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I am Adam Ellis, creator of the humor blog Books of Adam and author of the new book The Blunder Years. AMA!
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adamtots13 karma
You're welcome! I'm glad people have responded so well to the stuff I make.
adamtots39 karma
I blend human stem cells into my morning bloody mary. Also I made a pact with a witch 275 years ago.
Kweeston13 karma
If you were to fart in a mason jar, seal it up tight, and smell it in a year
I mean what would that thing smell like
adamtots24 karma
Yesterday my mom read my book and texted me saying she was "blown out of proportion with pride."
I don't think my grandparents know what a blog is. They don't even have the Internet.
adamtots9 karma
I'm pretty sure Kristin made one. I made a tiny penis out of fondant once. Does that count?
CanticumVulpes8 karma
What house would you be sorted into at Hogwarts and WHY?
Also, if you could have any superpower what would it be?
adamtots27 karma
Ravenclaw. They had freaky parties, I bet. As for a superpower, I'd like to be able to talk to and control machines like that little kid from Heroes. Free vending machine snacks, what whaaat!
adamtots18 karma
Bumble and Bumble styling creme (it's expensive, but I don't need very much, and the bottle I have has lasted me for over 18 months). I also use Got2b Glued Freezing Hairspray to hold everything in place. I'm also not ashamed of my portable blowdryer. NO SHAME.
scarymunchkin0077 karma
Please describe the kind of fart you would be (if you were a fart).
adamtots17 karma
A chain of small farts that get louder and louder, and they smell like blackberries.
nuksucao7 karma
Remember that time that we exchanged comments on Facebook? Probably not, huh? Well, it made my whole week. Thanks for that, bro. Onto my question, what was writing your book like? Did you just sit down and vomit it out, or did it take careful thought and planning? I luv u.
adamtots18 karma
It was mostly vomit at first, and then I stared at the vomit, and organized it into little vomit piles with my hands. Then I picked out the parts I didn't like, and sent it to my editor. Then I vomited a few more times and eventually I had a book.
I luv u 2.
adamtots14 karma
Not really, no. Sometimes I have to make little edits so the narrative flows better, but I never invent stuff. Everything you read about actually happened.
adamtots16 karma
She's great. She has an upper respiratory infection and conjunctivitis, so I have to give her eyedrops 3 times a day, jab a pill down her gullet twice daily, and squirt some liquid into her mouth every night. Somehow, she doesn't hate me yet. I sort of hate me. Poor Pepper.
adamtots11 karma
It's rolling around somewhere in my old apartment in Portland. When I moved, I left a LOT of stuff behind. Since it was cursed, I decided it was best to part with it.
sleepyhead175 karma
What advice would you give me a budding, talented (and modest!) young cartoonist such as myself? I've done political cartoons and want to dive into blogging sometime soon. Love and admire your work and also, will you be my mentor? :)
adamtots13 karma
Keep at it, believe in yourself, and follow your dreams.
Ok, but really. The most important thing is to try and make content you believe in, and eventually people will notice it. Do you have anything online? Show me!
hazydublinteen5 karma
Was there ever a time when you tried to do panelled comics? Do you ever feel like you should be doing panelled comics? What other artistic mediums do you want to explore?
also, for the record, you're awesome, and i'm a big fan of the way you write/illustrate your posts.
adamtots5 karma
I actually did paneled comics in middle school. I used to write these ridiculous comics about me and my friends. They will never see the light of day if I can help it.
houseofsharks4 karma
Whats up with you and Kristin? Are you guys dating or just BFFS. Also, her comics and art are a lot similar to yours. Does this bother you or is it a friendly competition...that was like..3 questions.
adamtots9 karma
Kristin and are are actually fraternal twins. We hatched from eggs.
Her blog is similar to mine in format, but I don't think it's all that similar. The "illustrated essay" type of blog is getting more and more popular, and I say the more the merrier.
adamtots4 karma
All I use on my beard is a Wahl 79300-400 Color Pro 20 Piece Complete Haircutting Kit. About one a week I snap on a #2 guard and trim my beard. And I keep my neck shaved up so I don't look like a hobo.
adamtots14 karma
The food carts, definitely. And the summers. Summer in New York is pretty brutal, like swimming through hot garbage chowder.
vinyladdictforlife3 karma
Just picked up your book on my way home from work.
Been reading the blog for years and had you do a portrait of me a few years ago and then one of my best friend and his fiance for their wedding shower.
They said it was the most thoughtful and awesome gift they ever got. Thanks for the help!
clumsylaura3 karma
Do you get recognized in public? Any awesome/ horrifying stories from that?
thebothering3 karma
Hey Adam, I've been a huge fan of your blog since I discovered it two years ago. I just want to escape from the hellish furnaces of the Deep South and would like to ask: where would be the best place to live in Portland (neighborhood, apartment building, whatever)?
adamtots3 karma
Pretty much all of Portland is wonderful and offers different stuff. North Portland is the only part you'd want to avoid. What exactly are you looking for?
adamtots6 karma
Old faves: Final Fantasy 7, Earthbound, and Fallout 3.
Recent faves: Last of Us stuck with me long after I beat it. That game really lived up to the hype. It's not my favorite game ever, but if someone was like, "Last of Us was my favorite game ever," I'd nod and be like, "Coo', coo'."
LaurenAWood2 karma
If you were a character on The Waling Dead, what would your role be in the group? What would you bring to the table?
Also, have you seen that mean girl that pushed you off the bus and caused you to not get any ice cream in recent years?
adamtots2 karma
I don't think I'd have a specific role. I'd keep morale up. I'm actually a pretty good leader as long as I don't have to get dirty or eat a lot of squirrels.
lizzernet2 karma
What art school did you attend? And how long before you high-tailed it out of there?
adamtots3 karma
I went to college in Boston, and I actually graduated! My mother would've murdered me if I had ever dropped out. She's a college professor so not graduating wasn't an option.
miss_civic1 karma
Hi from a fellow Billings-ian! Billings-ite? Anyway, how do you feel growing up in Montana affected your experiences/perspectives regarding big city life in Portland/NYC? Thanks for doing this AMA, can't wait to read your book!
adamtots4 karma
Growing up in Montana was fun as a kid. It's really beautiful and I have a lot of fun memories camping and running with elk during gym class. Montana is less fun for a teenager.
adamtots6 karma
Don't move to New York hoping it'll be like on TV or in the movies. A lot of people move to the city thinking that it's going to be this fabulous adventure, and it certainly can be, but it's not all that different than other places. Get used to a lot of obnoxious comments like, "New York has a way of taking care of you, if you let it."
Basically, New York is what you make of it.
adamtots7 karma
Fresh baked bread. Nobody really thinks about bread, but there's nothing tastier than fresh baked bread with butter. Give bread a chance. It'll surprise you.
superpyro1231 karma
How much of your stories are real? What sort of music do you listen to? Both just curiosities I've had while reading for the last few years
adamtots5 karma
They're all real!
Music: My tastes used to be a lot more varied. In college I devoured anything and everything. Lots of indie stuff. The National, Josh Ritter, etc. Over the past year or two, I've gravitated more toward more upbeat stuff. I'm too busy to be mopey and introspective. I'm listening to a lot of Robyn, Tegan and Sara, Kate Boy, Bastille, and older Janet Jackson.
sp3cimen1 karma
Did you stop and think I'm gonna make money off this blog thing and my mad drawing skills, or did it just happen? Love your blog by the way. And you. Will you marry me?
adamtots3 karma
I never ever ever thought my blog would make me money. I'm still surprised every day.
babysalesman1 karma
Hey there Adam! I found your blog years ago through StumbleUpon. Holy shit am I happy I did. Your writing is hilarious and your art is incredible.
So Questions:
If you weren't a blogger, what would you be doing?
Would you be willing to draw one of my custom super heroes for me totally for free?
What would it take to get you inside me?
Thanks so much for everything you do! Come visit Grand Rapids sometime, it's the hispter center of Michigan.
Shinobi5581 karma
Adam, you live in Astoria and I live in Williamsburg, when are we going to play drunken Smash Bros and Animal Crossing?
Okay, serious question now :B do you plan on doing any signings or appearances for The Blunder Years? It's honestly one of my favorite books of the summer and I really would love to see more publicity for it!
Please don't stop doing what you do, you're an awesome guy!
officialpoypoy1 karma
Im in the same situation of the character in ur book I think even though I haven't read it yet. Which Im sooo interested too, is it in chapters? or is it only available online?
How long did it take you to create your book? How do you feel about grammar? Iv always wanted to write a book but I extremely hate grammar which fucks up my creativeness. How good is your life now from 1 to 10?
adamtots8 karma
Quentin Tarantino is borderline illiterate and he won two Oscars for writing.
folow ur drems
I_Ask_About_IceCream1 karma
Which ice cream flavour really gets the creative juices flowing?
adamtots10 karma
Kill Superman because he's a whiney nerd with daddy issues and I will not have that shit. Marry Batman cuz at least he's rich. I'm not gonna fuck Thor, but he can watch me play videogames if he wants.
adamtots4 karma
It hits. It can be frustrating. I'm always afraid that I'm going to run out of stories to tell, but it hasn't happened yet.
DazedAndGandolf1 karma
How do you deal with writer's block? I've begun writing my first book, and I've just hit a huge creative wall.
adamtots4 karma
Get out of the house. I'll take a break and go get some food, or I'll go to the gym and run for an hour. It makes it easier to think.
Also, download Evernote for your phone. Make lots and lots of notes.
mottison1 karma
Adam! What was your favorite food cart in downtown Portland? And also, what was your favorite Salt & Straw flavor?
adamtots3 karma
Samurai Bento was good. Favorite S&S flavor was Strawberry Honey Balsamic With Black Pepper.
StarsAreYummy32 karma
I love your comics! Sorry, I don't have a real question. I just wanted to thank you for the laughs.
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