Alice Blog

Please Help!

HOW CAN I RAISE MY CONFIDENCE?

Question:

I’ve been writing stories since I was five-years old. Since I was fourteen-years old, I have been entering writing contests, and I’ve had two short stories published so far. I’m sixteen now, and recently I entered my third writing contest. This time, though, my story didn’t win anything, and since I’ve had such luck with writing contests in the past, I’ve been feeling really down about it. I have a fairly low self-esteem, and writing was pretty much the only thing that I was confident about. I realize that if I want to keep writing in the future, I need to get used to rejection, but it still hurts. I was wondering, when you first tried publishing your work and got turned down, how did you deal with it? How can I raise up my confidence in myself and in my writing again?

Phyllis replied:

Welcome to the world of writers, and congratulations on the publication of your first two stories!  You are luckier than most.  I had my start writing stories for church magazines for children and teenagers (you can find a list of them, I believe, in the April issue of The Writer magazine–ask for it at your library).  Though many more were rejected than accepted, I found editors very helpful, and many suggested changes I could make so that they would be accepted.  I rarely wrote about religious subjects–mostly stories about personal or social problems.  It may be a good thing you have experienced a rejection, because one of my editors used to say that an author can “peak too soon”–get so used to acceptances that rejections throw him for a loop.  Most writers get enough rejection slips to paper their bathroom walls, and some actually do.  My secretary once counted up all the rejection slips I’d received in my lifetime (I keep track of sales and rejections in 3 big journal books), and the last time I checked, it was 10342 rejections.  You’ve only got 2!   Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing!

Hooked on Your Series

Question:

The first Alice book I ever read was Alice in Blunderland, and since I have become hooked on your series. I love reading books in general, but your series in one that has permanently touched my heart and that I will always love. I’ve yet to read the last book, Almost Alice, but I just know it’ll be awesome. I’ve learned a lot from the Alice books. My mom and dad are not together, and even though I have three sisters, I also have six brothers, so I feel like I can relate to Alice a lot of the time. The characters are so genuine I didn’t at first know a grown woman wrote the books (I mean that respectfully) and I just think it would be so awesome if you were my mother or aunt or something!
In ending, I will always be a loyal reader of your Alice series!!! Oh, and thank you for bringing Patrick and Alice back together in Dangerously Alice. Best thing that happened ever!!!

Phyllis replied:

There’s still a lot more to happen before I end the series with book #28.  I hope you will like Intensely Alice, coming in June.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT BOOKS

Question: 

I just wanted to say how much i love your alice books! I have your signed poster hanging in my room, my friends always [jokeingly] tease me about it :). I really love the books, when applying for an academics camp this summer i was required to write an essay about my favorite author. I wrote about you, and got in! Thanks for the great books, im excited for intensley alice. Best of luck in your future writing

Phyllis replied:

I’m so glad that you like them.  Hope you will like Intensely Alice just as much.

Are You Coming to Wisconsin?

Question: 

I really love the Alice series. i have just started reading it, and i am already on “Dangerously Alice”. you are quite a good writer. you get details that some authors forget, and you can connect with your female readers. i am happy to say, you are a smashing success at my school library. i have to wait for a month to get “Almost Alice”. i have a question, are you ever coming to wisconsin for a book signing? i would really like to get a book signed by you. well, i have to get to writing my own novel. Love your books.

Phyllis replied:

Thanks so much for your letter.  There are no plans at present to come to Wisconsin for a book signing.  There are just too many deadlines to deal with right now.   You can always mail a book to me to sign, with a return mailer and postage, or simply a book plate with instructions for what you would like me to write.  Intensely Alice will be coming out next month, and I’ll be curious to know your reaction to it.

What Do You Say When You Receive Criticism?

Question:

I can’t remember the first time I started reading your books and since your series has continued for so long, I sometimes wonder if you fall into time issues. Do you have a specific year in mind when you wrote Almost Alice? I can tell it’s definitely past the late 90s but Alice’s life isn’t high-tech enough for me to think it takes place in the present. What do you say when you receive criticisms about Alice’s story? People have often said it is becoming outdated for today’s teenagers and Pamela’s plot in Almost Alice was tied up too easily. What is your opinion?

Phyllis replied:

I take criticism seriously but I don’t worry a lot about it.  Many times the comment is correct.  Alice probably isn’t as high-tech as many or most teenagers, and you’ll notice I don’t use current slang or dwell too much on fashion.  I’m simply much more concerned about emotional issues, relationships, the problems she faces in her family or at school.  Each book as I write it takes place today.  And since I hear from readers in big cities, in rural Wyoming, in Britain, Australia, Germany, Indonesia and many other countries, the stories probably ring true enough for most cultures and economic brackets.  Yes, Pamela’s plot was, fortunately for her, resolved, but Pamela has always been a small girl, and at the time of her pregnancy she was run down.  It’s very possible she would abort.  Not something to count on, however.

The Pelvic Exam that Freaked me Out!

HOW DO I SEND A FAN LETTER?

Question: 

I don’t know how to write fan mail to you I looked every where on the blog. But I see all these other fan mails but I can’t figure out how to write to you. Could you please tell me how thanks.

Phyllis replied:

You just did.  All you have to do is write to me at friendsofalice@aol.com and, unless you ask me not to, I will post your email, or part of your email, on this fan mail page (without your name) along with my response. Thanks for asking this question, because a number of readers have been confused about how to send a fan letter or ask a question.

TIPS ON WRITING?

Question:

Thank you for your answer!
I didn’t expect that you would answer! So thank you.
I wrote to the Loewe-Verlag today, that’s the publisher from the Alice books in germany, now I have to expect an answer too…
I also love writing books, but I have now idea, can you give me a tip, what is important?

Phyllis replied:

I wish I had time to answer this request, but many readers ask for tips.  Please go back to the home page of this website and look up FAQ.  I’ve written whole books about writing, and you may also want to check out “How I Came to be Writer” or “The Craft of Writing the Novel.”

WHY???