Ask Ally Condie - Tuesday, March 12th! discussion
Ask Ally!
Hi Ally,This trilogy was fantastic. Thank you so much for writing it! You inspired me as a writer. My question is: if you were in the matching pool like Cassia, would you rebel and runaway like her and Ky? Or would you stay? Thanks so much!!
PS: I made an amazing soundtrack to the trilogy!
Dear Ally,We love your Matched trilogy. I am so glad it will be a movie! I have a 14 year old lds daughter who wants to be a writer. There is no doubt she is talented. Every parent teacher conference I have attended since fourth grade, her teachers have commented that they expect to see her as a published author and illustrator when she grows up. Her goal is to attend BYU Provo and major in English with a concentration in creative writing. What advice would you give to a girl in her situation?
Thank you,
Brandy
Dear Ally,I loved Matched and am dying to read Crossed and Reached. I have a few questions for you: Did you always know that you were going to be an author? Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become one? What inspired you to write the Matched series? Are you planning to write any more books?
You rock!
Do you plan on writing any other book series like this one I love it so much I say it's 10 times better than hunger games and I just wanted to know what your plans were for the future books you will be writing.
Hi Ally,I love your Matched series! As an English teacher, I appreciate the role that poetry plays in your story. I also find your writing very poetic. Is there a poem that might inspire another novel for you?
Hullo Ally,I was just wondering what drove you to put Cassia and Ky together because I know I personally wanted her and Xander to end up together....
Hi! I really love your books. Ive read all three. I wanted to ask you looking back is there anything you would have changed or added to the storyline or characters relationships? Thanks Heidi
hey ally i want to know why your books are so interesting?
Hey, Ally. I've read your books and they are AMAZING!!!!!!! I read your last book in one and a half days. It was soooooo awesome! I'm a teen who loves to read and write stories. Do you have any tips for me? I was also wondering what happens to the society. Thanks!
What writing assignment did/do you most enjoy giving to high school English classes? Why?
what is your inspiration to make these great books?!
Hey Ally, I really enjoyed the Matched trilogy and recommend it to all my friends because its a series worth sharing :). I have to wonder because that's what a 14 year old girl does right?,
Since you finished the Matched series any new ideas for another science fiction romance novel or series? I love to read and really enjoyed Matched so I just was very curious.
Thank you for the time it took you to read this and answer it
~ Gracie
Hi ally, I love all three books, they were sensational. The story line, the characters, the actual books themselves were all perfect.1) What plans do you have for your next books? Are they similar or completely different?
2) how did you come up with the main concept of the characters, the story, the environment?
3) Does the book reflect at all on you, like can you relate to a y of the characters, does the story show any little parts of you?
~ Sincerely Natasha x
Hey Ally, first, thanks for answering our questions, it is really awesome of you. I was wondering a few things, did you set out to write the story with the exact idea in mind, or did the stories just develop over time--I've read and felt that sometimes stories sort of write themselves, were your books planned and plotted or just developed? Also what do you think of inspiration. That may be a strange question to some but I am just really curious about what you think it is and wonder if there was something in particular that inspired you write the Matched series.
What made you write about a dystopian future? Did you plan on writing a dystopian society book or did the idea come to you while writing something else?
In the first book it showed a lot of her emotions. And, yet she seemed very cold in the second was this deliberate?
Hi, I was just wondering if you had an outline when you wrote any of the books or if it just came to you as you where writing it? Thanks so much! Heidi
I am obsessed with your trilogy!!! But the only thing that is still getting me is Indie's Fate? Was there an underlying reason you decided to go this route? She is one of my favorites! I love everything about her!!
Hi Ally!How did you choose the names for the characters on Matched? :)
Sincerely, Alice.
hi Ally I am Rosh from Philippines! first of all I want you to know that your book made my it to my All-Time Favorite Books haha :) especially CROSSED (coz I am not able to read Reached yet) and when I was reading your book I always feel like I'm on another dimension of this universe. You really are an amazing writer. I love your works so much (as much as I love Ky, haha)Well, I'm just curious, What if producers/directors want to create a movie based on your book and you're the one who have to pick the stars to play Ky, Xander and Cassia, who are those 3 stars you would choose for your characters? Thank you.
Dear Ally,First of all, I just want to say how amazing the Matched trilogy is. I love the fact that,contrary to most"Love triangle" scenarios, Xander and Ky are actually friends and don't hate each other because of Cassia.
My question is do you really think that in the future, our world will really be similar to the Society, where every decision is made for us? I'd really appreciate it if you wanted to answer.
From,
Laura (16) :)
Dear Ally,I would like to thank you for writing one of the best series ever! I love the Matched trilogy and can't wait to read more of your books. I would also like to ask- who do you like better? Ky or Xander? And are you going to write any more young adult romance books?
Your #1 fan,
Aimen.
PS You rock!
Heya Ally!I'm a huge fan of your books! They are so unique and amazingly amazing, I couldn't stop reading! I was wondering.... are the characters in the Matched books based off real people or did you make them up from scratch or was it a bit of both?
Thank you so much for these books!!!!
Hi Ally!I'm Cam, from the States. I was wondering--are you going to be doing any book tours in Chicago?
Your books rock!
Cam
Mod
Are you working on something new?
The answer is--yes!! I actually have a couple of projects I'm very excited about, but my publisher doesn't want me to say anything until they've put out a formal press release. Which hasn't happened yet. But I can say that you should know much more by the end of the month. :)
Is there going to be a movie of MATCHED/do you have any movie news?
The truth is that I find out movie news almost at the same time that the general public does. Right now the rights have been optioned by Disney, Offspring Entertainment is producing, and the Mulroneys (the husband-wife team behind the script of the second Sherlock Holmes movie) are writing the screenplay. I do update on Twitter, Facebook, and my website when I have any news, so feel free to check there. And I'm sorry, but I have absolutely NO news about casting and NO control over casting. But I'm very excited to see what happens!
Where did you get your inspiration for MATCHED?
I always say there's a long answer, and if you read my blog at allycondie.com there are many posts about the inspirations for each book. The short(ish) answer is that my husband is the inspiration for MATCHED. Not only did a conversation with him back in 2008 give me the idea for the book, but he also inspired the book in many other ways. For example, I put half of my favorite things about my husband in Ky and half in Xander so that I would like them both equally and write them both as strong characters. Also, my husband is an economist, and so any of the game theory/sorting/etc. parts of the novel relied heavily on his influence and expertise.
There are, of course, other inspirations for the books too. The opening scene of MATCHED is based on an experience i had chaperoning prom back when I taught high school. The setting for CROSSED is based upon Southern Utah, where I was raised.
Are any of your characters in your books based on people in your real life?
Yes, some of them are. Cassia isn't based on anyone in particular, but rather a conglomerate of quiet, strong, amazing girls and women that I've known throughout my life. (When she falls on the tracker in MATCHED, that was actually lifted right from an experience I had falling on the treadmill, but for the most part she's not me.) Grandfather in the books is also based on several people--my grandparents, who all believed in me absolutely. I feel like every kid needs that kind of love and I was certainly blessed to have such fantastic grandparents. Vick is based on my brother and my brother-in-law, who can hike anywhere and catch any kind of fish/survive any kind of situation. Ky's mother says something in CROSSED that my own mother told me (it's the line about the importance of creating things). So, while most of the characters are made up, little bits and pieces of people from my real life come into the story here and there. It's very fun to see.
Who do you like better, Ky or Xander?
Since I used my husband as inspiration for both characters, I like them both very much. :)
What made you decide to write a dystopian novel?
When I had the idea for MATCHED (what if a girl lived in a world where the government had absolute control over who she married) I didn't know the novel would be a dystopia until after I'd written part of it. Since I had the scenario and character first, I built the world around those things. Partway through I realized that it would need to be a dystopian world because I wanted it to feel different, not like a society that exists now or has existed in the past. I didn't want it to be a historical novel--I didn't want to have to change the story to fit facts from the past. That meant I needed to set the book in the future, and since the government was so overbearing, that meant that it needed to be a dystopia. Back in 2008 when I started writing this book, there were definitely dystopian novels out there (the first book of THE HUNGER GAMES had been released) but we've seen even more since then, which I think is wonderful.
Do you outline as you write or do you write by the seat of your pants?
Both. I also tend to write in scenes rather than outlines. So, for example, when I began writing REACHED, I had a very loose outline but also 150+ pages of scenes I'd sketched out as I wrote the other two books. And, of course, the process is different for each book. When I wrote MATCHED I didn't have an outline. I was just having fun and seeing where the story took me.
Mod
Where did you get the names for the characters?
I love naming characters and it was especially fun in the MATCHED trilogy because I was looking for names that were/are unique and classical. I also wanted them to be "real" names--I didn't want to make them up.
For Cassia, I was looking for a flower name that was also somewhat unusual. My sister was the one who pointed me in the direction of the name. I loved it because I think the sound is beautiful, it's a classical Greek name, not everyone has it, and it's the name of the a flower in the cinnamon family. This had significance in several ways--Cassia's mom works with plants, and the cinnamon plant itself has several important qualities that is shares with Cassia (it can be used in healing, which is symbolic regarding what Cassia does for the Society). Finally, Cassia (spelled Kassia) is the name of a female poet and scholar from the 800s. I loved that history and heritage for Cassia and the tie to poetry. Cassia's middle name, Maria, is my grandmother's name.
Indie got her name from a cute girl in my son's preschool who was feisty and funny (and I just adore the sound of the name). I did ask her mom for permission before I used it!
Ky and Xander are both strong-sounding classical names that I loved and had heard (I changed the spelling of Ky from "Kai" to make it a little more streamlined.
Vick was named by combining the names of my brother and brother-in-law. Since I'd based the character on those two men, I thought it was fitting that I name the character after them. :)
How did you choose the poems you used in the book?
I love poetry, and I used to be a high school English teacher. One of the things I had to teach was a poetry unit. It was awesome. Often I had students who thought they didn't like poetry but they just hadn't read a poem that really spoke to them yet. And often I had students who thought they couldn't write poetry but once they did, it blew me away.
So I'd spend a lot of my life immersed in reading/teaching poetry. Using poetry came really naturally to me in writing MATCHED--I didn't set out to include poems in the book, but then as I was writing Grandfather gave her a paper in the compact. I thought, "What is written on that paper?" because I knew Grandfather couldn't write (I wanted that to be something special that only Ky could do). I had the idea of having the paper be a poem, but not one of the Hundred. I wanted it to be something special and dangerous. (I couldn't have it be a story or novel because something of that size wouldn't fit into the compact!)
And, almost immediately after I decided on a poem (for purposes of story and logic) I knew which poem it should be. "Do Not Go Gentle" by Dylan Thomas is my favorite poem, and it's also a poem that urges fighting. Perhaps most importantly, it's a poem that people respond to immediately because the writing is so strong. I knew that people would have reactions to the poem and love it. (Thank you, Dylan Thomas!)
I chose the Tennyson poem as a bookend to the Thomas poem (they complement each other nicely) and I also liked the reference to the "Pilot." I knew I could use that in CROSSED. And I chose the Emily Dickinson poems because they fit the story perfectly and I'm a big fan of Emily Dickinson.
I also have to add that part of the reason I chose the poems I did was because it is much easier to secure copyright permission when the authors have been dead for a very long time. There were other poems I wanted to use that were published more recently, but in the end we had to go this route. But the poems we did use were also my first choices. We just couldn't use as many poems as I'd originally intended. Maybe, for the purposes of the story, that's a good thing! ;)
Did both boys have a chance to end up with Cassia? Or did you always know who she'd be with?
I didn't know who Cassia would end up with until I'd written about 20 pages of REACHED. And then it became very clear to me. So yes, they both did have a chance. ;)
Who is your favorite character?
I loved writing all three of the main characters-Cassia, Ky, and Xander. I couldn't choose a favorite out of the three of them. I also loved Indie. Whenever she was on the page, unexpected things happened. It's a lot of fun as an author to have a character like that.
Hi Ally! Gee, this seems crazy that you might read this. Me and my mom have both read your books and we love them. Will there be a movie for any book in the trilogy? If so, can I audition? (: Oh, and how did you come up with the discription of the plauge??? Love your books and your writing! - Jessica
When Cassia and Xander go on their first post-Match Outing with an official, Cassia notices that her meal is significantly smaller than Xander's. Society has been reducing her caloric intake, and increasing Xander's.Is that a reference to patriarchy? By strengthening the man and weakening the woman, is the Society trying to enforce the notion that the man is the more powerful person in the relationship?
we all know about the matched series, would you care to tell us a bit about other books you have written? i understand that you formally published under the name of allison b. condie.
Hey Ally :)I just wanna ask what's your favorite book that you've read and when did you start write books? And have you any tips or anything to young who write something?
I love matched triology and xander :)
Hey Ally,i am truly obsessed with all of the matched books and i couldnt read them fast enough or enough times! just wondering how do you get such good ideas for everything? like where do they come from? new books soon :)?
-kyla (sorry horrible lazy grammar, i use tumblr so legit excuse)
Dear ally,Sorry if this is to many questions but i would like to know how long it took you to write the series? And also what where you thinking of when you wrote the books?
Sincerly,
Lid Pen
Hi Ally I hope you are Reading this and that it isn't boring you too much :)
It is nice that you take your time to answer a our questions :D
I only have three questions for you:
1) How do you find inspiration for your books?
2) Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a writer? :)
3) Did you always know you wanted to be a writer if not when did you realize? :)
I hope you want to answer my questions :)
Sincerely,
Freja :)
Dear Ally,I know this may seem a lot like picking your favorite child, but do you have a favorite book?
Also, I'm pumped now that I know your making a movie! Do you know where casting will take place or what company it is through? They should definitely cast me in it. I'm not picky. What ever role you chose will do. Haha....
Also are you going on any kind of a tour? A chance for us to meet you in person? That would be amazing. You should come to Boston if you do.
It was nice having the chance that you may read my writing
Thanks again, Rachel
Hi!At the end of Reached I felt that I kind of didn't know enough about some things.What happened to the Society,and all of the other characters Ky,Xander and Cassia left behind?Thanks!
I loved the Matched trilogy and recommend it frequently. My questions are.... How did you decide to include a color motif throughout the series? Did you plan to include one or did it just happen as you were writing?I love how various things fell into the motif in all the books.
I look forward to reading more books by you!
Thanks,
Gabby
Hi Ms. Condie,My students and I have a few questions for you.
Which book did you enjoy writing most?
How long did it take you to write Reached?
Do you plan on doing another book series?
Who is your fave character in the Matched series?
When did you start writing, and is Matched the first book you published?
What might you write about if you added a fourth book to the trilogy?
Didn't you think adding another character to be Xander's match was a bit rushed? Indie could have been a good partner for Xander..In the end, do they go to the Other Lands?
Hi Ally! What was your inspiration for writing the Matched books? If you can give a piece of advice to a young writer what would it be? What was the your first favorite book you read? Do you have anything you are working on at the moment?
Love your books <3
Sincerely, Marisol :)
Dear Ally, I know this might be a hard question to answer.....
Do you have a scene or chapter in any of the books that you especially love? ...or feel like you definitely got across what you wanted to?
Thanks!
- Rachel
Hi Ally. As part of the curriculum toward my MFA I will be doing a paper that will be partly based on your work. I was hoping you might comment on any particular aspects of craft that you concentrated on in drafting your novels.
Hi Ally, I just want to say I love your books! My English teacher got me hooked to them. :)I also was wondering why you decided to change the formatting of the chapters after Matched? Have alternating perspectives, I mean. Why start after that one and not have that one have been like that as well?
hi ally!!! i own all three books:)
i just lent reached to someone, i know and visit teach
and she is loving it
i just lent reached to someone, i know and visit teach
and she is loving it
Who did you want Cassia to fall in love with in the end?
Dear Ally Condie, I'm a sixteen year old girl living in Canada, and I absolutely LOVE the Matched Trilogy. It is a really different concept from other utopian and dystopian novels, and I adore the characters. You are one of my inspirations to become a novelist.
My favourite character was Vick :) who was yours?
Who would be the perfect cast if there is a film adaptation?
Thank you for writing these amazing books! I'm making all of my friends read them ~
P.S PLEASE COME TO TORONTO FOR BOOK SIGNING! :)
Hi Ally :) Matched was an AMAZING trilogy and although it is over, i will never stop reading them. Most of my friends understand that i am crazy about books and if i suggest one to them they know that it is good. Yours, of course, were at the top of my list of recommendations.
My question for you is have you ever thought about writing a book about Vicks life leading up to Crossed?
I hope to read more of your books in the future. Love from Charlotte King 16, England.
(Yes, your books are just as popular here as they are in america)
Dear Ally, There is one thing I'm really confused about...what color is Ky's and Xander's hair?????
Confused Fan,
Olivia
Mod
Do you have plans to write another book in the MATCHED series?
I don't. I never say never, I guess, but right now I have no plans to write another book in the MATCHED series. I'm really happy with the way things ended in REACHED. :)
Why did you add more points of view after MATCHED?
That was always the plan. Although the story is Cassia's story (and begins with her as the only one telling it), I knew we would build to two points of view in CROSSED and then have all three points of view in REACHED because it was Xander and Ky's story too. And I believe, that in order to really know someone's story, you have to let them tell it. :) Fun fact: the three equal lines on the first "E" on the cover of REACHED represent the three equal characters/points of view in that novel--Cassia, Ky, and Xander.
Was the use of color (green, blue, and red) in the books/on the covers intentional?
Yes, it was. The awesome designer of the book wanted to emphasize a color of one of the tablets for each book, and that worked out perfectly with the plot. The three tablets are all important in each book, but the green tablet is emphasized in MATCHED, we learn more about the blue tablet in CROSSED, and everything regarding the red tablet is finally made clear in REACHED.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. I started writing my first stories when I was five, and before that, I'd dictate them to my babysitter and she'd write them down for me (what a patient soul)! I kept writing stories and poems for years, and I loved teaching creative writing and English as a high school teacher. That said, I didn't actually complete a novel until I was twenty-five. That was my first book, YEARBOOK, which was published by Deseret Book in 2006. (Disclaimer: some of my novels are LDS in theme. They are clearly marked as such on my website.)
Which of your books is your favorite?
I always like the one I've most recently finished. So right now, my favorite book is REACHED, but it will probably change. :)
What is your advice for an aspiring writer?
I always feel a little nervous giving advice, because what works for me might not work for you. But here's what works for me. I read a lot. I write a lot, several hours every day. I make sure that I'm thinking about the story in moments when I'm not writing, just to keep it fresh. When I first started out, I tried to write 1000 words every day (except Sunday--I take Sundays off). Exercise. It keeps your brain healthy.
And, my final piece of advice--live an interesting life. That will give you inspiration. I don't mean that your life has to be interesting to anyone else. A lot of people might think my life--living in Utah, mom to four kids--would be boring. But it's fascinating to me and that's what makes the difference. I find lots of moments for inspiration in the day-to-day of what I do.
Are you going on tour? Can you come to my city?
We just wrapped up a national tour for REACHED (and we did national tours for MATCHED and CROSSED too) so I probably won't be traveling anytime soon. My kids are young and need me at home as much as possible. Since MATCHED came out just over two years ago, I've been to Germany, Boston, Nashville, Philadelphia, Chicago three times, Edmonton, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, Raleigh two times, St. Louis, Houston, Omaha, Orlando, Portland, Anaheim, New York City four times, and some other places I've probably forgotten to mention! I've also been all over Utah. And I've had to turn down offers to tour France, Japan, and to go to Norway because the timing wasn't right for my family. So I am definitely trying to go as many places as possible...and I love that you guys care!
Ducking out now to get lunch for aforementioned kiddos...but I'll be back again later today to answer some more questions!
is the Matched Trilogy good?