Your Questions Answered

Book Signings

Question:

I read that you go to book signings and I’m wondering if thats only in the USA or if thats other places too. I’d like to know, just to get an idea because none of my favourtie authors have ever come to my city(as far as I know) to sign books.Oh yeah, and also, I see that the first few books were several years apart for when they were puublished. When you published the first book, did you know that you were going to want to have a series based on Alice, or was it after awhile of thinking?

Phyllis replied:

I wasn’t doing any speaking for a while following a back operation last year, but I’m beginning to go out again, and my publisher plans a book tour for me next fall when the last Alice book comes out. I don’t know which or how many cities I’ll be visiting, but I will definitely post–many times–my schedule once I know. Yes, there are several years between the first two Alice books that I wrote–“The Agony of Alice” and “Alice in Rapture, Sort Of.” That’s because I didn’t know when I wrote the first one that it would become a series. It wasn’t until the letters started coming in asking for more, and reviewers said things like, “Alice’s many fans will await her further adventures,” that I said, “Huh?” and started thinking about writing more. The three prequels came later.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

Famous authors

Question:

I went on your Alice blog five minutes ago and I was amazed that you had read and answered my questions from email. Thanks for answering and also thanks for being such a great writer and understander(is that even a word?). I just want to ask another question:

I see that you know a lot of other famous authors. If you could meet/be friends with any other author, poet, etc,(dead or alive) who would it be and why? I realize that this is like one of those questions that a teacher would give you at school, but I find that it would be interesting if a great author really looked up to another one.

Thanks again and it is great communicating with you!

Phyllis replied:

I would love to sit down with Mark Twain and talk about his childhood days.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

If Alice Was a Lesbian

Question:

Hello! It has been at least a year that I have written to you and recently something crossed my mind. 
In one of your wonderful Alice books, Alice spends the night with a lesbian before realizing that said girl is indeed a lesbian. When she gets home and shares with her dad about this, she asks him how he would feel if she was a lesbian and though I don't remember the exact scenario, I do remember her father saying something along the lines of "I would be a little sad for you."
I am wondering why her father would say that.



Phyllis replied:

He was thinking about the prejudice she might encounter, and that made him sad.
A parent can love a child enormously, and still worry that something about him
or her might make other people shun or tease or torment, simply because he know
of cases where this has happened.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

Middle Names

Question:

I know that Alice’s middle name is Kathleen and Lester’s is Paul, but what are the middle names of Elizabeth, Pamela, and Patrick?

Phyllis replied:

I didn’t give Patrick or Pamela a middle name, but Elizabeth’s is Ann. You will be able to look up facts like these in the “Alice Bible,” a 100 page book, used in-house at the publisher’s, that the copy editor put together for everyone working on the Alice books, including herself. It lists every single character, every birthday, prom, Halloween, Christmas gift, boyfriend, embarrassing moment, etc. etc. etc. and the last I heard, the publisher plans to post this online after the final book comes out.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

How Many Drafts?

Question:

Well hi Ms.Reynolds:) I needed to write to you because I wanted to ask you a few questions. First one, when you wrote Intensely Alice where did you get information on Chicago? Second, when Patrick asks Alice if she wants to go to the prom with him, does that mean the he likes her more than Penny? Do your books go through lots of changes when they’re still in draft? if so how many would you say? I’d really apreciate if you could answer my questions because I was wondering. Thank you for taking your time off from writing THE best-selling book (Always Alice) to read my email(:

Phyllis replied:

I used to live in Chicago. And yes, I think you can assume that when Patrick asked Alice to the prom, he was liking her more than Penny at that point. An Alice book goes through at least five drafts before it becomes final. The very last book in the series, that comes out next fall, ALWAYS ALICE, is twice as long as all the other Alice books, and I can’t count the number of revisions it has gone through. There are so many characters to keep track of over the years, so many sub-plots. But I’m very happy with it as it goes to the copy-editor this week, and I’m sure I’ve not seen the last of it before it’s published.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

Alice on the Outside

Question:

    I love your Alice books!
They are the best series ever ! I am in the 7th grade right now and have to do an independent reading project and I am doing my report on Alice on the Outside !
     I already finished it and it is a great book:) I love the ending with the note from Patrick!
     The most interesting chapter to me,though, was chpt 4 with CRW. I thought that was the best idea for Alice’s school to do ! Where did you get that idea ? I was thinking about brining it up to my next student council meeting or my deans and principle. I don’t think prejudice is as big of deal as it might have been back in the 60-70’s, but its still out there. Kids should still be aware of it. Right ?
Do you have any information that might help me ? I would truly appreciate it 🙂
     Thanks again for writing the Alice books ! You truly inspire me .

Phyllis replied:

CRW (Consciousness Raising Week) was not original with me, I’m sure–at least the theme of it–but the best way I know how to get pe0ple to put themselves in someone else’s shoes is to make them a minority group for a change. Have them shunned or teased or bullied just because their hair is blond or their eyes are green or they are shorter than five feet tall. It is just as ridiculous and cruel to tease or bully someone who is handicapped or gay or a different skin color than you are, and that was the whole idea. Think of the things that get kids discriminated against in your school–weight or sexual identity or religion–and then announce in homeroom that all those wearing a certain brand name loafer will not be allowed to use the west staircase that day, and all those whose last names end in N have to eat at the back table in the cafeteria. Just an idea. I’m glad you like the Alice series. Thanks for writing.

Posted on: September 18, 2012

Trembling with Excitement

Question:

I’m so excited to be comunicating with you (sorry I have the worst spelling)! Ive been reading your books since I was 8. You gave me the talk! Well Im twelve now, and Ive read everyone of your books. I have them all on my Nook.(thanks for putting them on ebook, by the way) Sorry for getting sidetracked, Im just really, really, really, EXCITED! But annnnyyyywaaaay, I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make myself not as excited. Seriously, I think of it all day long, and what can make me less excited? Can you tell me anything about the book? Are you finished with it at least? When exactly is it coming out? Do you have any tips for me? I love Sarah Dessen, too! Which book was your favorite, Ive read almost all of them. Are you making any appearences in central Jersey soon? You are my idol……….

Trembling with excitement for the next year

Phyllis replied:

I’m glad you’re so excited about the book. I can’t tell you any more secrets about it than I’ve already leaked out on this website, but the book will be much longer than the usual Alice book, and I think you’ll like it. My publisher plans to send me on tour next fall, but I don’t know yet what cities I’ll be signing in, or when. When I know, I’ll post it on this website.

Posted on: August 28, 2012

Disappointed at College

Question:

So, sometimes I like to fancy myself the “real” Alice. Of course I’m not but I just started my freshman year at the University of Maryland, College Park. I feel lost though. And I’m in this program where my classes are during the clubs and stuff. Everyone seems to just want to get drunk and high here. I feel like I’m not connecting with people here. I meet them, but I feel like I’m so different. Like I’d rather go on a photoshoot by the bike trail or something than hang in the apartment and get drunk. I’m used to living in the middle-of-nowhere, trust-your-neighbors kinda place. Like tonight on the campus , I think someone assaulted me. I don’t know if it was on purpose or an accident though. I’m so confused and I can’t help but wondering if I made a huge mistake. I don’t know why I’m writing to you but I don’t know what else to do. I also can’t transfer out of UMD until fall 2013 or I lose my deposit. I hope things will get better once classes start (wednesday). Do you have any advice? By the way I love your books and I can’t wait until the final one =].

Phyllis replied:

College can be overwhelming those first few days and weeks, and classes haven’t even started yet. Truly, you haven’t even begun to meet “everyone,” and there are hundreds of students there who are from small towns, and those who feel the same way you do. If you continue to feel this way after a few weeks, see a counselor if only to vent. I promise that she has seen this over and over again, and can help steer you toward groups who are much more to your liking. Freshman year can be weird for some people who just can’t wait to have all the freedom they’ve imagined, and end up making clowns of themselves or worse. In the last Alice book, coming out next year, she also starts the University of Maryland, and –(SPOILER ALERT)–she gets assaulted too. Readers will see how she handles it. Could happen on ANY campus. Hang in there!

Posted on: August 28, 2012

Does she die?

Question:

I am a great fan and have liked your Alice blog too. I truly feel that I can relate to Alice herself. I want you to know that you are a great inspiration and help when i write even though my stories 99% always ten to come out as a fantasy themed book. There is something I’d like to know, when I read that Always Alice ends at Alice being sixty years old, does that really mean that she’s going to die at sixty? If it does I’ll be so sad… I guess it’ll be spoiler alert if you tell, but I was just curious. What I’d also like to know is if Always Alice is going to be HUGE. Because all the other books were already somewhat thick and they weren’t even one year. I have troucouble finding the alice books in the bookstores because all I end up finding is alice on board or the three books in one. Oh well; My bookshelves are already a tight squeeze. I’ll probably buy Always Alice when it comes out in paperbaack though. My parents won’t let me buy hardcovers often. I see why…

Anyway, do you know if Alice is going to read her letter from seventh grade when they made the time capsle in Always Alice? I would find that pretty cool becasue that happened a long time ago and Alice has aged a lot since then. Imean, she’s going to college now! I have ‘liked’ your wordpress blog but can’t put a comment. I guess that’s why you have this email address.

Where do you get your ideas for all the crazy and embarassing things that happen to Alice? Are they based on real life? If I wrote a book based on the crazy things that happened to me you’ll probably be lauhing into next week!

Do you tend to notice things that other people don’t? I have a habit for doing that but my teacher seems to be okay with it…

Phyllis replied:

I don’t mind telling you that she does not die in the final Alice book, and yes, she reads the letter she wrote to her 60 year-old self. SO much happens in that final book, that it keeps getting longer and longer, and I’m about to send in my second revision. I think that all writers probably make a habit of noticing things that others may not notice or think significant, or perhaps it’s just an inborn trait. If we didn’t have a good eye and a good ear, we wouldn’t have so much to write about.

Posted on: August 26, 2012

Embarrassments

Question:

Well I’ve read Alice Alone, Simply Alice, and Patiently Alice separately since I had to find them from libraries because I don’t think I could buy some of them. I have way too many books already on my shelf so I’m thinking of selling maybe some of my books. But if I ever did buy any Alice books at all I know I would never ever sell them(: I just think that they’re wayyy too important too me. I’ve already read all the books from “Starting with Alice” to “Alice on her Way”, now I am looking forward to see “Dangerously Alice”. Cant wait! My friend Irma usually let me borrow her copies of the Alice books. When I reccomended them to her and my other best friend Lily, they both loved them(: I even read “Starting with Alice” and “Alice in Blunderland” with my younger sister who just LOVED them. She thought they were hilarious and very realistic. She and I just looooved the part of her talking with Lester, soo cute. You are the only author I can recall the actually made me laugh and cry in the same book. Your books are inspiring to girls everywhere. It can be ALWAYS related to since you know what Alice said in “Outrageously Alice” to Patrick, “Embarrassments become a part of us [girls].” Haha that was just soo true(:

Phyllis replied:

Yes, and they seem to just go on and on. I will probably never be at the age at which embarrassments stop. But I think we remember our own better than we remember the ones that happen to other people. I’m delighted that you and your younger sister could enjoy the Alice books together. Thanks for writing.

Posted on: August 26, 2012