craft fair with some friends the other night. While there Debbie & I were discussing how excited we were because our friends book was going to be made into a movie. When one of the girls asked wasn't it Amazons top book of the year. We just looked at her like duh, hadn't you heard us say it was the best book, of course amazon is going to think so to. I just lent the book out to a friend but when I get it back I am going to read it again and do my fantasy casting I am SO EXCITED!!! I also wanted to comment about the grand canyon but this comment is already out of control! Congrats it is so happy making!

Emy Shin said...

Congratulations! You and DAUGHTER totally deserve it, and I can't wait to someday see the book on the big screen.

Ursula Shaw said...

Wow! Congratulations! I just picked up your book last week. It was on display in a Montreal bookstore.

Life is Good(ell) said...

Congratulations, Laini! What a year 2011 has been for you! I hope the celebrating continues through your birthday and Christmas, and that C feels better soon so she can join the fun!

amy said...

Congratulations!!!

Emily said...

Congratulations!!! You deserve it.

Bets said...

Hooray! So very excited for you and also for all of your fans, myself included. ;)

I also very much relate to your feeling of the monumental being surreal. I'm pretty sure I've overheard my brain and eyes having some similar conversations!

And unfortunately I can also relate to having a sick toddler.... here's hoping our little ones feel better soon! So they can resume tearing our houses apart with their boundless joy. ;)

____ said...

Congrats, Laini! You totally deserve it and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that they can do the book justice!!

Amy said...

Congratulations!! That is super awesome news!

Shveta Thakrar said...

Congratulations, Laini! <3 I'm so happy for you and your year of dreams coming true. :) Like we were talking about at Sirens, you're making your magical life real!

The Seventh-Born Chronicles said...

Oh wow.
As a new convert/fan of yourself, can I just say, congratulations and OH MY GOSH A BOOK I ACTUALLY LOVE IS GOING TO BE A MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eep! All the best wishes to you, Ms. Taylor!

Alyssa Phelps said...

Laini, I'm jumping up and down for you, and also for ME! I'll get to see the MOVIE! YAY! I'm putting my vote in for Tania Raynonde to play Karou, since she most resembles the painting Jim did, so that's how I picture her in my head. Holy cow, this is a long way from your chilly booth at the Saturday Mkt! Woo hoo!!!!

, said...

I wish I could play karou :D congrats a thousand times!!! I'm so happy that finally a good book is going to be a movie (franchise?).

Adeeti said...

I SQUEALED SO HARDDDD WHEN I SAW THE TWEETS ABOUT THIS. CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS!!! I could say it a thousand times and it still wouldn't be enough because you deserve this and so much more. DSB was my absolute favorite book of the year, hands down, and you are an incredible human being, both on your blog and in person (I was the crazy Indian girl at the San Francisco signing who told you she read the book four times in a row). I absolutely cannot wait to see your vision on the screen; I know it's going to translate beautifully. Congratulations again, I can't think of anyone who deserves this more.

SarahWT said...

This is so flippin' COOL, Laini! :) Can I just say how much fun it's been to witness via your blog all this goodness that has been happening to you? I think I first started reading just before you announced that your first Dreamdark book would be published. What a crazy-fabulous ride it's been, huh? So incredibly happy for you!!

Anonymous said...

I am very, very, very excited for you! And also selfishly excited for myself, because I think a movie would be awesome. : )
Jean S.

Trudy said...

Fantastic news! I've been following your blog for over a year now - and what a year! My young daughters say, "Are you reading about the pink lady again? Is that going to help you finish YOUR book?" And I tell them it is, it most certainly IS - because not only are you a great mum (sorry, UK spelling) but you're so honest about the struggles of being a mum, and a writer too. Its inspiring, it truly is. And I love that your Grow Wings blog, and Not for Robots, show the whole journey. You really deserve this, Laini. Congratulations!

Beth S. said...

So exciting! I really hope it gets made into a movie! I'd love to see Karou be the next big kick-ass movie heroine.

~Michelle~ said...

So. Very. Exciting! < squeal >

Laurence King said...

Yay!!!! Congratulations, Laini! What fantastic news!!! This begs for a gazillion exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited because DOSAB IS MY FAVORITE BOOK of the year, and maybe of ever. Cant wait to here more....

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

So enormously happy with you! I love, love, love Daughter of Smoke & Bone. Can't wait to see who they cast.

Alwyn said...

So so so so psyched for you! Daguther of Smoke and Bone, will make a brilliant film! Can't wait!

Amber said...

Holy!~!

I am so happy for you!! It will be *awwwesome*.

oxoxoxox :)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now I have to tell my Granddaughters that _I_ read a book, which is to become a film. Whoooo-hoooo "Nana"! :-) Way to go!

Repeat hearty Congratulations!

"Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit.

~~Robt. Louis Stevenson

Michelle said...

Laini, that is so exciting!!!! Congratulations. :D

- Michelle from Authors are ROCKSTARS!

kirarose said...

Congrats Laini! This will be a must see! I am proud of you!

Anonymous said...

I knew it was only a matter of time. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations Laini!! :-)

Evie said...

You deserve all this extraordinary! I'm so excited about seeing the film adaptation of Daughter... but now whisper to someone about bringing "Hatchling" to the big screen. Mihai, Mab, Esme *shivers in a good way*

Love. Love. Love. Your stories. I'm so happy for you.

Megsie said...

This is so awesome! I am so excited for you...happy early birthday indeed!

Sarahbotbonkers said...

*squeals* This is awesome news! I'm so happy for you. Daughter of Smoke and Bone deserves all the recognition and attention it's getting because it's truly a wonderful book. Congratulations and I'm so excited for the movie!

Sarah,
Smitten over Books

Jenn said...

Major congrats! Now I have something else to be super excited after The Hunger Games. Well, besides book 2 of course and book 3. And you know, more books from you in general. Congrats! Hope they stay true to the lovely story of the novel.

Tinker said...

Oh WOW!! Just catching up - and - WOW!!! That is SO freaking awesome, Laini! I can't stop hitting the exclamation point key, lol! I'm so happy for you - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Wyman Stewart said...

Congratulations! (Make the decision today to be YOU, now and always. Remember, fame is an artificial world. God, family, and writing first; all else second. All else is icing on the God-Family-Writing cake, at best. Too much icing or bitter-tasting icing, will make you sick. Focus on remaining true to yourself; the YOU inside.)

Beyond that, YIPPEE, enjoy the ride!

Maybe you will cause me to return to a movie theater for the first time since 1994.

Will catch you in interviews at The Writer, Writer's Digest, Poets & Writers, The Atlantic, etc. (Hope Clementine is well by now.)

BURIED IN BOOKS said...

I won't stand in line to see a Twilight movie, but I'll spend the night in the rain and cold to see this one!! I just hope they stay true to the book, it cannot be improved on!

Heather

Lindsay said...

I think that THIS IS FLOPPING AWESOME!!!!! It's my life long dream to see this movie! *Die, go to heaven, ask for tickets to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, be like "WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT OUT YET??!!, get kicked out of heaven and go back to the lame world and sit in misery* That all actually happened.

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