Monday, April 20, 2009

Random Monday Thoughts

NOTE: You'll want to hang in there to get to number 10. Trust me.

1. Faithful Dashner Duder Enna Isilee announced in the comments that she was able to convince Random House to send her an advance copy of THE MAZE RUNNER for her to review. Sounds to me like you should all visit her blog and begin the investigating. She must know something. CLICK HERE. Enna, I want to know what you think IMMEDIATELY!!!! Unless you hate it. If so, go tell your dog.

2. Arlene asked if THE 13TH REALITY was going to be a trilogy. This question surprised me because I've known all along that this series was planned for five books and I just assumed everyone else knew that. But now that I think about it, nowhere on the website or anywhere else does it say so. But there's your answer: Five book series. MAZE will be a trilogy. I have a lot of writing to do.

3. My wife and I saw STATE OF PLAY with Russell Crowe on Friday. I really like thinker political investigative mystery movies with intriguing plots. This one kept me captivated till the very end. Enjoyed it very much. Especially the eating sushi part before we went.

4. I also saw FAST AND FURIOUS last week because I am male. Can't remember the plot, but a lot of cars crashed and there were explosions. Need I say more?

5. Also saw GOMORRAH, a foreign film about the mafia in Italy. Bored me to tears at first, but then got really, really good. Fascinating and gritty, it will cure you of thinking there's anything even remotely glamorous about living in the underworld of organized crime.

6. Yes, I see lots of movies. Along with reading, they are my number one source for inspiration in my writing.

7. Caught up on THE OFFICE. We had about 5 episodes to watch over the last few days. I really, really, really loved the latest direction it went. I won't spoil it, of course. Second best comedy ever (behind SEINFELD). Though I keep meaning to watch ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.....

8. I'm sure you guys just sit around anxiously waiting for me to tell you what I've been watching. Sorry. As you can tell, my brain's having a very hard time coming up with stuff to blog about today.

9. My Hawks won the first game of their playoff series last night. Killed the Heat by 26 points. Yeah baby.

10. Okay, so get this. I did a library event on Friday night. What I'm about to tell you is a true story. I wouldn't lie on the Dashner Dude. I met two sisters from a family of ten. I now present to you the names of the eight children in this wonderful family:

Tory
Cory
Rory
Clory
Lory
Jory
Glory
Story

The dad's name is Tory. The only oddball in the group is poor Mom, named the very unimaginative and non-rhyming Barbara. If only her name was Gory this tale would be perfect.

Clory and Lory, you had me laughing the entire night and I really enjoyed meeting you.

11. I don't know how to follow that. We'll call it good for today.

33 comments:

Deborah Talmadge said...

If you're like me and end up shouting everyone's name before you get to the one you want, this would be a nightmare.

LouMac said...

haha! In our family, there are nine kids. Sometimes my mom gets frustrated and goes, "Steven, Ben, Austin, Kallie, Lonnie...Whatever your name is!!! Come and help me!" haha! I get a laugh at it all the time!!!

Dashnog: itioudl- An unintelligent Italian animal!

Deborah-I envy you! I was gonna be first!!!

Unknown said...

My mom would just start at the top of the roster and yell her way down until the culprit answered. I say culprit 'cause there was usually something broken, missing, or eaten when she did that.

Magenta said...

I think I knew that 13th Reality would be five parts, but it's great to hear you say that it's for sure. Can't wait for your future books, or your Maze trilogy.

Man, what a family! Poor Barbara. They should at least nickname her Bory. That's not taken. ^,^

Let's see, Dashnog word is Undlitte: meaning somewhat behind on reading the latest popular books. A combo of "under" and "literate."
Usage: What have you been doing, living under a rock? So many awesome books have been out recently! You're so undlitte.

Laura said...

And I thought Tate, Tatum and Teagan was harsh. I kept waiting for one of the kids to be named Tater. They're still young, it could happen.

How do you have time to watch TV and write 20,000 words a week?

James Dashner said...

You guys crack me up.

Laura, I don't write 20k words a week. I just did it that one week cuz I had to.

Plus, writing is my full time job. Keeps me busy still, but it's not too overwhelming. And I love it.

KA said...

I'm glad I'm not the only ignoramus around here. I didn't know there would be five in the series until recently, either. But now that I know, I tell anybody else I can get to read the series.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know it was planned to be 5 books but I knew it couldn't possibly be three because of how Dark Infinity ended. If it WAS only 3, I think I'd have to cry of Series-Potential-Loss. Because that ending...oh man, it just...NOT giving this away is WAY HARD. Suffice it to say, there is so much DELIGHTFUL character building and conflict in it! I just love it. If you haven't read it, READ IT because it's just spine tingly!

As for the names, that's STILL my life. (Not the rhyming but the scrolling through them all.) =]

J.N. Future Author said...

LouMac!!!! OMG!!! Send me an E-mail or something! you dissapeared off the face of the earth! I'm glad to know you are not dead.

your mom kindof sent back a rude email when I wrote you a letter. turns out your email address is your moms.....
---
sorry Dashner - back to you!

I really want to go to the writers conference! but I think I'm too late to sign up...I need to somehow get a hold of Savage.

also, what theater did you go to? I work at a theater! ^.^ Its so cool! except don't buy consessions! its honestly $4.50 for bottled water!!!! (that is alot!) I'v been working there since last Saturday.

Man this is long....I guess I had alot to say! I'm going to try and win an ARC! I want to see how much it has changed ^.~

Also, you need to tell people the proposed name for book 3 in the Maze Runner Trilogy! Its a cool name ^.^

I want to read Scorth Trials, and Shattered Hope SO BADLY!!!

~Jacoby (I need to end this before it becomes a letter!)

J.N. Future Author said...

I meant Scorch Trials (I miss-spelled it)

James Dashner said...

As always, thanks for all the nice words!

Jacoby, I'll do it here in the comments. I don't want it too public yet. It's very subject to change.

Anyway, for now, the title for Book 3 of the maze runner trilogy is THE DEATH CURE.

The Scarlet Tart said...

Wow, you guys had a lot to say today. Quite entertaining. I knew there was a reason I follow this blog. ;)

Dashner- glad I could help you clear that up for everyone. I always knew I was brilliant.

The Scarlet Tart said...

Oh yeah, I already checked out Enna's blog. She seems quirky and fun. I'm interested to see what she thinks about "Maze" as well. Enna, let us all know when you finish, please. :)

State of Play looks intense. Maybe I'll see it with my dear, sweet husband for our anniversary date. I know, not very romantic, but it's our eleventh and we went to Paris last year. Hard to top that.

KitKat said...

I love the Office! Best show in the world with the possible exception of the Colbert Report. My favorite character has to be Dwight..he's amazing. You?

Karen Pellett said...

So do you work on all your books at once, take turns, or do one at a time? How do you keep the plot lines and characters straight.

OK dig deep....what do you do when you hit a road block...spill the tips to the crowd.

James Dashner said...

KitKat, it's a tough call between Dwight and Andy! Nah, Michael's probably my favorite ultimately.

Karen, I only work on one book at once. I had to put aside 13th Reality for a bit to do this current book.

When I hit a road block, I just take a break. Or I write anyway and just keep going till bad stuff turns back into good stuff.

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

James:
My daugher and I saw State of Play last Friday as well. It was riveting! I loved your book, 13th Realty, and I'm looking forward to reading Maze Runner.

numberonedashnerfan said...

hey everyone......I am proud i went to the dentist today thinking he was going to eat me alive but he didnt he said i had no cavities and he gave my a toy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....I hate the floride rinse though it makes me crubult (my dashnog word)...sorry too much info.....dashner I knew it was going to be five books but then again I kinda stalk you....my parents call me a mix of me and my siblings name....my daddy is in canada which makes me sad...lol....I say way too much info on your blog....honors orchastra festival is tommorow ......word crubult def up chuck ..i will talk more later......tiki tiki

LouMac said...

Graham- haha! Yeah! That's with my mom, except, we don't answer if we know we are in trouble.

Dashnog: nerswist-A nerdy news reporter.

Unknown said...

I finally got that request letter in the mail for a Maze Runner ARC, though Enna beat me to it :-) I had to slay the heathen gods of printer problems before I could do it--a feat not easily accomplished. Actually, slaying demon printer gods is the definition of the new Dashnog verb, "keter". It's Typor's favorite weekday afternoon activity.

Maybe he could teach Delacorte about the wonders of e-mail...

Enna Isilee said...

*blush* Guess I'd better get to that review. Unfortunately I have to read CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY for my lit class before I can read anything fun. But I should be done with that no later than friday.

I don't have a dog, but I do have some tropical fish. :)

I knew a family that named all of their kids names that started with "BR" and I know another one that named all of their daughters after states. And not normal states. One of them was named Utahna. UTAHNA!

James Dashner said...

ARC request letter? Interesting.

Thanks Kathi - welcome to the blog!

#1, TMI, but we love you.

Enna, I'm offended you're choosing your lit class over my book. I weep.

Enna Isilee said...

*sigh* Trust me, James. It's not a choice I'm particularly enjoying.

ARC request letter? I wish you luck, Chops. :)

The Scarlet Tart said...

WHY can I not remember who the Hawks play for? Must not be that great of a team.

This is an Arlene update: My daughter spent the better part of the evening in the e.r. last night. Argh! Sometimes being a parent sucks.

Lauren said...

My mom and I love Arrested Development!!! I was just talking about it with her this afternoon! Sadly I've only watched about half of season one....

Lauren said...

Uh....I just don't know what to say about #10.......

Cindi Lou said...

#3, the movie State of Play is actually based on a BBC miniseries by the same name. After watching the miniseries I have no big desire to watch the movie. The BBC version was intense. I'm like you, I like political thrillers and they did a fantastic job!

Unknown said...

I don't know if I have your mad reviewer skills Enna, but I'll take a whack at it if Delacorte hooks me up with a Maze ARC.

I DID however get to read an ARC of the Hourglass Door; it's with the same publisher as 13th Reality and I liked it a lot, despite being a teeny girl novel. The review is up on Graham Chops.

Hopefully Maze will find its way there :-)

Dashnog: statepio. Typos found in statistics. It's another way of saying "opinion poll".

Diva Donna said...

Gosh it feels like I've been out of touch. Just lurking on this blog takes a lot of reading skills.
Dashner, I have no comment on any of the films or shows you mentioned.
Arlene, sorry about your daughter. Take 5 deep breaths and hug all your kids. Breaths to sooth and hugs to remind you of the better moments of motherhood...the ones that don't smell of panic and antiseptic.

Dashnog--gicurs (guy kirs)--shorts that go to the top of the knee. Usage--The dress code requires that all students wear gicurs in the summer months.

The Scarlet Tart said...

Maybe I should've been more specific. It sucks, as a parent, to see your kid actually hurt and not be able to do anything about it. On the bright side, she is doing better today. Watching cartoons, in fact. :)

James Dashner said...

Arlene, sorry about your kid. Hope all is well!

The Scarlet Tart said...

She is getting better. Thanks!

Jenny said...

I'm still laughing. Maybe because I'm the oldest of 8 and our names start Jenny, Joe, Jon. . . . Always thought that was confusing enough. This takes it.