Ask the Author: Ben Philippe
Answered Questions (15)
Ben Philippe
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Ben Philippe
Hi there, Tj!
Thank you for the kind words... Yikes, it has been a few years now, hasn't it? Oi. Time. I still want to be 27 and living in the halls of Anderson High. Alas.
Unfortunately, a book sequel isn't coming. Norris and the gang will be okay without us watching. (I say this as someone who spends a weird amount of time thinking about Liam!)
I'm currently working on my next YA novel, and it's a whole new set of characters. (This one's a murder mystery. *skedaddles*) Hopefully, people will respond to them as much as they did Norris, Maddie, and the gang. If you thought Norris was prone to mistakes that make situations worse... oh boy.
Not to deal in false hopes, but I did manage to become a TV writer along the way. That's been pretty cool. One day, I'll finally pitch FIELD GUIDE to someone interested in making it into a show. That day hasn't come yet, sadly! That pesky Black teen market, amirite. 🫠
Thank you for the kind words... Yikes, it has been a few years now, hasn't it? Oi. Time. I still want to be 27 and living in the halls of Anderson High. Alas.
Unfortunately, a book sequel isn't coming. Norris and the gang will be okay without us watching. (I say this as someone who spends a weird amount of time thinking about Liam!)
I'm currently working on my next YA novel, and it's a whole new set of characters. (This one's a murder mystery. *skedaddles*) Hopefully, people will respond to them as much as they did Norris, Maddie, and the gang. If you thought Norris was prone to mistakes that make situations worse... oh boy.
Not to deal in false hopes, but I did manage to become a TV writer along the way. That's been pretty cool. One day, I'll finally pitch FIELD GUIDE to someone interested in making it into a show. That day hasn't come yet, sadly! That pesky Black teen market, amirite. 🫠
Ben Philippe
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Ben Philippe
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Ben Philippe
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Ben Philippe
Thank you! That's so nice. Still no plans yet, unfortunately. I think I'm more drawn to new settings and characters as opposed to extended universes? They always fit a bit awkwardly for me when it comes to coming-of-age stories. But if it were to ever happen, that would be the premise and, yes, I do love the idea of glue-of-the-family Maddie having to deal with her parents' divorce and getting pulled to all sides with Norris as a...well, that would be telling. :)
Ben Philippe
Ha! No and no. Water under the bridge by now; no one is at their best at 26 years of age.
I wish him [ insert whatever makes me sound mature and wise and above it all but, god, throwing those eggs would have felt so good in 2015. Bah! ]
I wish him [ insert whatever makes me sound mature and wise and above it all but, god, throwing those eggs would have felt so good in 2015. Bah! ]
Ben Philippe
Unfortunately, still no sequel in the works, ha. I'm starting to think it might be best to start answering this question with a question:
...What would you like to see in a sequel to FIELD GUIDE? :) 😁
I'm genuinely curious!!
...What would you like to see in a sequel to FIELD GUIDE? :) 😁
I'm genuinely curious!!
Ben Philippe
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Ben Philippe
Ha. Not a real question BUT since I alternate between gossamer self-confidence and the ego of a true megalomaniac, I will accept this very kind compliment. Thank you. :)
Ben Philippe
Hi, Ayat!
Hmm.... no. Nothing planned at the moment.
A) I kind of painted myself into this corner with that dang epilogue
B) I also think Halti and Corinne's stories are over for now. I don't have much to add... These kids will be all right.
(Mind you, if it becomes a bestseller and they offer me a grotesque amount of $, I always thought the story would read pretty differently from Corinne's perspective... 'Intense As A Compliment'? IDK. Nothing in the works. I just love writing Corinne.)
Hmm.... no. Nothing planned at the moment.
A) I kind of painted myself into this corner with that dang epilogue
B) I also think Halti and Corinne's stories are over for now. I don't have much to add... These kids will be all right.
(Mind you, if it becomes a bestseller and they offer me a grotesque amount of $, I always thought the story would read pretty differently from Corinne's perspective... 'Intense As A Compliment'? IDK. Nothing in the works. I just love writing Corinne.)
Ben Philippe
No such animal.
Eugenides' 'THE VIRGIN SUICIDES' is very high up there for me but on a different day, it will be something else entirely. 'ANIMAL FARM' was my first favorite book ever, I remember that much... Taylor Reid Jenkins is probably my favorite author these days and Samantha Irby is the funniest essay writer alive, period.
If we're including graphic novels: Warren Ellis' 'PLANETARY' or Brian K Vaughan's 'SAGA' are just phenomenal. Ooh, Agatha Christie's 'AND THEN THERE WERE NONE' is a perfect thriller. Favorite sci-fi is maybe 'THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM' by Liu Cixin.
...Hard question!
Eugenides' 'THE VIRGIN SUICIDES' is very high up there for me but on a different day, it will be something else entirely. 'ANIMAL FARM' was my first favorite book ever, I remember that much... Taylor Reid Jenkins is probably my favorite author these days and Samantha Irby is the funniest essay writer alive, period.
If we're including graphic novels: Warren Ellis' 'PLANETARY' or Brian K Vaughan's 'SAGA' are just phenomenal. Ooh, Agatha Christie's 'AND THEN THERE WERE NONE' is a perfect thriller. Favorite sci-fi is maybe 'THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM' by Liu Cixin.
...Hard question!
Ben Philippe
Thanks for the kind words! There are no sequels planned at the moment.
Although, I do love these messed up kids. Norris was just one more person with baggage walking into Anderson High: they all have their own equally messy lives in my head. In a perfect world, a sequel would focus on one of these other characters with NK as a supporting character. Be it the cheerleader ready to be a little selfish, the manic pixie with a reputation, or Liam, who is low-key my favorite. Meredith & Pat have a whole thing, too. There's a notebook somewhere...
Anyway, no official sequel at the moment, ha. Ask me again in a few years?
Although, I do love these messed up kids. Norris was just one more person with baggage walking into Anderson High: they all have their own equally messy lives in my head. In a perfect world, a sequel would focus on one of these other characters with NK as a supporting character. Be it the cheerleader ready to be a little selfish, the manic pixie with a reputation, or Liam, who is low-key my favorite. Meredith & Pat have a whole thing, too. There's a notebook somewhere...
Anyway, no official sequel at the moment, ha. Ask me again in a few years?
Ben Philippe
Hi, Victoria! Thank you! That's high praise to a TV addict and screenwriter.
Err... that has shockingly very little to do with me? Nothing in the works at this point, but I'm sure you'll hear the shriek of giddiness from Harlem if anything on that front ever does happen. I'd be thrilled!
Err... that has shockingly very little to do with me? Nothing in the works at this point, but I'm sure you'll hear the shriek of giddiness from Harlem if anything on that front ever does happen. I'd be thrilled!
Ben Philippe
Hi, Dawn. Thanks for the kind words!
I lived in Austin for 3 years and produced roughly 200 gallons of sweat in that time. My apartment's AC was kept at 68 degrees the entire time. There are many things I've learned to love about the 512 (the comedy scene, Chicken $#*! Bingo, Alamo Drafthouses) but the weather isn't one of them. :)
I lived in Austin for 3 years and produced roughly 200 gallons of sweat in that time. My apartment's AC was kept at 68 degrees the entire time. There are many things I've learned to love about the 512 (the comedy scene, Chicken $#*! Bingo, Alamo Drafthouses) but the weather isn't one of them. :)
Ben Philippe
All your life you're told to stop being in your head so much. To go play with the other kids; to speak up in class; to join clubs. It's good advice, but to be honest, I was always happy in my head? It was a good time.
The best part of being a writer is that no one tells you to stop spending time in there anymore. Instead, people start asking you what's happening in there and you even get to share a bit of it with the world, which is pretty cool.
The best part of being a writer is that no one tells you to stop spending time in there anymore. Instead, people start asking you what's happening in there and you even get to share a bit of it with the world, which is pretty cool.
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