October 16, 2007
I am so excited because today I’m interviewing
What inspired the plot for the Gallagher Girl books?
My agent emailed me one Wednesday afternoon because she’d recently had a YA project go to auction. Evidently, editors were very hungry for fresh YA concepts, and my agent encouraged me to think about trying my hand at it. That night, I was watching ALIAS with the sound on mute. At one point, I looked up and saw a group of girls running through a huge, old building and my first thought was “did she go to spy school?” Well, I turned up the volume and found out that it wasn’t a school–it was an orphanage–but by that point the seed had already been planted and the rest, as they say, is history.
Why did you decide to write for teens?
I wrote for adults first, and while I really liked that, I think I think YA is just a more natural fit for me. Honestly, it wasn’t something I’d ever considered until my agent suggested it, but now I’m absolutely hooked.
What is your writing process like?
I always start with a character and then ask myself “what’s the worst that can happen?” Great books are always about conflict–taking interesting people and messing up their lives. Once I know who the character is, what conflict she/he will be dealing with, and what the character’s goal is, I usually write down scenes on huge Post-It notes and put them all over my walls. Then I move them around like pieces of a big puzzle while I plot and write until finally everything comes together.
What are you working on now?
I have two major book projects in the works and one other little hobby project. I’m afraid I can’t comment much on any of them, but I’m really excited about them and hopefully other people will be as well.
What do you know about publishing now that you wish someone had told you earlier?
That this business isn’t for wusses. Seriously. It’s a tough, tough industry and wanting to write and wanting to publish are two entirely different things. Going pro as a writer is just as tough as being a professional athlete or a professional musician or anything else. Love of the game alone won’t get you through.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
It’s old advice, but it’s the best I know: read a lot and write a lot. Writing is part talent and part elbow grease, and to really make the most of your talent you have to pay your dues. How do you do that? By being a student of other people’s books and by not being afraid to write terrible drafts of your own.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I watch entirely too much TV. While eating. It’s a terrible, terrible habit.
Who do you like to read?
I love books that make me laugh and cry and keep me engaged. My favorite books lately have been the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, the Kiki Strike books by Kirsten Miller, and a book called THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE-LANDAU BANKS by E. Lockhart that, sadly, won’t be available until next spring.
Ally Carter is a writer living and working in the American Midwest. She is the author of Cheating at Solitaire and its sequel, Learning to Play Gin. Her first novel for young adults, I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You has been optioned by Walden Media and the producers of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Princess Diaries. It has also been named as a Kansas Notable Book, an Amelia Bloomer book, and is featured on both the Texas Lone Star and Georgia Peach reading lists. A sequel, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is now available and marks the second chapter in the adventures of the Gallagher Girls.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Uncategorized @ 10:51 am
Barrie Summy Says:
Hi Sara and Ally! Great interview. I always love to hear the story behind the story. And I enjoyed reading I’d Tell You I Loved You, so that makes this interview even more fun!
Alyson Noel Says:
Great interview Sara and Ally!
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks, Barrie and Alyson.
Barrie, I love hearing the story behind the story too!!
amanda ashby Says:
Wow, I love that the idea came from watching tv with the sound off!!!!
Regina Says:
I enjoyed reading the interview! :] I love the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. It’s awesome. I can’t believe you love it too Ally.
Melissa Says:
Ally, you’ve given me HUGE justification for my massive DVR list… TV is inspiration!
Vanessa Says:
Fab interview, Ally and Sara. I adored ‘I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You’. I’m looking forward to reading more of your books.
Vanessa
Alyssa Goodnight Says:
I really enjoyed both ‘Cheating at Solitaire’ and ‘I’d Tell You I Love You…’, and I’m looking forward to both sequels!
Great interview and congratulations to Ally on her NYT Bestseller status!
Jessica Burkhart Says:
Great interview! I love her take on going pro.
I definitely agree.
HegehetaGog Says:
Hi,
I am, Thomas
verry cool site
my site:
http://5ic53MyB6l.spaces.live.com/