Author E.L. James first graced her readership through erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey", and did so again at an appearance at pop-culture convention Comic-Con on Thursday.
James, 49, was inspired to start writing her book following Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series.
"I don't think I've ever been swept up in something like I was swept up with that," James said Thursday before her Comic-Con appearance in San Diego. "I read them and reread them and reread them, and then I sat down and wrote a novel."
After sharing parts of her writing online, her audience began to grow and her work transformed into what we know today as "Fifty Shades of Grey."
James' attendance at Comic-Con has seen a role reversal, as her prior attendance at the event was to take part in a panel for fans who wrote fictional novels inspired by the "Twilight" series. This time around James attended as the face behind her million dollar book.
"It's just crazy," James said. "This whole thing has just been mindboggling, how it's happened and how it's exploded, and so quickly."
James describes the novel, which follows the relationship between bondage-lover Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele, saying "It's a fantasy novel." She added, "It's a love story at its heart, which I think women like to read- a passionate love story. It's got some kinky sex in it, which is kind of interesting."
James' novel serves as an inspiration for people all over to explore their sexual side and fans at Comic-Con were excited to share how they've been affected by it.
Twilight's Robert Pattinson joked in reference to the book during Comic-Con's panel for Breaking Dawn Part 2, saying "I would just sit there and lick the pages."
