{"id":1821,"date":"2018-03-15T18:55:17","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T22:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/magazine.watchjaro.com\/?p=1821"},"modified":"2018-06-20T12:01:48","modified_gmt":"2018-06-20T12:01:48","slug":"tomi-adeyemi-process-behind-debut-novel-children-blood-bone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.watchjaro.com\/tomi-adeyemi-process-behind-debut-novel-children-blood-bone\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomi Adeyemi On Her Process Behind Debut Novel \u2018Children Of Blood And Bone\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Image: HENRY HOLT AND CO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Within the last few years, Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi has had quite the success. Last March, Adeyemi earned a seven-figure book deal for her Children of Blood and Bone<\/em> trilogy, and the film adaption is currently in development at Fox Studios, according to Deadline<\/a>. Earlier this month, the book was released, and it\u2019s safe to say that the debut fantasy novel is exceeding expectations.<\/p>\n

Children of Blood and Bone <\/em>centers around Z\u00e9lie Adebola, our brave-hearted protagonist who goes on the ultimate quest to return magic to her people of Or\u00efsha. Before a dictatorial king outlawed magic, Or\u00efsha was home to the maji \u2013 people with supernatural powers, gifted to them by gods. With the help of runaway princess Amari, Z\u00e9lie embarks on a turbulent journey that spans across the land of Or\u00efsha. In an interview with Cosmopolitan<\/a>, Tomi discussed her writing process, the inspiration behind the novel, and what\u2019s next on the horizon.<\/p>\n

Although the novel is fantasy, Adeyemi revealed that certain aspects were inspired by real-life events. On one hand, Children of Blood and Bone<\/em> highlights beautiful portrayals of the African race, as seen through the world of Or\u00efsha. On the other, the novel captures the pain and helplessness that Adeyemi felt from the rising rate of police brutality within our country. \u201cIt was a very painful process,\u201d she said. Thus, there are pages that read as diary entries, desperately searching for answers about the fragile state of our nation.<\/p>\n

As a perfectionist, Adeyemi is her own worst critic. \u201cI really killed myself for this book,\u201d she told Cosmopolitan. \u201cThere were lots of points where my body gave out on me. The book is like 140,000 words, and I needed all 140,000 of those words to be perfect.\u201d A lot of the pressure stemmed from being a black woman, and understanding her responsibility as a positive role model for other black children. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be their first time seeing themselves as a hero in a big way,\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cIt was going be like their\u00a0Black Panther<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she first began writing, Adeyemi would often conform to societal standards by creating stories with white or biracial protagonists, because she had \u201csubconsciously internalized that those were the only people who got to be in stories, and those were the only people who got to have magical adventures.\u201d Today, representation is vital for Adeyemi. She wants the youth to know they are beautiful, powerful, and that they can make a difference. By ensuring that more versatile stories are told with people of color at the forefront, Adeyemi is sending an essential message about representation to children around the world.<\/p>\n

Currently, the 24-year-old author is wrapping up on the first draft for book two of the trilogy. As for the Children of Blood and Bone<\/em> film, it remains in early production stages with no official cast. However, Adeyemi says her \u201cheart would explode\u201d if Idris Elba was King Saran. She has Tessa Thompson or Zendaya in mind for Amari; and for Tzain, there\u2019s Michael B. Jordan or John Boyega. Ideally, Adeyami wants there to be multiple versions of the film, starring everyone she loves. How wonderful would that be?<\/p>\n