Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Well Hi There...

Where in the world has all the time gone since I last posted? I blame the holidays! One of our faithful Duders, Jackson, pointed out on Twitter that it's almost been a month, so we better get back on track.


Welcome to all of our new readers here at the Dude!!! A lot of people must've gotten my books for Christmas because the stats here on the blog have gone up quite a bit. Glad to have you. Please leave a comment and say hello!

So. What to talk about? Hmmmm. Better keep it random.

1. I almost soiled my armor with excitement when I saw that it's finally official: Ian McKellan is reprising his role as Gandalf (and Andy Serkis as Gollum) in The Hobbit movies. Never that it was much in doubt, but you never know. Christmas 2012 can't come soon enough.

2. Speaking of Christmas 2012, it's now more important than ever for the Mayans to be wrong about the world ending that month. I can't miss that second Hobbit movie the next year.

3. Speaking of movies, I'm getting asked by many people about the Maze Runner movie, and I don't feel good about simply ignoring all of you. But my official position still has to be "no comment" because nothing is, well, official. However, anyone with a finger (at least one), a keyboard, and Google can find plenty about it that's a matter of public record. Happy searching...

4. And, just for the record, if such a movie were to be made, I'd be so happy I'd probably soil my armor again. (Is anyone getting the reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail here? Please say yes.)

5. I want to thank you all again for making this trilogy such a huge success so far (several months now on the NYT Bestseller list). I'm ecstatic beyond words (no, I'm done with the soiled armor bit), and I'm so thankful to all of you. Thank you.

6. I LOVE the comments/tweets you guys leave about how excited you are for the third and final book (The Death Cure). Especially the ones where you threaten bodily harm to me or yourself (or to cats) because you can't wait. Well, I'm just about done with the first round of revisions, which is always the hardest part for me. The book is well on schedule to come out this fall. Hopefully we'll reveal the cover soon, because it's AWESOME.

7. I'm also getting asked a lot about the fourth book in The 13th Reality series. I promise there'll be an announcement on that coming soon, but you may have to wait a bit longer than you expected. I'll explain why, so don't worry. It's coming...

8. The NFL needs to be spanked. I'm thrilled to see my Falcons in the playoffs, counting down the minutes to Saturday night. But they had the best record in the NFC. Their reward? They have to play the extremely hot Packers while the SECOND seed, the Bears, get to play the weaklings otherwise known as the Seattle Seahawks. All because they won their division (with a losing record!!!). Which is even worse than it sounds, because they had a losing record in a division which is obviously very weak.

I'm fine with rewarding them with a trip to the playoffs. But that should be good enough! Don't give them an undeserved higher seed as well. Thanks for listening.

9. Some great news: The Maze Runner was chosen for the Best Fiction for Young Adults list for 2010 by the American Library Association, as well as the Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list. We are very honored!!! Thank you, ALA!

10. I can't remember the last time I watched a scripted television show. Seriously. It's been months, except for maybe one or two Modern Family episodes. Lost, you've left a void in me that will never be filled. Unless....

11. I'm really hoping that HBO's production of A Game of Thrones, the dark and delicious fantasy series by George R. R. Martin, is good. It can't possibly be LOTR good, but maybe kinda sorta maybe? I hope so.

12. It's cold.

13. Have I mentioned how much I love movies? I need to start reviewing them more on this blog. The last one I saw was How Do You Know with Reese Witherspoon. (hey, my wife chose, so back off!) It was actually unique and entertaining. (I'm not a harsh movie critic. I can enjoy almost any movie on some level. It's a talent I have.)

14. Before that was True Grit, which was amazing and one of my favorites of the year. Coen brothers, I love you.

15. That's all for now. More soon. I hope everyone is having a fabulous week, filled with good food and good books.

45 comments:

Rachel N. said...

I checked on IMDB, but the information is only available for people with IMDB Pro. it's scheduled to be released in 2013, so now we really have to hope those Mayans were wrong! =)

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

Hello! :D
Yes, I recived The maze runner in spanish this christmas and it was amazing! I hope the second book to arrive soon in Spain!

tapestry100 said...

You're such a tease about news on the fourth 13th Reality book.

Steve Westover said...

With the success you're having, you are allowed a soiling here and there. We don't mind--your wife might, but we don't. Congrats on a fantastic year!

Lindsay Cummings author said...

"I'm not dead yet! Actually, i'm feeling quite better!"
I get your Monty python references, sir.

Aubrey said...

I am sick of the cold.

Thanks for the updates! Always good to hear from you!

Marie said...

I want the Death Cure so bad! If you don't write faster I'm going to hunt you down and hold a knife to your neck until you finish it.

I read you liked getting threats about bodily harm, so I thought, what the heck.

Don't you dare diss the Bears just cause they get to play an easy team! If the Falcons were playing an easy team would you diss them? No.

All I'm going to say is the Falcons better beat the Packers. Get them knocked out.

Kacie said...

my husband bought me both the books (MR & ST) for Christmas because i was unashamedly begging for them. they were read in 2 days. 2 awesome days.
thanks for the stories.
now i'm trying to be patient....
...
..
.
waiting for The Death Cure.

David Glenn said...

I hope the 4th book in the 13th Reality series is good.

Anonymous said...

I got the Monty Python references... :) "It's merely a flesh wound!" lol and I will harm not only cats but kittens as well if "The Death Cure" release doesn't come soon!! haha :)

Anonymous said...

OMG! I did a book report that was worth 50% of my grade for language arts. I did it in The Scorch Trials. I a 100%! Can't wait for the death cure!

Jackson Porter said...

Input: Hu, that's me. I hate the cold. I loved True Grit. Can't wait for both Death Cure and 13th 4. No input on NFL though. I'm bad at that.

T.B. said...

Welcome back James Dashner!

I've been waiting to see you post again! I can't wait for The Death Cure, and I am very excited to see the cover now that you mentioned it. I thought that the covers for the last two books were great! (And yes, I do judge books partially by there covers :] ) Can't wait!

tracie20 said...

My daughter read The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner books one and two. She is seventeen and loves to read and has very good taste in good books. She is always telling me what books she loves and which ones she thinks I will like. I just finished The Hunger Games and love them. The whole time I have been reading them she kept telling me that The Maze Runner is wayyyyy better. I am starting it today! Thanks!

Jan von Harz said...

Very excited about your participation in Area Wide Book Battle this May. Scholastic was suppose to contact you about guest post. Unfortunately, hasn't happened. Would love to make the announcement to all the kids competing about your appearance along with a guest post. Maybe we can sidestep the middle man and you can contact me to make it happen.

vonharzj@gmail.com

Alex said...

Hi,

I'd like to make you all aware that you can win a signed copy of The Scorch Trials at http://www.litblog.co.uk !

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

Mr Dashner, I was thinking about this movie thing and I would really love to see the trilogy made into one long movie. I think it would be more exciting and riveting that way :)

J.N. Future Author said...

Maybe you should try watching Glee? ^.~

Also I still can't wait for Death Cure!!!!!

Anonymous said...

It has been a while, Dash-man but I'm glad to see you again. Congrats on all the awesome news!

I'm also looking forward to HBO's Game of Thrones. Hope they do it justice!

Congrats again!

Marny said...

Dude, normally I'd be happy to cheer on your Falcons, but for now I have to say, "Go Bears!"

Also, when are you going to tell the world the awesome news that you are the Guest of Honor at Life, the Universe, & Everything in February? :)

gigi said...

i absolutely LOVE the maze runner and the scorch trials (i did get the scorch trails for Christmas) and i cant wait for the Death Cure to come out :) im sooo excited! thank you for your amazing books u r such a good author!

The Dixon Family said...

Okay, you are too funny. I hope the Mayans are wrong too and not just for the Hobbit movie (I am dying to see it though).

Laura said...

Good to see that all is well in Dashland. I vote we get an early spring. January sounds good.

Unknown said...

hahaha I love your sense of humor

Jason said...

Its funny, my law teacher just used that joke on us this morning. Again, I was the only one who got it.

Love the Scorch Trials!

Leesie Jones said...

Okay, phew, I'm glad you aren't dead, because you haven't posted in FOREVER!!!
Psshhh did you hear that that Mayans may have been wrong in the first place? Off by 50-100 years or something. I think we're safe for now.
Your welcome for reading the football thing.
Stop whining about the cold. It ain't a summer day in Colorado either.
Thanks for posting and good look editing!! :) It's a horrible process. :/

Leesie Jones said...

*You're

Rebecca M. said...

ok I got the MR for Christmas, read it on Christmas. Got the ST from the library and the epilouge, and the last few chapters made me so mad I threw it aganist the wall. If the death Cure dosen't conme out soon, I will hunt you down. I want to read it!!! I love the books though!

Vanessa M. said...

The Dashner Dude is finally back! You better be able to say more than "no comment" on that movie, or I might have to throw something...

Judi English said...

I'm wondering if I'm the oldest reader of the Maze Runner and Scorch Trials...I'm 62 and I loved every page of both books! And now I'm waiting...along with every other teenager...for the Death Cure! Good writing, Mr. Dasher! Judi E.

Unknown said...

Condolences on the Falcons, brutha...my Colts didn't make it either

Aspiring Author said...

Hey! James! Personally, I love your Maze runner books and they've inspired me as a young author! I'd love to somehow get in contact with you to tell you some ideas of mine and for your help in writing them. thanks :D

Seth Skogerboe said...

http://embarrassedzebra.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/the-journal-of-curious-letters-by-james-dashner/

Seth Skogerboe said...

Whoops, no info. :/ Above link = my post about your book.
Good times...

Alyssa said...

Hi. I just finished The Scorch Trials and your book left me in such suspense I feel like my heart is going to collapse. I'm also really irritated because I should be resting up for finals but can't stop thinking about this book. I kind of hate you for making a book this amazing. But not really, because I need The Death Cure.

Thomas D. said...

Hello again sir james, just wanted to let you know that I'm just going to have to reread your book because lately I haven't been able to find any books in your genre that compare to your writing! Any recommendations on a good dystopian read? Best of luck on your revisions!

Tom

Kendall said...

I can't wait for The Death Cure! Will you be releasing tour dates soon? I'd love to have my book signed on one of your tour days. :) Thanks!

Kendall said...

I can't wait for The Death Cure! Will you be releasing tour dates soon? I'd love to have my book signed on one of your tour days. :) Thanks!

raindrops_on_roses said...

I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THE LAST BOOK OF THE MAZE RUNNER TRILOGY. so stoked. :3 I just finished The Scorch Trials, and it has left me with so many questions and SUCH a need to read the Death Cure! haha, keep up the great work :)

Mr. Sessions said...

James,

I am a 4th grade guy teacher here in Utah. I was at the Orem Barns and Nobel and was buying The Hunger Games when the sales person recommended The Maze Runner. It sucked me in like a vacuum. Loved the plot, the pacing, and the mystery. I have now recommended it to most everyone and many at my school are becoming ardent fans. Your second book was delicious. I LOVE how you write cliff hangers into each chapter. It really revs the mind. I am really happy for your success.

Simran said...

can u somehow make ur next book the death cure come out quicker. its like torture waiting

Simran said...

Can u please make ur book of the maze runner trilogy the death cure come out quicker please. its torturing me.

Aletheia Longbottom Tennant said...

WHAT??? Longer than next fall? But..but...but...that cliffhanger was EVIL!