Erich w/ an h
asked
David Wong:
With the upcoming 10th anniversary JDatE book having new content, is it easy for you to revisit characters in the context of an older story? Or do you find it easier to write their character development into a new plot? And do you have any future plans to revisit your other novels with extra stuff when the time comes?
David Wong
Nothing has been added to the story!!!! This is not a Star Wars Special Edition situation, this is just new commentary from the characters added as a new introduction and afterword, from their perspective ten years after the events. (here's the new edition being discussed, up for pre-order now: https://www.amazon.com/John-Dies-End-...)
But in terms of the larger question, remember I have to do this every time I come back and do a sequel, I'm having to do it now for the FVaFS sequel I'm finishing right now - and yes it is a challenge getting yourself back into that world and the mindset of the characters. That's actually one reason I never pick up events immediately after the last story, but allow some time to pass. That way I'm not trying to recapture the exact thing everyone was thinking and saying in that moment, but am picking up the characters after they themselves have had a little time to change/mature etc. I figure if I'm not the same person I was when I wrote it, they they shouldn't be exactly the same people, either.
But in terms of the larger question, remember I have to do this every time I come back and do a sequel, I'm having to do it now for the FVaFS sequel I'm finishing right now - and yes it is a challenge getting yourself back into that world and the mindset of the characters. That's actually one reason I never pick up events immediately after the last story, but allow some time to pass. That way I'm not trying to recapture the exact thing everyone was thinking and saying in that moment, but am picking up the characters after they themselves have had a little time to change/mature etc. I figure if I'm not the same person I was when I wrote it, they they shouldn't be exactly the same people, either.
More Answered Questions
Alexandra Murphy
asked
David Wong:
First of all, thank you. For your sense of humor, your writing style, your characters, your responses to FAQs, your Cracked articles, your hilarious Animal Crossing tweets, and, most importantly, for continuing to write new books! Secondly, do you have any book recommendations? Horror-comedy or otherwise? I'm always told it's a good idea to read your favorite author's favorite books, so what or who do you recommend?
Anna
asked
David Wong:
Hi David! While I was discussing JDATE and TBIFOS with a friend (we're both writers so we were analyzing the books in that mindset) and he said "I dream that one day I will be able to control the delicate yo yo of audience tension as effectively as david wong." So I would like to ask: how DO you build tension and suspense so well? And do you have any advice on that for aspiring writers?
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