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...Gallagher Girls 5 will be called OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TIME.  Look for it in stores March 13, 2012.

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  • Remember when I used to sorta know how to write a book? Yeah. Me neither. #forgethoweverytime — 21 min 22 sec ago
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Ally's Diary

More Questions

Submitted by Ally Carter on Thu, 2008-07-17 16:44 0 comments

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