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Ally’s Answers

June 18, 2013 by Shellie 58 Comments

 

Hi All!

Here are the questions and answers from last week!

How did you come up with Blackthorne? The name and the story/place behind it?

I wanted Blackthorne to be the anti-Gallagher—some place with lots of secrets and shadows and a very unsavory past. To be a Gallagher Girl is kind of golden. Revered. But I wanted Zach to come from a place that is exactly the opposite. That is why the Gallagher Girls live in a mansion and Blackthorne is basically a prison.

I had a really hard time thinking up a name for the school. In fact, there is another name that even went out with the sales material for Cross My Heart way back when (a name I did not create and did not approve and, therefore, didn’t stick around long.)

Finally, one day I took a nap, because—seriously—I get my best ideas while napping. I’d always known I wanted it to start with a “B” (so that I could have the B-Boy alliteration like I have with Gallagher Girl). And as I was drifting off to sleep Blackthorne came to me.

The setting was inspired by my time at Cornell. Ithaca, New York is surrounded by lots of parks and areas with waterfalls. They were beautiful. And, of course, natural barriers and borders like that are in sharp contrast to the man-made borders they have at the Gallagher Academy. So, again, when in doubt, I just made everything at Blackthorne OPPOSITE of what you might have at Gallagher.

 

Do your characters ever do something that you didn’t expect them to do? (Can you control them all the time or do they live their own lives?)

Absolutely! All the time. There are a lot of things I know going into a book, but there are always even more surprises.

I didn’t know Liz was renovating an old Dodge minivan. I never dreamed Bex and Zach were going to get super close when Cammie went away. I didn’t even know Mr. Stein (in Heist Society) existed until Kat was knocking on his door.

Sometimes the writing just sort of takes over, and that is when you know the writing is going well.

 

What is Zach’s code name?

I don’t know. I don’t guess I ever had an occasion to give him one.

 

Have you ever thought you met a spy?

I highly doubt it. But that probably just means I met a GOOD ONE!
What do you think about when your alone in your car?

I listen to the radio or audiobooks, and I think. Seriously, thinking is IMPORTANT. And I’m greatly concerned by how little time people spend just thinking anymore. Really. Truly. Put the cell phone down and THINK.

You will thank me for it.

 

Do you ever re-read your own books?

Not if I can help it. That sounds like my definition of torture—reading something I can’t fix if and when I find mistakes or things I just want to change. And, believe me, I would want to change things. All the things!

 

If you could spend a whole day with one character from any of your books, who would you choose and why?

Ooh, good question! And a very hard one…  I think I’d love to run around with Kat and Hale from Heist Society. As much as I love Cam and the Gallagher Girls, Kat and Hale just have a more (safely) exciting life. More chances to fly in a private jet with a hot boy…fewer opportunities to maybe be killed.

 

Who would make a better Gallagher Girl: Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Veronica Mars?

Probably Veronica. Buffy is tough and loyal and street-smart, but I think Veronica is probably a little more strategic, and that is probably more important in the life of a spy.

 

Are there GG uniforms for sale?

Not that I’m aware of. My awesome publisher does the covers for all of the books, and I don’t even know that they have different uniforms (or if it is just the same uniform that they change the color of via Photoshop).  It would be fun to have the uniforms for sale!  But I think your best bet would be just to buy regular uniforms at uniform shops and sew on the badge. (Find a downloadable copy right here: http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/AllyCarter1/media/GAPatch.jpg.html)

 

What character from one of your books is Shellie most like?

Shellie is a Liz. Totally a Liz. She is sweet and kind and a little bit evil when she has to be (but only in the really good ways.)

 

What’s your favorite quote that you have ever written?

I like the line from GG5 where Zach says, “Crazy. I went crazy.”

I also like a line from Heist Society that goes something like “it is an occupational hazard that anyone who has spent their life learning how to lie will eventually become bad at telling the truth.”

 

When will tour dates be announced?

I’m not exactly sure.  My publicist (Lizzie) is working on it. I know they have started their initial conversations with some of the bookstores who will be hosting events, but we are still probably many, many weeks from having those events set in stone. Rest assured, as soon as I know the dates and can talk about them, I will!

 

That is all for now but we will do this again some day!

If your question didn’t get chosen odds are Ally has answered it before. Please look at these previous web postings for more answers:

https://allycarter.com/faq/

https://allycarter.com/category/frequently-asked-questions/

https://allycarter.com/2013/02/my-favorite-interviews/

 

Have a great day!

xoxo,

Shellie

Filed Under: Frequently Asked Questions, Shellie

Comments

  1. Melissa M says

    June 18, 2013 at 11:52 am

    SHE ANSWERED MY QUESTION!!!!!!! It was the first one about Blackthorne I’m so HAPPY!!!! Have a good day y’all!

    Reply
    • Ruby says

      June 18, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Wow! How lucky are you?

      Reply
    • Rachael Buckley says

      June 18, 2013 at 7:06 pm

      I’m doing a project on you for school and I was wondering if you have time to email me so I can ask you some questions I put my email in the information thing so hopefully you have it
      Thanks
      Rachael

      Reply
    • Readlover says

      June 24, 2013 at 7:08 pm

      I know the feeling :)! I went to a book signing where she answered questions and took photos.

      Reply
  2. Danielle says

    June 18, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    I have to agree with you Ally. I don’t text all the time. I usually think I in my room always and even in between texts.
    I love that line “Crazy. I went crazy.”. My brother has met a secret service person though for this school thing.

    Reply
  3. Gillian B. says

    June 18, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    I hope when Ally finds out where her tour is, I hope one of the places is Rochester, New York. No one ever comes to Rochester. Oh and a lady at the chili public library told me that she shadowed ally at a book convention one time.

    Reply
    • Bex C. says

      June 18, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      Rochester isn’t that far from NYC. I live in between both places. If you wanted to, you could come to BEA or Books of Wonder. There are a ton of signings there, though personally I think BEA is a better if you don’t mind crowds.

      Reply
      • Lauren K. says

        June 20, 2013 at 9:17 am

        Rochester is actually kind of far from NYC. Ally came out for the teen book festival a couple years ago to Rochester so I don’t know if she would come again soon, but you should check out the festival

        Reply
  4. Mo says

    June 18, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    😛 It was really hard to go through the book (OSOT) when Zach and Bex got close, but at the same time, I loved the idea of having them together!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      June 18, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      My friend and I freaked when we read that part!!! She said she wasnt going to finish the book. We were like “NOOOO!!!” But we forgave Zach when he kissed Cammie after she overheard the trustees. 🙂

      Reply
      • Bookworm917 says

        June 19, 2013 at 2:57 pm

        Omg!!!
        I sooo totally freaked out too!
        I was so mad at bexs behaviour that i didnt want to read the book anymore but i forgave her when her and cammie made up and when zach kissed cammie!!

        Reply
      • Ruby A. says

        June 19, 2013 at 5:16 pm

        I had the same problem. I started the book at 8 at night so I couldn’t freak out with out anyone hearing me. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life.

        Reply
        • donutweesa says

          June 19, 2013 at 6:44 pm

          omg! i thought I was the only one mad at zach! i even wanted to drop the book. thanks guys and THANK YOU Ally for giving me hope <3, but yes like all of you i forgave zach and bex… hahaha

          Reply
        • Danielle says

          June 20, 2013 at 6:39 pm

          I was also mad at Zach how could he have done that to Cammie. I was sick at the time I read the book so it didn’t help. But later I forgave Zach and Bex, maybe.

          Reply
          • Bookworm says

            June 25, 2013 at 9:31 am

            I KNOW!!! i was just so mad at zach and bex that i litterally started screaming at the book. i was just relieved when zach kissed cammie and they got back together, it just seemed so wrong for zach to fall for bex and not cammie. : )

    • Maeve says

      June 20, 2013 at 1:02 pm

      it was so hard! i cried in the scene where zach and bex are working out together while cammie watchs from Dr Steves window!

      Reply
      • Juju bean THE GG fan says

        June 27, 2013 at 6:30 pm

        When doctor Steve was like “cause I was there of course” I was so mad and confused. When cammie said she was going to die I was about to cry. It scared me so much. Hope I’m not spoiling this for anyone!!!!

        Reply
  5. Kaitlin says

    June 18, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Yay i think she answered mine;)

    Reply
    • Sandy says

      June 19, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      Wich one?

      Reply
      • Sandy says

        June 19, 2013 at 10:49 pm

        Which *****

        Reply
      • kaitlin says

        June 20, 2013 at 3:21 pm

        What is the favorite quote you have written in your books.

        Reply
  6. the prep says

    June 18, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    do you recommend a shop to create the badge? and thanks so much she answered my question can not wait for September !!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Bea says

    June 19, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Thanks Ally and Shellie! XOXO

    Reply
    • Bea says

      June 19, 2013 at 5:50 pm

      Okay side comment but I’m in the mood so…
      Every girl has a Gallagher Girl in them. Even if people don’t think so. They do. 🙂

      Reply
      • kaitlin says

        June 20, 2013 at 3:15 pm

        True! Im like cammie im a chameleon but its not that great as cammie usess it.

        Reply
        • Bea says

          June 21, 2013 at 2:08 pm

          And I’m totally a mix of all of them

          Reply
  8. Natalie/GallagherGirl says

    June 19, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Don’t you mean a GOODE spy? My, how punny of me! I love that you guys don’t sell uniforms or some of us would be getting odd looks at school by voluntarily wearing a school uniform!

    Reply
    • Bea says

      June 19, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      That or they were such a good spy that she couldn’t tell because she knows all the tricks in the book. !)

      Reply
    • LissyLouWho says

      June 19, 2013 at 10:31 pm

      Lol! I just thought what if she had called Only the Good spy Young, Only the GOODE Spy Young! 😀

      Reply
  9. Gabi says

    June 19, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    Does josh come back ever?

    Reply
    • Sandy says

      June 20, 2013 at 4:09 pm

      I dont think his going to como back. I miss him. I want him back

      Reply
      • kaitlin says

        June 21, 2013 at 3:46 pm

        I think he might come back. Ally said that alot of things in gg6 r surprising they even surprised ally and she wrote the book!

        Reply
        • Sandy says

          June 21, 2013 at 10:13 pm

          Omg yes!. If he is back i think that it would be for a second. I dont think it would be for long :(.

          Reply
          • kaitlin says

            June 24, 2013 at 12:27 pm

            Who knows whats going to happen. Im just really really exicted i cant wait for september!!!

          • sandy says

            June 25, 2013 at 12:03 am

            this is so exciting!!. I have so many conclusions for this book. *screams*

          • kaitlin says

            June 25, 2013 at 3:04 pm

            Lol me to!

  10. LissyLouWho says

    June 19, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    Thanks for doing this!

    Reply
  11. Jueqi says

    June 20, 2013 at 2:34 am

    Okay, so I know how many times that you have had people ask “Please come to this place on tour” and how you dont control where you go on tours but can you maybe suggest this place to your manager because I think you’ll really like OAHU, HAWAII

    Reply
  12. Jueqi says

    June 20, 2013 at 2:35 am

    you know, living in Hawaii is awesome and totally like paradise but I swear, nobody ever comes here in concert or on tour or whatever

    Reply
  13. Natalie says

    June 20, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    I know everyone asks you this, but do you think you could come to Chicago or maybe even Milwaukee, WI on your tour. You have fans in the Cheese-head State and the Windy City 🙂

    Reply
    • kaitlin says

      June 21, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      Woo hoo! WISCONSIN! im not the only fan in wisconsin!

      Reply
  14. ZacharyGoode101 says

    June 20, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    What do think will happen to Zach and Cammie, Ally???

    Reply
  15. ZacharyGoode101 says

    June 20, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    After they graduate college

    Reply
  16. Yoly says

    June 20, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    Catherine’s hair was red right??

    Reply
  17. Liz Slama says

    June 21, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Dear Ally , is the book going to be download because the new Rick reorden book is going to come out a week after that, I am aways having problems with getting it done on time, so if you can tell me that would be great.

    Reply
  18. CHEESE says

    June 21, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    I never thought that they would pick my question, but they did. It’s like I somehow talked to her…maybe I’m going a little overboard, but I’m too excited to care. “I highly doubt it. But that probably just means I met a GOOD ONE!,” is a great answer.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  19. Kat says

    June 22, 2013 at 1:31 am

    I LOVE that she said “Shellie is a Liz..” It makes me smile and laugh..

    Reply
    • Shellie says

      June 22, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Me too!!!!!!

      xoxo,
      Shellie

      Reply
  20. Nataliya says

    June 24, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Are Hale and Kat going to appear in GG6?

    Reply
  21. kaitlin says

    June 25, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    That would be awsome!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  22. Sabina G says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:57 am

    The quote that Zach said, “Crazy. I went crazy.” is one of my favorites too! because it shows that he really cares for Cammie!

    Reply
  23. Lesley says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    Where do we ask the questions

    Reply
    • Shellie says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      Questions were asked in one of the previous posts. We will do a question and answer post again so check back!

      xoxo,
      Shellie

      Reply
  24. Lesley says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    I love the what character from one of your books is Shellie most like because my friends and I all read the gg books and we are all like someone in the book.

    Reply
    • Shellie says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      So which character are you most like?

      xoxo,
      Shellie

      Reply
  25. Lesley says

    July 1, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    My friends said I was a lot like Macy

    Reply
  26. someone says

    July 10, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    In the book don’t judge a girl by her cover , zach takes cammie outside in dc and is about to tell her something before the circle shows up.What was he going to say?????

    Reply
  27. Ellora says

    December 17, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    I’m writing a 4,000 or so word essay on the Gallagher Girls series and the feminist ideals within your books along with how the characterization of the girls challenge traditional gender stereotypes.

    Reply

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