Alice Blog

Trashy or not?

Question:

Dear Phyllis,
I want to ask your opinion on something. I'm almost 19 and I'm dating a guy who 
lives and attends college in another state. My spring break is coming up and I'd 
love to fly there to visit him. I'd stay with a girl friend there and pay for my 
own ticket. However, my parents have forbid me from going to see him at college. 
They think it's trashy for me to go visit him and that it would create a 
reputation. They only approve of him visiting me. Their views seem old fashioned 
to me but I'm not sure how to change their minds. Any input would be greatly 
appreciated!!

Phyllis replied:

I doubt that I will change your parents’ minds, but I don’t think it’s trashy at all.  You’ve been dating this guy, you obviously like him and your parents do too or they wouldn’t object to his visiting you.  Has he invited you or agreed with your going there?  In this modern world we base things not on male/female so much, but who can best afford it?  Who has the best schedule to work it in?  Whose turn is it?   Frankly, I can think of a number of things you could do if he visited you that might ruin your reputation, but your simply going there and staying with a girlfriend is not one of them.

TV show?

Question:

Have you ever thought of making Alice* into a TV show? That would be SO cool!! I would watch it every day!!

There’s Always an Alice Book

Phyllis replied:

I loved hearing about your experience, and that an Alice book was helpful.  When the last Alice book is published in 2013, I’ll ask my readers to tell me their favorite scene out of all the Alice books, and I’ll post them here on this page.  It will be fun to relive them, and see what other readers liked best.

Alice on ebooks?

My question is, will the Alice series ever come out in ebook format, or for Kindle? Of all the books I would want in my pocket to read at any time, the Alice series would be at the top of the list! They say on Amazon that they will “Send your request to the publisher” but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask the author herself. Kudos on having such a great mind to create Alice and to connect with teenagers in a unique way, since connecting with teenage girls isn’t exactly rocket science!

Love her Experiences

Question:

Hello!:) This is just one of thousands of questions i would like to ask. Also one of thousands of emails you have received. I asked for a book that put together Alice’s whole 9th grade year for Christmas. I started not even in the middle of the series, i know… but i love her experiences and how i can relate to her, feel what she’s feeling you know? I even had pineapple upside down cake for my birthday this year! Well, my question is: I’m starting 7th grade in the fall. Where i’m from, that’s the beginning of middle school. All my old friends… lets just say ‘changed’ in a bad way… the beauty of them out of my life is the four best friends i have now. Haha, I never would have guessed we would ALL be going to a different middle school. I would like some ideas of how to keep our friendship strong even though we won’t be seeing each other as often. I’m not worried about new friends though. I’m a bubbly person that keeps my good grades and makes the right choices.

Phyllis replied:

It’s good to hear that you have new friends, good friends, and that you want to keep them.  The suggestions are the same for any relationship: give each other some slack–remembering that everybody has an off day or makes some careless remark; give each other some space–don’t get mad if somebody doesn’t want to do everything you’d like to do, or doesn’t invite you to every single get-together; show as much interest in what they do as you expect them to show for your activities…  The list goes on and on, and if you girls talked about it, you could make some suggestions of your own.

Honest and realistic

Better than Music

Phyllis replied:

Better than music?  Hmmm.  But I’m so glad you like them enough to read them over and over again.

She Says I Stole Him From Her

Phyllis replied:

I suggest that you and Lucas figure out where you stand with each other before any of your friends or classmates get in on it.  And certainly the only people who matter are you and Lucas.  If he is really “practically your best friend and is always there for you,” you should be able to talk about this.  You might start out by saying, “If we ever started liking each other as more than just friends, do you think it would ruin what we have now?”  That gives him a perfect opportunity to tell you if he regards you as his girlfriend, and then you can decide how you feel about him.

Next Alice Book

Living my Shiloh Dream

Question:

I am at Western Kentucky University studying International Affairs, Political Science, and Philosophy at the Honors College. Whether it be the National Forensics League, competitive speaking, or The Economist, I’ve always had some sort of academic obsession propelling me forward. Today, I thought to trace all of my obsessions. I realized that my obsessions began when I learned to read. My first obsession: The Shiloh Trilogy. I read those three books over and over. I remember being driven to tears because I wanted a dog so badly. I didn’t want just any dog. I wanted a Beagle. Now, I am living my Shiloh dream with a Brittany Spaniel named Meeko. I remember being bullied when I was in elementary school. I remember not being fond of my elementary school experience. However, I did love your books. I cherished them for two years of my life. I loved them so much.

Phyllis replied:

Thanks so much for taking the time to write to me.   It’s wonderful to know that my books have been such a friend to you.  Hugs to you and Meeko, and best of luck in  your college career!