This week Brandon Mull and his adorable chin dimple have graciously offered to stop by. Brandon is currently on tour for the fourth book in his best selling Fablehaven series, out there being his crazy self, shaking his rock n' roll booty, tearing up the book world. Fablehaven is about a wildlife refuge for magical creatures and the brother and sister who are brought into the secret. It's full of magic, adventure, humor and fun, a big hit for ages ten and up. But let's get a peek at the man behind these runaway hits. (By the way, his initial are BM. Get it? BM. As in...oh, never mind...)
SH: Over just a few short years, your books have achieved the New York Times best seller lists on multiple occasions and earned hordes of fervent fans. You combine energetic fantasy adventure with humor and white-knuckle thrills. But let's not wander off topic...what's your favorite thing about me?
BM: Your sense of humor. And your graceful prose. And your husband. Judging from the question, I’m going to assume you’re cool with me listing more than one favorite.
The Fablehaven books have some quite frightening creatures. Which of your creatures scares you the most? What would you do if you found it in your bedroom? What would your wife do? What would your three-year-old son do?
I’d be pretty scared of the revenant in the second Fablehaven book. It is a slow, undead creature that radiates paralyzing fear. So its victims must watch in frozen horror as it gradually approaches to claim them. If it showed up in my bedroom, I would try to charm it with witty banter. My wife would totally fold and start screaming. My three-year-old would punch it.
I attended the release party for Fablehaven 3--you filled an auditorium with people (over 1000 I'd assume). They were screaming for you like a rock star, then waited patiently in line for four hours to get you to sign their book. It's was wild, high energy, fun and completely different. So my question is, where did you find all those fans and how much did you pay them to come?
I didn’t pay them. Those fans were in attendance thanks to hypnosis and mirrors. If you looked closely, you would have observed the same stupefied individuals repeated throughout the audience. And that nearly-full auditorium sat close to 3,000! I know what you’re thinking…where did I rent so many mirrors? Sorry, trade secret. Incidentally, and absolutely unrelated, there will be a similar free super cool launch party with live comedy and fabulous costumes for Fablehaven book 4 on March 24 in the Salt Lake City area. Fablehaven.com lists the details.
Fablehaven 5 (out in 2010) will complete this series. Come on, give us a peak. Just a tiny peek. Itty bitty...
Book Five will probably be called Keys of the Demon Prison. Not many people know that yet. I've started working on it. I'm excited about the plan I have!
You've published 5 books in three years, travel for weeks every year all over the country, and support a family of five. You're obviously swimming in free time and that breaks my heart, so we here at squeetus want to put you to work. Give us a short story based on one of the following ideas:
Humpty Dumpty as film noir
Little Boy Blue as a disaster film
Little Miss Muffet as a buddy flick
The Ugly Duckling as science fiction
Okay, careful what you ask for, because you might get it. Here is Humpty Dumpty as film noir:
High atop the wall, a curved lamppost shed a cone of light, the radiance almost tangible in the mist. Mouth dry, Humpty glanced over his shoulder. It was a long way down.
Raising his hands slowly, he tried to keep his fingers from quivering. Muffy held the gun steady, her gaze cold and bemused. How had it come to this? Humpty knew what it felt like to have his back to the wall. But tonight was worse. Tonight his back was to the void.
A breeze sent eddies of vapor swirling. Humpty had to keep his cool. If he made a sudden move, or spoke the wrong words, the king’s men would be scraping yolk off the pavement for weeks.
“Muffy,” he tried.
“It’s Miss Muffet,” she insisted, eyes gleaming. “Muffy is gone, Mr. Dumpty.”
“I never meant to hurt you.”
Her lips twisted into a bitter smile as a tear slid down her cheek. “Didn’t mean to? Wasn’t it enough to break my heart? Now you’re going to claim there was no meaning behind your betrayal? What are you, a tornado? A hurricane? Can’t you see how much worse that makes it? Take some responsibility for your behavior! Have you no spine?”
Attempting a chuckle, Humpty gave a weak shrug. “I’m an egg.”
“You’re a monster. Your two-timing days are over, Mr. Dumpty.”
Humpty held out a hand and wiggled his fingers. “Give me the gun.”
She shook her head. Another tear fell. “You’re not going to talk your way out of this one. Sit down. Sit down!”
Stealing a glance at the drop behind him, Humpty sat. He tried to make his voice reasonable, fatherly. “It doesn’t have to be like this. Take a deep breath. Think about what you’re doing. The king won’t stand for this, Miss Muffet.”
“Here we go! There’s the Humpty I know! Hiding behind the king, as usual. I don’t see any soldiers here tonight, Mr. Dumpty. It’s just you and me. And it’s a long way down.”
“Don’t talk crazy.”
She made a sound, half laugh, half sob. “Bullets don’t care about charm, or connections. They don’t listen to lies. When I’m finished here, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men will not be enough to save you.”
She was not bluffing. He knew her well enough to see that. This was going to happen. Humpty broke. “Muffy, please!”
Finally her smile became genuine. “That’s right, beg. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Listen close, Humpty. That was the sound my heart made when I found you eating curds and whey with her.”
He felt a glimmer of hope. “So in a way, we’re even.”
“Except for one thing. I’m in the mood for an omelet.”
A gunshot rang out. Humpty inhaled the smoky scent of spent gunpowder. Or was his vest on fire? Two fingers went to his chest and came away coated with clear fluid.
She fired again and again. Yolk leaked from half a dozen holes as he tumbled backward off the wall, and plummeted into the mist.
Ha-ha! I knew you'd come through for us! Thanks, Brandon. By the way, you have a darling house and adorable family. I don't know if you knew I stopped by recently...
Loved that short story.
And Shannon? Did you know I adore you? You're hilarious.
Posted by: Q | February 28, 2009 at 09:12 PM
I love the way you interview. I am excited for Brandon's new book. I have really enjoyed this series. I didn't know there was going to be a fifth. I am beginning to dislike series, I am tired of waiting to finish the stories. I love your Bayern books, because they are stories of themselves. So I am dying for the next one, just excited and will read it as soon as it is available.
Posted by: Amanda Norr | February 28, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Ha! I love it. And that pic of you? Priceless.
Posted by: Maya | February 28, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Aw, that picture reminds me of all the times I've done that to YOU, Shannon... I mean... wait... ;)
Very fun, and my poor husband kept having bits of the interview read out loud to him. :)
Posted by: Celes | February 28, 2009 at 09:42 PM
I loved this. You are both so great and two of my favorite authors!!
Posted by: Cheryl | February 28, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Shannon, you're the best host I've ever read! When I'm famous, I demand that you interview me.
Brandon--That was FRICKIN' HILARIOUS!!!! I read it aloud to my husband and he and I just cracked up! Thanks for the great time! (And congrats on the book soon-to-be-released!)
Posted by: L.T. Elliot | February 28, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Cool!
Posted by: Georgie | February 28, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Not sure which is more amusing, the story or Shannon as Stalker.
I very much have to catch up on the Fablehavens; I am behind by one... and soon two, it looks like. Well done, Mr. Mull.
Posted by: tanita | March 01, 2009 at 04:50 AM
I love Fablehaven!
My two favorite authors in one place, I would have loved to be there.
Shannon, are you going to be at the Fablehaven 4 launch party? Because then there will be even more motivation to go!
Where does he live? I know it's in highland, and I live just one city away from there.
Posted by: Kyle | March 01, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Haha! The story and the picture are both the best. *loves*
Posted by: Miss Erin | March 01, 2009 at 10:39 AM
You are so freaking funny! Your interviews are the best! And that story had me laughing out loud. What a riot.
Posted by: Donna | March 01, 2009 at 12:46 PM
That was tons of fun to read. The picture is hilarious too!
Posted by: Calliope1of9 | March 01, 2009 at 01:41 PM
This is one of my favorite interviews ever. Mull is awesome, just like you, Hale!
Posted by: Jen | March 01, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Wow, that guy has talent. And Shannon, dear, could you stalk my house instead, and leave signed books behind to prove you've been there?
... I'm waiting.
Posted by: Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen | March 01, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Your interviews always capture something different than other peoples'. I wonder what it is about them?
; P
Posted by: Erin | March 01, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Awesome short! Loved it. I want to hear more!
Posted by: Lessie | March 01, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Hi Shannon! I was just wondering if you were ever going to post any books up on a Goodreads account. I know you're a very busy lady, but I would love to know what you're reading now and then. Thanks!
Posted by: Cate | March 02, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Shannon, Shannon, Shannon . . . you never fail to amuse me. Now I know what really happened to Humpty (the Reader's Digest condensed version left out way too many details!)
The stalker picture is priceless and I want it blown up and hung on my wall!!!
Love you!
Posted by: Tauna | March 02, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Cate--if I knew how to delete my account on goodreads, I would. After signing up, I decided not to use it. I post here periodically about what I'm reading. Sorry!
Posted by: shannon hale | March 02, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I just have to say I am a HUGE fan of both yours and Brandon's. I got him to sign some of my Fablehaven books when Rise of the Evening Star came out.
You're hilarious! I had no idea. I'm looking forward to your next blog entries and hope and pray that someday I'll be as good of a writer as Brandon! Oh, and you. :)
By the way... Austenland rocked.
Posted by: Amy Standage | March 02, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Two of my favorite authors! Thanks for another inventive interview.
Posted by: Jennifer Jenkins | March 02, 2009 at 02:51 PM
I love all your interviews. So funny and awesome.
This one was especially great since I know and love Brandon's books.
Plus that Humpty Dumpty tale-awesome.
:D
Posted by: Maribeth | March 02, 2009 at 04:16 PM
And that picture gave me a good laugh, of course.
Posted by: Maribeth | March 02, 2009 at 04:18 PM
I love all your interviews. They are all so funny, but this one was especially great because I know and love Brandon's books.
That Humpty Dumpty tale-awesome.
And of course, the picture gave me a good laugh.
Posted by: Maribeth | March 02, 2009 at 04:20 PM
What an insightful interview! I feel as though I know Brandon personally. Maybe I'll drop by his house sometime too!
Posted by: melissa the librarian | March 03, 2009 at 08:53 AM
YES! Humpty Dumpty is now the story of a two-timer who's jaded ex catches up with him. I'll never be able to read it to the daycare kids the same way (perhaps I'll just read them Brandon's).
Fablehaven sounds good though... I'll have to check it out! :D
Posted by: Christen | March 03, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Ha ha ha ha... I love the twisted up tales! Brandon's ditty made my day. Thanks for having such a great Blog!
Shannon, any input on how to write great- maybe even just decent - dialogue? Beyond the basics of not stating something obvious - like Humpty never said "if I fall, I'll crack" - and the pace, - belaboring a point, any tips?
Much appreciated!
Posted by: Lilly Dideno | March 03, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Wow! I have that same picture of you! Except that it's from behind some bushes and I see a lot more of the scene. Who, me? A stalker?
Well, maybe... :D
I've been telling you people, always add weapons to them old nursery rhymes, and you get an instant bestseller. Tried and true formula. Zombies will also suffice quite well.
Posted by: Katie-wa | March 03, 2009 at 10:20 PM
HAHAHAHAHA
That was hilarious!
I'm very sick right now and that just made my day!
go brandon and all his fablehaven books and HUMPTY DUMPTY!
that was also an awesome interview,
very interesting.
Posted by: Jessica | March 04, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Keys to the Demon Prison??
I'll remember that!
Posted by: Brandon | March 04, 2009 at 11:06 AM
This post seriously cracked me up! I especially love that picture of you peeking. I love your author interviews...
Posted by: Christy | March 05, 2009 at 06:01 PM
What a hilarious interview. Where has this blog been all my life? Ummm, wait. Where have I been?
Hello to Brandon who I met at the Bookwise convention where you spoke two October's ago. I'm sure you remember me. Just like you remember every single person you've ever met when you travel and speak.
Posted by: Karey Shane | March 09, 2009 at 09:14 AM
That was awsome Brandon Mull you rock!! Keepon writing and i'll keep on reading!!! Ijust finished the 4th book so cool!!!! Everyone in my family is reading it. It was so good that i couldn'tput it down!! Can't wait for the 5th book!!!1
Posted by: Emma Sorenson | March 30, 2009 at 04:47 AM
What! 2010! Brandon Mull, can't you pretty please release your book before then? I'm dying to know what happens! Please, pretty please!
*gasp, gag* please *cough* I'm dying! The only thing that can save my life is your book!
Posted by: Kaylee | May 13, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Okay how in the possible earth did I ever miss this post?? That short story was HYSTERICAL!!!!
Posted by: Chelsea | July 23, 2009 at 08:24 AM
I am a big fan of both of you as authors and for the wit you bring to us behind the scenes! Reading this was a highlight of my day today! Thanks for the clever interview questions and answers!
Posted by: Wendy | September 29, 2009 at 08:34 PM
One of the best writer i ever seen. excellent interview. Humpty Dumpty tale is always my favorite.
Posted by: Whey Protein | January 10, 2012 at 12:17 PM