Maria T. Lennon's "Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child"

At fifteen Maria T. Lennon left Santa Barbara to study at The American School in Switzerland. She continued her studies at Brillantmont in Lausanne, got kicked out, then went on to London to complete her A levels. She was accepted to the London School of Economics and studied International Economics and Politics of International Aid. After graduating, she moved to Italy where she ate and drank enormous quantities. She also taught summer school at The American School in Genova, an elementary school. Lennon later moved to Paris and wrote her first novel. When she returned to Los Angeles, she quit all bad habits and continued working on her novel, Making It up as I Go Along, which was published in 2004.

Lennon’s screenplay about the Red Brigade was a third place finalist in Francis Ford Coppola's screenwriter's competition. Today, she lives in Laurel Canyon and has four children and a dog named Frida. Her most recent book, Confessions of a So-called Middle Child, was released by Harper Collins in August 2013 and she is currently working on the series. When not driving one of her four children to school or volunteering at school libraries, Lennon can be found sitting in a parked car, a café or a library writing novels, travel articles or just passed out.

Here the author shares some ideas about an adaptation of Confessions of a So-called Middle Child:

Who Do I Want to Star in my Book?

A Tragic Question.

The movie business is weird. Way weirder than the publishing business that’s for sure. When Harper Collins bought the manuscript, Hollywood agents came calling the same week. They loved Charlie. And what’s not to love?

She’s a major pain in the butt. Got kicked out of school in Malibu. She bullies her way through life to get her way. She’s got a gifted older sister and an angel of a baby brother.

She lives in the Houdini Mansion while her dad rebuilds the original house that burnt down in 1953.

She actually finds the tunnels that go under Laurel Canyon Blvd. and have been rumored to exist for decades.

It would make a great movie right?

Jaden Smith for Bobby.

Hailee Steinfeld for Charlie.

And For Marta… well, by the time I got close to coming up with my dream girl the agents told me they were interested in TV and not film.

What? I cried.

No! I screamed.

And they want others to write it for you!

What? I cried.

No! I screamed.

Visions of Hannah Montanas and I Carlies in my head. What sadness. No, thanks, I said.

Visit the Confessions of a So-called Middle Child website, and follow Maria T. Lennon on Facebook and Twitter.

Read--Coffee with a Canine: Maria T. Lennon and Frida.

--Marshal Zeringue