More Questions
I just answered about a hundred emails and am starting to see some more trends. Here are the top ones:
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A BOOK?
Short answer: it varies. A lot. I've done it as quickly as a couple of months, and I've had it take as long as a year and a half.
I've realized recently that--when I know what I'm writing--I write about 500 words in 30 minutes. Take a break. Come back. Repeat until book is finished.
The problem is getting to the point where you can crank out those 500 words. Today, for example, wasn't a writing day. It was a "floor day" where I sat on the floor and stared at my board of post-its that outline the story until I figured some things out.
The floor days matter too. Big time.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD BOOKS I CAN READ THIS SUMMER?
The Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan.
THE SQUAD books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart
BRAS AND BROOMSTICKS by Sarah Mlynowski
And there are no doubt hundreds more that your local librarians would love to tell you about.
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FOR YOUR BOOKS?
Under each "book" on my website there's a page called "Story Behind The Story" that tells the whole tale in detail.
WILL YOU COME TO MY TOWN ON TOUR?
Maybe. Please go to www.eventful.com/allycarter to help us track your request.
WILL GG3 BE IN HARDBACK OR PAPERBACK?
It will most likely be in hardback first and then about a year later the paperback will be released.
CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT GG3?
Um...not right now. Sorry.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW THE TITLE FOR GG3?
I'm working on a puzzle kind of thing right now, and as soon as that is ready and as soon as my publisher says I can, I'll release it. Don't worry, I'll let you know in advance when that will be. We're not sure now, however.
Nighty night,
Ally
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A BOOK?
Short answer: it varies. A lot. I've done it as quickly as a couple of months, and I've had it take as long as a year and a half.
I've realized recently that--when I know what I'm writing--I write about 500 words in 30 minutes. Take a break. Come back. Repeat until book is finished.
The problem is getting to the point where you can crank out those 500 words. Today, for example, wasn't a writing day. It was a "floor day" where I sat on the floor and stared at my board of post-its that outline the story until I figured some things out.
The floor days matter too. Big time.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD BOOKS I CAN READ THIS SUMMER?
The Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan.
THE SQUAD books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart
BRAS AND BROOMSTICKS by Sarah Mlynowski
And there are no doubt hundreds more that your local librarians would love to tell you about.
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FOR YOUR BOOKS?
Under each "book" on my website there's a page called "Story Behind The Story" that tells the whole tale in detail.
WILL YOU COME TO MY TOWN ON TOUR?
Maybe. Please go to www.eventful.com/allycarter to help us track your request.
WILL GG3 BE IN HARDBACK OR PAPERBACK?
It will most likely be in hardback first and then about a year later the paperback will be released.
CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT GG3?
Um...not right now. Sorry.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW THE TITLE FOR GG3?
I'm working on a puzzle kind of thing right now, and as soon as that is ready and as soon as my publisher says I can, I'll release it. Don't worry, I'll let you know in advance when that will be. We're not sure now, however.
Nighty night,
Ally
Labels: Frequently Asked Questions, Future Books, Really great reads
posted by Ally Carter at Thursday, July 17, 2008
19 Comments:
if anyones interested in more books, some other really good YA books ive read this summer are:
She's So Money by Cherry Cheva,
Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott,
Megan Meade's Guide to the Mcgowen Boys by Kate Brian,
and Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley.
SEATTLE IS WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY I AM HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- guess
other great books that could be read over the summer are:
The Lord of the Rings series
the Artemis Fowl series
Twilight and its sequels
anything and everything that Sarah Dessen has written (except for Dreamland, and maybe... what is it... that summer, I think... they're not my favorites, everything else is spectacular!)
Golden, and its sequel Platinum, and (unrelated) Tattoo, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
the first 3 Maximum Ride books (you can read the 4th too, but it's no good)
Confessions of a Serial Kisser (ok book, didn't like it that much until the Princess Bride reference. That was awesome)
Sara(h?) Zarr's Sweethearts
The "Tomorrow" series by John Marsden
the Fruits Basket (manga)
Percy Jackson books (felt like the 3rd one was taking it downhill but loved the 4th)
the Gallagher Girl books (although if you're on this site you're probably already read them :))
and like Ally said, ask your librarians, they'll know of some good ones too!
-WingedSkye
I cannot wait to find out about the title!! Also, you guys should try:
Zombie Blondes
Wuthering High
I heard those ones are really good.
Thanks for the info Ally! I have read most of the books..wait I think I have read all of those books that you listed.
-Devin :]
People can also read Twilight by Stephenie and we can read LYKY and Cross My heart
Thanks, Ally! How often do you have floor days? Also, I just finished both Twilight and its sequel, New Moon, and they are awesome! Though I must say, LYKY remains my favorite book.
-Lisa
Other incredible books:
-Harry Potter (goes without saying, but they are really amazing) -The Year of Secret Assignments and its sequel, the Murder of Bindy Mackenzie
-Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, and Permanent Rose (they're written for younger kids, but, as my teacher put it, "Deliver a powerful message"
-To Kill A Mockingbird (it's old, but really, really good... although it's for high school age kids at least; it deals with a tough topic... talk to your parents first)
-The Schwa Was Here (Neal Shusterman - incredible story paired with incredible author - like the GG books... but a different genre)
-The Truth About Forever (SOOO GOOD!)
-Deadline... (so sad, so good...)
-Unwind
-The Giver (A really, really powerful statement, again, but it's a fantastic read...)
-The City of Ember, People of Sparks, Prophet of Yonwood (anyone who hasn't read these should, even if you're in high school)
-Tangerine
-London Calling
I have a question: are you going to do qoutes from gg3 like stephanie meyer does?
thanks for telling us about "story behind the story"
I hadn't seen it yet, and it sounds really cool.
Another great book is Flush by Carl Hiaasen. Its amazing!!!
Lins <3
I can't wait to know what the title will be!
<3 Renee
Thanks for clearing up some of those subjects, Ally Carter. BUt I have one question you didn't completely answer: What if you love to write, and you are good at it, and you have a good idea, but every time you are getting some progress in a story, you can't finish it. What do you do if you get a whole bunch of different ideas and keep stopping one book to write another? How do you stay focused on just one book?
Wewt. i didn't really like The Disreputable History but it was okay
Ally Carter: I am sure that you probably recognize my name by now, I read your blog daily(well, almost). I'm going to Texas for a week. Look for my comment when I get back next Saturday! Go Gallagher girls!
These are my favorite books of all time (in no particular order):
1) Harry Potter
2) Twilight series
3) Eragon and Eldest
4) Alex rider series
5) Gallagher Girl books
6)Pendragon series
7) The Naming and the Riddle
8) Mysteries by Joan Lowry Nixon
9) For old times sake:Theif lord
10) The Looking glass wars
11) Maximum Ride books (other than the 4th, which talked ENDLESSLY and PAINFULLY and FOREVER about stupid global warming)
12) 1800-Where-R-U books
13)The Truth About Forever (and other Sarah Dessen books)
14) Uglies, Pretties, Specials
15) Pirates.
16) Another easy read - Indian captive (I read it in elementary schools, but its still one of my favs)
17) Etcetera, etcetera.......
California Fans!!!
Vote for San Jose Metro Area PLEASE? :)
and here are some additions to the wonderful books already posted.
-Bloodline (sounds creepy, but its very moving)
-Vampire Academy ( Love vampire books :P)
-The House of Night Series (More Vampire)
10 good books to read over the summer...
1) Number the Stars
2) Walk Two Moons
3) Chasing Vermeer
4) Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism (this book was written for kids ages 8-12, but it was really fun and exciting)
5) The Diary of Anne Frank (I liked this book, some people may not, the topic can be depressing)
6) The London Eye Mystery
7) The mystery of the Third Lucretia
8) The Face on the Milk carton
9) Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
10) The Grand Tour (Sequel to Sorcery and Cecelia...)
hey im kinda confused.... is the movie they're making only about the first book or all three? im soooo excited for the third book to come out!!!
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