I know some of you out there are just as geeked as I am for The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials movie to be released on Blu-ray on December 15th! I am so excited that I was able to speak to the author of The Maze Runner Series for an EXCLUSIVE interview. This interview seriously made for the best week ever! I love fast-paced action stories, and this series delivers with lots of twists and turns!
Exclusive Interview With Author James Dashner Of The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
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Check out my interview below and learn about the making of The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials movie and The Maze Runner series! You’re going to want to catch up on both the movies and the Maze Runner books.
(MTG) What was it like as an author seeing your story as a movie for the first time? What was the most challenging part about making the Scorch Trials into a movie?
(James Dashner) It’s as thrilling as you would imagine. I’ve loved movies my whole life but then you throw in it’s something I’ve written and it’s so amazingly awesome to be a part of. I’m not sure I have enough adjectives to throw in there, but seeing my books as a movie is the highlight of my career. I always envisioned this series as a movie. I am a very cinematic writer, so when I wrote I could visualize these stories as a film. The fact that they did actually get made into a movie is so amazingly awesome! Can you put amazing and awesome in there a few extra times? (laughs)
My job is to worry that the fans enjoy both the books and the film. I’m very happy with the film, I feel it really captured the story. I tell my readers that this film is a new way to enjoy the story again. Embrace the books
, they will always be there. The film is a new way to see the story. The third movie I feel will also be true to the books. I think fans will be happy with the movies.
(MTG) Did you always want to be a writer?
(James Dashner) Yes, I really did. At first it was a pipe dream like “I want to be an astronaut.” Then I started writing in high school and wrote my first novel in college. Every year I got more confident in my writing and eventually I was able to sell my first book to a publisher. I’m very lucky!
(MTG) In the second movie in the Maze Runner Series, we learn a lot more about The Scorch, (part of the world that has been demolished by extreme weather) and The Flare (an extremely contagious disease that makes you go crazy once you catch it). Is there anything that inspired The Flare and The Scorch?
(James Dashner) You always feel like the world is in turmoil. I feel like it is always possible to have an apocalypse on your hands whether it is from a nuclear war or an asteroid. I watched Mad Max a lot when I was younger, and thought a lot about what that kind of world would be like. I was also always terrified of disease. Ebola, Bird Flu, Aids there are so many terrifying diseases. Human life is so fragile when it comes to disease. It was natural to have disease be a part of the story, especially attacking the brain which creeps me out. I like to write about things that creep me out!
(MTG) Who is your favorite character in the Maze Runner Series and why? Are there any characters who are like you?
(James Dashner) My favorite character is Minho though I know there is a very dedicated following to Newt also. Minho is kind of a smart-alec and reckless at times, but he’s also very loyal. He’s not perfect, but you never doubt his intentions. Thomas is the most like me. Since I wrote the books from Thomas’ perspective, a lot of who I am is in his character. Thomas is much braver than I am, but he thinks and is skeptical like I am. Can I say I am my own favorite? (Laughs)
(MTG) What words of advice do you have for teens who are hoping to write books or make movies?
(James Dashner) It may sound cliché, but practice a lot and enjoy writing. The act of writing makes you better. I also recommend looking for writer’s conference and go. Do not give up and visualize yourself succeeding. I’m a testament that it is possible and I am very grateful. Don’t EVER give up.
(MTG) What one word would you use to describe why someone should see The Scorch Trial movie?
(James Dashner) Intensity, is that one word? (Laughs) I feel that there is a lot of tension in the books and that you never know what will happen next. Wes Ball did a really great job of conveying the tension in this movie so that there are lots of surprises.
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trial
s is released on Blu-Ray and Digital HD on December 15th . Start asking Santa now because you are going to want to watch this intense film over and over again. I also recommend you add the books to your bookshelf stat because they are so good!
movie in the theater? Have you read the books? What is your favorite part about the series?
This movie was my son’s favorite and he’s obsessed with the books! It so interesting hearing more from the author and I’ll have to share it with him.
Great interviewed with author James Dasher. I have to catch up maze runner book but I like his advice to teens who may want to write a book….Enjoyed what you do practice writing and do not give up is what we all needed to here.
Interesting interview. I haven’t seen any of the films or read the books yet but your interview tempts me to try them out.
My kids are huge fans of the books and the movies. I loved reading this interview and learning more about the inspiration behind the series. I can’t wait to see the movie when it comes out on DVD. I’m sure my kids will be begging me to get it as soon as it comes out!
It was such an honor to speak to the author and hearing firsthand a little more about the series. Sounds like the perfect family movie night over the holidays!
I haven’t seen any of the Maze Runner movies nor have I read the book. It sounds interesting. I bet teens love it!
My hubby was a fan of the books. You had an awesome interview with him.
We haven’t read nor watched The Maze Runner but have heard the books are great before the movie ever came to be.
What a great interview. It was be an amazing feeling to have your book made into a movie.
What a great interview! I’m excited to learn more about this author and series!
I saw the first one and loved it, so I think I’ll go ahead and see this one! Great interview!
I’m happy to know it was a book. I didn’t!! Crazy but I’m often behind times like that… 😉
We loved the movie! I had no idea that there were so many books.
This is a great inspiration for aspiring writers. It can seem like a pipe dream, but with practice and hard work it can happen.