A daily blog by author John Green, winner of the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for his debut work of fiction, "Looking for Alaska."
John's second novel, "An Abundance of Katherines," is now available at Amazon.com.
This is beautiful!! Ae they actually making Alaska into a film? I feel like you should do a blog post tlling us (as much as you can) about what's happening with the Paper Towns film. Is it definitely happening?
Here's my question for you: Can you really say you've *read* a book if you only listen to the audiobook, or do you see these as two totally different experiences?
Background: My daughter is one, so for the last, say, one year, I have had zero time to read. Audiobooks have saved my book-lover's life, allowing me to enjoy everything from HOT, FLAT AND CROWDED to the two OCTAVIAN NOTHING epics. But I am surprised at how differently I interact with books in this format. Less time to pause and puzzle-through, more awareness of rhythm and the individual word. I like books I might not otherwise enjoy, and vice-versa. Some books flourish, some fail. Do you have thoughts on this subject?
Today's question: what's with the apparent sudden proliferation of creepy-clever John Green songs & poetry (i.e. "The John Green Song", "Touch Me, John Green", etc.): Is this a recent phenomenon, or are you just favoriting more of this stuff lately?
question: how does your writing and editing process for short/er stories (like the one in let it snow) compare wiht your process for writing and editing a novel?
I'm crazy about 'Alaska' as a book, and I would definitely see the movie. But it couldn't compare to the book without Pudge's inner thoughts! What a fun trailer. Loved it.
I love the candle thing at the end, it looks just like the cover. So cool.
Question: I'm taking the A.P. English Lit. exam in a couple weeks. Since you are a writer yourself, do you have any tips on writing three formal essays in two hours? I'm terrible at writing in such a short time span, especially under pressure and I'm kind of freaking out.
John, If you go to Hanks new video and hold down control, option, command, 8 on your macbook, the colors become inverted and it looks 10 times more awesome!! Google the command on google if you're apprehensive. Give 'er a shot!
Question: I know if I prick you (or Hank) with a needle (not the same needle, because that's just unsafe), you will not bleed blood; rather, you will bleed awesome, talent and puff. However, if I were to prick your parents, what would they bleed?
This is off-topic, but you'd probably like to read this if you already haven't. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/books/review/Bissell-t.html?ref=books
I hate to be the one to call you out John, but I'm not sure posting a fanmade trailer of one of your books really counts as a blog post for BEDA. I'd like to see a little more effort from you in the future, John. ;)
Question: What was the first occasion that you felt truly successful as an author? This doesn't have to mean professionally-- just in your life as a writer. Why did it make you feel successful? Or, even better: What was your least successful experience as a writer? What made you feel that way.
Wow...I'm going to be honest. That was really rehearsed and rather ridiculous of a trailer. I sure hope the movie is a lot better than that. I know it probably will be. The book was fantastic.
Alaska is pretty, but not a very good actor. also, the camera angles are kind of flat, which makes the lead's very decent acting less impressive. also, the book is darker. Overall, good trailer, but not quite edgy enough.
I don't know if your answering any questions before BEDA is over, but heres one for you; What the hell do I write my valedictorian speech about?!?!? I've sat down to write it a couple of times and haven't gotten anywhere.
So my computer's from the stone age & won't load videos, so I do READ your blog, but I can't watch the videos, so I'm very sorry but when the the Looking for Alaska movie coming out??
Also, you mentioned a while back that you like romances. What's your opinion on Pride and Prejudice?
Finally (this is the last question I swear), HOW do you close an HTML tag?!? I tried but couldn't figure it out, so this post is unfortunately italics-less.
Anyway, I thought that you should know that someone has ripped a video (Hank's "50 Jokes") from the vlogbrothers channel and posted it on their own channel. I would think that this is something that you might have a problem with, because I believe that Hank-theft is outlawed.
Anyway, here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXJkT7jWLSA
I've already emailed you and tweeted you about this, so hopefully you get the message. (: We also started a thread on the ning in order to try to make you aware of this. (The main purpose of the thread was making you aware of the situation, so if you read this comment, then it's pretty pointless to read the discussion, but in case you're interested: http://nerdfighters.ning.com/forum/topics/hank-theft)
The more times I watch the trailer, the more I like it. Off topic, two questions: What do you do when you start to misimagine someone? Is/are there any question(s)/statement(s) you ask/tell yourself? (Save "everybody poops" because that one makes for a hella awkward cringe.) Is it ever okay to say "I'm really sick of trying to imagine everyone with complexity"? Or is doing so as bad as using the "only human" excuse? Finally, thank you once again for Paper Towns. My English class just read The Natural and the relationships/characters finally made sense. (As opposed to the first time I read it, pre-PT, where I tossed the book to the floor and went on rants about misogynism and bigotry.)
okay, so i'm like obsessed with your books (: i would die if this were a movie. andd go see it. ..so maybe i'd be the first dead person to go to see a movie. i know that's not as exciting as the first dead heavyweight champion.. but oh well. i can live with that.
Just curious: Whatever happened to Josh Schwartz writing the adaptation of LFA? I heard about him doing that, gosh, it feels like about four or five years ago. I guess he decided to focus on being the next Aaron Spelling, but I always thought him writing the film was a brilliant idea because a lot of the characters match up with the types of characters he has written. At least, on The O.C. Haven't seen Gossip Girl or much of Chuck.
So this is almost the HAPPIEST day of my life. I just logged onto the website and foud that they are actually turning alaska into a movie. something that I have suggested sinc I first read the book 4 years ago. I cant wait for it. but the trailer kinda sucked
Love reading your blogs :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you in Melbourne, Australia.
Haha, so cool!! Is this one going to be produced before the other? (And will it better?)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteAe they actually making Alaska into a film?
I feel like you should do a blog post tlling us (as much as you can) about what's happening with the Paper Towns film. Is it definitely happening?
I know that's not a real trailer, but it's not too bad.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Alaska's just uber-awesome.
Here's my question for you: Can you really say you've *read* a book if you only listen to the audiobook, or do you see these as two totally different experiences?
ReplyDeleteBackground: My daughter is one, so for the last, say, one year, I have had zero time to read. Audiobooks have saved my book-lover's life, allowing me to enjoy everything from HOT, FLAT AND CROWDED to the two OCTAVIAN NOTHING epics. But I am surprised at how differently I interact with books in this format. Less time to pause and puzzle-through, more awareness of rhythm and the individual word. I like books I might not otherwise enjoy, and vice-versa. Some books flourish, some fail. Do you have thoughts on this subject?
that is so awesome!
ReplyDeleteAwesome trailer.
ReplyDeleteToday's question: what's with the apparent sudden proliferation of creepy-clever John Green songs & poetry (i.e. "The John Green Song", "Touch Me, John Green", etc.):
Is this a recent phenomenon, or are you just favoriting more of this stuff lately?
Wow that was an awesome fan-made trailer.
ReplyDelete(word vertification= thecomet)
:)
Hahahaha- good for whoever put all of that together!
ReplyDeleteGreat fan-trailer, it makes me REALLY want a movie!
that was a great trailer :-)
ReplyDeletequestion: how does your writing and editing process for short/er stories (like the one in let it snow) compare wiht your process for writing and editing a novel?
I didn't cry. I didn't cry. I didn't cry. How silly would it be if I'd cried? Good thing I didn't.
ReplyDeleteBah. I leaked. It was an absolutely brilliant trailer though; I'd see it too, and I'm generally opposed to the making of a LFA film.
Clever, but I hope neither Looking for Alaska nor Paper Towns are ever made into a movie.
ReplyDeleteNo film can make them justice.
Why do people think that every book needs to be made into a film?
Sometimes more is less.
I'm crazy about 'Alaska' as a book, and I would definitely see the movie. But it couldn't compare to the book without Pudge's inner thoughts! What a fun trailer. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI love the candle thing at the end, it looks just like the cover.
ReplyDeleteSo cool.
Question: I'm taking the A.P. English Lit. exam in a couple weeks. Since you are a writer yourself, do you have any tips on writing three formal essays in two hours? I'm terrible at writing in such a short time span, especially under pressure and I'm kind of freaking out.
Ahh, i love it. Great fan-made trailer guys :)
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteIf you go to Hanks new video and hold down control, option, command, 8 on your macbook, the colors become inverted and it looks 10 times more awesome!! Google the command on google if you're apprehensive. Give 'er a shot!
Question: I know if I prick you (or Hank) with a needle (not the same needle, because that's just unsafe), you will not bleed blood; rather, you will bleed awesome, talent and puff. However, if I were to prick your parents, what would they bleed?
Salutations!
Sarah G.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI like that people think this is legitimate. Or a few at least.
ReplyDeleteI like it, but then again, I could be extremely bias...
I think this is simply brilliant...the acting was amazing...
ReplyDeleteThat was pretty good...Miles' acting could have been better.
ReplyDeleteThis is off-topic, but you'd probably like to read this if you already haven't. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/books/review/Bissell-t.html?ref=books
ReplyDeleteI hate to be the one to call you out John, but I'm not sure posting a fanmade trailer of one of your books really counts as a blog post for BEDA. I'd like to see a little more effort from you in the future, John. ;)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What was the first occasion that you felt truly successful as an author? This doesn't have to mean professionally-- just in your life as a writer. Why did it make you feel successful?
Or, even better: What was your least successful experience as a writer? What made you feel that way.
is this a real trailer or is it fan made? its REALLY good no matter what though.
ReplyDeleteSo everyone has already stolen my word. Beautiful! That's all I really have to say. I liked the editing and everything.
ReplyDeleteHow can you stop the strings nside you from breaking? Or is it one of those things that when they break, they can't be put back together again?
ReplyDeleteWow...I'm going to be honest. That was really rehearsed and rather ridiculous of a trailer. I sure hope the movie is a lot better than that. I know it probably will be. The book was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYo, John, what hapened to BEDA? =s I've been really enjoying your blogs!
ReplyDeletegive up on BEDA?
ReplyDeleteJohn was hinting on Twitter this morning that he thought he had swine flu. That was probably to get out of BEDA. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite Gabriel García Márquez book and/or short story?
Alaska is pretty, but not a very good actor. also, the camera angles are kind of flat, which makes the lead's very decent acting less impressive. also, the book is darker. Overall, good trailer, but not quite edgy enough.
ReplyDeleteGreat trailer! Very creative.
ReplyDeletejohn, you have epically failed at BEDA.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if your answering any questions before BEDA is over, but
ReplyDeleteheres one for you;
What the hell do I write my valedictorian speech about?!?!?
I've sat down to write it a couple of times and haven't gotten anywhere.
DFTBA
Tenley
Holy crap. I want to see it. Why can't I see it? Please let me see it!
ReplyDeleteDost thou still livest?
ReplyDeleteHey John Green,
ReplyDeleteSo my computer's from the stone age & won't load videos, so I do READ your blog, but I can't watch the videos, so I'm very sorry but when the the Looking for Alaska movie coming out??
Also, you mentioned a while back that you like romances. What's your opinion on Pride and Prejudice?
Finally (this is the last question I swear), HOW do you close an HTML tag?!? I tried but couldn't figure it out, so this post is unfortunately italics-less.
Hey John--I miss your blogs.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I thought that you should know that someone has ripped a video (Hank's "50 Jokes") from the vlogbrothers channel and posted it on their own channel. I would think that this is something that you might have a problem with, because I believe that Hank-theft is outlawed.
Anyway, here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXJkT7jWLSA
I've already emailed you and tweeted you about this, so hopefully you get the message. (:
We also started a thread on the ning in order to try to make you aware of this. (The main purpose of the thread was making you aware of the situation, so if you read this comment, then it's pretty pointless to read the discussion, but in case you're interested: http://nerdfighters.ning.com/forum/topics/hank-theft)
Best Wishes,
Manar
What did you see?
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing here...
Is it a youtube video?
Yo tengo una pregunta:
ReplyDeleteDid you initially set out to write young adult fiction specifically?
I'm curious because I'm an aspiring writer and I have been thinking about genre a lot recently.
The more times I watch the trailer, the more I like it.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, two questions:
What do you do when you start to misimagine someone? Is/are there any question(s)/statement(s) you ask/tell yourself? (Save "everybody poops" because that one makes for a hella awkward cringe.)
Is it ever okay to say "I'm really sick of trying to imagine everyone with complexity"? Or is doing so as bad as using the "only human" excuse?
Finally, thank you once again for Paper Towns. My English class just read The Natural and the relationships/characters finally made sense. (As opposed to the first time I read it, pre-PT, where I tossed the book to the floor and went on rants about misogynism and bigotry.)
okay, so i'm like obsessed with your books (:
ReplyDeletei would die if this were a movie.
andd go see it.
..so maybe i'd be the first dead person to go to see a movie. i know that's not as exciting as the first dead heavyweight champion.. but oh well. i can live with that.
Is there really going to be a movie? If there is I can't wait to see it! The book was amazing! It's now one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteJust curious: Whatever happened to Josh Schwartz writing the adaptation of LFA? I heard about him doing that, gosh, it feels like about four or five years ago. I guess he decided to focus on being the next Aaron Spelling, but I always thought him writing the film was a brilliant idea because a lot of the characters match up with the types of characters he has written. At least, on The O.C. Haven't seen Gossip Girl or much of Chuck.
ReplyDeletethe trailer was ok but honestly if that was the official trailer i probably wouldnt watch the movie it doesnt nearly do the book justice.
ReplyDeleteSo this is almost the HAPPIEST day of my life. I just logged onto the website and foud that they are actually turning alaska into a movie. something that I have suggested sinc I first read the book 4 years ago. I cant wait for it. but the trailer kinda sucked
ReplyDelete