This and That

And yet another Dashner post where I just throw a bunch of random updates your way:

1. Are you between the ages of 13 and 19? Do you have a problem with making up stories that aren't true? Do you find yourself writing these stories down? Do you like to ignore your mom and dad while they speak because you're outlining scenes in your head? Do you have dreams of people inexplicably paying money to you for just doing a hobby? Do you hate it when people ask you a string of rhetorical questions? Do you hate it that the Dashner Dude isn't even quite sure if he just used the word "rhetorical" correctly?

Well, anyway, I'm presenting at a writer's conference just for teens coming up on June 6th. I really think it's going to be awesome, and I hope some of you (or your children) can make it. For details, CLICK HERE.

2. I'm almost done with the second draft of THE SCORCH TRIALS. I've been reading through it pretty quickly, taking notes on things I want to go back and change, add, or enhance. However, it's solid enough that I'm printing it out as I go for my wife to read. So far she loves it! It's an odd book, darker and creepier than the first, but I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. I can say this much: no one will be able to predict the direction it goes. mwaa haa haa.

3. I'm counting down the hours till my big New York City trip. It'll be my first time, and I'm going to savor every minute of the week I'll be there. My wife and I fly out on Sunday, and then we have four days to play before she comes back and I stay for Book Expo America. I can't wait!!!!!!!

4. Next Tuesday my agent and I are going to the Random House offices for a meet and greet with all the important players in the vast conspiracy to corrupt your minds with THE MAZE RUNNER. I just found this out yesterday, and I'm so excited! Please send me positive vibes so I don't make a fool out of myself and convince them to scrap the whole project.

5. So next Tuesday is also the first time I'll actually get to meet my agent (Michael Bourret) and my editor (Krista Marino) in person. Since I've always envisioned both of them as perfect superhuman geniuses without flaw or vice, I hope they live up to my expectations. hahaha. They have been steadily moving up the James Dashner Top Twenty Most Favored People List, inching ever closer to that top spot inhabited by my mom. Mom, you should be sweating bullets. (kidding! kidding!)

6. I didn't realize until yesterday that of the six authors on the YA Buzz Forum at BEA this year, two of them are Michael's clients! Myself and Jill S. Alexander, author of the upcoming THE SWEETHEARTS OF PROSPER COUNTY. That's one out of three, thirty three percent, a full third! Congrats, Michael.

7. Just a quick note on three things I LOVED recently: the STAR TREK movie, the season finale of LOST, and a YA book called GENESIS (not the one in the Bible).

8. Thanks for all the nice comments about the cover. Overall, you seem really pleased. I exchanged some emails with the artist, Philip Straub, and he's a stud. I'm honored to have his work on my book!

9. Later.