Some authors hope that their novels might get turned into movies. Emma Donoghue, author of the award-winning book “Room,” was so sure her work was screen ready that she started writing the screenplay before it was even published.

The plot of Donoghue’s novel, published in 2010, centers on Jack, a typical a 5-year-old boy who likes to watch TV and play games with his mother. What sets him apart from other children is the fact that he has never been outside the tiny room where he and his mother are held captive, visited only by a terrifying figure known as Old Nick.

The Irish Independent reports that Donoghue is thrilled to be working with Irish director Lenny Abrahamson, whose past work includes “Adam and Paul" and “Garage.” She told RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan that the filmmaker had written her a letter with a detailed description of his vision for translating her story to the silver screen.

“It didn’t happen overnight, but I held on to his letter and thought, ‘that Irish guy really understands the book,’” she said, adding that Abrahamson was “the perfect director.” 

Donoghue said that she didn’t write the book with the aim of making a film, but she thinks the story works well in both mediums.

“There’s a very clear narrative drive which I think helps with the film,” she said. “I knew it would become a film, but I was determined not to let it become sleazy or sappy. I think this could really work as a beautiful film.”