Sunday, April 1, 2012

Q&A: 2012 Part 1

Thanks for all the great questions! Instead of rambling on and on, I'll just jump right into some of them. The way I'll do this is say the name of the person who asked, then usually just give my answer by restating the question as well. Here we go...


Sallie Mazzur: I'm not real big on reading books for a second time. There are so many good ones out there, I don't think I can ever get to them all, so I don't want to do repeats. But the one I've probably read more than any others is ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card.

Thekellys: Ah, yes. Who is Minho named after? I get this question often. And the answer is very simple. The events of THE MAZE RUNNER take place well in the future, so I purposefully wanted a main character who is named after someone who doesn't exist yet in our day. So keep an eye out for the great man who will rise up in our society called Minho. (Could it be my niece's husband? Maybe!)

Pherisphena Ladea: I'm not one to say never, but I can't imagine ever writing a book following up the events of THE DEATH CURE. That story is told, and I think any sequel would be extremely boring. However, I'd always planned on writing a prequel - at least one - and you guys can look forward to THE KILL ORDER this August.

Dubloon: Thank you for calling some of my scenes "soul-sucking." I take that as a very high compliment! All I can say is I try my best. Something I've learned over the years is to show patience when you write. If you have an exciting or game-changing scene, sometimes you're temped to write it really fast. But you'll heighten the tension and strengthen the resolution by taking the right amount of time to get there.

Robert MacGillivray: I appreciate all those who've asked about the potential movie for THE MAZE RUNNER. Believe me, no one on the planet wants this to happen more than I do. And I really think it's going to happen. I'm not allowed to say much, but it's public knowledge that Twentieth Century Fox optioned the rights, that a script has been written, and that things are moving slowly but surely. Stay tuned!!!

5 questions at a time seems like a good pace. Check back soon and I'll answer the next batch. And, as always, feel free to leave a question in the comments.

Did everyone see THE HUNGER GAMES movie? I was beyond impressed, and I'm very happy there's so much hope for book adaptations. Although I still think they should've had me play the part of Katniss. A wig, some makeup, a couple of body doubles...

JK Jen-Law!

44 comments:

ChapterHouse-Reads said...

sounds like a good plan!

Lady_Mel said...

Hi James! I saw the Hunger Games and I really liked It. I cried when Rue died but who didnt, she was so helpless and James about you playing Katniss (LOL) I think you're right for the role, but you are PERFECT as Effie! I can just see you in that pink dress... James...Do you know something about the MR movie? Right guys lock James in that white cell for a month with posters of Twilight. Lets see if he will talk then! *nods* (we understand why you cant say anything, but I know we all wish its good news as if anyone deserves their work being turned into a movie its you)

chunky of Asia Pacific said...

I am very sure after I finished reading the Death Cure that there would be a 4th book because there are alot of explanations I want to know. And I think making a follow up in the Death Cure will ruin the whole story..

This is the most memorable line for me in the trilogy:

“Kill me. If you’ve ever been my friend, kill me.”

Anonymous said...

Oh how I hope that if The Maze Runner Movie does become a reality that there would be an open audition... If it does happen to have an open audition I'll WALK to whichever city the auditions are in just to audition for a role if I have too! Do you think that Fox will have an open audition for the roles? I know you can't say much... But hey, it's worth a shot asking!

Anonymous said...

Hi! So I have a question. I was wondering if you have a cast signed yet? If not, I think you should have open auditions. It would be amazing if that could happen. And rather than auditions being in just one place, maybe have them all over the country? Just an idea, that way you could get a bigger glimpse of actors all around! I can't wait for the kill order! -Maddie S.

anzapower said...

Have you met Mark Deakins or listened to the audiobook version of your series? what do you think of his performance?

(personally I own more audiobooks than printed books and Deakins is by far one of the best narrators I've ever heard, makes the series as good as a movie)

KissingSunshine said...

I saw "The Hunger Games" on a school field trip... It was alright... I didn't like the new tequnique they used. The camera was too up close in everyone's faces it was honestly giving me a headache! :P And the camera was shaking too much. And if the book was from Katniss' point of view, shouldn't the movie be narrated by her? I don't just my opinion... :-/

--Kayelina

KissingSunshine said...

I hope "The Maze Runner" will be better than "The Hunger Games" and I will do whatever it takes to try out for the role of Teresa! :-P

Alice said...

I loved the Hunger Games. You as Katniss? Now that would be something!

Sara Kalima said...

I was very pleased with the way the Hunger Games turned out. James, will you be visiting Europe in the near future? And also who would you like to see play Thomas in a film adaptation of your book? :)

Anonymous said...

I have a question...
The plot of The Kill Order? Are we going to learn about Thomas growing up as a kid while having the flare take everyone's lives? Or are we going to learn about Thomas's life constructing the maze and the trials and such?

Anonymous said...

Hello James,

My name is Marius Viktor and while I may not be your number one fan (there are a lot of contender for that!), I definitely admire your personality and talent. I live in the Philippines and i'm currently a senior high school student.

I have read almost all of your books and i'm sore pressed to choose a favorite; I love them all!

I know you are very busy but i'll appreciate it if you can send me a couple of bookplates with your signature. Of course you don't have to but i'll be honored if you could send me some.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I look forward to receiving a response from you.

Regards,
Marius

P.S Here's my Address:
Marius Viktor U. Aragon
Silliman Beach, Bantayan, Dumaguete City,
6200 Negros Oriental,
Philippines

and heres my email : aragonmarius@yahoo.com

Jes said...

Hi James! I really loved The Maze Runner and am now making all my friends read it too!!
My question is, in the film if you could have anyone play the parts of Thomas and Teresa, who would you choose??

Anonymous said...

Because of your Maze Runner Trilogy, my past two weeks have been characterized by:

1. Hiding your books under my textbooks and sneaking peeks in between taking notes at school.

2. Being nonsocial at lunchtime because I have my nose in the book and NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

3. Reading under the covers past midnight with a defective flashlight.

4. Gasping randomly in class and drawing strange looks from my peers.

These bouts of obsessiveness are really not common for me. Thanks for writing a book that has both kept me at the edge of my seat and brought me to tears.

Anonymous said...

Dear James dasher,

I'm such a fan of your books. I read all the 13th reality series( can't wait for the 4th book to come out) and now Im currently reading the maze runner series. I just have to say how much I appreciate that you create characters from diverse backgrounds. It is such a breath of fresh air becuase i dont see it that much in young adult books. It allows all your fans to be able to identify and connect with your characters. I can't wait to read more of your books.
Sincerely,
Devoted reader of your books

allie said...

I Love your books! If it get's turned into a movie, will you post on your blog if there are any open casting calls? If you hear about them will you please let us know? If you can..

May said...

Hey James!
Love your books and im really hoping they get turned into a movie!!! I was just wondering what your dream cast would be? I'm really hoping that Logan Lerman gets the part of Thomas, that would be a perfect casting (in my opinion). Let us know!
P.S. Minho is my favourite!

Robert MacGillivray said...

What an informative post to read after my trip to Italy and Rome. Also, I agree that the Hunger Games movie does offer a lot of hope!

Anonymous said...

I would really love to your book, and I was wondering if there would be open auditions because do many people get talking about who was gonna play Teresa. So if you have anything on the movie could you please tell us.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Mr. Dashner,
You might not remember me, but we met at a book signing in Lynnwood WA. You referred to me as your “minion”. Well this minion has a favor to ask. My school’s 6th grade class has been assigned a “passion project”. (Take the idea of a senior project, then apply it to 6th graders.) We have to pick a topic that we are interested in, then give an interactive presentation to the class. If you could answer a few quick questions, you would make my day!
1. What made you want to become an author?
2. Did you always want to be an author?
3. What keeps you writing?
4. How do you find inspiration?
5. And why write Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic?
'Minion Patrick

Corey=Thomas ;) said...

I'm sure tons of people have asked you this.. but if and when there are auditions for the Maze Runner movie, would you post them on here? I'm a 14 year old boy, and I loved the books. I really wish I could be a glader in the movie!! Thanks.

Lance said...

Hi,so I just finished The Death Cure and I can not get over the fact Theresa is killed off, and I wanted to ask you why you did that instead of Brenda? I knew one of them would die, after Brenda became important in the second book, so there wouldn't be any fights between her and Theresa about who gets to have Thomas' children haha

Anonymous said...

The Hunger Games was totally awesome, even though I really can't stand Peeta. However, I still think that the Maze Runner series is better than The Hunger Games.

Anonymous said...

Hello... I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! Once I never went to bed because I just couldn't put the book down!!! Btw, I'm suggesting that Josh Hutcherson would be a really good Thomas. When I was reading The Maze Runner, I pictured him in my head as he was described. And he's been in a lot of kid movies, and this one would really make him shine!! And Dave Felton might be a good Newt. Plus, it would be interesting to see him play the good guy. Thank You!!!!!!!!!

Dashner Dude said...

James! Your books are AMAZING. I was completely obsessed with every single one of them. I can not say how much i look forward to the next book and movie. You are a magical writer and each of the books were polished perfectly. You should give me a part in the film! haha i would love to act and know a lot about the book. Thank you for the time, respond if you'd like.

willmieling@gmail.com

Chloe said...

I love your books! I have read them so many times. I love the maze runner trilogy. When I read the maze runner, I really wanted to play Teresa when they came out with the movie. But, I would need a wig, colored contacts and pretty heavy make-up. Then, when I read the scorch trials I found Brenda. I have brown and and dark eyes like her! Do you know when the maze runner is coming out? And if they will be making the scorch trials into a movie too?

Anonymous said...

Hello Mr.Dashner! i was just wondering if there will be more than one prequel to the maze runner series. I really enjoyed it. And if you make a series for the prequel, it will male it THAT much better.

Kayelina said...

Hey, when's the movie auditions? I'm begging my mom to let me audition! If she doesnt't let me audition for all 3 of the movies [which WILL happen], I won't let her talk to me for the rest of the hour ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey James,
I have read all of your books and I loved them. They are very easy to understand and the characters feel very realistic. But anyway I have a question for you. I heard that they are making a movie of your books and I have been looking for any information on when and where there are going to be auditions for the role as thomas, and I was wondering if you knew anything about that.

Anonymous said...

Hey James,
I have read all of your books and I loved them. They are very easy to understand and the characters feel very realistic. But anyway I have a question for you. I heard that they are making a movie of your books and I have been looking for any information on when and where there are going to be auditions for the role as thomas, and I was wondering if you knew anything about that.

tim pawlovich said...

Hey James I know this question has been asked a ton but when are auditions for Maze Runner!!!!! I would love to show you what I got for a chance to be in he movie! Your book is on my top three list! Or your series and its along side the Hunger Games and Dark Inside but trust me yours is number one on that list! I read Maze Runner when it first came out and it was my newove and I waited and waited for the rest to all come out and now I'm just waiting for auditions!!!!! Please give some feedback its been almost 2 years in the talks now!!!!

Kaylee said...

Oh they just NEED to make the movie! It would be great!

Question here... Is Newt British? I don't know, he just came off as British to me!

I read the whole series and LOVED it! Great job! Some parts were just SOO intense! Couldn't put them down!

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Anonymous said...

Minho is a common korean name for guys and no its not chinese or japanese name

Tyler Roots said...

Where can I find info on casting calls for The Death Cure?!?! I am struggling here! I need this!

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