Ask Jay and R.J.!

[Gabrielle]

Did either of you--Jay or RJ-- did either of you think of suicide ever or were you ever bullied like the characters in your stories?

[[deleted user]]

Hi R.J! I loved your book Wonder! And i'm wondering if you will be making a sequel to the great book Wonder? I also have another question about Wonder, what inspired you to write that book?

Thanks

[Karen]

Hi!!! Thanks for doing this!! Jay: Why did you write 13 reason, why?

[Kirstin]

What inspired you to write 13 reasons why? That book was amazing I never wanted to put it down.

[Madison]

Hi, I'm Madison. I've read both of Mr. Asher's books, and now I plan on reading Wonder. My question is for Mr. Asher: Some authors like to connect their books in subtle ways, nothing plot-changing, just enough to show the books take place in the same universe. Could you imagine connecting Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us in this way with another novel? Or do you consider them totally separate?

[Janelle]

Hello, Jay. I am a middle school language arts teacher, and one of my students actually recommended your book 13 Reasons Why to me last spring. As soon as I knew what it was a bout, I purchased it right away and read it that evening. My question is:

Where did you get the idea for the book? Was it from something that happened in real life with someone you know? Or was it a creative idea that just came to you?

Thanks for your time!

[Sharefah]

hi ! I've read both of thirteen reasons why and the future of us recently . 13 reasons why was just sooo perfect for words I just wanted to know what inspired you to write it ? and as for the future of us i wanted to ask if you are going to write a sequel ? i would love love love to read more about emma and josh if not i wanted to know what exactly how they found facebook at that time ? and also will josh and emma stay together later on ? and thank you sooo much for giving us the chance to ask you questions and thank you for taking time and answering them too !

[Sharefah]

and why exactly did you choose to write 13 reasons why from a girl's perspective rather than a boy's perspective ?

[Danielle]

I read thirteen reasons why and it really touched me and REALLY made me think of all the little things that I do everyday and how it effects everyone around me. Hannah's story really touched me and I loved the ending how Clay decided he would help saving someone that may be going through the same things that Hannah went through.
This may be a little personal but was there suicidal activity from someone you know and thats what made you want to write this story? to inform people to be aware of their actions and how much sucide effects people?
Danielle

[Jane]

Hello there! I'm a young aspiring writer and avid reader. I'm always curious about the writing process of other writers and the advice they would give to a high school student writer like myself. What is your favorite/the most effective thing about your writing process? What is the advice you wish someone had given you early in your writing career?
Thanks so much!

[L]

Hi. My name is Jade and I am now currently a ninth grader. For a while I've wanted to know, what is it like when you write books like these. Do you ever stop and have to take a breath after attempting to place yourself in that scene?

[Becky]

I loved the Future of Us, if you had the chance to look at your future self on Facebook, would you do it? And do you think you would like what you saw, or would you want to try and change it?
I think I would be very tempted to look but worried about what I would find, or that things would change in the mean-time so what I saw never came true. I wouldn't want to be disappointed. So I don't think I would look.

[Hn]

Hi! I have read 13 Reasons Why and loved and I'm looking foward to read The future of Us. You are amazing!
What you do when you have some block to write?
Any tips to avoid them?
Thank you!

[Allison]

Hi, I'm Allison. I am an 8th grade student, and read Wonder(My whole school actually read it together! We even celebrated Auggie's birthday at lunch!). Your book is AMAZING! I love the ending; For those of you who haven't read this book, READ IT. It's worth a million bucks. A few other things. Via reminds me of my brother. The way she didn't see how different August was from others at first was not surprising.

Since I was about 4 1/2, my family has known I have Epilepsy. Even though it is a very common, few people know about it. To add on to that, I have scaring in my memory region of my brain. That is what causes my seizures. I am also very tall, ever since I was a kid. Plus, I have a bigger lower jaw that I have to have jaw surgery on, when I'm 16 or 18. This has always seperated me from others. I was never the best at academics.

My brother has been like my best friend since I was a baby. He's 5 years older than me, and is very protective and ferocious of myself. We played video games since I was old enough to hold the controller(4). No matter what happened, we stuck together. My brother means the world to me. I didn't have real friends until 5th grade because I was very shy and rather be playing basketball with the guys. I knew that I was different, but I didn't care about the others who didn't like me. I am who I am, and I'm proud to be me.

I know this probably wasting your time on more important things, but I was curious. Why didn't you do Amos's Point Of View in Wonder? His POV shows the view of being friends with Julian, the supposedly "popular" kid in school.

I really don't get how people be so mean to people with a diagnosis they can't help. How would you feel if you had an episode or others saw your face and people ignored you because they thought you were a diease? Auggie was left out because of something he couldn't help but have. It's all in the genes. But what could you do as someone appointed as "normal?" If you are different, and many events happen to you, it's all going to be helpful for you in the future. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. A song by Kelly Clarkson that relates to this is What Doesn't Kill You/Stronger. Words can't explain how happy I am to have read your book. I always wanted to be a writer. You are one of the most fantastic authors out there. Thank you for your time, R.J. Palacio.

[Tiffani]

Hi, my name is Tiffani. I don't have a question, just comment. I really loved 13 Reasons Why. One of the aspects of the book that I thought was particularly good was that you wrote about slights big and small. It made me think about the cumulative effect of how we treat one another. Snapping at someone may be insignificant by itself, but you never know how much that person has already endured. Anyway I thought it was a great book. Thanks for writing it.

[PlatonicFern]

Hello! I am Kharo! Very pleased to meet you!
I'm fourteen. I've read your book The Future of Us and pretty soon shall read Thirteen Reasons Why.
I'm excited for it, yes!

[[deleted user]]

What advice would you give to someone who has writers block/ a lack of inspiration?

[Reilly]

My students ADORE Wonder. Many often ask if there will be a sequel, perhaps even from Julian's POV? Thank you for writing such a beautiful book!

[Heenal]

Hi Mr. Asher! I've read both 13 Reasons Why and The Future of Us. I loved them both! I love your books and writing style! I had a question about 13 Reasons Why. I've heard a lot of rumours about the movie. Can you tell us anything about the movie specifically? If not, that's fine. But, can you at least confirm that there will be a movie? Thank you so much! And I hope you keep on writing even more amazing books! :)

[Helena]

Hi! My name is Dawn, and I was wondering if you had any advice or comments for aspiring writers based on your personal experiences. Thanks! :)

[[deleted user]]

Corina wrote: "If you would have know Amanda Todd, the 15 year girl who commited suicide after being constantly cyber bullied, what would you have said to her?"

I would have told her that I was sorry for what had happened to her and that there is many peopel who care!WBU?

[Lucy]

Hello, Jay, I'm a grade 8 girl and i did thoroughly enjoy thirteen reasons why, i do consider myself a very strong reader...would I enjoy The Future Of Us??? What is it really about?

Also, where did you get your inspiration for 13 reasons why??? (if you dont mind my asking)

[[deleted user]]

Hi,my name is Jawaria! I know it's an unusual name but, hey! I'm still human, right?? Anyway I've read '13 reasons why'. It was a great book! I just wanted to ask are you going to make any more books?

[Noa]

Hello!
I am in 6th grade and for my summer reading project, I read Wonder. I really enjoyed it. I was wondering if you have had some connection in your life to anyone with any kind of facial deformity and what moved you to write a book about it? I'd love it if you could answer me! Thanks!
-Noa Pearl

[Tayo]

Hi im Tayo, im in 8th grade and my question is for Jay Asher on 13 Reasons Why. Who inspired you to write that book? I loved it ad it made me starting asking everyone everyday "how are you" because your booktaught me the difference it could make in someone's life.

[Rosemarie]

I don't have a question, but I would like to see WONDER required reading in classrooms! Loved the book....thank you for writing this story, R.J.!

[Kerbi]

Howdy my name is Kerbi! Jay, for your book Thirteen Reasons Why, how did you come up with the idea for the story? Thanks!

[Ruth]

Omgosh!
so im reading The Kill Order right now(!)and im really curious as to why the first couple of chaptures have nothing to do with any of the kids from the other books! i love you both and i was wondering where you got these ideas from! and if you had a period in time where you just stoped writing and couldnt think of anything to put in these amazing stories! im going through one myself, and school really doesnt help, i have the issue of only being about to write what i write, and that doesnt sit well with my English teacher, was that ever a problem with you guys??

Many thanks and cant wait to read your books!
~Ruthie>;{P

[King]

Hello, my name is Kingpee and I have a question for Mr. Jay Asher. Would you consider making a sequel out of Thirteen Reasons Why? Like a story that continues where Skye and Clay left off their story from Thirteen Reasons Why? One more question I have for Mr. Asher, what book are you planning to release in the future? I mean what genre, would you consider writing a book with a Dystopian type of genre? Like Hunger Games-ish type of book?

That's all. Thanks in advance for the future response. Will be looking forward to your future works, Mr. Asher.

Kingpee R

[Jessica]

My name is Jess, I'm a children's/teen bookseller at B&N and a YA writer.

Jay: In both your books, there was an element of using "old" technology to keep the book from being dated. As a writer, I found this a fascinating idea. In the end notes to 13 REASONS, you explain a bit about why you used cassettes; can you talk about how the 'historical' setting worked in FUTURE OF US?

R.J.: What influenced the decision to write WONDER from multiple points of view? I confess that was an aspect of the book I didn't really enjoy--I almost stopped in the middle except that friends told me Auggie came back as the narrator. So I finished and am very happy I did; I thought it was lovely, and I handsell it often. But in the middle I was confused. Even in MG, switching first-person narration is often an unusual move these days, so I'm curious what went into the choice to include it.

[[deleted user]]

Jay, what inspired you to write 13 Reasons Why? I loved it and it's dark twist but how did it occur to you to write about a teenager who killed herself and left recordings for people to hear?

[Mahmoud]

what inspired you to write "the future of us" and how did you get the idea of the collaboration in writing?

[§♫♪♥Delaney♥♪♫§ Wants To Help]

Hello, my name is Delaney I am a 13 year old teenage girl. I want to be an author. It's been my life long dream. I have wrote a lot of books already but have no idea on how to get them published. I was hoping you guys may have some tips.

I also have another question but just for Jay. I was wandering about when you wrote Thirteen Reaons Why, if you based it on something that has happened to you in your life or to a friend you know? I love the book so much.

Thanks you.

[Isabelle]

R.J. Palacio- Will you write a sequel to Wonder?

Jay Asher- How did you even begun to think of the idea for The Future of Us?

[Mikala]

Hey Jay i have read both The Future of Us and Th1rteen R3asons Why, and I was just wondering what led you to the idea for Th1rteen R3asons Why. Did you know someone who committed suicide ?

[Maria]

Hello :) My name is Maria, I am a ninth grader/Freshman/whatever you wanna call it. I read your book "Thirteen Reasons Why" in seventh grade and it seriously changed my outlook on life. I listened to every tape as I read, the whole ordeal. It really inspired me to start writing my own stuff, along with my family's encouragement, instead of little fanfictions I wrote when I had spare time. I've always had this dream to be a writer and write my own books. When you were writing "Thirteen Reasons Why", how did you come up with a way to write such depth and ideas in a way that is so beautiful? Was this book a spontaneous idea, or did it take time to come to you? And most of all, how did you come up with the personalities, looks, ideals and beliefs of all your characters? Thank you, I would truly appreciate it if you responded. I love you and your books, and hope to hear more and read more from you soon! :D

[Angie]

R.J., my 11 year old son and I loved your book! He would like to know why you decided to write about a boy with a syndrome instead of a boy who had been homeschooled for other reasons? He also was curious if you have a family member who looks different?

[Tess]

Hello all! My questions are for Asher. Love both of your novels.
What did you think of co-writing with someone? What are its advantages? Disadvantages?

And finally, what advice do you have for young authors?

Thank you so much,
Tess

[Camille]

Hello, my name is Camille, a 16 year old from the Philippines who had read Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us. I'm also planning to read Wonder anytime now, so keep up the good work and continue making great books.
MARAMING SALAMAT!!! (thank you very much!)

[FaFa]

Hey, I've got two question that I've always wondered. How did you start writing about the book The Future of us and how did you devolop the idea?

[Kelsey]

Hello! Jay Asher you one of my favorite writers of all time. I have a quick question, what made you want to become an Author... i'm in high school and i've always wanted to write a book.

[Shahriary's Class]

Hi, we're a fourth grade class in Irving, Texas. We LOVED reading Wonder. We were wondering if Wonder is based on a true story and is August real? If the book wasn't real, how did you come up with the story? Do you know anyone who is like August? Will you make another book about August's life? Would you consider yourself more like Summer, Jack, August, or Julian?

[Luana]

Hi!Jay Asher, what made you write "13 reason, why" ?

[Clare]

R.J., I just wanted to let you know I'm including your incredible book Wonder in my promotional tour for www.GoodReadingGuide.com, it's an outstanding story for children, teens and adults, and is highly recommended on our site. Thanks so much for writing it, I wish I could meet you in person! Clare

[Raina]

RJ- how did you come up with the idea of wonder?

[Michelle]

Hello! I am a school librarian at a private school with grades 1st-12th. All of my students learn differently; they have reading and/or learning challenges (dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, etc).

Mr. Asher's books are always easy to "sell" to my high school students. Currently, both books, Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us are checked out!

I also have Wonder by R. J. Palacio and it is also checked out. One of my 4/5 grade teachers is reading it to her class. The students have been talking to me about it and they can't wait to hear more each day!

Thank you both for writing such wonderful books that grab students interests and give them "reasons" to want to read when many of them struggle with reading.

[Suzanne]

Reading Wonder to my fourth graders has been amazing. We're not done yet, but they are thoroughly engrossed. I am wondering how you came up with the characters. They are all so very interesting and complicated and most grow so much in the process of the story. We have "Choose Kind" in graffiti on our classroom wall, thanks to you.

[Andrea]

Hi there! My name's Andrea, and I'm a 7th grader who is a BIG fan of Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us. Actually, I read both when I was in 6th grade. I just entered 7th here in my country, so I didn't exactly have a chance to ask until this came along. So thank you for that. My question for Thirteen Reasons Why is this: Why cassettes? What inspired you to use cassettes as Hannah's guiding voice? Why did you not just do a regular suicide story, where the suicideee just left a death note, and that's it? It's interesting really, as this is the first time I've ever seen the dead WANTING anyone to see their side. Also, what is the significance of 13 in the book? Many see this as bad luck, and the same may probably be seen by the number of cassettes Hannah leaves. So why?
As for The Future of Us, why did you choose to place this in the past, and why Facebook? Not that I'm biased against Facebook, but there are other social networks as well that could've fit. Also, why did you decide to use two regular teenage high school students? Why not kids? Adults?

[[deleted user]]

Andrea wrote: "Hi there! My name's Andrea, and I'm a 7th grader who is a BIG fan of Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us. Actually, I read both when I was in 6th grade. I just entered 7th here in my country,..."

I know a lot of people say that 13 is an unlucky number, but my sister was born on the thirteen and she probably has the most luck in the family. 13 is just another number that people named unlucky because they were bored and had nothing to do.:D

[Liana]

Hi Jay! i really thoroughly enjoyed "thirteen reasons why"... so i was just wondering, did you ever know someone like Hannah Baker in real life? What made you want to write about a girl who committed suicide? Also, while you are writing, what is your life like around you? Do u go through a certain emotional routine when starting a new book? thanks. Sincerely, a fan(: