An accountant turned author, James Dashner is living the dream so many writers strive for. The mastermind behind The Maze Runner trilogy, Dashner continues to give back to the writing community by paying it forward. He is always willing to provide insights on his experiences in the publishing world, but be forewarned, his humorous style may have you forgetting what you asked in the first place. Come along for Dashner’s amazing twist and turn journey.
Your formal college education was in accounting. Please share with us the moment when you felt the desire to write.
It was actually in college when I started dabbling with short stories. But, being practical, I pursued an accounting career. But then I really started hating being an accountant (imagine that!) and worked harder and harder to go full time as a writer. I was finally able to do it in August 2008.
Your road to success is remarkable. What major obstacle did you encounter in getting your first novel and subsequent novels published?
Just like anyone else: getting your work in front of the right people. Also, it took a few years before my writing was up to par and publishable. I went to lots of writer’s conferences.
Like all authors you have had your fair share of rejection letters. You obviously did not let the letters deter you. How did you keep your determination without getting discouraged?
Oh, I always got discouraged. With each and every letter. But they also made me hungrier, and more passionate about wanting to be a success. I just stayed focused on writing good stuff —the kinds of things that I would love to read.
Are you a disciplined writer? Do you work from an outline or a conscious (or sub-conscious) stream of writing? (I say sub-conscious writing, because many brilliant ideas come to us in our sleep).
I’m kind of in-between. I do a very simple one- or two-page synopsis, just to get a path down. But I do a lot of creating as I write.
The Maze Runner released in October 2009 by Random House. For those unfamiliar with your writing, please describe the premise of The Maze Runner, without giving away the ending.
It’s about a group of boys placed in an experiment of sorts set in a future dystopian society. They literally live inside a giant stone maze, running their own community and trying to escape. But when the main character, Thomas, arrives, everything begins to change and they realize that the scope of what’s behind the maze is far bigger than anyone thought.
Please share with us your collaboration process with the illustrator. Did you have the opportunity to hand pick your illustrator for The Maze Runner?
Actually, I wasn’t involved in the process at all. But I have spoken with the artist, Philip Straub, since. I really love the cover.
Did you envision The Maze Runner as a trilogy from the outset?
Almost. When working through the first book, I came up with a cool twist that turned it into a much bigger story.
How long did it take you to write the first draft
of The Maze Runner? Is it the same for each of your manuscripts?
The first draft took about four months, but then I’d been working on it off and on for three years before it found a home. Now that I write under contract and with deadlines, the process is a lot quicker and smoother. And more fun!
In early January 2009 you made mention on your blog http://jamesdashner.blogspot.com of submitting The Maze Runner to foreign and film rights agents. Any news on this front?
Yes! We’ve now sold in seven markets: Russian, French, Chinese, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, and the UK. There is definite film interest, but no deals yet.
Please describe to us your relationship between you and your editor. What makes an author/editor relationship a success?
I love and worship my editors, Krista Marino for The Maze Runner and Lisa Mangum for The 13th Reality. Quite honestly, I trust them both implicitly and almost never push back on anything. I’m a very lucky author.
Are your school visits specifically designed to the particular school’s needs, or do you stay with your own format? Describe a typical visit.
I usually just do a quick story building exercise and then answer questions. My main goal is to make the kids laugh, help them realize reading and writing can be fun, and then hit them with the message that they can’t ever give up on their dreams. But, mainly, I just try to make them laugh so they don’t fall asleep on me!
What advice would you give to a new writer?
Write every day, go to writer’s conferences as much as possible, network while there, and read, read, read.
At your blog you encourage readers to ask questions. Why do you feel it is important to provide this wonderful opportunity?
So many authors helped me along the way. I’ve set a goal to pay it forward and never forget what it was like to be battling for a break.
What is next for you in your exiting writing career?
I had a national eight-city tour in October, and then I’ll begin revisions on Book 2 of The Maze Runner and start writing Book 3, the final one. I’m having way too much fun!
Visit James Dashner at:
http://www.themazerunner.com
http://www.jamesdashner.com
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