Tomi Adeyemi's Writing Journey

Tomi Adeyemi, a New York Times bestselling author, wrote Children of Blood and Bone at age twenty-four with her Legacy of Orisha trilogy.

Film Adaptation Strain

Adeyemi claims the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone was the worst thing she ever lived through, causing a rift with Amandla Stenberg.

Social Media Distance

Adeyemi blocked Amandla Stenberg on social media and deleted TikToks discussing the film adaptation, avoiding further contact.

Creative Control

Sources reported Adeyemi gained more creative control over the film than most first-time authors, including a co-screenwriting credit.

New Novel Focus

Adeyemi wrote The Siren, a novel following Emery, a Dartmouth freshman, who undergoes trials to join a powerful group of girls on campus.

Writing Process

Adeyemi spent four and a half years writing her first unpublished novel, which was rejected 63 times before becoming Children of Blood and Bone.

Personal Connection

Adeyemi relates to Emery’s themes of belonging, identity, and loneliness, saying, 'I think if you don’t belong to yourself, you don’t belong anywhere.'

“I think if you don’t belong to yourself, you don’t belong anywhere”

Aquarius Identity

Adeyemi, an Aquarius, believes her zodiac sign makes her feel like she never fits in, comparing herself to Audrey Hepburn and SZA.

Cover Image

Adeyemi appears on the cover of The Siren, a first for her, describing the image as capturing 'the darkness, that power in Emery.'

Film Release Timeline

The Blood and Bone film is scheduled for release in January, while Adeyemi’s relationship with Stenberg has deteriorated since the film’s production.

Emotional Shift

Adeyemi shifted from considering The Siren her last book to feeling reenergized by writing after a period of emotional turmoil.

Self-Reflection

Adeyemi says she now feels more like a jungle cat than a house plant, emphasizing the need for Black women to have their power and voice.

“I’ve become someone who can inhabit it fully. When you allow a woman to grow her claws, I am more akin to a jungle cat than I am a house plant.”

Audiobook Insight

Adeyemi noticed Emery’s lack of self-recognition in the audiobook, which broke her heart as it reflected her own past insecurities.

Future Plans

Adeyemi plans to focus on voice acting and animation, not adapting The Siren, saying the film journey was 'not work that is for myself.'

Final Statement

Adeyemi refuses to discuss the film adaptation, stating, 'I think my relationship with myself has changed more than anything.'

“I think my relationship with myself has changed more than anything”