Your Questions Answered

Will They Ever Do IT?

Question:

Phyllis replied:

Do you honestly think I would tell you that and destroy the suspense for the books yet to come?  Sorry.  My lips are sealed.

Consider Killing Myself

Phyllis replied:

Now wait a minute.  You’re thinking of killing your beautiful self because a louse of a guy led you on?  Be a friend to yourself.  If there wasn’t a mistake here or some kind of misunderstanding, then he seems to be a guy to likes to get a girl “snowed,” and then drop her.  Don’t waste yourself on that.  I can see that it would be upsetting.  I would hate for it to happen to me, and I’d wonder if he meant anything at all that he’d said to me.  But “yourself” needs an understanding friend right now, so be that friend.  Some day, a girl will pull the same stunt on this guy, and perhaps he’ll develop a little empathy.

Thank You!

Question:

Phyllis replied:

You’re welcome!

She is a Part of my Life

Phyllis replied:

I wanted to write to you to tell you that I love the Alice series. I first discovered the series when I began junior high school. The book I read was Achingly Alice. I liked it so much that I bought all of the previous Alice books and read them all too. After getting caught up with the series, I waited not so patiently each May for a new Alice book to be released. I believe I was in the seventh grade when I found that first Alice book, and I am now a junior in college. I feel lucky to have discovered Alice. I feel like she is a part of my life, like a friend. I will continue to look forward to a new Alice book to be released each May. Thanks for creating Alice. Although I eventually found myself quickly surpassing Alice in age, she has always been one of my role models.

Phyllis replied:

I know that happens:  one year you and Alice are exactly the same age, and the following year and the year after, she’s still in the same grade.  That’s because I generally write three books for each year of her life, and they only come out once a year.  But I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed her company for so long!   Thanks for writing.

I Really Don’t Want to be Around Him

Phyllis replied:

This is difficult, because some people just can’t accept a “no,” and you’re trying not to hurt his feelings.  I suggest letting a day or two or more go by before you answer any messages from him.  I would ignore all the questions he asks about whether or not you like him, and stick to school subjects, movies, anything that’s general.  The fact that you are replying at all tells him you don’t hate him, but your answering, “I’ve been studying hard for that test”  in answer to his “Do you like anyone else?” might turn him off after awhile.

I Really Want Them to Get Married

Question:

i am ten years old and in the fifth grade and i have read all your books in that series except for dangerously alice almost alice and intensly alice. but i am going to the library today and am hoping to find them. your alice books are sooooo good that i wish i had nonstop alice books so i could keep reading them! mrs. naylor are you going to wright more alice books now that intensly alice is finished and published? please keep writing alice and please wright a little quickly because i really want to read them! mrs.naylor are you ever planning to have alice and patrick get married? i really want them to get married because they are such an awsome couple. please keep writing your books mrs.naylor because they are spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phyllis replied:

I can’t tell you in advance what’s going to happen in the Alice books because that would ruin the suspense.  I can only promise that there will be some surprises. Look for “Alice in Charge” next June.

One of my Favorite Series

Question:

i just wanted to tell you that i love the alice series. it is one of my favorite series. i am a ten year old girl and i love the books! i like the ones when shes older alot better than the younger ones though. i have read all the books except for dangerously alice almost alice and intensly alice. im going to read those ones to though. you r a great author and thank you for writing those books. i love your books

Phyllis replied:

I’m so glad you like the books.  Actually, I had a good time writing the Alice prequels–Starting with Alice, Alice in Blunderland, and Lovingly Alice.  It was fun to figure out what Lester was like as a young teenager.

Ever Feel Like Just Giving Up?

Question:

I love your alice books!<3 I think I wanna be a writer when i’m older i’m not sure my friends and family say i’m very creative and sometimes randomly things just come to me and I think “that would be good for a book.” I’m not so great in math since writing doesn’t really involve math I think it would be a perfect job for me. But when you wrote your first book did you have another job to support you while you were writing it? Do you ever feel like just giving up and taking a break?? And when you send a story to a publisher and they reject do you give up and start writing a whole new one or send it to a different writer and see if they like it? Thanks for having this website!

Phyllis replied:

  Yes, once I almost gave up.  In fact, I was going to burn all my manuscripts.  Then I got $60 for a short story and that changed my mind.  Always have another job in mind to support yourself.  Writing can be an iffy business, but good luck!  Always send a manuscript out to other publishers if you’re rejected.

Intensely Alice

Question:

This was your best Alice book to me.  i don’t remember ever holding a book and shaking so hard from crying.  I felt Alice’s pain to the point that i thought i was there with them as they made a circle around the house, went to the funeral, and talked to each other at the playground  I’m just as lost as Alice is when it comes to god….i’m a 16 year old girl trying to find my place in life….so please don’t stop writing.  p.s. this would make a great show or movie…? but also i think you feel more when you read!

Phyllis replied:

I think it’s a book to be read by people who have followed Alice for a long time.  I cried too when I wrote it, especially the circle around the  house.  I’ve never been able to read that part in public.

Will Eric Fielding appear again?

Phyllis replied:

Probably not.  I liked him too, but as often happens, some people drift in and out of our lives, even though we liked them very much.