Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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.

37 comments:

Luisa Perkins said...

Hurray! Let me know if you need any NYC recommendations. Will there be any public place where adoring fans can come and, um, adore? If so, my kids and I are THERE.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

NYC! Sounds like so much fun!

Unknown said...

Wickedosity! I bet you burn the maze to the ground in SCORCH, huh.

James Dashner said...

Luisa, the only way would be for you guys to go to BEA. I'll be doing several events there. But I'm definitely coming to NY for the release tour in Oct.

Graham, you're way off, buddy. Way off.

Carrie Ryan said...

Dark and creepy is awesome - I can't wait to read it!

Have a blast in NYC - you'll love Krista and everyone at RHCB :) Seriously, I did walk out of their offices with armloads of books!

Unknown said...

Well maybe I'd have a better clue if SOMEBODY at Delacorte would get around to mailing me an ARC! :-)

James Dashner said...

Thanks, Carrie. I'm just trying to follow in your footsteps!

Graham, don't give me excuses. Try harder.

Magenta said...

Oh my god! That teen writer's conference sounds like the awesomest idea ever! I want to go! I should totally talk to my parents about it.

Volatch(vuh-LATCH): to violently latch onto someone's wrist or other part of the body in a painful manner.
Usage: The vampire's teeth volatched onto my neck and I could feel the very blood being sucked out of my veins.

Hehe. I don't know. I'm thinking about quitting my job as Dashnog Dictionary keeper. Would anyone else like to do it?

Unknown said...

If I try harder, something will light on fire. I'm not opposed to that, I'm just helping Delacorte make an informed decision.

Anonymous said...

I'll be in NYC next week as well. Too bad I won't be able to make it to a signing. I'll just have to wait until you come to ATL.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one who totally busted a gut about the "rhetorical" questions bit? James, you're a riot!

Don't worry about the meetings. You're going to knock their socks off! Just be your usual kind, witty, funny-as-sin self and they'll all be sending you cheese baskets soon enough. =]

p.s. Missed you at Aprilynne's signing. Gotta get those buttons to you somehow!

The Scarlet Tart said...

So you HAVE gotten back to work. Good on ya!

The Scarlet Tart said...

Are there RH offices in Salt Lake?

Cranberryfries said...

New York is amazing. When I went I was only there 3 days and we packed junk in like crazy. I can't wait to see a few posts about the trip. nudge nudge.

Maybe when you go to RH you should show them some awesome magic tricks to calm your nerves. I'd suggest the millionaire (with pennies) from Arrested Development when Gob tries to direct the meeting.

Carolyn V. said...

I can't believe you are already done with the second draft of THE SCORCH TRIALS. How do you do it? Do you lock yourself away for the week?

I see you've been practicing on your mwa haa haas. Very nice.

James Dashner said...

Arlene, I'll be in NY on Tuesday. The NY offices. Or what are you asking?

I wish you could all come to NY with me!

Magenta, don't stress it. Just add one if it really knocks your socks off.

numberonedashnerfan said...

K james its MhaHahahahaHahahahahehehahaha....... I wish I could go 2 the teen writer conference.... Today was the best day in my school year because we turned in are math books...yay......I got an 80/100 with english crts btw......yay u get 2 go 2 ny for the first time.....

Natasha @ Maw Books said...

Hey James! Just a heads up that I'll be at BEA too! I've been asked to be on a book bloggers panel and I'm super excited. Nervous too because like you I've never been to New York City. Anyways, I'm sure I'll see you there! Have fun!

Diva Donna said...

Okay I fell off the earth and I haven't made it back yet but NASA promises that they are working on the issue and that I will not run out of oxygen. So as long as I have internet for this brief moment I will check in.
Dashner grats on all the coolness and have fun in NY. Also aren't you doing CONduit this weekend too?

Magenta you are a totally incredible person for taking on the dashnog. I'm with James. Don't sweat but if you can hold on until the second week of June NASA says I can probably come back into the atmosphere around that time.

Word Tanator-[tana tor] someone who disapears and then returns without warning.
Usage: what are you sometype of magician?
Nope just a tanator.

Aprilynne Pike said...

WHAT!?!? Your MOM?? I thought *I* was number one on your top twenty list!!

I guess I'll have to settle for number two.

Oh wait, the wife goes there.

Crap.

Fine. *settles down in her spot at number eighteen*

;)

Kenny said...

Don't let that phase you, James. Ever since the New York Times put her at #1 on their list, Aprilynne has been thinking she should be #1 on everyone's list. Why, only today she was telling me that she should be #1 in my life, too--as if my schedule weren't full enough, spending her money on video games, comic books, and graduate degrees in the proper use of the word "rhetorical." And you were close, but no. Anyway, it's amazing how quickly people at the top of one list get a sense of entitlement regarding other lists, don't you think?

Still, she's cute when she's pouting so, it's all good. Enjoy BEA, your infallible charm will undoubtedly make you the belle of the ball. We expect big things from you and The Maze Runner!Cheers--

(P.S.: I was all ready to play the Dashnog game but my word verification is "sharr." That's not a word, it's a name. Presumably, he's a pirate faerie stationed somewhere in Northern California?)

The Scarlet Tart said...

I am so living in another week. Just disregard anything that comes out of my mouth until I am actually in Utah.

dashnog- mulan. I just thought it was funny that it came up with a disney character.

Heather Moore said...

Have a blast and knock 'em dead, James.

The teen writers conference will be a.w.e.s.o.m.e.

James Dashner said...

Ah, I love blog comments. You guys do a great job of entertaining me when I need a break.

Kenny, she needs help. Seek it. Next thing we know she'll be insisting on a #1 amazon ranking! :)

Donna, yeah, I'll be at Conduit, doing several panels.

Natasha, can't wait to see you in NY! Do I get a mention on the coveted blog?

KitKat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deb said...

James, you assured me I was number 18 on your list of favorite people and now I read Aprilynne has taken my spot?? I am shocked. And appalled. That makes me shoppalled. I better be at 17 instead of moving down to 19.

Unknown said...

I expect to have a blast vicariously through you in NYC. Have fun!

Unknown said...

Chops better be on spot number 7, James! Lucky number 7.

numberonedashnerfan said...

james what spot am i at? ......james you will be and new york so i cant just go and kidnap you from your house and force you to go to my dance concert at the stake center.........tiki tiki

Melinda said...

It was great to see you at Conduit yesterday.

About this list thing...maybe you could have more than one list and then you could fit more people in at the top. Because I'm there. right? Near the top?

Anonymous said...

Cool new cover! Hey, I understand that you write about 100,000 words for your books and they end up about 400 pages long. How long would a book be if it was 25,000 words?

J.R. Johansson said...

Busy busy busy. :) Loved the Maze Runner cover. Have a great trip to New York... also, for shame! Threatening your Mom so close to Mother's Day... you better dedicate SCORCH to her or NO MORE CHRISTMAS!

;)

The Scarlet Tart said...

Dashner! It was good to hang on Saturday. Have fun in New York!

BTW, the Tisserie is on Broadway and 16th street at the northwest corner of Union Square. So, not near Battery Park at all. I think we just took a detour to Union Square that morning before heading to the Statue of Liberty. Again, have fun!

Garrett Matthews said...

I'm so excited I get to be going to the teen writers conference. See you there....

Rachelle Christensen said...

Cool, especially loved random thing #9 :)
Your new book sounds great, I like the title!
I posted info about my new Ribbon Box on my blog, it’s so neat! If you’d like to see details, please stop by!

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Hey James! I just kicked off the Queen of the Clan Summer Time Weekly Give-Aways. The first give-away is The Hunt for Dark Infinity you signed at the Storymakers conference. Please announce this awesome contest and prize on your blog for all your dedicated fans! :) Here's the link to my blog contest: http://queenoftheclan.blogspot.com/2009/05/qotc-summer-time-give-aways.html

Angie said...

Hey, I got my copy and will have it read by the 4th...on page 17...so far so good...