Alice Blog

Do You have to Start at the Beginning?

Phyllis replied:

Ideally, it would be great to start with “Starting with Alice,” when she was eight, and read the books in order, but only long-time fans have done that.  Even though Alice gets older in each book and much has gone on before, it’s possible to read any book at any point in her life and enjoy it.

Wish There was a Movie

Don’t Know What To Do

Phyllis replied:

I can understand your feelings, but yes, I think you worry too much.  You’re already worried about your freshman year and it’s only July.  I’m afraid you might be coming across as too needy to this guy…calling at midnight, crying, wanting him to like you as much as you like him, even though you don’t say it in so many words.  The thing is, you really can’t make someone like you more than they do just by getting them to say the words.  It’s good that you can talk to him and he seems like a good listener, but if you feel him backing off, it’s probably because you seem a high-maintenance type of person–you require more emotion of him than he wants to give right now.  If you felt more secure yourself, and had more things to talk about that were interesting, that would be the best way to keep friends, both guys and girls.

Want to Reread Them All

Question:

I am 24 now and haven’t picked up an Alice book in years but I read through all of them (or all of the ones that were around) when I was younger. I’m so happy to see that you’re still writing the series; I really want to reread them all now, and read the new ones for the first time! Those books were such an integral part of going through adolescence for me. I don’t really have a question or deeper comment or anything, but wanted to thank you so much for writing Alice.

Phyllis replied:

Thank you so much for taking the time to email me.  I think our readers like knowing that you’re never too old for Alice!

Amy Sheldon

Question:

  While I love your Alice books and have read everyone of them to this date, I have a question about one of the characters. I just finished reading ‘Alice in Charge’ last week and I loved the plot (will definitely get the next book when it comes out),  but I just wanted to know where you came up with the character of Amy. She seems to represent people with disabilities in the book, and I wanted to know where the whole idea of her came from, did you know someone with a disability in your childhood or now? And, this may be too specific of a question, but what disability does she have exactly? Because I know others with disabilities and I can’t seem to think of what disability she might have, one who asks a lot of questions (the way she’s described in the book). Thanks for taking the time to read this message. 🙂

Phyllis replied:

There is no label for Amy.  I’ve known a number of people with disabilities, some of them physical, some mental, some a combination, some social or neurological…  I’ve never pinned Amy down, as she represents anyone who is out of the mainsteam, and particularly people with vague disabilities that even doctors can’t agree on.

Love, love, love, love it!

Question:

 i just wanted to tell you that ive read almost alll of your books at least fifteen times! they are so addictive i just cant ever put them down! ive been reading them for about 7 years, and im now almost 16. 🙂 i really love how you make them based on things that can really happen, and really do happen.

Never Been Asked Out

Question:
Hi Mrs. Naylor!  First of all, i just want to say i LOVE the Alice books, and 
the final book will be released the year i graduate from high school! :)  I feel 
like alice is my best friend but that i am most like Liz.  I came upon the alice 
books in 5th grade when i noticed one of my friends reading Alice Alone.  I 
asked to see it, read a few pages and immediately fell in love with it.  You 
have also inspired me to write stories as well!  Thanks for writing! :)  You are 
one of my favorite authors!!

And is it weird that a girl whos 15 and an upcoming sophomore still hasn't ever 
dated or gone out with anyone?  Is it weird that no one has asked that girl out 
before??

Anyway, thanks for taking time to write to me! :)  Keep being a spectacular 
author!!  Alice is AMAZING!!!


Phyllis replied:

Is it weird?  Nope.  I hear from girls all over the country,
and you would be amazed at how many had their first date as
a senior.  How many didn't get asked out at all in high
school but did a lot of dating in college.  Be approachable,
a girl with whom it's easy for guys to start a conversation.
Especially, be a girl who smiles at guys and says hello--not 
just the guys you wish would ask you out, but the shy ones,
the aloof ones, the awkward ones.  What a guy fears most is
that if a girl rejects him, she'll make a joke of it and let
her friends know.  Be the sort of girl they can trust.

She Used to Love Me

Question:

Hi Mrs. Naylor! I wanted to tell you that you did a very good job on Alice in Charge. It was so real. I love how you have different topics in each book. But here’s my real question: I have an older sister who who really hates me for some reason. I remember when she used to love me and we would have sleepovers in her room. But that all changed. A few days ago she came over to our house to pick up her 2 year old son. She had to take a quiz first on the computer and got mad because I was on it. Then she wanted to use my phone charger but I really didn’t want her to use it because she always takes things from me. So we got into this fight but it was really her who did most of the talking (or yelling). I finally got up to get the charger because she was scarying me a little. When I handed it to her she rips it out of my hands and calls me this really mean and bad name. It was like the worst possible name you could call someone. My dad heard her too, and he yells at her, but she doesn’t listen because he’s her stepdad. What I’m trying to say is, should I tell my mom or not?, and if I do tell her how do I tell her? My mom loves my sister though, she’ll probably just yell at her and then take her out to lunch.

Phyllis replied:

Not knowing any more than what you’ve told me, my guess is that you have very little to do with your sister’s unhappiness, and she does seem like an unhappy person to me.  I don’t know if she’s a single mom or what, but I think you may be getting the brunt of some of her anger simply because you’re there.  She showed her love for you when she was younger and probably not burdened with some of the problems she has now, and it’s even possible she’s jealous of the life you have that she used to enjoy.  Unless there is a real issue between you two that I don’t know about, why don’t you try dealing with her first before letting your mom in on it.  The next time she is over at your house and she is ranting at you, say calmly, with concern, “Jane, I wish I knew why you are so unhappy lately.  I wish I could help.”  This should startle her.  It could, of course, make her more angry, but it should also make her think.

Would Your Books Ever Come Out Early?

How to Remain Professional?