Lisa Glatt, professor of creative writing at Cal State Long Beach, is on her way to the big time - and we couldn't be happier for her. Glatt's novel, A Girl Becomes a Comma Like That, has been optioned by Andrew Wagner.

We're a big fan of Lisa's because whenever we see her at a local reading, she commands the room with her intense stories and mordant wit. It doesn't matter who she reads with, or how hot and stuffy the room is, she owns it. She also makes us feel like hacks, but hey, that's what good writers are supposed to do.

She is, we believe, one of the great underdog writing talents in Los Angeles -- someone who is blessed with mad skills but who hasn't gotten the recognition that comes with Hollywood lights, big book tours and long signing lines at her readings. Wagner's option of her novel may change all that.

Although her novel is dark - about a dying mother who works her way through several affairs in an attempt to gain control over something in her life - Glatt feels a flim adaptation could be done well if she's able to provide enough insight to the filmmaker up front.

Glatt and Wagner have talked through long power sessions about the novel, the characters, and the plot. According to the LA Times, they both feel that working together in this way will benefit the film:

For Glatt, the discussions were memorable and encouraging. "We got in pretty deep," she said. "And I trust Andrew, because his work is so truthful, so compelling. He wants to meet again, and even though he'll eventually sail off on his own, without me, I'm curious now: How is he going to start the movie? How is he going to end it?"

Props to you Lisa and good luck Andrew. We'll say it now so we don't have to say it later: please, please don't give us cause to add you to our When Your Favorite Novel Becomes a Terrible Hollywood Movie series!