In case you missed it, here's the entire conversation from the weekend: three days answering questions from fans on Twitter. Now I have to go back to writing, so I'm back to not reading or responding to tweets -- only way I can keep from getting distracted! But thanks to everyone who asked questions. It was fun!
Q&A from Twitter Solstice Weekend 2012
@camphalfblood
Will read & respond to some selected Tweets over the
weekend. Usually can't b/c it distracts from writing, but in honor of summer
solstice!
Most questions ppl ask, however, are already answered on the
FAQ: http://bit.ly/mxv6UI
so check there first!
Q @Maggheera
Is Drew in the Serpent's Shadow the same Drew as the one in The Lost Hero?
A Yes. :D
A: A true cliffhanger means characters end the story in
imminent danger
Most of my endings aren't actually cliffhangers. They just
leave unanswered questions. Mark of Athena, however, ah... never mind.
Q: @EliCharisseDR
would u go to manila one day? i really want ur autograph!
A: I kinda doubt it, sry. Travel abroad is hard w/my
deadlines.
Sadly no international travel anywhere anytime soon. The
next few years, I have to stay home and write or the books won't get done on
time!
Q: @Pob584
how did Frank & Hazel kill the Giant in S.o.N when they can only be killed
by Gods & Demi-gods working together?
A: The giant Alcyoneus is unique. He is only immortal in the
land where he spawned, in this case, Alaska. Once outside, he's fair game.
Q: @brogueskittles
Tell me Nico is safe! Tell me he's gonna have a bigger role!
A: Nico has a key role in MoA but demigods are rarely safe!
Q: @GirlOfAthena
My mom is eternally grateful to you for making me love reading. Now she has to
say "STOP READING, GIRL!"
A: Love it! :D
Q: @AtrociouslyMad
Will we be getting a Percy and Annabeth reunion in MoA or not?
A: Don't think it's too much of a spoler to say yes.
A: Olá, meus amigos do Brasil! I love you guys!
Reminder, as explain on my FAQ http://bit.ly/mxv6UI I
just write the books, guys. I have nothing whatsoever to do with the movies.
A: If I did, that would be way down the line. Heroes &
Norse series first.
A: Just started Shadow & Bone by @LBardugo. Russian
mythology-based YA. Really good so far!
Q: @cs412
How come, in the new series, not all demigods have ADHD and dyslexia?
A: That's true in PJO too. Many demigods do, but not all.
A: I'm editing Haley's 1st manuscript now, but he's writing
his own story. :D
Q: @LivFanIano
Is percy one of the 4 narrators of Mark of Athena? (Have to wait & see) Any
chance of an advanced copy? (No!)
A: Been to Toronto & Vancouver several times. Don't know
yet for future.
Publisher sets the tour stops. I don't choose, so I can't
take requests. Usually I don't know where I'm going until right before the tour.
Actually, I often don't know where I'm going in general..
But that's just me.
Q: @ItsSimplyGaby
Is there anything that you could say about the Leo/Sammy thing in MoA?
A: No spoilers. Sorry! But it will be explained in MoA
A: Afraid you missed me. Been there dozens of times, but now
I can't b/c of deadlines.
A: The god of time so
I could make more. I never seem to have enough.
Q: @karimelgendi
Dude no offense but don't you have a deadline...
A: Haha. Tell that to my editor. And the ppl who want the
books faster! :D
A: Five.
PC and Mac. I write on Mac. Haley prefers editing format on
a PC, so I use both.
A: outline first. That way I don't get to the middle of the
story & get stuck (as much)
Q: JacquelyneKampe do you have any tips for a new writer?
Can't answer any "What will happen..." questions
about the content of future books. For that, you just gotta wait for the books!
Q: @MsErmaynee
have you ever been criticized for your books ?
A: Gasp! Never! (sarcasm) Sure. Not everyone likes every
book, but that's ok.
I feel fortunate that so many people DO like them!
Q: @o_Tyson
Thanks for showing me reading is not an "adult thing."
A: Young readers lead
the way these days! Adults follow your trends.
Q: @AshaAshaAsha13
when your books are finally published, are they mostly changes you made
revising, or are they the original draft?
A: There is no such thing as a perfect first draft. It's impossible.
90% of writing is revising, over and over.
A: Yes. As I've tweeted before, I love them both.
A: I don't know. I've never had a reason to determine it, at
least not yet.
Q: (got buried) Have I ever been to Russia?
A: I visited St.
Petersburg on vacation. Beautiful city. I've never done an event in Russia.
As I said, I had to stop touring internationally, as I can't
write this fast and travel the world, too. Getting the books done comes first!
A: She will make an appearance later in the Heroes series.
Right now, that's all I can say.
Q: @tom_emily
Do you ever do book signings at book stores in San Antonio?
A: Almost every tour. Just did one in May. Check website in
Sept.
Q: @JoshuaDanielss
Out of the characters in the HoO, which is your favorite to write about?
A: Gleeson Hedge. He cracks me up. Also Leo.
Q: @kklorman
What is your favorite book that you've written?
A: It's usually the most recent one, b/c it's freshest in my
mind. Hard to say!
Q: @heyitsgea
i have a friend who wants to become a writer & she's writing fanfictions
now, any word of encouragement? (continued)
A: Fanfic is not a bad way to practice writing IMHO. I
learned a lot writing D&D stories when I was younger. But move on to your
own ideas!
A: The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Got me into mythology
& reading when I was about 12.
A: Yes, was reading it LONG before the TV show. Awesome
series, but def mature stuff!
Q: @TheCliffhangers
What other mythologies besides Greek/Roman, Egyptian & Norse would you like
to write about?
A: That's 6-7 years in the future, so I have no idea. I can
only write 1-2 books max a year, and I've got 2 Heroes and 3 Norse still to do!
All I can tell you is if you've thought about it, I probably
have too & I've got more ideas than I'll be able to write in a lifetime!
A: I love all kinds of music but I can't listen to it while
writing.
Some faves: Classic: Dylan, Stones, Beatles; modern: Black
Keys, Jack White, Arcade Fire, Decembrists, Mumford & Sons, Adele. I could
go on.
Q: @_AmamosPJ
when you're not writing, what do you do for fun? :)
A: I play guitar, read, swim w/the kids, MMORPG, sometimes
go on cruises
Q: @BarcaCatalan10
When u were a teenager, were u the best student in each class? A: Haha. Hardly.
I was like Percy. (continued)
I got kicked out of classes for being a troublemaker & I
barely passed math. My writing got me through English, but I never read the
books.
Of course my karmic punishment was that I grew up and became
an English teacher, but I can relate to reluctant readers.
Q: @im_a_halfblood
Are you planning on writing another Camp Half-Blood series?
A: Like I said,
that's waaaay far in the future (continued)
But some day, I'd like to do 1 more CHB series where all the
action actually happens at camp, b/c most of the other books happen on quests.
That's part of the story that hasn't been told, & would
be fun. But like I said, that's way, way in the future, so don't hold your
breath.
Q; (got buried) Any characters based on real life?
A: Yeah. Mrs. Dodds is a real math teacher, but she's not
actually a monster.
Mr. Brunner (aka Chiron) is a real Latin teacher. Travis
& Connor Stoll, Beckendorf, Miranda & Nico are named for former
students of mine.
Q: @alondrasanche21
If you hadn't written any Percy Jackson books what would you be doing now?
A: I'd still be teaching, which I loved!
A: Probably Dr. Who. Been watching it since the '80s. Old
series, new, love them all.
Q: How many questions do you get a day? (this ? ironically
got buried under other ?s)
A: Too many to answer, which is why I usually can't!
Q: @AngelOz13
Do you feel nervous when your books come out?
A: Every single time! I do my best, but I always worry you
guys won't like it.
Q: @jvolr
I heard a rumor that Thalia will die in The Mark of Athena, you confirm?
A: I can confirm that you shouldn't listen to rumors.
Q: @Real_me5
any advice for people who want to be teachers?
A: Do volunteer work w/kids to make sure you've got the
right temperament.
Get as much teaching experience as you can, subbing or
whatever. You'll know very quickly if you're cut out to teach. We need good
teachers!
And the second year of teaching is 500% easier
than the first year. Don't get discouraged and don't give up!
Q: @OnlyDemigods_Hi
Uncle Rick, what's your favorite character from the Percy Jackson?
A: Grover or Tyson. They're so fun to write about.
A: Only because the first draft is so bad and my deadline is
so close. :D
No, actually I got teary-eyed when I wrote one scene in Mark
of Athena, and no, I can't tell you what it was. Yes, I know that's mean.
A: Honored! Did you know Tio has its root in the word Theo,
for god?
A: That was my nickname as a little boy, so I'm used to it!
Q: @Jackieromano199
after the TitansCurse, Annabeth and Percy's Grey streaks are never
mentioned...shouldn't someone question them?
A: Actually that question will be addressed in Mark of
Athena.
Q: Someone (sry got buried) asked what's my favorite ship in
my books.
A: The Argo II. Oh . . . not that kind of ship?
Q: @pinkypoodle12
do you think you belong in Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter? A: No. I would fail
in either place!
However, I can see living at Brooklyn House and studying
magic. I would ace Advanced Napping class w/Bast.
Q: Do I follow the Spurs (basketball)?
A: Gotta confess, I'm not much of a sports fan. Probably
because I have zero athletic coordination.
Playing catch w/my sons basically means we go outside and
take turns hitting each other in the head with the ball.
@CarlsonJin123
Q. I talked to a YouTube channel called RiordanRick. Was that account really
you?
A: Nope. Only legit
accts are on my site.
Usually I can't respond to ppl on the Internet. Too many
questions, gotta stay focused on writing. This weekend is a rare exception.
This account is verified. http://Rickriordan.com is
my site. Aside from that, if somebody writes you back, that's a good sign it
ain't me.
Q:@juliadalbosco
Do you keep an edition of your books in another language besides english?
A: My garage is full of them. 35 diff languages!
Q: @kklorman2
Who would you rather have: Festus or Blackjack?
A: At the risk of hurting Blackjack's feelings, Festus for
sure.
Q: @TheNightCountry
why is the book cover art different from the UK and the USA versions? A:
different publishers make diff. covers.
The thinking is UK kids r attracted to different cover art
than US kids. *shrug* Each publisher has final say over the cover in that
country
Q: @somalinector
i think you should do a blog on the do's and don't's on how to write novel.
A: 1st 'don't': more writing, less blogging!
Q: @allaboutmaju
why you decided to start answering questions by twitter?
A: just this weekend! had a few days between projects.
Solstice!
A: Yep used to do that in class when I told stories. My
students hated it!
But they were always eager to come to class the next day and
hear what happened next. When I wrote Percy, I imagined telling it to my class.
Q. @rotiunyel
How do you stay focused whilst writing? I always get distracted...
A: Me too! That's why I had to shut off email access.
Q: @MooWarrior
You said that you MMORPG. Which ones do you play?
A: Name it, I've played it. But I just dabble, not hardcore.
No time!
I did receive your birthday artwork, Brazilian demigods.
Thank you! I just shared it on my blog: http://bit.ly/MjR3KF
Okay, guys, gotta stop reading tweets & go back to
writing mode. Thx for all the questions. Maybe we'll do this again next
solstice!
And most of the questions I didn't get to answer were
already answered in my previous tweets or on the FAQ: http://bit.ly/9ZDQBE
Bye!