Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Wednesday List

A list of random updates, thoughts, and shout outs:

1. The initial feedback on THE SCORCH TRIALS is really encouraging. By initital feedback I mean my wife Lynette and good friend J. Scott Savage. Both of them love it, and Scott even went so far as to say it's better than the first one. And he doesn't lie to me. Sometimes I wish he would. He can be a real jerk. And he smells funny, too. But I like him.

2. As of right now the release tour for THE MAZE RUNNER is scheduled to run from October 6th to October 24th and cover 8 to 10 cities. Do you realize that's only three and a half months away? Seriously! I can't wait.

3. I need to shift gears soon to completing THE BLADE OF SHATTERED HOPE (Book 3 of THE 13TH REALITY). Right now it's about halfway done, but I had to put it aside when we sold the sequels to MAZE a few months ago and received a tighter deadline. I've been reading back through what I'd written and it's complete and utter crap. Okay, just kidding. I like it a lot. But I have a lot of work to do, and it's due September 1st.

4. One thing I did remember is how much I love Tick Higginbottom. And I almost feel bad for the really, really awful thing I put him through on page 37 of the manuscript. Poor kid. He's going to need serious psychological help when this series is done.

5. I really want to give a shout out to my very good friend (and editor for 13TH) Lisa Mangum, who went and did something crazy and wrote her OWN book. Can you believe that? It's like Stephen Spielberg suddenly deciding he wants to be the star of one of his movies (kind of - work with me here). Well, Lisa did it, and she did an AWESOME job. It's a young adult paranormal romance trippy time travel freaky twisty creepy adventurous book.

It's called THE HOURGLASS DOOR and has a really awesome cover with even better stuff in between. CLICK HERE to find out more.

6. The cover artist for MAZE, Philip Straub, also has a book out, called UTHERWORLDS. This guy's art is simply AMAZING and takes me to other worlds like no other. And he nailed my vision of MAZE. To learn more about his book, CLICK HERE.

7. Why do restaurants with take-out services have special parking spaces for people picking up? This seems grossly unfair and fakes me out every time. I mean, think about it. People who are dining "in" walk to the restaurant and, when they're done, walk back out. People who get take-out ALSO walk to and from the restaurant. Same physical effort. Same purpose. Same amount of money. No! Wait. They spend LESS because they don't tip.

This is an outrage. Someone write their senator immediately.

8. We sold our house in 2 days. Very close to getting the one we offered on. Very happy and excited. It's only a few miles from the current pad (that's what the cool kids call it), but it's bigger which is good because my kids were about to murder each other. They've been living in glorified closets and have nowhere to play. Which is why I, also, was about to murder them.

By the way, we met our potential neighbors, and their son's eyes lit up when he found out who I am. He's a big fan! Can you believe that? It was very surreal for me.

9. I'm currently reading CATCHING FIRE, the sequel to THE HUNGER GAMES. Thanks to Aprilynne Pike for letting me borrow the ARC. Neener neener neener to everyone else. It's really good. Oh, and despite the potential of ticking off Aprilynne and the immorality of it all, I'm willing to sell the ARC to the highest bidder. Bids start at $1,000,000. (Hey, you never know.)

10. Please tell me you've seen the movie UP. Please tell me you have. If you haven't, I order you to drop what you're doing and leave your house. Immediately. I firmly believe this is the best PIXAR movie so far. Definitely. Not the funniest. But the best. How they made a children's movie with so much depth and meaning is just amazing. See it. Now.

38 comments:

Garrett Matthews said...

First. That guy whose eyes lit up, he's one of my best friends. He called last night and tolled me. Trust me, I'm jealous. Can't wait for Maze or the 13th!

Valynne said...

I hate you for the fact that you have the Hunger Games sequel. Okay, I don't hate you, but I am extremely jealous. Boo.

Anna said...

I love posts like this! Now you've made me really want to see Up. Congratulations on Scorch Trials...and I am really excited to read Maze Runner!

Becca said...

Amen about UP.
Best. Pixar Ever.

Magenta said...

Yay! I love your top ten updates posts! They're so deliciously random!

1: I wish I'd read the first one. Nearly everyone else seems to have already. *pout*
2: 3 and 1/2 more months. Yay. *feeble cheer* It's hard to be excited when it's so far away.
3: I need to read Dark Infinity soon. Then I can properly look forward to #3. And I'm sure nothing you write can possibly be crap. BTW, my birthday is on Sept. 7th. ^,^
4: Ha ha. Poor Tick. He'll have to go to a shrink. lol.
5: I've heard of the Hourglass Door even before you wrote about it here. Sounds awesome. Especially for Twilight lovers, such as myself.
6: I checked this guy's website out, and he's definitely a fabulous artist. Can't wait to check that out when I get the chance.
7: Funny joke about the restaurants. *giggle*
8: Huh, selling the house? I guess that makes sense. Man, that is sooo cool! Your neighbor must feel like the luckiest guy on the planet!
9: I bid $1,000,000 and one cent! (Nah, just kidding. I don't have that kind of money. Wish I did though. That series is super awesome!)
10: I have not seen UP yet, but I plan to soon. I think it'll be one of the things I do when I go up to Boston with my twin sister (Annette, remember? ^,~) I doubt that it's the best PIXAR movie. I really loved WALL*E myself. I don't know how any PIXAR movie can get better than that.

Laura said...

Reading the sequel this soon to Hunger Games makes you one in like a hundred million. We can't all be that special.

Congrats on the new pad. I have five kids and can totally relate to the insanity that a tight house can produce. We live on an acre and my kids are still nuts most of the time. Don't be too disappointed if your kids still drive you crazy in you new house. I hear they eventually grow up. Just a rumor I bet.

Unknown said...

I'll remember this when my book gets published and you REALLY wanted to read the sequel but you WOULDN'T hook up the Chops with Catching Fire...

James Dashner said...

Garrett, small world!

Valynne, hate is such a strong word. You only have to wait till September 1st.

Magenta, I love it that you did your own top ten list in response. That's just awesome.

Chops, waaa waaa.

David said...

Damn! I STILL didn't get a mention! James, where's my LOVE?! LOL

Kim Reid said...

Love the blog. Keep being funny. :) I'll go see UP now, which I actually had not planned on at all.

Anonymous said...

Wow. You are living a charmed life! Seling a house in this market is UNHEARD OF! PLUS you get to read Catching Fire. Can I please have some of what you're having?

Cranberryfries said...

-Holy canoli there are just too many good things in here. My cute friend Brodi gave me signed copies of your books. I'm so excited to start them next week. (I saw you at Provo Lib Childrens Festival a few weeks ago and have been meaning to get a copy.)

-Lisa's book looks great, plus you gotta love another Utah author!!

-Next time I think you should park in the Take Out spots. Just be sure to leave with some food and if they do something about it, just claim you took out the food. Let me know how that turns out for ya.

-How about I give you a few bucks and you tell us what you thought of Catching Fire. Or can I come read it over your shoulder? My book club would be so jealous. (Mostly because I'd be your new friend not really because of the book. Ok maybe a little of that too.)

-Can't wait to see UP. We're using it as a reward for the kiddos and summer chores. Mean parents I know. Pixar continues to amaze me. My hubby's an animator so we're always watching the documentaries and things on Pixar. Not only do they have great flicks but I think they have a pretty well rounded company/boss.

Happy moving.

Kenny said...

Congrats on the continuing good news!

We went to see UP when Aprilynne got back from touring. As we left, she asked me, "How can I feel like a movie that made my cry three times was only 'pretty good?'" I suspect that after the powerful, amazing, brilliantly done opening scenes, the rest of the movie just couldn't hold up. I guess that's why you don't put the emotional climax of your books in the prologue...

So "The Incredibles" is still my favorite Pixar movie, but UP is probably the best movie I've seen (or am likely to see) this summer.

J.N. Future Author said...

Oh man! today was like information overload!

1st) I'm going to have to strangle you and Scott Savage! you both have really good books coming out that I want to read!!! (Scorch, and Landkeep)

2nd) Can you believe it? You are almost at the finish line! Its almost out!

3rd) grrr, another one I want to read so badly! (Shattered)

4rt)hehe, I think after the ending of that last book everyone knows he needs help! It was an extreamly good ending that knocked the J.F. ending off the top! Man, you know how to write endings! If the world were to end, I want you to instigate it!

5th) The Hourglass Door. Now that was the book (risking cliche) that Twilight fans are waiting for! It was SOOOO good! yeah!

8th) You're moving? good luck! ^.^

9th)I have never read Hunger Games...

10th) UP was pretty good! ^.^ but seroiusly! come and watch it at Provo's mall! (where I work)

Karen Pellett said...

Good luck on the house. We're in the process of trying to purchase ourselves. I cannot wait until it is all over and we have more space.

I can't believe you sit there and tantalize us about what happens on page 37 to Tick. Oh wait...this is the one and only JAMES DASHNER we're talking about...I can believe it...but still...the cruelty.

Anonymous said...

UP is the best pixar ever. I totally agree. And no, I'm not crying. Much.

I'd bid on that ARC offer but you'll have to wait on the check until I become a cool author like you.

That's awesome about Scorch but we all knew it would be amazing so you're not really telling me anything I don't know. What's up with that? Aren't we friends? Dish up the dirt, man!

Congrats on the near-house. Let us know how it goes. Crossin' our fingers for you. And the kids living in the closets. =P

And I couldn't love you more for torturing Tick. Really. I mean that. Because the character development in the end of 13th 2 was just...WOW. Frickin' wicked awesome and a million other awesome good words that I don't have. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

James - congrats on the book reviews (you know, sometimes the wife and friends don't count for reviews . . . but I think your wife and Scott have pretty good taste. Don't tell Scott I said that!). Also, huge congrats on the house. It's soo nice to not be stepping on each other every five seconds, eh?

Unknown said...

James...you do not cross the Chops...noun and verb, baby. Noun AND verb.

James Dashner said...

Thanks for all the comments guys! I love reading them throughout the day.

James Dashner said...

David, you're mentioned in spirit. Har har.

Look, I just mentioned you!

Everybody, David is really cool. How's that?

Deb said...

I get ya about the takeout parking, and you know what's even worse? Those dang handicapped spots...

Kidding!

Luisa Perkins said...

Awwww, I love what happened with your new neighbor! He'll remember that all his life.

UP = AWESOME. It should win Best Picture.

Diva Donna said...

So what's the sequel to UP going to be? DOWN? I haven't seen it so don't kill me. It just doesn't sound right if you think of UP2 as the sequel.

Graham you crack me up. Have I mentioned that before? Noun and verb...indeed.

JD, I'll bid 1,000,000 Monopoly dollars. If only I had a Monopoly game on hand.
Hope you're loving the ARC.

numberonedashnerfan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
numberonedashnerfan said...

Poor Tick...WHAT Not Cool your moving away from me lol so instead of you being five miles away your going to be even farther :< ...or are you moving closer........oh and I will pay you the money I won in monoply (this is the new version btw) I got 367,000,450 and some poeple still owe me so i can pay you that for the arc ....I love the game monopoly I always win...So one of my friends has written a a great book butt it has already been regected by 4 publishers already do you have any advice for her before she decides to give up on it....Tiki TIki

Heather Moore said...

So I got a mysterious box in my mailbox today. I almost didn't get it out because it was really too big for the mailbox, and was stuffed in very tightly. Inside was a copy of The Maze Runner. I'm at the part where *** and ***. Awesome so far!

That's really awesome that your "new" neighbors are already fans :)

J Scott Savage said...

Maze Runner is going to do amazingly well, and Scorch is even better. Thanks for the chance to read it.

Diva Donna said...

Had to read a few of these comments to a friend because they crack me up. Then got a really great DASHNOG word.
BTW Graham may have created his last dashnog word but I say viva la Dashnog!!!!!

Slysl-a chopping axe first forged by Typor and replicated throughout the world.
Usage- Graham pulled out his slysl and chopped up the evil troll.

Clint Johnson said...

Hope it's a short process making the house a home, James. 8,000 square feet with at least one escalator, I assume.

Austin said...

UP is super funny and sad :{, did I mention it was super funny? I have been skating at a contest for about a month so I didn't get a lot of reading done, but I got 3rd i'd send you pictures if I had some. I'm on chapter 41 I think... anyaway by the end, it's great so far! >{//"} <-----fish

What? said...

Mr. Dashner, I loved the maze runner(I got an ARC and I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. No, I haven't forgotten anything you said about your next few books and it's killing me that I have to wait so long to get them!) I thought it was amazing!!! And I'm incredibly picky about books(no I'm not either of the blondes that asked you all of the questions. Those 2 are just my friends.)
Any way, that was amazing, I love meeting authors(the profession that I aspire to be) and getting signed coppies of theirs books. Getting your book was an honor of itself and meeting you was an even greater one.

Unknown said...

James--

Just took my mom to see "Up" this afternoon. Ask anyone who knows me: I don't cry. But that movie...it was really hitting all the buttons. There were tears, man. Brilliant flick.

Dashnog, inardsim: when the impossible takes place, such as the Chops shedding tears at the movies

Amy Lundebrek said...

Dear Dashner Dude,

It's about hot food, man. The people being served in the restaurant get their food immediately after it comes out of the kitchen. The people picking up takeout have to drive back home before they can eat. Consider if it's twenty below out (I'm from Minnesota), and you have to walk your hot food all the way across the parking lot... now there's no longer a point in take-out and the restaurant loses business.

Anyway, that first part was just a stamina test. I've finished my copy of The Maze Runner and would be willing (with the Dashner Dude's permission) to mail it to the person who emails me first!

James Dashner said...

You guys heard her! A golden opportunity - get emailing.

Thanks, Amy. I hope you liked it!

Amy Lundebrek said...

And we have a winner!

Jenny said...

Loved UP! I've seen it twice in the theaters and was sort of wondering if I could talk my 8-year old into going again with me. PLUS I love the popcorn. I know. I'm gonna probably die early because of this, but I don't eat ice cream, so maybe I'm okay.

Magenta said...

James,

Just wanted to let you know that I saw UP a couple days ago and I've gotta admit... you were absolutely right about it possibly being the best Pixar movie ever! Yes, even better than Wall-E!

The characters were hilarious and seemed very real, even though they were cartoons. I was seriously crying in the first 5-10 minutes of the film. And when I cry because of a movie, it's just gotta be a good one! I just felt so connected and invested with the characters already.

Whenever I watched the previews, I wondered how an old man could be the hero and carry the story on his back. But after seeing his whole life beforehand, I could really appreciate his history.

I agree with Dashner. Anyone who has not seen UP yet, I order you to do so NOW! You won't regret or forget it. I guarantee you will walk out of the theater with a smile on your face.

Jeremiah said...

I know this is a little late. Well, a lot late, but the neighbor kid has been one of my best friend for a couple of years. He came to another one of my friends birthday parties, where I was, and told me about it. Anyway, I just read The Hunt for Dark Infinity, and it was AWESOME! Or Awesomeitationalatieratistic!

And the first person who commented (Garrett), is also one of my best friends.

This is now going out really long, so I think I'll stop now.
Wait.
Nevermind. I think this comment deserves to end now.