Wild Card Wednesday – an interview with James Dashner
I’m very excited to have James here even though I haven’t read his new book. I know! What is wrong with me? Well, I’m scared of it. My agent, who is also James’ agent told me I might be too wimpy to read it. Okay, wimpy might’ve been my adjective, but he didn’t argue with me. James thinks I should just suck it up and stop being such a baby I would be fine with it though and since he’s generously offered to send me a copy, I’ve decided to give it the old college try.
But better than that, James is also offering up a copy of The Maze Runner to one of you lucky blog readers (click on this link to see his cool website for it!). Yay you! Yay James! So leave a comment or email me using the email address on the Contact page by Tuesday midnight, January 12th and I’ll draw one lucky winner.
And now, let’s find out more about James himself.
James is the author of The Maze Runner, a Junior Library Guild selection, a Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books of 2009 selection, and the #1 pick for Indiebound’s Indie Next list for winter of 2009/2010. He’s also the author of The 13th Reality series. You can find out more about him and his books at www.jamesdashner.com.
- What were your favorite books when you were a teen?
Ender’s Game, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, anything by Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
- What’s on your iPod or CD player?
Everything from opera to Led Zeppelin, Ozzy to Enya. I like variety!
- What do you read in the bathroom?
Ummmmmm. Well, my wife would kill me, but I usually take our Entertainment Weekly in there.
- I gave you twenty questions and asked you to answer seven. Were you tempted to answer all twenty? Why?
No, because I have revisions due! I mean, no, because I like to follow instructions and I want to make you happy.
- Do you use an outline when writing, or just let it flow and write as fast as you can?
I make a simple one or two page outline – more of a bullet point list of the major events of my story. A lot of it comes as I’m writing, but I at least like to have a basic path, and I really like to know how it ends if at all possible. One thing I always, always do is write the first draft straight through without any editing whatsoever. It’s all about creation that first time through.
- If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be? And what kind of a place would you live in?
Oh, so easy! I would definitely live in a castle in Scotland somewhere.
- Are you a sports fan? Who’s your team?
Major sports fan. And I’m very faithful to all the teams I grew up rooting for in Atlanta: Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Georgia Bulldogs.
- Go on, give us some writing advice. You know you want to!
Okay, I guess I can do eight, since you asked so nicely. The best writing advice I can give is to read lots of books, attend every writing conference possible, and write at least a little each and every day. Practice makes perfect (or at least not sucky).
Thanks for playing, James. And since you’re giving me a free book, I’ll try not to hold it against you for being a Braves fan. Go Cubs!
Posted in Daily Writings | 23 Comments »
January 6th, 2010 at 6:07 am
Practice makes perfect (or at least not sucky)
HaHa I love that! Great interview James and Joelle. I’ve heard great things about the book, hope it doesn’t scare you too bad Joelle.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:17 am
his book is awesome – you should read it! and Im not saying that b/c I want a free copy
January 6th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Go James! Can’t wait to read the Maze Runner.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Great interview! I’m looking forward to reading this one.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:32 am
The Maze Runner was a great read. I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read to date. Definitely in my top 10.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I so want to win! I haven’t got my hands on a copy and I’ve been crazy/busy with revisions so I’m looking forward to reading The Maze Runner. James is such a nice guy–thanks for the interview.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Maze Runner was a fantastic read. It is a Must-Buy book. Thanks for the interview.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Fantastic interview! I’ve read the book and loved it. It’s intense, but I think you’ll be able to cope, merely because I survived. I’m a pretty serious wienie. We had to turn off District 9. I was losing it.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Great interview. Makes me feel better about my Entertainment Weekly love
January 6th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I just purchased the book for my library! I can’t wait to read it. However I’d always like my own personal copy for myself…
January 6th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
This is one of my top five favorites of all time! I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know since the day I finished it. Can’t wait for book two!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks to both of you for the interview!
January 8th, 2010 at 3:11 am
I have heard great things about The Maze Runner! Although, I’ve never read it. Fun interview! =)
January 8th, 2010 at 5:22 am
Great interview. I have heard such great things about The Maze Runner and would love to read it!
belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com
January 8th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Great Interview! James is always fun to interview!
I’d love to enter the contest
yabliss AT gmail DOT com
January 8th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Great interview. I’ve heard a lot of good thing about this book.
January 8th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I’ve been wanting to read The Maze Runner!! I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book. Please enter me
January 8th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Great interview! I love learning about authors, likes and dislikes (I’m a Cards fan, sorry!)
The Maze Runner looks great, can’t wait to take a peek!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Dottie
January 9th, 2010 at 5:44 am
THis has been on my TBR pile for a while so would love to win a copy x
January 11th, 2010 at 10:29 am
what a fun interview! I too, would love to living a castle in Scotland (or really a castle anywhere).
I’d love to be entered in the contest. Thanks!
January 14th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Please enter me in the contest! I would love to get my hands on a copy of this book!
January 16th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Aww, that James, what a nice guy. Oh, and a super great writer!
January 18th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Great Interview! I just read the book and could not put it down. Thanks for the great read James and look forward to the next two books.