"I don't think people change; electronics change, the things we have change, but the way we live doesn't change," Blume said as she waited in the lobby Sunday for the screening.

A few changes were made in transition from novel to film, which became the natural focus of questions after the screening. Why was the relationship between Davey's mother and her nerdy suitor downplayed, one person wondered, or why did Davey's aunt became her mother's sister in the film instead of her father's sister?

Blume and her son assured the audience that changes were made to preserve the film's narrative flow, which can be challenging in adapting a first-person novel.

"There's only so many times she can go to her room and slam the door," Blume told the audience. "I think a lot of stuff in the movie is better than the book."

She also told the audience that cries a lot when she's writing, especially if she's on the right track.

"I know it's working when I'm writing a book if I'm laughing or crying," she told the audience during a Q&A session after the screening. If so, it bodes well for the film, during which she still tears up even though she's seen it several times.

Audience member Melissa Rabb admitted that she "cried like a baby" during the screening.

Her real reason for showing up was to meet Blume for the second time in her life. She'd brought with her a copy of "Deenie" that Blume signed 30 years ago, when the author visited Rabb's elementary school in Calhoun, Georgia.

During the book signing, the two shared stories of cancer treatment while Blume signed Rabb's tattered paperback for the second time.

"Glad we're both still here 30 years later."