James Dashner American writer Date of Birth: 26.09.1972 Country: USA

1. Biography of James Dashner
2. Early Life and Influences
3. Career and Success
4. Breakthrough with 'The Maze Runner'

Biography of James Dashner

James Dashner is an American author whose works captivate both teenagers and adults. Over the course of ten years, he has published 18 novels, with his book 'The Maze Runner' being a bestseller for a record-breaking year. Dashner has received several literary awards, including the 'Charlotte Award' from the state of New York, the 'Abraham Lincoln Award' from the state of Illinois, and the 'Reader's Choice Award' from the state of Oregon, among others.

Early Life and Influences

James Smith Dashner was born on September 26, 1972, in Ostell, a town west of Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in a family of five children, and from an early age, Dashner developed a love for reading. His favorite genre was fantasy, and he frequently reread books such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. Books and movies served as a source of inspiration for Dashner, and he began writing his own stories. Although he attempted to type his stories on an old typewriter at home, he was unsuccessful.

Career and Success

After completing high school, Dashner attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where he earned a master's degree in accounting. Despite working in the financial industry, Dashner's passion for reading and storytelling never waned. In 1988, he sat down at his computer and wrote a short horror story. Following a few thrillers, Dashner was inspired to create the character of Jimmy Fincher, a boy who accidentally discovers a door to another reality. Dashner admitted that he himself didn't have a clear idea of what awaited his fictional character in that reality. However, as he continued writing, Dashner developed five separate works (later reduced to four) and gradually honed his writing skills.

In 2001, Dashner began submitting his work to numerous publishers and literary agents, but he received countless rejections. The last on his list were three small publishers specializing in religious literature. Two of them deemed his book unsuitable for young adults, but the editor at Cedar Fort, Lee Nelson, expressed interest as his eleven-year-old son enjoyed the material. Dashner eventually agreed to partially cover the expenses of publishing his book, 'A Door in The Wood', which was released in June 2003. This marked the beginning of the 'Jimmy Fincher Saga'.

Following his successful literary debut, Dashner decided to pursue writing full-time, leaving behind his financial career. He went on to write the 'The 13th Reality' series, featuring the thirteen-year-old protagonist Atticus Higginbottom, also known as Tick, who receives a warning letter that his world is in danger of destruction.

Breakthrough with 'The Maze Runner'

The most significant success came with Dashner's series 'The Maze Runner'. In 2005, Cedar Fort offered him the opportunity to continue the Jimmy Fincher series, but Dashner wanted to create a work that could reach an international level. In a single evening, he conceived a new plot - a group of teenagers trapped in a maze filled with terrifying creatures. The protagonist, Thomas, wakes up in the maze with no memory of his past and becomes a "Runner," someone who memorizes the ever-changing maze walls. The first book in the series was published in 2009 by Delacorte Press and became an instant hit with readers unable to put it down. There are currently four books in 'The Maze Runner' series, with the last one, 'The Kill Order', serving as a prequel to the entire series. A film adaptation of 'The Maze Runner' is set to be released in 2014, with Dashner serving as one of the screenwriters.

Other notable works by Dashner include two books in 'The Infinity Ring' series and 'The Mortality Doctrine' series. Currently, James Dashner resides in the Rocky Mountains of Utah with his wife Linett and their four children. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and, of course, reading.