Happy Sunday, everyone!
Now that I’ve been home for a few weeks I’ve had a chance to think back on it and compose a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions I got on tour. Since the odds are that the questions people had there are the same ones people have here I’m doing a very special FAQ post today–the post-tour edition!
Enjoy.
HOW MANY HEIST SOCIETY BOOKS WILL THERE BE?
I’m honestly
not sure. I’ve always seen this series being far more episodic than the
Gallagher Girls. I don’t necessarily think we’re building to one final
battle or climax or heist. So that means there could be two. Or there
could be twenty-two. Basically, as long as they’re fun for me to write
and for you to read I think I’ll probably keep them coming.
HOW MANY GALLAGHER GIRLS BOOKS WILL THERE BE?
Six. In all likelyhood six.
WHEN WILL WE GET GG5?
March 20, 2012. (And it’s called OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TIME. Read all about it here.)
WILL WE EVER LEARN HALE’S FIRST NAME?
Someday. But not today.
WILL YOU EVER WRITE SOMETHING THAT ISN’T A HEIST BOOK OR A GALLAGHER BOOK?
I’m
sure I probably will but right now I can’t say for sure what that will
be. Like all writers, I have a lot of ideas, but as long as I’m trying
to turn out new GG and Heist books every few months I just don’t have
time to delve into any of them.
DO YOU OUTLINE YOUR STORIES BEFORE YOU WRITE THEM?
Yes
and no. If the book is like a road trip, I know that I’m going to go
from New York to LA. I might have a few sights that I know for sure I
want to see along the way, but I don’t map out every road I’m going to
take or diner I’m going to eat at. I like to leave a lot of little
things to be discovered along the way. But I do know the ending point
and a few major landmarks.
AT WHAT POINT DO YOU SHOW YOUR BOOKS TO SOMEONE ELSE?
I
tend to share drafts very early. Probably too early. My genius editor
(Editor Cat) will look at things far rougher than most of my friends’
editors will see stuff. I like to blame the fact that my plots are
super intricate and complex and if X isn’t working, I need to know that
as early as possible. Probably, in honesty, it’s more that I’m even
more neurotic than the average author (which is saying something) and I
need someone to hold my hand for more of the process.
WHICH OF THE BOOKS THAT YOU’VE WRITTEN IS YOUR FAVORITE? YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Favorite,
I can’t really say. I dearly loved GG3 and Heist Society when I first
finished them. Uncommon Criminals shocked me in the best possible way.
And I’m really loving how GG5 is shaping up. I guess I just can’t pick
just one. Least favorite is Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy because it
was the hardest to write. I know a lot of people tell me it’s their
favorite book, but when I look at it all I can see is the book that made
me gain 40 pounds, lose my hair, and spend hours rocking back and forth
beneath my desk.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?
Read as much as you can and write as much as you can. And, most of all, don’t dream about “being a writer”. Write!
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS IS MOST LIKE YOU?
Kat
and Cammie are both a lot like me in that we all grew up in slightly
unusual family businesses; we’re all far more technically competent than
we were socially capable; and we all have serious sweet-tooths.
WILL YOU EVER WRITE A BOOK WITH BOTH KAT AND CAMMIE?
Maybe, but I kinda doubt it. There are too many challenges (like Point of View). Plus, they both seem to be on VERY different trajectories right now.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO COMBAT WRITER’S BLOCK?
Take
a nap. Seriously–all of the truly great plot fixes I’ve ever had have
come while napping. (Or while talking on the phone with Jennifer Lynn
Barnes.) But mostly napping.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
WHAT BOOK DO YOU MOST WISH YOU’D WRITTEN?
Either White Cat by Holly Black or The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BECOME A WRITER?
When
I was in middle school and read The Outsiders by SE Hinton for the
first time. When I found out that it was written by a teenage girl from
Oklahoma–and I WAS a teenage girl from Oklahoma. I thought “well, I
guess that’s what girls from Oklahoma do…” So I did it. (Though I
was far past my teens at the time.)
WILL WE EVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO CAMMIE’S FATHER?
Yes. We are building to that information. Absolutely.
DO YOU WATCH WHITE COLLAR?
Uh…of course!
ARE YOU EVER GOING TO MAKE YOUR BOOKS INTO A MOVIE?
Yeah. Still getting that question. And the answer is still here. And here.
ARE YOU STILL DATING GEORGE CLOONEY?
Why? What have you heard?!
And that’s it, folks. If I think of more super popular questions I’ll add them, but in the meantime I’ve got to go get to work on OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF TIME.
-Ally
Kristen says
July 17, 2011 at 11:35 pmA book with Cammie and Kat would be amazing. =) Just saying.
-Kristen
Carah says
July 17, 2011 at 11:52 pmWill you ever write a book in Zach’s P.O.V?
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 12:24 amHi, love ur books! i was just wondering if you got the name for Kat from the movie 10 Things I Hate About You?
Maya says
July 18, 2011 at 12:37 am🙂
http://mayannabeth.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/getting-started/
Out Of Sight Out Of Time says
July 18, 2011 at 12:51 amI am working on a book and I’d Love your opinion since it is somewhat similar to Cross my Heart And Hope To Spy but not equactly the same if you want to help please meet me here on 7/18/2011 at 7 O’Clock. I’d love your help thanx in advance. ; )
katie says
July 18, 2011 at 1:32 amThanks so much. I can see how GG2 is your least fav. but it’s still my favorite.
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 1:37 amOkay, I have another question: who do you like better-zac or Hale?
cammie_rocks says
July 18, 2011 at 1:44 amAlly, I think I’m literally going to cry. I never cry or scream or do anything when I hear about books coming out, but I am SO HAPPY about GG5 that I am going to cry. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! Keep ’em coming!
Elise Oziel says
July 18, 2011 at 5:31 amI would be so bummed if you didn’t watch Whit Collar! I love it. I’ve been a fan since the beginning and it still kind of bugs me when people are all like, “O. M. G. I love White Collar”. And ask, “So, who’s your favorite character?” And they say, “O. M. G. Sara. She rocks!” And I’m sitting there think, WHAT ABOUT EL. SATCHMO (Or however you spell that) AND MOZZIE?!?! Oh well. Do you watch Covert Affairs? Annie makes me think of both, Bex and Cammie.
~Elise
zammie4ever says
July 18, 2011 at 9:02 amHehehe lol ur answer for y u hate gg2 is hilarious but i luv it its a really close second fav next to gg4 and go team zach! Sorry josh!
Out Of Sight Out Of Time says
July 18, 2011 at 1:17 pmShe said she likes Mr. Solomon While she was on tour
Out Of Sight Out Of Time says
July 18, 2011 at 1:19 pmI’ll post it at 6
Tiff says
July 18, 2011 at 3:30 pmGG3 is absolutely my favorite – I feel like it’s when Cammie really grew up. =)
I loved Heist Society, but I think I love Uncommon Criminals even more. =)
Emily says
July 18, 2011 at 3:42 pmThat would be so awesome if you wrote a crossover with Heist and Gallagher Girls! Cammie trying to catch international criminal Kat!or maybe they join up for the greater good…
Melissa Buell says
July 18, 2011 at 3:45 pmTO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is also one of my favorite books! 🙂 I appreciate you taking the time to answer all of these questions. And being honest about the answers, too! Thanks for being an awesome writer. I love reading your books. 🙂
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 3:57 pmOh my gosh! Other than your books, The Outsiders by S.E.Hinton is my favorite book! I love it because I can really realate to it and still get out of this world into another one at the same time. That’s how I feel about the Gallagher Girls Series too. I’m completely obsessed with The Outsiders movie and book (I own the special edition of both) and I buy the Gallagher GIrls books the day they are available. Thank you so much for being an awesome writter and role model. 🙂 And I love Matt Bomer in White Collar too 😉
WannaBeGallagherGirl says
July 18, 2011 at 4:23 pmYay! thanks ally! and my fav. book is actually GG2, and GG4 :):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!
WannaBeGallagherGirl says
July 18, 2011 at 4:28 pmjw, how old were you when you started writing your first book? and how long was it before you gave up on the idea(if u did)?
Kristen says
July 18, 2011 at 4:39 pmI am sooo excited for GG5! I can barely wait! You’re amazing, Ally!!
–Kristen
Erin, the redhead says
July 18, 2011 at 4:54 pmThanks for sharing! And it’s cool thar you watch White Collar. I LOVE that show! 🙂
YasiminipinI says
July 18, 2011 at 6:56 pmOMG OMG OMG OMG OMG i also got inspired to start writing after reading The Outsiders!!!!!! That is awesome. It’s such a good book too. OMG. I’m shocked. That is uber cool!! Although I’m not even close to being a published author I already am quite far into my book.. so yeah, but it’s still uber cool. Btw, I finished Uncommon Criminals in exactly six hours, so yeah, it was amazing. You’re a great writer Ally, and I really hope we can meet someday, maybe (dreaming-high-much) I will be published by then. 😀 byeee
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 10:46 pmAlly,
I really enjoyed the FAQ most of them i think you answered before, but it was a great reminder. I can’t wait for OUT OF SITE, OUT OF TIME! ep!
-Alexis 🙂
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 11:01 pmAlly said she probably won’t
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 11:02 pmActually she just thought why not name her Kat the Cat Burgler (did i spell that right?)
Anonymous says
July 18, 2011 at 11:07 pmYup they asked Zach or Josh and she’s like umm Mr.Solomon. I love me some Mr.Solomon
Julayy says
July 18, 2011 at 11:33 pmCan you PLEEEEEEEEASEEEE make more than 6 Gallagher Girl books?! It’s so awesome, and exciting! I don’t want it to send soon!
Jennifer says
July 19, 2011 at 10:22 pmNow I really want to know why she picked Mr. Solomon…
He’s one of my favorite characters, but still…
Anonymous says
July 20, 2011 at 12:01 amIts funny because “Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy” is my favorite gallagher girls book lol it was sooo good! & i love “To Kill A Mockingbird” too! =)
Lily says
July 20, 2011 at 7:07 amI was just telling my friend how I imagine Mr. Solomon as the main guy from White Collar.
Gaya says
July 21, 2011 at 1:02 amHello, I’m a french girl who discovered yours books (GG series) last summer and I’m following your news every week to see how it goes on. Your books are the first books I read in english, and I so liked them. I’m looking forward to going to Canada next month to buy Cat’s stories 🙂 (unobtainable in Paris)
At first I just wanted to tell you that To kill a mockingbird was one of my favorite books too, with Rebecca, by Daphné du Maurier.
Whatever, I hope everything will keep on going good for you, and that your success will keep on growing ! (Sorry for the mistakes)
Teri says
July 21, 2011 at 7:26 pmSo I met you while you were on tour and you said that you had the rights to a movie on the GG books. Have you ever considered the idea of turning it into a tv show instead? I think it would be way cooler because they would have more room to stay true to the books than they would in a movie. Just a suggestion.
Anonymous says
July 22, 2011 at 3:57 amHey Ally! I met you on your tour in STL. You said something about an email with all of your first ideas(that you were told were horrible), and you mentioned trying to find it and put it on here. Any progress yet? If not, I do understand how busy you must be.