Alice Blog

Just Friends

hi mrs.Naylor i am addicted to your books. ok so i have a problem could you give me some advice? so i moved to CT when I was 3 and the first friend i made was a boy lets call him A. so me and a are really good friends but in 5th grade he told me he really liked me and i really liked him. and we kind of a a group we have ju, bi there going out gr, ca, gr, de and me and a. so me and a went out for a little bit but then we bolth decided we like each other as just friends better. and then summer came. are group got together again in 6th grade. we all hang out the same way but now a got kind of distant because his new gf doesn’t like me. but they broke up yesterday and he said they broke up because he would rather be my friend. now everybody thinks we like each other witch i do but i don’t know if he does. well i just don’t know what to do. thank you so much for writeing such amazing and realistic books.!!!

Phyllis replied:

Don’t do anything.  Just keep your cool and go on being friends. 

Writing Style

Connection with your Readers

Unisex Bathrooms

Will I Be Alone the Rest of High School?

Phyllis replied:

I wonder where you got the idea that most people have their first kiss by age eleven.  And what, really, is so terrific about that first kiss?  A first kiss might be on a dare from a friend.  A first kiss might be playing a game at a party.  It might be a wet slobbery kiss or an embarrassed peck on the side of the mouth.   I would be willing to bet that kisses at age 11 are pretty embarrassing, awkward things.  Rarely are they slow kisses in a fond embrace under a moonlit sky.  Boys who are just getting interested in girls often act like members of a pack.  They all focus on the same girl or type of girl, and it’s only when they mature a little that they are attracted to the many variations.  If you have any doubt, look at the engagement pictures in the newspaper; look at the young married couples in your neighborhood.  You will see handsome guys married to beautiful women.  You will see handsome guys engaged to plain-looking women.  You will see beautiful women married to plain-looking men, and plain looking people engaged to others just like them.  We are attracted to other people not only by their physical qualities but by how they make us feel; how they bring out the best in us;  by how comfortable we are with each other.    Many girls who write to me didn’t have their first date until they were in college.  There’s no age limit on love and attraction.

Your Advice

Phyllis replied:

I really have very little to do with whether my books are made into movies or TV series.  Things like this are handled through my agent.  One of the Alice books, “The Agony of Alice,” was made into movie, “Alice Upside Down,” but a lot of things were changed, as they usually are when a book becomes a movie.  But I’m glad that you like the series. It was also good to know that perhaps some of the suggestions I made to you might have helped in your life.

The Best Part of her Day

Question:

My daughter has a brain injury from encephalitis from the age of 
3 and suffers from epilepsy and autism. Aside from that, there is a 
world in wonderful things about her. She  has an independent and 
optimistic spirit,  and brings joy and growth to our family. She is 20 
yrs old, and still living at home with us.  We have an incredible library,  and this is where I discovered your books (we are about to read book 15, Patiently Alice).For young people with special needs, it is so hard to find books that  have that very great mix of a terrific story, well and clearly  written,  with age appropriate themes, many special young people end  up reading very simple kid’s books too late into their lives. Your  Alice books have this great mix and so much more! You have provided through your words, the world of feelings  that she cannot express many times. You have expressed and confirmed 
the joy and importance of a family with love in their home and 
friendships. Your books show a girl who is learning about 
independence, resilience, integrity, generosity. To tell you 
the truth, I can only guess as  to what makes your books so relevant 
and enjoyable for her, I don’t fully know, she is not fully able to 
express these things. However, when I lay beside her  every night and read another 2 chapters, she is happy and engaged and  this may very well be,  the best part of her day, and I am so grateful.
THANK YOU.

Phyllis replied:

I will be thinking of your daughter with each new Alice book I write.  I’ve forwarded your email on to my editor, and know she will be as touched as I am that the Alice series has meant so much to your daughter.  Thank you, thank you, for taking some of your own precious minutes to write to me.

Not Sure I’m Meant to be a Writer

Question

     I was wondering, when exactly did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you know you wanted to write books, not short stories or poems but actual books? I want to be a writer but I’ve been struggling. For example, last year i came up with an idea and now that idea is soo different. I’m not sure I’m mean to be a writer. Thanks for you help. Happy Holidays!

Phyllis replied:

I don’t think I ever thought of myself as becoming a “writer” when I was young.  I just liked to write.  I didn’t know I could make a living at it.  I started out by writing short stories for various publications, and it was fifteen years before I took a chance on writing a book.  But once I had several books published, I realized I loved being able to tell a story in more depth than the short story allowed, and eventually I gave up short stories altogether and focused entirely on books.   The big question you need to ask yourself is what you most enjoy writing.  You don’t have to decide anything now, just do what you like the best, and what seems to come more naturally for you.  Many writers write both books and short stories.  And it’s perfectly OK for an idea to change.  Give your imagination some slack.

25 Books in One Summer!

Question:

hi i just wrote you because i  finished alice in charge! and it only took my 1 summer to read all 25 books they are my favorite books ever. my mom gets so anoyd when i lock myself in my room with your book then come down crying durring a sad part or, laughing in a funny part and won’t tell her what happend. anyway i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the alice books.
 

Phyllis replied:

What a good testimonial for the  Alice books!  You read eight Alice books a month!  I’m glad you enjoyed them so much!

Never Dated or Kissed a Boy

Question:

Ok well to start this out, I'm 12-years-old and a fan of the Alice  
books. I read the prequels a few years ago, and started reading the  
newer books just a few months ago. Another thing about me; I'm in 9th  
grade, because I started kindergarden when I was 3. So I started going  
to public school this year after 4 years of being homeschooled. I've  
been having lots of fun with all my new friends, but there's a boy.  
He's in my science class, and all of his other classes are sophomore  
classes because he tested out of them. He's either 15 or 14. Both of  
my best friends have dated him, and he just got dumped by one of them  
last night. He's been sad all day at school, and it pains me. I think  
I like him. I've never really liked a guy who wasn't my age, and I've  
never dated a boy or kissed a boy. How do I tell if I like him, and  
what do I do if i do like him?

Phyllis replied:

How about just being a good friend to him right now?  Sounds as though 

needs a friend more than he needs a girlfriend.  Also, when you feel 

sorry for someone, it's easy to confuse that with seriously liking or

loving him.  And if you decide you really are starting to feel romantic

about him, SHOW him, don't feel you have to tell him.  You show

this by watching him a lot, smiling, sitting near him...you get

the picture.