Your Questions Answered

Starting with Alice

Question:

I am a big fan of your Alice books. When I read the first prequel to the series, I really liked how Alice described her feelings. I noticed, though, that her personality and her ways of expressing her feelings are still relatively the same. I find this really interesting. I hope to get to read all the books, not just most of them. This is kind of hard, since you have written so many. I will continue reading them, though.

Phyllis replied:

Yes, because she’s the same girl all through the series–just a little older in every book. I enjoyed helping her grow up.

Posted on: March 27, 2012

Terrified of Having Sex

Question:

I’m a huge fan of your Alice book, have been since I was nine! I’m so glad to see her growing up.

Well, the reason I’m writing to you is because I am terrified of having sex. A lot of my friends have had it before and they know I’m still a virgin, and I’m perfectly fine with that and so are they. They don’t tease me about it or anything, which I think is really great. But the thing is, not only am I afraid of never finding the right person, but I’m afraid of physically doing it. I’ve heard that it hurts a lot the first couple of times, and some people never enjoy it because of that. I want to get married, I want to have kids, and yes, I do want men sexually; however, I just do not know how to wrap my head around the concept. I’m not in a rush to lose my virginity, but I’m afraid that when the right time comes, I’ll be too scared and I’ll never have the chance again. Does this make sense?

Phyllis replied:

Wait a minute. When the right time comes and you’re too scared, you’ll never have the chance again? I never knew that sex was a now or never proposition. First of all, girls differ in their anatomy “down there.” For some, the hymen–a thin membrane that partially covers the opening to the vagina–differs from woman to woman. In some, it hardly obstructs at all, and there’s very little pain. What often makes the difference is plenty of lubrication, and in a tense situation, most especially when the guy and girl aren’t really comfortable with each other yet and close, the girl is too embarrassed to use a lubricant, available at any drugstore, to get herself slippery enough to make it easier for intercourse. And the guy, if he’s young, is too eager and inexperienced to hold himself back and be gentle. If you have a family doctor or a gynecologist, it would be so helpful to schedule a visit. Every girl should do this before she becomes sexually active, both to become better aquainted with her body and to protect herself against disease and pregnancy. If you feel you can’t talk with your mother or a doctor or nurse about this, you might try your local Planned Parenthood Association. I remember going to them years ago when I was young and about to be married, for my first exam, and found them helpful. But one of the most important things to do is to wait until you have a partner who is kind and patient and with whom you can discuss your fears and feelings. And even if the first time is a bit painful, there is no reason that it has to keep you from enjoying sex for the rest of your life. Most of us didn’t enjoy that first sloppy kiss, either, but we sure learned to like it.

Posted on: March 6, 2012

Found Alice in 9th Grade

Question:

I picked up Alice in April when I was a Freshmen in high school. Since then I have became a HUGE fan of the Alice books. What made me love her was how much I could relate to her family. My mother passed away with I was 3 years old. I have a sister who’s 6 years older, so while I didn’t have an older brother I could relate to having an older sibling and living with my father. I could relate to how embarrassed Alice got and how naive she felt about things. Pamela even reminded me of my best friend. I found myself to be a mix of Alice and Elizabeth. I honestly have never related to a series as much as I have to the Alice series. And every once in a while I like to check all the books about her out again. Revisiting these books is like revisiting an old friend. And that’s what I’m doing write now. Each time I read them I’m reminded of why I love these series as much as I do.

Thank you so much for writing these series.

Phyllis replied:

I agree that books seem to mean much more to us when we can identify with them in some way. And the characters don’t have to be just like us either. Thanks so much for writing to me.

Posted on: March 6, 2012

Fell in Love with the Series

Question:

Oh my Gosh! We love the Alice books. I first read one in the summer of 2009. By the way my twin sister and I are eleven. When we read the book we fell in love with the series. Luckily our school had some the series back then. We would have had the whole recent collection but someone lost one of the books. We read them like crazy but unfortunately we read them all. Then one of my teachers found one more and my sis and I fought over who got to read it first. It was Alice on the outside. I really want to read the ones when she is in high school but I think I’ll wait until I’m about thirteen. Our school took the books away but Alice taught me a lot. I also can’t sing. We are pretty decent but I don’t think I’ll do it for a career or even in a school play. Pamela taught me a lot about how mistakes can mess up your life and she just so outgoing. I’m glad Alice and Patrick got back together. And Elizabeth she is hilarious. She always taught me about good choices. But I need to get my hands on the other Alice books from sixteen to sixty. I can’t wait to read them when I get them. I cannot believe Pamela ——–. I knew it was going to happen. That’s all for now.
P.S. Which friend —-?
Phyllis replied:

I had to edit your email because it would have been a spoiler for others who hadn’t read that particular book yet.

But I’m so glad you and your sister love the series. I think you’ll especially enjoy the final book, “Always Alice,”

when it comes out next year.

Posted on: March 6, 2012

Intrigued with Alice’s Life

Question:

Hey! I grew up reading the alice series ever since i happened to come across alice in blunderland, sitting on a book shelf in the classroom.

From that book on, I’ve been intrigued with Alice’s life, a girl i could relate to so easily. You make the story come to life in a way that truly makes us believe that

Alice is breathing, and existing. And now, reaching the latest chapter of her as Alice graduates from high school in Incredibly Alice after pausing for 2 years or so (for ive read all that has been published) it really hits home for me. Alice has matured and grown so much, though she still naturally remains the true and honnest girl she is with real life problems and obstacles. I would really like to gather up the entire series to treasure forever…

Other wonderfully written books, such as the A-list and gossip girls are adequate for a fun reading, but your Alice books are really notched up a level. Intellectually and emotionally. Which in turn forces me to rip through each of them within 2 or 3 days when I just want to savour the time spent reading. No wonder I waited so long for new ones to come out. I was overjoyed to find out on your blog that Incredibly Alice, you will sum up the entire series in the final book. I genuinely cannot wait to read that one, where we’ll trace the life of Alice all the way throughout her adulthood. Without it, I dont think i can bare it to end.

I just wanted to send you think email to show you my appreciation for creating this wonderful experience for all of us readers out there,connecting with Alice, Patrick, Liz, Pamela, Gwen, Lester and all those characters which you brought to life. You have made a great impact on our lives.

Please tell me, is it rewarding to be an author?

How do you establish a writing style that is captivating to readers? (you do it so well)

I can’t begin to express the love I feel towards you and the characters of Alice. Long live Alice!

Long live Alice and Patrick!

Phyllis replied:

It’s rewarding because readers like you make it so. I’ve forwarded your letter on to my editor, and I’m sure it will make her day, as well as it’s made mine. Regarding the writing style, I don’t know. When I wrote the first book, which was actually “The Agony of Alice,” I just wanted to write it as if I were a young motherless girl in search of a role model. And it just sort of wrote itself.

Posted on: March 6, 2012

Will Alice and Patrick break up?

Question:

Hi. I Love your Series. Right now I am re-reading your books. I know that your next book in the alice series is coming out in May. I was wondering if Alice is ever going to see Patrick in the book. I think Alice and Patrick make a really good couple. So I was just wondering if they are going to see each other or is something bad is going to happen and they are going to break. Could you please tell us. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Do you know what day the book Alice on Board comes out???????

Phyllis replied:

I couldn’t possibly tell you any more about Alice and Patrick, but he’s not out of the picture. The book coming out next year, “Always Alice,” will answer all your questions, I promise. I’m not sure of the publication date for Alice on Board. Check with Amazon.com They always seem to know the exact date a book will be out. I don’t keep track. I’m happy to know you love the books so much.

Posted on: March 5, 2012

Adore Alice

Question:

I absolutely adore your Alice books!

When I first discovered them, it was when they were coming out with the big thick books with 3 books in one. I was like, “this book is huge!” but I purchased it anyways. Best money ever spent! I absolutely was hooked the minute I started. I really can connect with Alice, so thank you so much for giving girls/teens across the world a wonderful role model to follow.

I absolutely adore you and Alice.

Thank you so much for your hard work and endless hours of writing.

Phyllis replied:

Those large 3-book paperbacks have been a real hit with readers, a nice savings, too. Those “bind-ups,” as they call them in the trade, were the publisher’s idea, and I’m delighted to know you like them so much.

Posted on: March 5, 2012

What’s next in the Alice series?

Question:

I recently started reading your Alice books.
I’ve finished I like him, He likes her, and I’m now onto It’s not like I planned it this way
Well, I don’t want to read the very first ones, I inteded to start at the one’s where she begins her Freshman year.
Anyway, I have I like Him, He likes her, It’s not like I planned it this way and Please don’t let it be true, that’s freshman, sophmore and junior year.
I would like to continue reading through her Senior year, and so on.
However, I can’t seem to figure out what it is.
I’ve looked for hours on end, and there’s literally, no listen of them all in order.
So if you could possibly tell me what the next on is after Please don’t let it be true, and others that follow, I’d appreciate it so I can continue the series!

Phyllis replied:

The three books of Alice’s senior year, –not yet out as a combined paperback–are Alice in Charge, Incredibly Alice, and Alice On Board (this last book coming out in May) And when all of these books are published, the very last book in the whole series will be published: “Always Alice,” taking her from age 18 to 60.

Posted on: February 20, 2012

You are my Project

Question:

I have been assigned you as a project that happens throughout the year. Let me say, I love your books! I am going to dress ui as you at the end of the year, so please tell me about yourself. Where do you write? What do you wear when you write? What time fo day do you like to write? How do you dress and wear your hair when you write? How do you got your ideas?

Phyllis replied:

I’m flattered that you chose me as your project, but I do hope that you don’t consider me a pen pal, because I truly don’t have time to continue an ongoing correspondence with readers, much as I would love to. I’m happy to hear comments and criticisms, as well as to answer, as best I can, questions you might have, but my real job is writing books, and that takes a lot of time. As for these questions, however, here are my answers:

I write in my big comfortable writing chair, often in my pajamas, at all times of the day, having simply run a comb through my hair. My ideas come to me through things that have happened to me or my friends, or things I read about in the paper, or just from my imagination. The best writing tip I can give anyone, if you’re having trouble thinking of an idea, is to think about the time in your life that you were most embarrased, most sad or angry or happy, amd write down just a few sentences about it. Then start changing it. Make it happen to someone else. Give it a different beginning, or ending. Add conflict and suspense. And try to make it the story that only you can write.

Posted on: February 19, 2012

Best friend

Question:

I’m a 11-year-old girl who’s a little confused by growing up, on the account everyone believes the way to a “clean and healthy” life is avoiding the subject. I was so glad (like every one of your zillion fans) when I found the Alice books. Well, actually, at first I wasn’t. I was kinda brainwashed by everyone about the “clean and healthy” thing, that the first time I saw the word “sex” or something on All but Alice, the first Alice book I read, I was pretty shocked, but forced myself to keep reading. I kept thinking, maybe I picked an adult book, like the Shopaholic series, but I didn’t think so. After reading the whole book, I hadn’t just decided Alice McKinley was a girl just like myself, but in fact she could be a new best friend, one that wouldn’t insult me because she was going through just the same things.

The thing I’ve always admired about your writing style is that you write about everything–the pencil test (which appears in Alice In-Between, by the way), bras, sex, dating…and also that your books are really realistic. They teach girls who’ve grown up believing after a not-very-realistically-rough-patch, a handsome, cute Prince Charming will come along, sweep you up on his white horse and go galloping into the sunset, and the Royal Kingdom will be appalled at your life and banish your wicked stepmother, only you’re so kind you invite her back, when in actuality most girls would invite her back just to see her suffer! Oops, I haven’t finished my sentence yet. I mean, your books teach girls who’ve grown up with fairy tales that not everyone has a Prince Charming coming along, but friends definitely come along.

You might be surprised to hear I’m also a writer (actually, I’m not, I’m just rambling along like I do in this email hoping I’ll please some editors, but in the meanwhile I’m enjoying myself), and I try so hard to be realistic like you. I’m constantly trying to make my characters interesting, funny, cool but yet realistic all the way. Okay, I’ve definitely rattled on enough to bore you now, because I’m just another fan and all that.

Well, anyway, I pray that I won’t lose touch with Alice, because even though she might not know it, she’s my best friend in growing up, and my best teacher. Alice is sort of like an older sister, or at least a great influence on me–like, don’t wear rayon dresses to a lingerie shower! (Also in Alice-In-Between

)

So, anyway, I think every author should know how much each fan appreciates their books, even if they’re just rambling the same thing over and over again, and I’m glad I’ve taken some–and most certainly, your time–time to write this letter to you.

Phyllis replied:

I truly do appreciate it when readers take the time to write to me. I’m so pleased to know that Alice could be a new best friend. I’ve certainly enjoyed writing about her all these years.

Posted on: February 17, 2012