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 lly Carter is a writer living and working in the Midwest. She loved school so much she kept going...and going...and going...until finally she had to graduate. Now she has degrees from Oklahoma State University and Cornell University and a house and a job and other very grown-up things.
Her life is either very ordinary or the best deep-cover legend ever. She'd tell you more, but...well...you know...
 Check out Ally's MySpace page and MySpace group
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And check all this out...
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 Are you writing any more Gallagher Girls books after I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU and CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY?
 YES! YES! I am currently working on Gallagher Girls 3 which will hit shelves on June 9, 2009! We haven't released the title or plotline yet, but check back soon for details on all three.
Are you really writing another series besides the Gallagher Girls?
Yes again! I'm thrilled to be working on a brand new series based in the world of high-end conmen and thieves. People are describing it as Veronica Mars meets Ocean's 11 and I couldn't be more excited about it. Look for it in stores a few months after GG3.
I'd like for you to visit a bookstore near me! Can you come? Please?
I would LOVE to come to a bookstore near you! Unfortunately, I have to spend the majority of my time writing the actual books, so I don't get to do as much of that as I'd like. Please sign up for my newsletter to receive information if/when I do a national tour.
I'm a teacher (or librarian), and I was wondering if you do school visits? Do you have any information on that?
I LOVE doing school visits! Please email the great folks at my publisher, Hyperion Books for Children.
I bought a paperback copy of I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU and it's missing a page! Help!
I'm so sorry that you received a mis-printed copy of the book. You can find information on what to do here.
Is it true they're making one of your books into a movie?
Well, the technical answer to that question is maybe. Walden Media has purchased an option to make I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You into a movie—which is kind of like putting the book in layaway. It's all very complicated, so let me just say that it might happen; it might not. So buy lots of books and keep your fingers crossed!
Aren't you worried that when they make your book into a movie they'll get it wrong?
I should be so lucky! Seriously, I would be really honored and thrilled to have a movie come out.
Can I be in the movie?
Well... if the movie gets made (and that's a big if), you should know that I am not involved in the movie process in any way so I have no say in... anything! :) I really wish I had some information on tryouts, but I don't. Seriously. I'm not lying. I really, truly do not have that information.
Did you go to a special school for geniuses too?
No, sadly they don't let those of the less-than-geniussy intellect into genius schools. I went to a public high school in a rural area. We had some honors courses (they have more now), and I had some great teachers, many of whom follow my career religiously today (hi Mrs. B. and Mrs. P. and both the Mrs. Cs.) and I feel really lucky to have had the experience I had.
Everyone is always saying that high school years are "the best years of your life." Is that true? Is this as good as it gets?
Listen up and listen well: NO. N-O. No!!! I didn't hate high school, but it was pretty awful (the only thing worse in life so far has been middle school.) I have polled my friends on this subject, and not one of us wishes we could go back. Not one.
I can't imagine how I would have survived at a big, impersonal, turf war school like I'm sure many of you have to attend. Really, I respect you a lot for just surviving it. My advice to you is to just find the things and people you are passionate about and ride out the storm.
What's the best part of being a writer? The worst?
There is a lot of good, and a lot of not-so-good. The best has to be the feeling of going back and reading something that I wrote a few weeks or months before and thinking, "Wow. This is really good."
The worst part is probably when I go back and think, "Wow. This is really bad."
Both things happen to me quite a bit—naturally the latter always precedes the former.
What's the best part of being an adult?
Who are you calling an adult?!?
Seriously, the best is really hard to pin-point. Probably freedom, if I had to say. With freedom, however, comes responsibility, but I wouldn't give up my independence just to have someone else worry about making sure the water bill gets paid on time.
What's the worst part of being an adult?
Life as a grown-up is that it really is a lot like high school. People gossip. People try to subtly sabotage you. People get jealous and jump at the chance to take things you say out of context. All that petty stuff is supposed to go away as we mature, but it doesn't. I'm sorry to have to tell you that, but it's true.
If you could give one piece of advice to girls today, what would it be?
WEAR SUNSCREEN! Seriously. Not only do the suntans of your youth leave you vulnerable to cancer, but they also make you ugly and wrinkled way before your time.
Did you write Cammie, the main character of this series, to be just like you were in high school?
For starters, Cammie is a ton more intelligent than I am, but the ultimate difference is that I've had the life Cammie has dreamed of—two parents who love and support me unconditionally. Cammie has only had half of that.
But Cammie does have a mother who is her headmistress. My mother was a very popular, very respected teacher at my high school. Teachers' kids learn very early on that everybody knows them and they can't get away with anything!
What were your favorite books when you were younger?
It's still my favorite: To Kill a Mockingbird. In my opinion, it will never have an equal. There is a lot of great YA out there now (I'd say far better than when I was a young adult.)
Did you always want to be a writer?
Well, I went to college for six years and never took a single writing course (even tested out of English I & II), and yet I think the answer to that question is yes. I love making stuff up. Getting paid for it only makes it better.
I really want to be a writer. Do you have any advice?
Sure. Check out the For Writers part of this site!
I really want to be a writer, and I already have an idea. Can I:
A) email it to you for you to tell me if it's any good?
B) tell it to you and have you write it with me?
C) have you write it for me and give me half the money?
Sorry, but the answer to all three is no. If you want to be a writer, the best way to learn how is to write! Really. It's that simple. Don't worry if it isn't any good at first (want to know a secret? My first drafts aren't any good either!)
Who is your agent?
The amazingly talented Kristin Nelson. Please visit her website to see if she represents work similar to yours.
Are you a spy?
Well, I'd tell you...but...you know...
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