Alice Blog
Question:
I am a longtime fan of both you and Alice, and I was terribly sorry to
hear about Rex. I can only begin to imagine the love you two had for
each other after 52 years of marriage. I know there’s not much I can
say, but I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you and
offering my condolences.
Phyllis replied:
Thank you very much. Friends and family have been wonderful.
Posted on: June 18, 2012
Question:
I just wanted to tell you how much I love the Alice series and how much it has meant to me over the years. I love to read and I began reading the series in 6th grade; I am now 25 and when a new book comes out I immediately stop reading whatever I had been reading in favor of the new Alice book. I absolutely think that the books portray real teenage issues and help girls who are confused or going through similar situations. I have grown up with Alice, I love Alice and will miss her as a friend but I wanted to thank you so much for writing these books with so much thought, time and care.
Phyllis replied:
Thank you so much. I really appreciated your email.
Posted on: June 18, 2012
Question:
Mrs. Naylor I wanted to give my condolences.I am deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. Well on to a better note I absolutely LOVE the Alice series I think it is a perfect reflection on teenage girls lives. I’m a sophomore in high school and I have been reading the Alice books since 4th grade starting with the prequels. Its interesting to think that in 4th grade I checked out the book from the library then I began buying them now I read them on my tablet….strange how life changes. My siblings think I’m crazy that I could ever be so attached to a series. I consider Alice one of my dearest friends because I have grown up reading her. I have cried rolled over on the floor with laughter and I will really miss her once Always Alice comes out. I was wondering how do you know so much about what teenage girls go through and are thinking …I know you were once a teenager however you are much older now (just stating the facts lol). I’m so annoyed that some people are offended about the amount of sexual material. I think it perfectly portrays how we think we want to know these things. This is what girls my age are thinking about. Dont we have the right to? Why not get it from an age appropriate book that we love. Also what’s the scoop on Always Alice. Can you PLEASE GIVE THE READERS 1 HINT PLLLLEEEEAAASE. ( : If you can something about her and Patrick but I will take anything. I want to say thank you for the Alice series it has brought me and I’m sure other readers through thick and thin thanks.
Phyllis replied:
I guess I have an unusually good memory of how I felt at almost every age of my life. I didn’t have the same life situation as Alice, since my own mother lived to be 90, and I had an older sister and younger brother. But imagination filled in the rest. As for Always Alice, I’m still revising that manuscript and it is going to be much longer than most of the Alice books. The publisher is going to bring it out in fall of next year, to give all of us–me, the editor, the marketing people–all of us–time to do a really good job, we hope.
Posted on: June 18, 2012
Question:
I am twelve years old and is sixth grade. I have read all of your Alice books and have been looking for a chance to act. When I read the books and heard more and more about Alice I couldn’t have found a character so similar to me anywhere else. The red hair and freckles is exactly the same as mine, thinking that I am always in-between. I also have a personality like Alice. Afraid about what is going to happen next in life, her determination to do the right thing all the time but just end up getting yourself embarrassed. I was wondering if you were ever going to create a movie to go along with the books and if I could take part in an audition. I have been in several plays and done a ton of family movies. I hope that you will take my letter in account. Thank you so much for reading!
Phyllis replied:
I get a number of requests from girls who would like to play one of the characters from the Alice books in a movie. Actually, a movie has already been made–a loose interpretation of “The Agony of Alice,” which was titled “Alice Upside Down.” It’s available on DVD. As of now, the producers aren’t planning any more Alice movies.
Posted on: June 18, 2012
Question:
I just read on the site that your husband died after 52 years of marriage. I was stricken and sorry to hear this, for you have mentioned him, as well as many members of your extended family, numerous times. You are a true hero to young women everywhere for continuing to read emails and update ‘Alice’s” webpage even during this time of grief. Like many of your readers who send you messages, I discovered Alice in the 5th grade. I am now 28 years old and still wait for each new book. In fact, the last time I wrote you was10 years ago, when I was a freshman in college and had recently re-discovered the Alice series. Due in part to the Alice books and to my love of reading (my boyfriend and I don’t even own a TV!) it’s been my goal since my early 20s to become a children’s and young adult librarian. Because of some personal health setbacks over the last ten years, I haven’t yet finished college but did gain work experience in various public library settings. I’m now 6 classes away from earning my Associate’s Degree, which will enable me to pursue a job as a paraprofessional in a school library. Sharing my love of books and reading, and introducing young people to different authors is my ultimate goal. Thank you so much for the “Alice” series…I often shared the series with pre-teen and teenagers visiting the library, looking for something without vampires. 🙂
There is nothing wrong with the fantasy genre, but I enjoy exposing girls to all kinds of literature.
Again, I am so sorry to hear of Rex’s passing and I am glad he has been such a support to you and your writing career over the years. Please feel no obligation to write back, I simply wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your family.
Phyllis replied:
I have often thought that, next to writing, the next most wonderful job must be a librarian, and being able to connect someone with a book that he or she will really enjoy. It’s such a delight to hear from readers that they never liked reading before, and then someone introduced them to an Alice book–usually a librarian or a friend–and a good librarian IS a friend! I wish you the very best in your career, and thank you so much for writing to me.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
Question:
I have been one of your devoted readers since the beginning of Alice, and I was truly saddened to read about your loss on your blog. As readers I feel many of us tend to forget about the author and the lives they lead. You have devoted a lot of your life writing these books for us and for that I am truly thankful. Even though I don’t know you personally, I feel like I will always be connected to you through these books and I wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you find strength and peace in this difficult time.
Phyllis replied:
Thank you so much. Rex was always the first person to read my manuscripts, and he made such good suggestions. He was also a very good speller. I’m thinking of him today, especially, on Father’s Day, and hope that all my readers take time to let their dads and grandfathers knows how much they are loved. I appreciate your email.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
Question:
I’ve been a fan of yours since I was 9. I never would’ve given a thought about picking up a book
and reading it.But one day my sister comes to me (at the library)and suggests that I should read it. I finally picked it up and read it.And I actually enjoyed it!I’ve been a fan of yours ever since. I am 13 years old now and I finished reading the book Incredibly Alice awhile ago. I am looking forward to Reading Alice on Board. I told one of my friends to read one of your books.She absolutely HATES
reading. But right now, the Alice books is the only books she would agree to read.One day I plan of being a writer like you. Just one question. How tiring is the job of being a writer? Thank you so so So much for writing the Alice Books.They have been my guide for so many years. At one point, i actually caught my self saying,”What would Alice Do?”
You will always, and i mean ALWAYS be my number 1 fan
Phyllis replied:
It can get pretty tiring writing a book, I won’t lie to you, so you must really love the act of writing, not just the thought of being a writer. I rewrite each chapter four or five times, sometimes more, and then revise parts of it after the editor has read it. But if you feel you have a story to tell, and you really truly enjoy it, then that’s what makes a writer.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
Question:
Dear Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,
I must start off by saying, I am so happy that I came across the Alice series! Like most girls, I read my first Alice book when I was in grade 6. Although I am now 19, my boyfriend has pre-ordered Alice on Board for my birthday this month. I have been reading and enjoying the Alice books for years now, and I never tire of your writing. When I was in grade school, reading about Alice’s adventures helped to put my own problems in perspective. It truly is so much fun to read through all of the books from my childhood and be transported back to when I was Alice’s age, and remember all of the fun times I had with my girlfriends. It’s bittersweet that the series is ending soon, but I think my next project will be to hunt down ALL the books in the series to build my own collection. Thank you again for being such an amazing author, you truly are the highlight of my childhood and I hope many other young girls can read your books and learn and grow with Alice too.
Phyllis replied:
What a great guy you have! I hear from so many readers who want to reread the whole collection, and I’m happy to know that you are one of them. The final book, “Always Alice,” will be a long one, and the publisher will bring it out in the fall of next year. Thanks so much for letting me know how much they mean to you.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
Question:
Hi, I am a lover of your book and I want to tell you that this is the
best series I have ever read and I can’t stop reading the series! I
wish I had all of the books but I check them out at my school library.
I tell my parents that this is a teenage girl everyday life book but
they won’t let me continue the series unless they get to read them
first. I love all your characters and everything! Never stop writing!
Phyllis replied:
I’m sorry that your parents feel the way they do. Some parents read the books together with their kids and discuss the chapters afterwards. I would rather my own sons read whatever they like and discuss it with me than have to sneak off to read in private.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
Question:
I am just writing to tell you how much I have enjoyed the “ALICE” series. I started reading them when I was in fifth grade I am now 28 years old with a Master’s Degree and I still read my Alice books and I am the first in line when a new book is published! I think that your books really speak to young adults and I dealt with the same issues Alice Pamela and Elizabeth did and it was realistic with out being pushy or sappy. Also as an African-American I loved Gwen and that you dealt with racism and showed that it is still a huge issue in our society as a whole. I will truly miss Alice and all of her friends and her older brother Lester (who sounds like the perfect boyfriend) your books took me through puberty and I will alway cherish them!!!!
P.S. Whenever I go to Takoma Park or Sliver Spring I pretend that I am going to run into Alice and the gang!!
Phyllis replied:
so glad you’re still enjoying the Alice books, and I love it that you think of them when you are in Takoma Park or Silver Spring. Lester is probably my favorite character, and I was always happy when it was time to write another Lester/Alice scene.
Posted on: June 17, 2012
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