Hey everyone!   And welcome back to Answer Day, part 2!  Let's get right to it, shall we?

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charlie says: is GG4 going to be over winter break and the rest of Cammie's junior year?

Yes!

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Megan says: How much does it generally cost to write a book?

In terms of out-of-pocket expenses it’s practically free.  Paper.  Pens.  Access to a computer.  All stuff that most people can get their hands on with little effort.  The real cost is in time.  It can take thousands of hours and even more heartache.

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Raine says: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would love to visit Australia (I know there are a lot of Gallagher Girls down there!) and hope to do that sometime in my life.  I’m also toying with the idea of a trip to Scandinavia.  And Greece.  And Brazil.  And…  Well, you get the picture.

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Taylor says: Would you ever do a “spin-off” Gallagher girls series? (like talk about when Joe Solomon, Rachel, Aunt Abby and Cammie’s Dad were new spies?)

I don't have any plans to do that at this time, but I would never say never.

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Many people asked: You never said who won the election in GG3!

Actually…I did.  It’s in there if you read closely.

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Megan says:  Do you make up the plot for your books as you go, or did you always see things coming?

I do a little of both.  Big picture things I know in advance, details not so much.  For example, I knew that LYKY would end with Cammie’s final exam.  The fact that someone was going to drive a forklift through a wall during the exam was as much a surprise to me as it hopefully was for you.

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Beth says: What’s your favorite part of the book-writing process?

The writing process is full of highs and lows and they come at all phases, but the part that is the most consistently fun is probably the beginning—right when you have a shiny, new idea that hasn’t broken your heart or kept you up nights or made you pull your hair out yet.

That’s actually something that’s hard about writing because the new ideas are always coming, and it’s always tempting to abandon the books that aren’t pure fun anymore for the shiny new toys.  It’s tempting, but you really only get ahead in this business by finishing books and that means resisting the temptation to abandon ship with the going gets tough.

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Erin, the redhead says:  What’s the biggest misconception about being an author?

Oooh, tough one.  Honestly, there seem to be quite a few misconceptions out there.  Here are just a few: 1. That all writers are rich.  2. Conversely, that all writers are poor.  3.  That getting published is the hard part (actually, staying published is infinitely more difficult). 4. That it’s glamorous.  5. That it’s easy.

But the more I think about it, I’d have to say the single-biggest misconception is that people believe authors have way, way, way, way more power/control than we actually have.

With the notable exception of maybe three authors in the world (JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and maybe James Patterson) we don’t control where we go on tour, or what the covers of our books look like, and we absolutely, positively do not have the power to “make” our books into movies.

Don’t get me wrong, most of us wish we had the kind of power to control those things…

But we don’t.

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Andye says:  As a mom of a young teen, I really appreciate that your books aren’t loaded with “questionable” language and sexual content. Is this a conscious effort on your part?

Not really—that’s just the way I write, I guess.  (Even my “adult” books are cleaner than many YAs.)  There are times when I’m conscious of the fact that many younger teens and tweens read my books, but that’s more about trying to write things in a way that is friendly to younger or reluctant readers.

Ps…I am always very happy to hear that mothers and grandmothers and daughters are reading together!

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Alyssa says: If you were on Dancing with the Stars who would you want to be partnered with?

Max or Tony.  (Max, cause, dude, he’s HOT.  Tony because he seems to be the nicest.)

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Ari says: Favorite guilty pleasure?

TV.  And sweets—all kinds of sweets.

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anisa says: Why does Macey trust and open up to Cammie the most? Even before the incident in GG3 occurred she always seemed closer to Cammie.

I think that’s probably somewhat an illusion.  Because we’re in Cammie’s point of view, we see Macey with the group and we see Macey with just Cammie, but we never get to see just Macey and Bex hanging out together or just Macey and Liz.

So while Cammie and Macey are really bonding, I don’t think they’re necessarily any more bonded than Macey and Bex and Liz.

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BlueBelt says: If you could change one thing about your writing techniques and/or style what would it be?

I would be better.  And faster.  Both.

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Kimberley S says: If Zach realizes how good of a spy Cammie really is, why does he worry about her or not want her in dangerous situations?

Um….why would a boy worry about girl?  Why oh why could that be?  Hmmm.

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Jess says:  What are some perks for being an author?

Oh, there are some awesome perks!  You get to be your own boss (for the most part).  You can work in your pajamas, and you don’t have to wash your hair or put on makeup if you don’t feel like it.  You get paid to make stuff up, and you can live pretty much anywhere in the world.

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Callie says: What other jobs would you like to pursue?

I’m really interested in all types of writing.  I’d love to write a television pilot one day.  Maybe another screenplay.  Even songs appeal to me (I really love making up silly songs with my five and three-year-old nieces.)

From a non-writing standpoint I’ve always dreamed of having my own farm/ranch.  That’s definitely on the horizon somewhere if I play my cards right.

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Amanda says: Are you planning to start any new series besides Heist Society and GG?

I’m sure I will someday.  In fact, I have two different ideas for non-GG/Heist books that I would love to write in the very near future.  The problem is time.  Unfortunately, time is always a limiting factor.

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Synecdoche says: Is being a Young Adult author different from being an adult fiction author? Is there a difference in your writing methods between Young Adult and Adult fiction?

My first instinct was no—good stories are good stories.  But the more I think about this question, the more certain I am the answer is yes.  The world of children’s (and teen) publishing is inherently different from adult publishing in many ways.  State reading lists, the influence of librarians and “gatekeepers” and the overwhelming power of word-of-mouth are some of the practical business differences.  From the aspect of the writing, I think the biggest difference is good pacing.  In adult books it’s probably preferred.  In YA books, it’s pretty much mandatory.

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Well, that's it, everybody!  If your question wasn't answered, I'm sorry.  I really did all I could.  If you haven't already, look around allycarter.com and click on the Frequently Asked Questions tag here on the blog to see if your question is answered there.  (Hint: many, many, many of them are.)

Have a great week and keep on reading!

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Ally

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Wow.  Just...wow.  I knew I'd get a lot of good questions, but I didn't expect quite that many quite that fast.

Thanks, everyone, for playing along.

Now, as you might imagine, I won't be able to answer every one,  but I'm going to do my best to answer the questions that..

A. haven't already been asked and answered many times (like how many books will there be, why can't I come to a certain city on tour, etc.).

and B.  aren't major spoilers for future books (like what happened to Cammie's dad, who betrays Cammie in book 4, etc.)

So, with that being said, let's start with some of the questions that seemed to be especially popular!

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What does (insert character name) look like?  How do you decide what a character looks like?

This is something that people ask and worry about all the time, but I have to say it’s something about which I never really think.

Whether I’m reading or writing I feel the same way.  It just doesn’t matter to me if Hale’s hair is light or dark or his eyes are blue or brown.  Sometimes strong character features occur to me (like how Liz is blond or Kat’s a brunette or how Cammie’s eyes change color) but beyond the things I specifically mention I don’t really know.  If it matters to you then feel free to make one up and use that in your imagination.  You have my blessing.

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I live in a country other than the United States or Canada—when will your books be available here?

According to the most recent list I have, the Gallagher Girls books (or, at least LYKY) have been sold to the following publishers in the following territories:

UK Rights: Hachette UK                                                  

Brazilian Portuguese Rights: Editora RCP

Australian Rights: Hachette ANZ

Turkish Rights: Tudem Publishers

Russian Rights: AST Publishers

Japanese Rights: Rironsha Ltd

Polish Rights: Wydawnictwo Amber

Complex Chinese Rights: Meowbus Publishing

Hungarian Rights: Kelly Kiado

Thai Rights: Nokhook Publishing

Italian Rights: De Agostini

Indonesian Rights: PT Gramedia

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Heist Society will be coming (or is already available) from the following publishers:

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UK Rights: Hachette UK

Australian Rights: Hachette ANZ

German Rights: Fischer Verlag

Japanese Rights: Rironsha

Indonesian Rights: PT Gramedia

A few important things to note:  foreign publishers buy rights to books—not to series.  So just because they’ve published LYKY, for example, doesn’t mean they will have to publish Cross My Heart.

If you want to know when—or if—a book will be on shelves where you live, I suggest you visit the websites for the local publisher or bookstores because, honestly, I really don’t know when a foreign edition is available until I get a copy in the mail (and that is sometimes months or years after the books hit shelves.)

I should also point out that these lists are a few weeks old and they really do change all the time, (for example, right now I have contracts sitting on my desk for Heist Society to be published in France) so if you don’t see your country don’t despair—there may be a deal in the works.

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Why do foreign covers usually look different from US covers?

There are many reasons, the biggest of which is that different covers appeal to different markets.  That’s why Coke bottles in the US look different than the Coke bottles I saw in Italy.  When it comes to foreign book covers, most authors trust foreign publishers to know what will work best on their shelves.  (And, by the way, authors don’t really get a say in covers anyway—even the US ones.)

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Why do books almost always come out later overseas than in the US?

For books that must be translated, that obviously takes a lot of time.  But even for foreign English language editions (like UK and Australia), we’re still talking about different publishers with different lists and business models and ideas for when the books will best perform.  That’s always their call to make.

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Do you have any good books to recommend?

Since the first of the year I have read two totally amazing books: Hunger Games and White Cat by Holly Black (available May 4th.)

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Will you be posting mini excerpts, deleted scenes, sample chapters, etc. from GG4?

There are already a few mini excerpts here and on Twitter.  And, yes, as we get closer to publication I'm sure there will be more.

Deleted scenes is a tougher call, since it's important that the scene not spoil anything about the book (and at this point, I doubt there any that won't.)  So, no probably no deleted scenes right now.  Or maybe ever.

Sample chapters?  Maybe.  (But I REALLY don't want to spoil ANYTHING in the book!)

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Okay, gang, I think that's enough for today.  Stay tuned because this weekend sometime I hope to tackle some of the more interesting individual questions!

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Thanks again!

Ally

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l

Hey everybody!

It's always interesting on tour to see the questions that I hear multiple times--and there are always the same questions.  I find it sort of amazing that people in a blizzard in Chicago want to know the same things as the people who strolled in off the beach in Miami, but that always happens, and I always find it really interesting to see what questions are common all over the country.

So for the next couple of days I'm going to tackle exactly that: frequently asked questions--the tour edition.

Here goes--the most commonly asked questions on the Heist Society tour (part 1):

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WHERE DO YOU GET THE NAMES FOR YOUR CHARACTERS?

This is a question that I think I got at every tour stop.  Every single one!  So I'll try to go through the answer here.

Cammie: I knew I wanted a "C" name that could also be a last name, and Cameron is the first one that came to me and it just stuck.

Macey: Was always just Macey--don't know why.

Bex: I'd heard Bex as a nickname for Rebecca once and I really liked it.  This seemed like a good time to use it.

Liz: A family friend was named Liz and it seemed like a good name to round out the group.

Rachel: has always been my favorite name.

Abby: I have a cousin Abby. (Hi, Abby!)

Morgan: Morgan was the last name of some people who were very, very dear to me.  I gave Cammie their last name to honor them.

Joe:  This was my father's nickname when he was in the army.

Solomon: King Solomon asked God for wisdom and is synonymous with that ability, so it seemed a really fitting name for Cammie's wisest teacher.

Kat: the whole book started with "Kat the Burglar"

Bishop:  Kat's last name is an homage to probably my favorite heist movie ever, Sneakers.

Hale: I wanted a last name that could easily be used as a first name, and when I saw that on a plaque on a wall it just clicked.

Zach: No idea. Zach was just Zach.

Josh:  Josh was just Josh.

Bobby Bishop: I like alliteration (obviously).  Plus, I wanted a first name that is a common nickname so that Uncle Eddie could call him "Robert" when he's in trouble.

Uncle Eddie: Edward is a name that exists in some form in a lot of languages, and Uncle Eddie is a resident of the world.  Plus, it just always felt right.

Angus and Hamish: I wanted two names that sounded very British.  And I got them.

Simon: Was always just Simon.

Gabrielle:  Perhaps my favorite character on TV is Fiona from Burn Notice. When I was planning Heist Society I knew Kat would be surrounded almost entirely by boys, so it was important to make the other girl in the story the ultimate girl.  So I thought about Fiona--how she's as tough as the guys but she's also incredibly graceful and beautiful and feminine.  So I named Kat's cousin Gabrielle after the actress who plays Fiona, Gabrielle Anwar.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR TITLES?

So far in my career, I've been the person who has come up with all the titles of my books.  This is actually sort of unusual since titles are so incredibly important, and the ability to write a good book and to title a book are sort of different skill sets.  I fully anticipate there will eventually be a book that someone (a friend, my agent, my editor--someone) will have to title for me, but so far that hasn't been the case.

As to where my titles come from, that's a different beast altogether.  I like to say the Title Fairy drops them off and that's really not far from the truth.

I'd Tell You I Love You but Then I'd Have to Kill You was the title for that book almost from the second the idea for the book dropped into my head.  Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy was a little bit harder.  Eventually, I started making a list of common sayings and phrases and playing around with them.  When I hit upon "cross my heart and hope to die" it was pretty obvious where we needed to go next.

Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover was the title for GG3 just as soon as I wrote about Macey with her parents and I realized that she was living a cover that was very different from who she really is.

Only The Good Spy Young was much harder--probably the hardest GG book to date.  Again, I spent a lot of time looking up/thinking about common phrases and sayings and once you've read the final book I think you'll agree this one fits GG4 quite nicely.

Heist Society was probably my hardest book to title so far.  Well, actually, the "coming up" wasn't the problem.  The title Heist Society occurred to me very early in the writing process, but my editor and agent and I kept telling ourselves that we could do better.  But no matter how many ideas we came up with (and, believe me, we came up with A LOT) none of them sounded right.  Turns out that was because we'd had the right title all along.

DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

The first time I ever thought seriously about being a writer was when I read the book The Outsiders.  As soon my father told me that SE Hinton was a sixteen year old girl who was living near where I lived when she wrote that book, that was the first time it ever occurred to me that real people write books.  Not only that, I realized that real people who were like me wrote books.

And that was good enough for me.

Tune back in tomorrow when we'll do part 2!

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Did you guys know that more people visit this blog on Sunday than any other day of the week? They do. And for that reason I always really try to have new stuff up on Sundays (though deadlines make it hard).

And that's why today I'm going to pull out the old stand-by: mini FAQs!

Remember, the answers are...mini. For more information on many of these topics, please look around. A lot of info is covered in A LOT of places. If you look.

So...let's go!

WHAT'S GOING ON THESE DAYS?
Deadline.

WHY DIDN'T GEORGE CLOONEY TAKE YOU TO THE SAG AWARDS?
Deadline.

WHY DID YOU CAVE IN AND BUY DIET COKE?
Deadline.

WHAT KIND OF DEADLINE?
The turn-GG4-into-copyedits-or-we-will-send-a-SWAT-team kind.

WILL HEIST SOCIETY BE HARDCOVER OR PAPERBACK?
Hardcover and audio for now. Paperbacks usually follow in about a year.

WHEN WILL THE PAPERBACK OF DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER BE OUT?
Don't know off-hand. But if you Google "Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover paperback" you'll find it. I swear.

ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO TAKE A VIDEO CAMERA ON TOUR AND SHARE LOTS OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACTION?
Gonna try.

HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE PERCY JACKSON MOVIE?
So badly I hurt a little.

IS IT POSSIBLE I MIGHT FIND HEIST SOCIETY ON SHELVES BEFORE FEBRUARY 9th?
Sometimes. But not every time.

ARE YOU REALLY DOING A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF ALLYCARTER.COM? IT LOOKS JUST THE SAME TO ME.
It will look just the same. Until the moment when it looks TOTALLY different! (internet magic)

BESIDES TOUR, WHAT OTHER EVENTS DO YOU HAVE COMING UP?
American Bookseller's Association Winter Institute, San Jose, CA, Feb 3-5.
Romantic Times Convention, Columbus, OH, April 28-May 2
*visit conference websites for details about appearances and registration

WHY DON'T YOU PUT UP THE FULL COVER OF GG4 LIKE YOU DID FOR HEIST SOCIETY?
Don't have it. Yet.

WHO'S BETTER AT BEING JOHN GREEN, JOHN GREEN OR MAUREEN JOHNSON?
That depends. Does someone have to stand on a table?

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE PRINTZ AND NEWBERY LISTS?
Honestly, I haven't read any of them, but I look forward to doing so in the very near future!

IF I WANT TO GO TO ONE OF YOUR EVENTS WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
1. visit the website for the store you want to go to
2. read their policies on signings and events
3. follow their rules (for example, if it says RSVP to reserve your copy--then I'd recommend doing so)
4. show up
5. be yourself

CAN I BRING MY FRIEND TO YOUR SIGNING?
Yes! People who bring friends are my favorite!

CAN WE TAKE PICTURES AT THE SIGNING?
Probably (depending again on the host store's rules). And on how my hair looks.

WILL GEORGE CLOONEY BE WITH YOU AT ANY OF YOUR SIGNINGS?
Uh...yeah. Sure. He's coming to all of them. Please tell everyone you know that if they come and buy a copy of the book they can meet him.

Yeah. That works.

(just remember he is fictional)

-Ally

Are you ready? Really? Cause we have FAQs with all Qs that have never been answered before!

WHEN CAN WE EXPECT GG4 ADVANCED READING COPIES?
Um...never. My publisher only does ARCs up until book 3, so there will be no ARCs for ONLY THE GOOD SPY YOUNG, I'm afraid. You gotta wait til June. (insert evil laughter here)

CAN WE HAVE A GG4 COUNTDOWN WIDGET CONTEST?
Maybe. It'll probably be after the release/tour for Heist Society if I'm going to be a part of it though because between now and then = insane time.

WHEN WILL YOU POST THE DESCRIPTION FOR GG4?
Soon.

HOW AWESOME IS THE NEWLY REDESIGNED ALLYCARTER.COM GOING TO BE?
Extremely.

WHY ARE YOU COMING TO <THIS> CITY AND NOT <THAT> CITY? OR WHY IS YOUR SIGNING AT <THIS> TIME AND NOT <THAT> TIME? etc. etc.
I'm so happy that so many of you would like to come to my tour events--and I hope A LOT of you will be able to make it!

Unfortunately, it's a big world. Even the U.S. is a big country. And I'm pretty little in comparison (I'm only five-three-and a half, you know!)

My wonderful publisher does its best to work with bookstores to set up a tour schedule that will make the most of their resources and my time.

Again, remember if you'd like to request I visit a city near you please log your request at www.eventful.com/allycarter.

WHY ARE YOU GIVING UP DIET COKE?
Because I think it makes me crave sugar--like I'd knock over a convenience store for a Butterfinger cravings. So I'm trying to stop drinking it in order to hopefully start eating healthier.

WHEN WILL HEIST SOCIETY AND GG4 BE RELEASED OVERSEAS?
All foreign rights deals are made on a country-by-country basis, so that will vary depending on where you are. My best advice is to check with a local bookstore to see if they have a release date in their system. They would have this information A LOT more reliably than I would.

ARE YOU GOING TO THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLER'S ASSOCIATION CONVENTION IN FEBRUARY?
Yes!

WHY ARE YOU SUDDENLY OBSESSED WITH YOUR PANINI MAKER?
Because I like my sandwiches hot and cheesy. Just like I like my men (*waves at George Clooney).

ARE YOU AND GEORGE GOING TO THE GOLDEN GLOBES?
No. I have GG4 line edits, sadly. He's probably taking one of his "cover" girlfriends instead.

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE BIG AWARDS AT THE ALA MIDWINTER CONFERENCE THIS WEEK?
Well, obviously the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult literature is bound to go to Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover because if history has taught us anything it's that the Printz LOVES series books, girly books, funny books, and books about spy schools.

HAVE YOU READ HUNGER GAMES YET?
Just bought it! Reading it shall be my reward for finishing my line edit.

YOU SEEM REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE RELEASE OF HEIST SOCIETY. WHY?
Because I really, really like this book. And I really want you to like it too.

-Ally

Yep. It's that time again! Some mini answers to some popular (or generally worthwhile) questions!

HOW DID YOU AND GEORGE CLOONEY MEET?
That's classified.

HOW MANY HEIST SOCIETY BOOKS WILL YOU WRITE?
Don't know. This series feels more open-ended than GG, so I may not know until I just stop writing them.

WILL ZACH BE IN GG4?
No comment.

WILL CAMMIE FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HER DAD?
No comment.

WILL YOU LET ME BORROW GEORGE CLOONEY?
No way.

HOW MANY ENTRIES DID YOU HAVE FOR THE WEEK OF GIVING?
All told probably somewhere around 3,000.

READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?
Yes. I just finished an Advanced Reading Copy of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's new book RAISED BY WOLVES. Definitely her best book yet. Look for it in stores in June of this year.

WHAT DID YOU GET FOR CHRISTMAS?
Mascara and chocolate from Santa. Some beautiful jewelry. Some fun kitchen stuff. And a lot of other really lovely things.

DO YOU SUPPORT ANY CHARITIES?
Yes. This year I made cash contributions to the Salvation Army and--my favorite charity at the moment--a local food bank that provides meals for very deserving people in the area where I grew up (where there are a lot of deserving people.)

WILL I LIKE HEIST SOCIETY?
Boy, do I hope so?

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE WRITERS?
Spend less time wanting and more time writing.

WILL YOU BE TOURING FOR HEIST SOCIETY?
Yes! Dates and details coming soon! (Remember, to request I visit a city near you please go here.

HOW MUCH SNOW DID YOU GET ON CHRISTMAS?
Too much.

HOW HARD IS IT TO WRITE A BOOK?
Writing? Not so hard. Rewriting, however, routinely makes me want to tear my heart out through my nostrils.

WERE YOU ROBBED?
No, this is just what my living room looks like without Christmas decorations.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HEIST AND THE GALLAGHER GIRL BOOKS?
It's like making pudding in a pot and then making chili in the same pot without taking the time to wash it. I never mix up the ingredients but it's going to taste funny for a little while just the same.

ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO STOP DRINKING DIET COKE?
Yes.

ARE YOU INSANE?
Quite possibly.

WHAT'S IN THAT GLASS?
Diet Coke.

Thank you guys SO MUCH for making last week--the "Week of Giving"--a huge success!

We literally had thousands of entries throughout the week. Which is 1. awesome! and 2. a reason that it might take me a little while to go through them all. And, rest assured, I am personally going through every single one.

That's the bad news. The good news is that I have gone through all of the Monday entries for the FAQ contest and we have winners!

These weren't the questions that were actually asked most frequently (those will be used later). Rather, these were the questions that made ME think the hardest...the ones I'd never really considered or had always wondered myself.

So...let's answer a few, shall we?

Michella Domenici asked:

If you hadn't seen Alias that fateful night GG was born, do you think the idea would have ever come to you? Maybe in a different form?

This is a question that I've thought about at least a dozen times but it's one I've never, ever been asked, so congratulations, Michella!

Since I've had so long to think about the answer you'd think I'd be more prepared to answer it than I am (but isn't that the way with truly great questions!?)

The short answer is no, I don't think I ever would have come up with the idea for a spy school for girls if I had not been thinking about teen novels and watching a spy show and thought I was seeing a boarding school all at the same time. (Read the full story here.) It was a miraculous crossroads of thought and it changed my life.

However, the phrase "I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you" was one that had been in my mind for a very long time, so you never know.

The most common question I get is some combination of "where do you get your ideas"/"how did you get your idea for the Gallagher Academy".

I can't speak for all writers, but for me book ideas aren't things you "get". Getting implies going to the store and picking an idea up--like milk.

For me, it's more like ideas "come". You can make yourself open to them and keep your eyes and ears tuned for their approach, but they come to me and not the other way around.

The idea for Love You Kill You and the Gallagher Academy was like that. Three thoughts (spies, schools, YA novels) collided and the book was born.

(And just fyi, Heist Society came when I was thinking about novels and the term "cat burglar" and just like that I knew I had to write about a girl named Kat who was a burglar.)

The question I really ask is if I hadn't been watching Alias and had the idea for LYKY and the Gallagher Academy would I be writing today? Would I be successful? Would I be living where I'm living and doing the kind of work I'm doing and a million other off-shoots.

The answer is that I do think I would be writing something. I would have had other ideas because that's what writers do--we have ideas. And one of them might have been as good as the idea for a top secret boarding school for girl spies. One of them might have even been better.

But the only thing I know for certain is that my life would be different.

Allison Voss asked:
How big of a difference would it be to be brought into the spy world later verses being born into it?

This is a question that I actually thought A LOT about when writing the first book and establishing who the "core four" would really be and why.

I knew that Cammie came from a spying family. I knew that at least one of her friends would have that in common with her but, unlike Cammie, she would be a girl who never lost her parents, so she has all of the strength and background of a life of espionage but without Cammie's terrible loss and subsequent vulnerability.

I also knew it was equally important to have at least one girl who was a total outsider in the covert world. There was one practical reason behind this (being able to explain things to an outsider is a way to also explain things to a reader without breaking the narrative flow.)

But more than the practical, I knew that people who were raised in the spy world and out of the spy world would absolutely see things differently. And different opinions/thoughts/experiences are an author's best friends. They're a person's best friend.

As my father always says, if two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary. So that's why it was important for me to have girls who grew up with such different backgrounds.

As for your specific question--how big of a difference would it make--it would make all the difference in the world. Liz and Macey can never be exactly like Bex and Cammie because they never were told trade secrets over dinner or swept for bugs in every hotel room they ever checked in on vacation. They never watched their parents walk out the door on a mission when they were a little kid. And Bex can never be exactly like Cammie because she never had to hear that her father would never be walking back.

Everything we see and do shape who we are. And the life you're born into--the life the girls led before they came to school--that shaped the fundamental fabric of every aspect of their personalities and lives.

It always does.

Ooh, fabulous question!

As you know, Cammie is very average in her appearance. She's average height, average weight. Her hair could be described as anything from dark blond to light brown. Her eyes change color depending on what she's wearing. (And in case any of you out there are curious, mine do too--they can be anything from blue to green to hazel in the course of a day.)

But Cammie IS pretty. She's just the kind of pretty that you have to look at to see whereas Bex and Macey are the kind of pretty that stands out--striking, unusual. They look more like models. Cammie looks like the girl next door.

Rachel and Abby are frequently described as beautiful, too, but I think their beauty is less about their features (which are very lovely, don't get me wrong) and more about their confidence and strength. Remember, we see and hear EVERYTHING from Cammie's point of view. She thinks her mom and aunt are two of the most beautiful women to ever walk the earth because...well...to her they are.

Beauty can certainly be an advantage in some situations in life--especially when your life involves getting people to trust you/like you/ want you around and allow you access to places and people and things you may never see otherwise.

Being average looking can also be advantages in those situations.

I would say that, in most of my research, it seems that real covert operatives tend to be people more like Cammie--people who blend in, people others wouldn't suspect, people who are unassuming and unthreatening in appearance.

But all of this is really beside the point--we look how we look. And I truly believe that a person can be truly excep
tional no matter what they see in the mirror.

Cupcake77 asked:
If you have a chance to go to the Gallagher Academy and had to leave behind your friends and family for adventure, would you?

This is another question that I REALLY had to think a lot about--and have wondered off and on for years.

The chance to go to a school like the Gallagher Academy would be something that would change every girl's life. Let me say that again--it would change your life!

You would have a different life!

You'd probably get a different job, live in a different city, have different relationships, and almost everything else.

If I had gone to a school like the Gallagher Academy I'd have a very different life now, but I'm not sure whether or not I'd be a different person.

But I digress...

Would I go away from my home and family to go to the Gallagher Academy? Probably not. But if I did make that decision, I don't think it's one I'd regret because I wouldn't know to miss this life. Just like--right now--I don't know to miss that one.

Each of these fabulous readers will be receiving an Advanced Reading Copy of Heist Society! Congratulations! And thanks to everyone who entered.

-Ally

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE?

It was a title that just popped into my head pretty early on, but we (my editor, agent, writer friends) all kept thinking that maybe there was something better. Months and months we searched. We probably came up with dozens of titles--all of which felt wrong. It took a while to realize that was because Heist Society was right. Now I can't imagine calling the book anything else.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER IN HEIST SOCIETY?

That's a hard one. I love them all in different ways. Kat is very independent and savvy about some things--not so much others. Her cousin, Gabrielle, is the only other main female character and she's very upfront and honest in a wonderfully blunt and refreshing kind of way.

And then there are the boys... Sigh. So many boys.

WHO IS MORE LIKE YOU, KAT OR CAMMIE?

Well, I'm neither spy nor thief, but I'm sure part of me is in both of them. Kat grew up in a male-dominated world and she's used to being the only girl in the room. That is something from my life/world that I absolutely brought to Kat's character.

WILL HEIST SOCIETY BE PAPERBACK OR HARDBACK?

It will be hardback at first (February 9, 2010) and it will be out in paperback about a year after (I think).

WHAT'S IT LIKE WRITING TWO SERIES AT THE SAME TIME?

It can be kinda crazy--especially when you have to switch back and forth between the two. But it's also very fun. I get to spend time with two smart, confident, and highly-skilled characters and in their colorful worlds. I know how lucky that makes me.

DO YOU LIKE THE COVER?

Yeessss!

WERE (ARE) YOU SCARED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW?

At the time I was writing I wasn't scared because the book and world were new, but because the story itself was just a hard one. Heist stories twist and curve and are always something of a house of cards. Thankfully, I had the wonderful Editor Jen to help guide me along the way, and in the end, I think we made my best book yet.

Now that the book is about to come out, though, I'm TERRIFIED!

What if people hate it?

What if they don't get it?

What if it sells 3 copies?

What if my fictional boyfriend (George Clooney) doesn't like how Kat's dad sort of...resembles...him and he breaks up with me?!?!?

See...there's plenty of cause for concern.

WHEN WILL YOU START WORKING ON HEIST SOCIETY 2?

Soon. Hopefully soon.

WHAT IS THE PAINTING FEATURED ON THE COVER?

I actually don't know. All I am certain of is that we weren't allowed to use a famous/notable painting because of copyright concerns.

Nighty night!
Ally

Today it came to my attention that a lot of people are still pretty confused about Heist Society--is it a GG book? How will it affect the GG books? Etc. Etc.

So here goes!

Questions and Answers, Heist Society style!

WHAT IS HEIST SOCIETY?

It is a NEW novel featuring entirely new characters and an entirely new world. Everything in it is 100% NEW. It's not a spin-off, or a sequel, or a prequel to the Gallagher Girl books.

WHEN WILL IT BE OUT?

February 9, 2010 in the U.S. and (I think) Canada. It will vary in other countries. Please check with a local bookseller to see if/when there is a publication date scheduled where you live.

IF I LIKE THE GALLAGHER GIRL BOOKS, WILL I LIKE IT?

I sincerely hope so. Like the GG books, it features teenagers doing exciting, fast-paced, and probably dangerous things.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEIST AND THE GG BOOKS?

Well, you've got to swap spies for thieves, boarding school for no school at all. Oh, and boys. In the GG books there are a few boys and a bunch of girls. In Heist Society there are just two girls and boys as far as the eye can see.

WILL IT BE A SERIES?

Probably. I have an idea for book 2 and will begin working on it as soon as I've finished GG4.

HOW MANY HEIST SOCIETY BOOKS WILL THERE BE?

Right now I really have no idea. All I feel certain of is that it probably won't have a set series arc like the GG books (and, for example, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc.) It will probably be more episodic so each story will be more self-contained (like the Janet Evanovich books, for example.) This means it could go on for as long (or as short) as it works out.

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR HEIST SOCIETY COME FROM?

I was in my car, listening to an audiobook. There was a line in the book--something like "I felt like a cat burglar in my own house", and I immediately knew I wanted to write a story about a girl named Kat who was a burglar.

WILL HEIST SOCIETY BE A MOVIE?

We have not optioned the film rights at this time.

I'M STILL CONFUSED--SO WILL THIS BOOK BE ABOUT CAMMIE?

No. It's about a totally new character named Kat. I really hope you like her.

SO IF HEIST SOCIETY COMES OUT IN FEBRUARY 2010 AND GG4 COMES OUT JUNE 2010 DOES THAT MEAN YOU'LL HAVE TWO BOOKS OUT NEXT YEAR?

Yep.

I'M ONLY 12 (OR 11 OR 13 OR 10...) CAN I STILL READ HEIST SOCIETY?

The subject matter is no more mature in Heist Society than it is in the GG books. The tone of the book, however, is maybe slightly older. I don't think this will turn younger readers off, however. I just think it might appeal to some older teens as well.

Hey everybody!

You know how sometimes I make a list of frequently asked questions and give really thorough answers? This is not one of those times.

Nope. It's FAQ mini blog time, so the questions will be short and the answers will be brief. Are you ready? Are you?

Go!

HOW DO YOU MAKE A WIDGET--I'M SO CONFUSED!
Well, if you'll do a little research about the last widget contest you'll see that I don't know how to make one either. But you have a HUGE advantage this time because you can look at the previous winners (and the websites where they were made) and start from there.

It's going to take some work and some research, sure. But since when are Gallagher Girls afraid of work and research?

DOES YOUR THROAT STILL FEEL LIKE YOU ATE A FLAMING TENNIS BALL?
Not so much. Thanks for asking.

DO YOU KNOW THE TITLE FOR GG4?
Yes.

WILL YOU TELL ME?
Not yet.

WHEN WILL YOU TELL ME?
Soon. I hope.

IS THERE GOING TO BE A MOVIE BASED ON THE GG BOOKS?
There is no movie in production at this time.

HOW MANY GG BOOKS WILL THERE BE?
Probably 6.

HOW MANY HEIST SOCIETY BOOKS WILL THERE BE?
Don't know.

ARE YOU DOING NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH?
No. I'm doing Finish Gallagher Girls 4 Before Your Editor Strangles You Month instead.

HAS GEORGE CLOONEY READ GG4 YET?
No. I told him he has to wait like everybody else.

IT'S FALL. ARE YOU EATING SOUP?
I've gone through two boxes of crackers this month. What do you think?

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT AWESOME FLOWER THING YOU WORE IN YOUR HAIR AT THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL?
I got it from the Plaid Button. Check them out.

WHY AREN'T YOU GIVING ARCs TO THE WINNERS OF THE T-SHIRT AND WIDGET CONTESTS.
I know Advanced Reading Copies are the ultimate prize, but sadly I'm out of Heist Society ARCs and they aren't printing any for GG4. Drats.

WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan which is a departure for me since I don't read much fantasy--but I'm really enjoying it so far. Also, I can't wait to start Once Was Lost by The Zarr. (Or Sara Zarr as some people call her.)

DO YOU STILL HAVE AN INTERN?
No, Denny was just here temporarily last spring. He's now off at college. (waves at Denny!)

WHAT TV SHOWS ARE *YOU* WATCHING?
All of them. Seriously. I have two Tivos, people. It's kinda insane.

But my faves right now are probably Vampire Diaries, Community, and Flash Forward for the new shows. Returning favorites include Bones, Fringe, The Office, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights (even though I don't have Direct TV and have to wait for new episodes), and MAD MEN!!!!

ARE YOU GOING ON TOUR FOR HEIST SOCIETY?
Probably. I think.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Don't know. To request a city near you, go to www.eventful.com/allycarter .

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO READ HEIST SOCIETY?
If you can read the Gallagher Girl books you can read Heist Society. However, I think older readers might like Heist a little more than the GG books because the tone--if not the content--is slightly more mature.

ZACH OR JOSH?
Hale.

WHO THE HECK IS HALE?
Read Heist Society and you'll find out. Oh, will you find out....

-Ally