Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Some people are way awesome

I'd just like to give a shout out to the Granite School Foundation.

These people are amazing! I just finished up two days of school visits with them. Most of them are volunteers and they worked a lot harder than I did to make sure we made it to all 10 schools and still had time to sign a gazillion books, quite a few of them donated. My brain is tired and my face hurts from trying to smile so much, but it was a lot of fun.

Let's see, what else is going on......

LOL. I'm sitting here in the bookstore pretending to work and I just saw some kid buy my second book. I was just about to get up and offer to sign it but it's too late. Plus, I've done that before and sometimes it kinda freaks out the parents. I can't take those first few seconds where they think I'm some kind of creepy monster who likes to kill children.

Anyway, a few random things:

1. I just found out the official schedule for the Provo Children's Book Festival on May 16 at the library. I'm doing a reading at 2:00 (with Jessica Day George), so if you'd like to hear the first chapter or two of THE MAZE RUNNER, try to make it! I'll be signing 13th Reality books afterward, too. Lots of great authors will be there, including Shannon Hale, Brandon Sanderson, J. Scott Savage, Aprilynne Pike, Brandon Mull, and many more.

2. I miss my mommy. I miss her very much. Last week went by way too fast.

3. THE SCORCH TRIALS is now over 80,000 words. I should be finishing the first draft right about the end of April. On Monday I wrote one of the coolest chapters of my entire career. You can look forward to reading it in a year and a half. Har har. Oh how I loathe the long time frames of this industry!

4. Q&A: Donna asked in the comments what I felt like I learned between writing Books 1 and 2 of THE 13TH REALITY. I think the biggest thing is characterization. Especially in giving depth to villains.

5. It's April 15th and it's snowing. Whattup wid dat?

6. Speaking of April 15th, taxes sure are a lot different when you work for yourself. Ya know, I used to be a CPA, but we hired a CPA to do my taxes because I've sworn to never add or subtract again for the rest of my life. (OK, real reason is because I do NOT want to keep up with tax law. Kill me now.)

7. Q&A: Magenta asked in the comments about the typical word count for a young adult novel. Very hard question to answer, as it varies greatly. Anywhere from 50k to 70k is probably the average. All mine hover around 90-100k though. And then you have Paolini, Meyer, and Rowling......

8. I found out some very interesting news about the covers for the paperbacks of 13th Reality. You guys all know about the paperback rights being bought by Simon & Schuster right? Well, I can't say much, but the covers are going to, um, look different. Details to come.

9. It's still snowing.

10. I swear another kid just bought my book. I didn't quite get a full glimpse, but I'm pretty sure. Someone around here must've talked up my books at school today!

11. I love bookstores. I'd like to live in one. When I get Rowling rich, I'm gonna buy a huge bookstore and make it my office. People can buy books, sip coffee, and watch me type on my computer. Wait a minute, that's exactly what this creepy guy is doing ten feet from me. Scratch that idea.

12. I had dinner with a few of the psychos from the Eagle Mountain writer's group last night. They even bought my dinner, though I tried so hard to not let them. Okay, I didn't try that hard. Never turn down a free meal. Very important lesson. Kirk, Donna, and Debbie: thank you! That was really fun.

13. Just for the record, I don't usually sit and watch for people buying my book. I just happen to be sitting in one of the comfy chairs that are close to the registers. Wait, is that another one? Oh, no, just some lame book about vampires.

14. Later.

25 comments:

Luisa Perkins said...

You crack me up. Of COURSE kids are buying your books; they rock.

Unknown said...

Vampire books=super overdone. They play a minor role as a side race in the historical fantasy I'm writing, but they're true vampires: evil, deadly, etc. None of the cuddly Buffy/Twilight nonsense.

Dashnog: pardilin. Action verb that means you're a person in authority and you've gone on a huge spree of granting clemency to criminals.

J.N. Future Author said...

I so REALLY REALLY REALLY want to read Scorch Trials! ^.~

Maybe sometime in the future I will think of a creative way to steal it from you for a few hours! ^.~

but that is SO cool that you are getting it done! I can't tell you how excited I am for it!!! When the movie finally comes out, you promise me I can get some premiere tickets, right? you will be so famous J.K. will ask you sign sign a copy of HER book ^.~

Anonymous said...

This is seriously one of your funniest posts EVER! I like #2, #6, #11, & #13. Seriously, ROFL. =]

Enna Isilee said...

Gar! Where can I get more info on the Children's Book Festival? I've been looking everywhere!

Sarah Anne said...

Does it seriously have to be May 16? WTFREAK! That is so annoying. I'll be out of town on a mandatory school field trip that weekend in Moab. If I don't go my teacher will fail me.

I really wish I could go! Post afterward and tell me (and everyone else ) all about it, okay?

numberonedashnerfan said...

tax day is my parents annivesary ...hehe.... Do you have any signing or anything going on next tuesday (april 21st)....did you like the pictures I sent you ...so much for you comming to my concert on may 16th maybe a diff time... I have sour patch kids... hehe .... congrats on the word count.... word chilisioc def over hyper and needs to chill..... swedish fish are yummy..... in orchastra today The honor orchastra kids (one of which is me) went into the practice room and as we were leaving the other orchastra kids came in to put there instruments away and then my teacher was all hold on let the honor students leave so they can get there cases to put away their horns and then he is all wait its only mormon kids who have horns and then I told him that was harsh.....everyone misses there mommy from time to time its ok 2 miss her....I wish I could come to here you read the first two chapters...I've already read past their but it would still be cool....I HATE ( strongly dislike is too weak) granite school district with a passion.... and no killing your self because of taxes its not cool ....what did the easter bunny bring you....I got a build a bear....ill talk more later tiki tiki

James Dashner said...

You guys are so nice to me!

Enna, all you need to know is that it starts around noon and it's at the Provo library on the 16th.

Carolyn V. said...

I lol and fell off my seat! May 16th. 1st chapter of Maze Runner!? Sweet.

Q said...

You are too awesome!

Unknown said...

Hilarious post! I don't normally read posts out loud to my hubby, but I couldn't resist. Actually, until I started reading it out loud, he thought I gone 'round the bend. Now he's laughing as well ...

KitKat said...

Bookstores are my heaven. I prefer the small independent one I live down the street from to those chains (yes, I'm talking about B&N). But the greatest bookstore ever in the whole entire history of the United States is Powells. You ever been? Greatest place ever...

Anna said...

Hey, I have a boring question similar to word count. Actually it is about word count.

About how many pages for every 1000 words? (How many pages every 100,000 words? And how do people get away with 800 page books? I've only written about 140 or so (I'm kinda estimating, it's been awhile since I counted up) and I think THAT's a lot of work. That last bit was more of a complaint than a question but.....

James Dashner said...

KitKat, I really love independents, too. I try to support ANY bookstore that supports me. And some of the chain stores have been awesome.

Anna, page count totally varies. MAZE has less pages than 13th even though it has more words. But a page probably averages between 250 and 350 words.

I don't know how people write those 800 page books! Seems like those long ones always have small words, too. :-)

You guys really thought this post was hilarious? Guess I need to be spontaneous more often.

numberonedashnerfan said...

dashner you never answered my questions !!!!!! word almanols def ??????

James Dashner said...

What questions? What the Easter Bunny brought me? Nothing unfortunately. Oh, and yes, I liked the pictures you sent me. Thanks!

Magenta said...

So funny that you were watching kids buy your book! I can only dream that someday I'll be chillin' in B or B&N (Borders/Barnes and Nobles) and I'll see someone's eye catch the cover of my book. They'll pick it up, look at it, and even if they read the back or the dust jacket summary on the inside and then put it back, I'd be happy.

Yeah, it's much better that you didn't jump up to sign books. That would've been awk-ward!

My god! How long ago did I ask you that question? Certainly not recently, was it? ^,^ Paolini, Meyer, Rowling... I love those guys!

I sure wonder what the 13th Reality paperbacks look like!

And now, my Dashnog word... hmm, I don't like this one... I think I'll intentionally get it wrong so I'll get another one.

Habil: the ability to pay the bill at a restaurant before anyone else offers to. ^,^ ha ha, Dashner was obviously un-habil!

Deb said...

Why James, I feel downright flattered that you mentioned me in a post titled "Some people are way awesome." Of course, I already know I'm awesome, but it's nice to hear it every once in a while, even if you weren't specifically referring to me :)

Glad you survived the legions of fans in your ten school rampage, and that no one verbally expressed the fear that you are a creepy child killing monster.

My Dashnog word is gincroti. It's the state of feeling older than you are. Usage: I rolled out of bed this morning feeling gincroti. Yes, I really did :)

The Scarlet Tart said...

My sister used to run the circulation department of the Provo library when they moved into the new building. There's my claim to fame. :)

I hang out in my B&N as frequently as possible. My friend and I meet there at least once a week. It's always packed.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Amen to Luisa's comment - you're a hoot.

Diva Donna said...

Can't post now I'm at work but my word is Triat and I will define it later.

THanks for the shout out. Dinner was fun. We all were impressed with advice that you didn't think was that stellar...well, it was worth the price of your meal =)

I think you taught us more than you think you did.

numberonedashnerfan said...

thanks very very very very very much for answering thoose but what about next tuesday(april 21) are you doing a signing or anything ... I finished making a flute today.....word mendy def anger with a passion

James Dashner said...

Sorry, no signing on the 21st! Too many other things going on next week.

numberonedashnerfan said...

ok thanks ....in that case I have an orchstra concert that day if you want to come if so I can send you more details in an email...please...that would be so cool to have a famous person at my orchastra concert...lol...word suphig def pleeding usage I suphig with you please go....tiki tiki

Suey said...

I am so so bummed that I probably won't be at the Provo Library on the 16th. MAJOR family events happening at this house and taking priority over everything else.