David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion
Author Q&A
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Jonathan Maberry (Author of the Benny Imura series) Q&A Event--June 22-25th
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If you were going on a trip and could only pack three items( not including food). What three items would you bring and why?
Jenny wrote: "Did you get to bodyguard for anyone famous?Tell us a book (or two) that you think is amazing, a 5 star read, but deserves way more love than it gets."
I did but bodyguards don't disclose names. It's a combination of non-disclosure agreements and good manners. Short answer: you've heard of them, and they didn't die. Happy ending for everyone.
David wrote: "I've got another question: Were you a zombie-fanatic as a kid, too? Or did you get into zombies later in life?"I got hooked on zombies when I was ten. A buddy of mine and I snuck into the Midway Theater in Philadelphia to see the world premiere of Night of the Living Dead. Oct 2, 1968. Been a fan ever since.
Sherrie wrote: "If you were going on a trip and could only pack three items( not including food). What three items would you bring and why?"My eBook reader (it's crammed with thousands of books), swim trunks (because I swim every day), and a my cell phone (it has a GPS, a camera, and a other nifty stuff. I almost never use it to make calls)
You can't drop any names for who you've body guarded. I respect that, so just answer this simple question: Will sheeeeeee eeeyeeeee always love youuuuu?
Jonathan wrote: "David wrote: "I've got another question: Were you a zombie-fanatic as a kid, too? Or did you get into zombies later in life?"I got hooked on zombies when I was ten. A buddy of mine and I snuck i..."
I bet that was one of the best nights of your life :-)
Have a wonderful night. I enjoyed chatting with you today :-)
Melissa wrote: "Have a wonderful night. I enjoyed chatting with you today :-)"See you tomorrow!
Melissa wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "David wrote: "I've got another question: Were you a zombie-fanatic as a kid, too? Or did you get into zombies later in life?"I got hooked on zombies when I was ten. A buddy of m..."
My friend freaked out and left halfway through. I stayed to see it twice. And I've since become friends with some of the actors and the two scriptwriters --John Russo and George Romero.
Jonathan wrote: "My friend freaked out and left halfway through. I stayed to see it twice. And I've since become friends with some of the actors and the two scriptwriters --John Russo and George Romero."DUUUUDE! I highly doubt my zombie fandom is equal to yours, but becoming friends with Romero for you would be like me, a giant comics fan, becoming friends with Will Eisner.
That's got to feel awesome haha.
I would have given a lot to have met Will Eisner. The Spirit is one of my favorite comics of all time.
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Tell us a book (or two) that you think is amazing, a 5 star read, but deserves way more love than it gets."
I did but bodyguards don't di..."
So cool! I didn't think you'd get to tell us who of course ;) But still cool!!
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*SNORTING*
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My eBook reader (it's crammed with thousands of books),..."
I agree, have to have my iPhone! It also has all my ebooks on it, too, plus some audiobooks, so I'd be all set there! What did we ever do before smart phones?? It wasn't that long ago, but its hard to imagine life without them now!
There's a whole lot less romance in the bodyguard trade that movies would suggest. Mostly it's sweaty rock and rollers.
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Jonathan wrote: "I would have given a lot to have met Will Eisner. The Spirit is one of my favorite comics of all time."*High Five*
I've read comics I've enjoyed more, but Eisner is one of those artists that influence a field in such a profound way that they almost become more than just a person. Like part of the art form itself. It'd be hard to be a fan of comics and not want to meet the man.
Much like Romero to zombies :)
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Favorite food?
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The "warrior smart" was one of my favorite themes throughout the Rot & Ruin series. I now see where it comes from. I assume you used to teach this to your students?
*On my phone, can't bold.Hi Jonathan, thanks for joining us!
1. If you could pitch Rot and Ruin in 50 words, what would you say?
2. What single thing are you most proud of about your series?
Jenny wrote: " If you got stuck in a day of your life, repeating it over and over again (like Groundhog's Day), which day would you pick?"The day I proposed to my wife. One of the most perfect days ever, from beginning to end.
Karen wrote: "Besides bodyguarding, what was your day job before your writing career took off? Or maybe there were no other day jobs. ;) "Most of my adult life I spent teaching martial arts, including 14 years teach at Temple University (Martial Arts History, Women's Self-defense, and Jujutsu). Then I worked as a graphic artist in a law firm, making evidence posters and models for medical malpractice cases. My last job before becoming a full-time author was running The Writers Room of Bucks County, a small writers education center in Pennsylvania; and I worked nights and weekends teaching proper arrest & control workshops to law enforcement officers so that they did not overreact and injure suspects.
Karen wrote: "Any dogs or cats?Favorite food?"
Sara Jo and I have a 4-year old rescue dog named Rosie. She's half Cavalier King Charles and half Rat Terrier. She's a total love bug.
Favorite food --coffee and chocolate.
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The day I proposed to my wife. One of the most perfect da..."
Awww :)
Daniel wrote: "*On my phone, can't bold.Hi Jonathan, thanks for joining us!
1. If you could pitch Rot and Ruin in 50 words, what would you say?
2. What single thing are you most proud of about your series?"
1: Rot & Ruin is about growing up fourteen years after the zombie apocalypse and discovering what it means to be ‘human’. It’s a story of hope, horror, love, adventure, friendship and family.
2: I'm most proud of the fact that Rot & Ruin has won so many awards across the country for books that encourage reluctant readers to read. It's won many statewide awards chosen by school kids. And I've heard from so many teachers, librarians, parents and kids that those books made reading fun. So...yeah, that makes me feel ten feet tall.
what was your inspiration for the rot and ruin series?
Did you always know it was going to be a series of books instead of a stand alone.
Why did you choose to write Young Adult?
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and I'm intrigued! Alien monsters (bugs)! My 10 1/2 year old grandson might like this one! Oh, who am I trying to kid, I'D like this one!! ;) But I'll share!
Is The Nightsiders a trilogy or a dualogy! And why alien monsters?
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Jeremy Renner isn't handsome enough. (Sorry, Jeremy!) Thomas Jane, yea. I think I was thinking of more of a John Cena type too. Sean Bean for older Joe!!
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"2: I'm most proud of the fact that Rot & Ruin has won so many awards across the country for books that encourage reluctant readers to read. It's won many statewide awards chosen by school kids. And I've heard from so many teachers, librarians, parents and kids that those books made reading fun. So...yeah, that makes me feel ten feet tall. "
Well done! Rot & Ruin has given my nephew and I a shared bond! He's now reading
and he's not really much of a reader so I'm thrilled! He constantly puruses my bookshelves now looking for his next books to read.
Alison wrote: " what was your inspiration for the rot and ruin series? "I've had a bunch of characters and themes banging around in my bead for years. Then an editor friend invited me to contribute a novella to an anthology of zombie stories aimed for adult readers. He asked me to do something outside of my normal wheelhouse. At that point I hadn't yet written anything post-apocalyptic and I hadn't written from a teen's perspective. I wrote the story, "The Family Business", which became very popular. My agent asked if she could take the novella and shop it as the opening to a full novel. I agreed and she sold it very quickly. When I spoke with the purchasing editor he asked me what the full story might be. After listening he expanded the deal to include four volumes. We're adding a fifth, BITS & PIECES, a short story collection, in September and I may continue the series later.
Karen wrote: "I just listened to a sample of and I'm intrigued! Alien monsters (bugs)! My 10 1/2 year old grandson might like this one! Oh, who am I trying to kid, I'D lik..."
The Nightsiders is planned as an ongoing series. I've already finished the second, VAULT OF SHADOWS, and am plotting out the new few books.
Alison wrote: " Did you always know it was going to be a series of books instead of a stand alone. "Once I agreed to expand the original story into a novel it became clear that one book wouldn't tell the story. So far there are four novels, a collection of short stories (due 9/22), and a graphic novel, ROT & RUIN: WARRIOR SMART, which is set between books 2 and 3
Karen wrote: "I know you travel all the time to events all over the place. What's your upcoming schedule? But most important, are you going to be back in Arizona next year? "My schedule changes all the time. I know I'll be at San Diego Comic Con, Star City Comic Con in Houston, DragonCon in Atlanta, The Writers Digest Annual Conference in NYC, Lucca Comics and Games in Tuscany, Central Coast Writers Conference in San Lui Obispo, and a few others. I'll have the updated list on my website soon: www.jonathanmaberry.com
Do you plot out your books ahead of time or make up the story as you go? What's your favorite part about writing?
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Jenny wrote: "If you could sit down and chat with anyone (living or dead) who would you pick?"Charles Dickens, without a doubt.
Arianna wrote: "Do you plot out your books ahead of time or make up the story as you go? What's your favorite part about writing?"I always write out a plot, and I usually start a book by writing the ending first --then I back up and aim the book at that.
However, I also acknowledge that it's unreasonable to believe that you come up will all of your best ideas on the day you sit down to write your plot, so I allow for changes and organic growth.
Have you ever written a plot that took a twist or turn that you totally did not expect?
Gena wrote: "Have you ever written a plot that took a twist or turn that you totally did not expect?"Very often. Rot & Ruin had several of those. Nix, for example, was only ever supposed to be a single scene, but when I wrote that scene I realized she needed to be in much more of the story. That, in turn, changed the entire plot. I had to stop and revise my outline. The new one became the official one and it informed the entire series.
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Very often. Rot & Ruin had several of those. Nix, for example, was only ever supposed to be a ..."
Oooo very cool!!
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Karen wrote: "Do you have a special favorite fan moment/s?"Cosplay of my characters always knocks me out. In fact we're running a Rot & Ruin cosplay contest right now. All the details are right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/15992...
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Cosplay of my characters always knocks me out. In fact we're running a Rot & Ruin cosplay contest right now. All the details are right h..."
Oh wow?! Those are great!! I bet it can get wild at the ComiCons!! Going as Nix would be fun!! :)
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I'm sure you'll come up with one soon, Harlee, you always ask such good questions!