Written By: E L James
About E L James
Before Fifty Shades, before the red room and the bondage, James worked decades in television. For decades Erika Mitchell was a production executive at BBC and other studios. Romance novels and films were always an outlet to escape Mitchell. Then she started to write fan fiction as a hobby to curb her mid-life crisis. After publishing and selling the rights to Universal for a reported 5 million dollars, James struck license agreements. She branded everything from "Fifty Shades" floggers, to vibrators, and handcuffs. She oversaw the development of the branded products.
What Inspired E L James to Write Fifty Shades of Grey?
Fifty Shades was originally a fanfiction of another well-known romance series. Although that series has a little bit more biting and a lot less sex. The Twilight Saga was the inspiration for James's 2011 book. There are obvious similarities: Edward is a millionaire, and Christian is a billionaire. Then you have the fact that Edward and Christian, both share possessive, protective, creepy characteristics. Then Bella and Ana both share the timid, quiet, bitchy at times, virgin.
The original trilogy was posted on Fanfiction.net under the pen name Snowqueens Icedragon but was named "Master of the Universe" at the time. E L James removed any linking detail to Twilight and published it under an Australian publisher.
It is not as well known that Stephanie Myer is a practicing Mormon. So all things considered, it makes sense she would not consider herself a fan of the series. She also does not think that the series is called "Twilight for adults" is not a compliment.
The Fifty Shades Universe
James intended for Christian and Ana's story to be a trilogy, even before it was Christian and Ana's story. Each book spans at least 500 pages long. Three years after the last book in the trilogy was published, "Grey" was published. This was the first in the companion trilogy that saw the novels from Christian's Point of View. You could read one trilogy and then the other or you could read Ana's POV and then Christian's POV. The flip-flopping might seem repetitive with mirroring scenes.
Fifty Shades of Grey Fun Facts About the Movies
The Fifty Shades book series came to life when it hit the big screen in 2017. Fifty Shades of Grey stars Jamie Dornan as Christian and Dakota Johnson as Ana. All three books were adapted to film and saw box office success.
A few interesting tidbits I found when researching the films for this section:
Johnson admitted to using a butt double for the more intense spanking scenes in the film.
Jamie Dornan had to practice a new walk for the film, he used to walk on his tiptoes.
Dornan reportedly visited a sex dungeon to research his role as Christian.
Some sex toys were modified in order to avoid hurting or even marks appearing on Johnson.
The bondage scenes were choreographed but the director thought keeping sex scenes natural was best.
Bret Easton Ellis ( the author of American Psycho) wanted to write the film script for the series. But the producers actually went with the writer of "Saving Mr. Banks" Kelly Marcel.
There was a parody made called "Fifty Shades of Black" with Marlon Wayans as Christian Black.
Fifty Shades of Grey Fun Facts About the Books
The book has been banned in at least 3 states' libraries Florida, Wisconsin, and Georgia. It has also been banned in parts of Brazil.
The book became so popular that it replaced the Bible at a British Hotel (Damson Dene Hotel).
Did you know that there were parody books? One is called "Fifty Shames of Earl Grey" or how about a Jewish parody called "Fifty Shades of Oy Vey"
In New York, rope sales skyrocketed after the publication of the first novel.
In the UK, Amazon has said it has sold more copies of Fifty Shades of Grey than the entire Harry Potter series.
When writing the books, E L James had never been to Seattle, she rather used google maps to do her research.
American University has offered entire courses on "Fifty Shades"
Fifty Shades of Grey held the number-one spot in America for 20 weeks, beating out the record held by Hunger Games at 16 weeks.
These are some funny Fifty Shades parody covers I found.
What Does Fifty Shades of Grey Title Mean?
The meaning can be assumed, but I have read breakdowns of the meaning and thought including parts of those in this information post would be helpful. Fifty Shades of Grey means what the reader would think, it is a simple fact that Christian Grey has many personalities. These books and the first book in particular shed light on his character.
When I first read this title I related it to the phrase "everything is not black and white". So what is left? Grey. braking it down shades of grey can be referred to as a situation that is not entirely clear. James chooses Christian's last name Grey in order to incorporate this element into the title and the symbolism of the book. So the title is suggesting that Ana and Christian's relationship is a grey area or that Christian himself is a grey area.
There are a number of reasons James could have picked 50 for the number of shades of grey. One is the human eye only sees 32, so by saying 50 James is saying we as the reader cannot see all of Christian; or possibly she is saying, Ana
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