Your Questions Answered

Questions

Question:

First I have a question that is not related to the Alice books: If I ever e-mail you in the future, is it okay to address the letter to Phyllis?

Now, the questions about the Alice books:

1. Do you already know what will happen in the last book?

2. When is the last book supposed to come out?

3. What is the last book going to be called?

4. Where did you get the idea to write about a girl without a mom?

Phyllis replied:

Yes, you may call me Phyllis.

1) Yes

2) 2013

3) Always Alice

4) It’s been so long ago I can’t remember. I just wanted to write one book about a motherless girl looking for a role model, and look what happened!

Posted on: July 30, 2009

Hi, Phyllis! Wow, I can’t believe I am actually writing a famous author. 🙂 Well, I was just wondering if you ever have had a time when you had writer’s block and doubted yourself and did not know what to do. If so, how did you over come it? Well, I am absolutely IN LOVE with your books- you’ve got an amazing talent, and I enjoy the humor you put into the books! You really connect the plots and events to be what teens go through so it is something they can relate to! My friend reccomended the series a little less than a year ago to me, and I have almost caught up with the whole series with only about three more to read! I am hoping to find the ones I need to read yet before my family leaves on vacation at the end of the week, so hopefully I can find the ones I need at the library, otherwise I am going to need to do some SERIOUS cleaning around the house to bribe my mom to drive me to the nearest bookstore…which isn’t actually all that near. 🙂 Well, thank you for taking the time to read this and (hopefully!) answer my question. 🙂 It is a little down-casting to know that the series is almost at an end, but I know that you will make the last ones amazing and plus, whose ever heard of a writer with a never-ending series, right? 🙂 Thanks for being such an amazing writer and inspirer! Oh…which reminds me…do you have any advice for a striving thirteen year old who wants to become a writer? (That’s me.) :)Well, this message is becoming a tad bit long, (and also my brother is threatening to do something utterly atrocious to me if I don’t get off the computer soon), so thank you once again!
From one of your many biggest fans

Phyllis replied:

I’m not entirely sure what “writer’s block” is. If you mean, have I ever got started in a book and didn’t know what to write next, no, I’ve not had that experience because I don’t start a manuscript unless I know a lot of things that will happen in it, what the climax will be, and how it will end, even though things change as I go along. But I certainly have had the feeling that a manuscript isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. Then I just have to back up to the place where things started to go wrong and take another angle, look at it again. I’ve written books on the subject of writing, and recommend that you get one of them, “HOW I CAME TO BE A WRITER.” (Paperback, Aladdin Books). It’s still in print.

Posted on: July 30, 2009

How Many Movies?

Question:

hey p, home many movies are there of alice do u have? and are you going to have any more movies?

P.S. thanks for the answer for were to get the books from and you are right they are a whole lot cheeper if they are paper backs instead of hard backs!!!!! thanks again!!!!! 🙂

Phyllis replied:

There is only one Alice movie–“Alice Upside Down.” I have no idea if there will be more movies or not; I don’t have control over that.

Posted on: July 30, 2009

Why Did He Break Up with Alice?

Question:

Your books are the best and you are a awesome writer. But, I have a question, did Patrick really like Alice or Penny, I mean why did he broke up with Alice for Penny? Oh dont stop writing books. Keep going. I love the Alice Series.

Phyllis replied:

I forget in what book that happened–Alice Alone, I think–but we have to take Patrick at his word. I don’t think he especially wanted to break up with Alice; he just liked both girls, and figured he could have two girlfriends at the same time. Guys, huh?

Posted on: July 30, 2009

Asking for your Help

Question:

Hello. The reason I am asking for your help is because I am a young author in the progress of writing different books. I put a lot emphasis on the word young. I am only thirteen. I love reading and writing, it is my passion. The only thing is, every time I send a manuscript of my work, the publisher I send it to always turns me down. I get very discouraged, but I keep on writing. I have sent in children’s books to a variety of publishers. I have sent many different types of stories, too, but every time the response is either a ‘no thank you’ or ‘unsolicited works are unacceptable.’ I have only received one letter with true appreciation, and that was from Greenwillow Books.

I am working on my best story right now. I am on page one hundred and twenty five already. I now also have an idea for another book after I finish this one.

I have many questions to ask you, and I respectfully request that you try to answer them, if you have the time. I would appreciate that so much.

How did you start writing? How did you ask a publisher to publish your book? What inspired you to write? What do you do when a publisher denies your work? How do you find ideas to keep writing? How did you get the idea for the ‘Alice’ series and Jade Green (and all the other books you have written)? How did you form the letter to the publishers? Which publishing companies do you recommend for me to try?

Thanks again for your help. Writing is so pleasing to me. Who knows? Maybe you may see my name on a cover someday. Thank you and God Bless.

Phyllis replied:

I wish I had time to answer all your questions in detail, but I have several dozen emails waiting. I know the frustration you must feel in getting rejection slips (I’ve received 10,443) but rejection is something every writer has to deal with you. Let me say that an editor will buy a good story no matter how old the author is. But I’m sorry to tell you that you probably need a lot more experience and hard work. I don’t know how many times you rewrite your books, but here’s what I go through: I start making notes about what’s going to happen in my book months, or even years in advance, adding to it now and then. When I get so excited about the story I can’t stand it any longer, I write the first chapter in longhand, then immediately rewrite it making it better. When the entire book has been written twice in longhand, I type it up on the computer, changing and editing as I go. I print it out, let my husband read it for criticism, correct it, type it up again. I read it aloud to my critique group for their comments and criticisms and rewrite it again. I read sections of it aloud to myself, put it away for a week or so, get it out and read it again, making more corrections. When it is as good as I feel I can possibly get it, I send it to my editor, and after I get an editorial letter from her, telling me all the things that aren’t working, I rewrite it. My novel ICE took 18 rewrites. Please get a copy of my book HOW I CAME TO BE A WRITER. (paperback) I think this might be an enormous help to you and will answer most of your questions. Best of luck, from one writer to another.

Posted on: July 30, 2009

Joke

Question:

I was just reading the fan mail on your site, and I saw the post where someone said they killed their mother to be like Alice. That’s terrible! Please do not kill her dad in the next book like the person suggested! Did I misunderstand? Anyways, I love Alice!

Phyllis replied:

Joke, joke!

Posted on: July 30, 2009

Do You Have Kids?

Question:

hey pn, i was wondering do you have any kids? and if so then what are theyre ages and are they boys and girls……..lol that is a lot of questions but i was just wondering because if you have kids that means that you have to take care of them and your job and that would be a lot of work because your job isnt like any other job you put a lot of work and your heart and mind into the books so i would think that that would be a lot of work but if theyre wasnt any people like you we wouldnt have books to read and we all wouldnt be talking to you right now…..so i just want you to now that i am soo glad that you have a passion for writing and being able to work very hard on our books to so good luck on continuing your writing passion aka job

Phyllis replied:

Well, I have two sons who aren’t kids any longer. They are both married with children of their own. But they were once small children and I was writing even then. The minute they lay down for naps, I began writing, and wrote steadily until they woke up. The minute they were off to school in the mornings, I began to write, and only stopped when they came home. At one point I paid a woman to babysit all day twice a week and I went to the library and wrote. But in some ways I had it easier than other workers, because I didn’t have to dress up and go to an office. People seem to find time for what they love most, and since I loved both my family and my writing, I somehow managed.

Posted on: July 29, 2009

Where Can I Find Your Books Cheap?

Question:

where would you recommend of getting cheep alice books so that i dont have to go to the library all the time just to get the books i would also like to know because then i can lend the books to my friends instead of going to the library i was just wondering if you had a suggestion of where to get them for cheep becaus ei love your books and i want to get most of them!!!!

Phyllis replied:

The least expensive way to buy an Alice book is to wait until it comes out in paperback. But that’s usually a year or a year and a half after it first comes out in hardback. To find a less expensive hardback copy, try Amazon.com or some other discount outlet.

Posted on: July 28, 2009

How Do You Have All That Time?

Question:

so there will be 4 more books that is wonderful but how do you decide when to stop? i know it takes a lot of time to wright books so how do u have all that time to wright? and are you going to wright about alice in college? i hope you do i love them so much but i hope that when u decide when the alice series is over i hope that you make it a good conclusion to the alice series!!!

Phyllis replied:

I decided a long time ago that when Alice got to be 18, I would write one last book, leapfrogging through her life to show you the main events. And working the time sequence out in my head, I figured it will take 28 books in all. Writing is my job, my profession. That’s how I get the time. I make the time. I write several hours each day, sometimes many hours each day, and the rest of the time I’m always thinking, planning the next chapter, and the next and the next.

Posted on: July 28, 2009

Best Advice for Becoming a Writer

Question:

I would just like to tell you how much I LOVE your books! Every book I’ve read I just LOVED! I really like the Alice books and the Bernie Magrudger books. They rock. Oh and I couldn’t forget Shiloh! I love those books also. But, now I just want to ask you one question, what is your best advice on writing a book. I know I’m only 11 years old, but I love to read and would so much love to have my very on published book so please give me your best advice.

Phyllis replied:

The very best advice I can give right now is to get a copy of my book (paperback), “How I Came to Be a Writer.” I think it would be a great help to you–it’s for ages 10 to 15.

Posted on: July 27, 2009