Ask the Author: Ben Mezrich
Answered Questions (13)
Ben Mezrich
I've always been obsessed with ancient cultures, the pyramids, and the Sphinx. Coincidentally, I was on the phone with director Brett Ratner and he asked me if I knew anything about the Seven Wonders of the world. From there, this book actually started as a movie pitch- we are making a trilogy of films with Fox, a sort of new take on Indiana Jones. Was an awesome experience writing and researching! I hope to write many more!
Ben Mezrich
Actually the x-files people came to me and tried to hire me to write for the show. I didn't want to move to la or Vancouver, so I offered to write a stand alone novel, as part of their book series. Was a very fun project to do!
Ben Mezrich
Oh yes I was everywhere I could go. I love diving into stories, trying to live like my characters! I really wanted to be Indiana Jones most of my life, with this book I got to take my shot.
Ben Mezrich
I got really deep into some of the Seven Wonders of the world. I was especially fascinated by the story behind the Taj Mahal- it's this incredible love story with a horrifying vicious twist. A great mogul king built it for the love of his life, employing 20,000 of the most talented craftsmen of his time. He then gathered the 20,000 craftsman and cut off all their hands, so they could never build anything as beautiful again. That story definitely stuck with me!
Ben Mezrich
I've always wanted to write an Indian Jones style thriller, really I fell into nonfiction by accident when I met the MIT blackjack kids and started going to Vegas with them. So when this opportunity came up- when Brett Ratner, the Hollywood director asked me if I knew anything about the seven wonders of the world- I jumped at the chance of doing a big fiction thriller!
Ben Mezrich
Seven wonders started with a call from Brett Ratner! He wanted to do a big movie about the seven wonders of the world, so from there I developed the story and the characters!
Ben Mezrich
My super hot wife inspires me. Also my kids because they are so damn expensive :). Really I am one of those people who simply needs to write. When I don't write I get irritable, shaky, I don't know what to do with myself. Which is funny because when I'm writing I'm miserable, it's so damn awful to just sit and write for hours on end. But that's what I am here for.
Ben Mezrich
Seven Wonders is my everything right now! I am preparing book two in the cycle! And we are gonna make the movie!
Ben Mezrich
Write every day, not by hours but by page number. Say you will write 4 pages a day and stick to it. Write what you like to read. If you want to make a living at it, write cinematically, write visually, and make it at least a little commercial. When you have finished a book, try and get an agent, they still hold the keys to the city.
Ben Mezrich
Seeing your book in a bookstore! Seeing someone reading it on the beach. Seeing it on a movie poster. Watching my 4 year old picking up a copy at a bookstore and asking if this is my book. Finishing a book and realizing the story worked. Hearing a story for the first time and getting that spike of excitement because you know it would make a killer book. So many things!
Ben Mezrich
I used to drink jack Daniels but I learned that was not a great way to break through. Now I have tricks that I use. Writers block is usually your mind refusing to continue going down a path that isn't working. Erase the last paragraph or even chapter you wrote and go from there. Also never stop writing at the end of a chapter, stop in the middle so the next day you start write up- sometimes I stop right in the middle of a sentence!
Ben Mezrich
Seven Wonders will be a movie, Brett Ratner and Beau Flynn are making it with 20th century fox! I think there are a lot of great young actors that could play the part. I love Leonardo dicaprio, zac effron, Chris pine, and many others! So many young actors- the kid from divergent, rob pattinson, any of them would be great!
Ben Mezrich
I think there is a common thread- I like to write about brilliant people who often take extreme risks, either because they love the adrenalin rush that comes with risk, or because they want to do something special and huge. I'm intrigued by characters that live in the grey area between right and wrong!
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