Ask the Author: Matthew Dicks
Answered Questions (19)
Matthew Dicks
Hi Deb,
The book is currently optioned for film, so I suspect that if the movie is actually made, a sequel will be in order. But I've got three ideas for the next three books that I'm pretty excited about, so it might be a while.
So happy you enjoyed the book! Thanks for reaching out!
Warmy,
Matt
The book is currently optioned for film, so I suspect that if the movie is actually made, a sequel will be in order. But I've got three ideas for the next three books that I'm pretty excited about, so it might be a while.
So happy you enjoyed the book! Thanks for reaching out!
Warmy,
Matt
Matthew Dicks
Thanks so much for making my day!
Matthew Dicks
Sorry this answer is so late! I just saw these questions!
Tricky question. I suppose I'd choose the world of a children's book like Dr. Seuss. Lots of remarkable things to see, and seemingly no problems to worry about.
Tricky question. I suppose I'd choose the world of a children's book like Dr. Seuss. Lots of remarkable things to see, and seemingly no problems to worry about.
Matthew Dicks
Sorry about this answer coming so late. I just saw these questions for the first time! THIS summer, I'm reading John Dickerson's book on the Presidency, White Fragility, The Biggest Bluff, the memoir Shrill, and I'm sure many others.
Matthew Dicks
Yes, both are me. My British publisher felt that my last name might offend British sensibilities and asked me to adopt a pen name. I took my wife's maiden name for England.
Matthew Dicks
I did! My imaginary friend was named Johnson Johnson, and for a very long time, I thought he was real. I was telling a colleague about how real he had been to me when the idea for the book appeared in my mind. My own daughter also had many imaginary friends, and being a school teacher for 21 years, I've also had kids talk to me about imaginary friends. But it was mostly born from my own imaginary friend in childhood.
Matthew Dicks
I've been teaching for 21 years in a school with many students with autism. Many have been in my class, so it's just been a slow process of understanding these kids a little better every year.
Matthew Dicks
It's nearly written but I'm not sure if my publisher will want it. KILLS ME. Start a petition! Demand it from St. Martin's Press!
Matthew Dicks
She called from the laundry room. "You didn't dry my sweaters, did you?"
Matthew Dicks
Hi Flor,
So happy you liked the book! I have yet to find my way to Argentina, but it's thrilling that my story has. Thanks so much. Your question came at the start of my day, and it was a great way to begin the day.
Much appreciated!
Matt
So happy you liked the book! I have yet to find my way to Argentina, but it's thrilling that my story has. Thanks so much. Your question came at the start of my day, and it was a great way to begin the day.
Much appreciated!
Matt
Matthew Dicks
The sequel isn't likely to address Mrs. Patterson, but it's an interesting question. And here's a thought: Perhaps I could write a short story about Mrs. Patterson - about her time before Max and Budo and then after. That is an intriguing idea to me.
Matthew Dicks
It's always so hard for me to envision any actor for any character in my books because I have such a clear vision of who that character is. It's frustrating for producers and directors who ask me who I could see in the role. I never have a good answer.
That said, yes, if I had to choose someone other than the Martin in my head, Jim Carrey would be an excellent choice.
That said, yes, if I had to choose someone other than the Martin in my head, Jim Carrey would be an excellent choice.
Matthew Dicks
It is! It's more than half written. Unfortunately, other books have muscled their way in front of the sequel. I just published a new novel last fall and am finishing the next book now. So yes, a sequel is in the works. I just can say when it will happen.
Matthew Dicks
I hope so, but in my heart, I think probably not. Once a child has let go of his or her imaginary friend, I have a hard time seeing them finding each other again.
Matthew Dicks
As an elementary school teacher myself, I think that it's similar at times, depending on the student and teacher. In the 17 years that I have been teaching, I have become incredibly close to some students - so much so that now that they are adults, they are my friends - but other times, students become less attached. It probably depends on bunch of factors. Personality match. The need the student had for an adult role model. That kind of thing. So sometimes yes. It's similar.
So happy that you enjoyed the book! Thanks for the question!
So happy that you enjoyed the book! Thanks for the question!
Matthew Dicks
I hope so, Leslie! The film adaptation is in the works! A script has been written. A director is onboard, and last I heard, they are casting the movie now. I'm not terribly involved in the process (as you can probably tell), but I receive updates along the way. It's a very uncertain part of the business, though. All four of my novels are optioned for film, but I'm still waiting to see one become a movie. Fingers crossed!
Matthew Dicks
Hello Yan! I'm actually writing a sequel to Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend! It won't be my next book, and probably not the one after that, but I'm working hard and hope to publish it in the next couple years. So glad you liked my story!
Matthew Dicks
I did! His name was Johnson Johnson. but I thought for a long time that he was real. You can read about him here:
I told this story to a student teacher on the playground one day, and she suggested that I make it the subject of my next book. I thought she was crazy, but my wife and agent loved the idea, so I grudgingly gave it a go.
So happy I did.
I told this story to a student teacher on the playground one day, and she suggested that I make it the subject of my next book. I thought she was crazy, but my wife and agent loved the idea, so I grudgingly gave it a go.
So happy I did.
Matthew Dicks
Oh my goodness. So sorry it took so long to answer. Hopefully you'll see this!
My first story was about pole vaulting in high school. It's available on my YouTube channel and it will be on the Moth Radio Hour in a couple weeks:
The live audience is great because the feedback is immediate. I love that. But the story is never quite perfect. As I tell it and listen later, I can hear the words and phrases I would change. In a book, I can get the sentences as close to perfect as possible.
My first story was about pole vaulting in high school. It's available on my YouTube channel and it will be on the Moth Radio Hour in a couple weeks:
The live audience is great because the feedback is immediate. I love that. But the story is never quite perfect. As I tell it and listen later, I can hear the words and phrases I would change. In a book, I can get the sentences as close to perfect as possible.
About Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
