Ask Ally Condie - Tuesday, March 12th! discussion
Ask Ally!
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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!
Hi ally ! I have a few questions, when writing the trilogy, did you have certain scenes pop out at you more than others, or scenarios that give you the most pride in the way you conveyed them? And is there another ending that you considered before choosing to let it end the way it did?
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There is one thing I'm really confused about...what color is Ky's and Xander's hair?????
Confused Fan,
Olivia"
In MATCHED, Cassia talks about Ky having dark hair and Xander being blonde. :)
By the way, thank you so much for doing this!!! I think I speak for everyone on this group, that we appreciate taking time off of your busy life to answer questions to your crazy, obsessed fans !!! Much love <3 Liset from Tennessee :)
Liset wrote: "Hi ally ! I have a few questions, when writing the trilogy, did you have certain scenes pop out at you more than others, or scenarios that give you the most pride in the way you conveyed them? And ..."Yea I would love to know!
-Rachel
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How would Xander be if cassia never came back from the desert?"
I think he would be sad. I don't think he'd rest until he found out what happened to her. But he's also an extremely strong person with a lot of capability for love. I think in the end he would recover and go on to love again, deeply.
Dear Ally,What were your favorite scenes to write in MATCHED, CROSSED, AND REACHED? Do you think you'll revisit the world of MATCHED in a spinoff series?
thanks!
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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 want..."
I'm really pleased with the last three chapters of REACHED. For some reason, they came very easily to me (that doesn't mean I didn't have to revise/fix them, but they were very fulfilling to write).
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Yes! I used my full name on my first four books (Allyson Braithwaite Condie) and my Ally Condie name on the MATCHED series and also my novel FRESHMAN FOR PRESIDENT. Although both names are my "real" name, we decided to use the shorter name for books that were written for the national market. The other books were written for the LDS market, and so we wanted to be clear which ones were which. :)
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I just want to know one more thing. WHY? Why do you make up perfect boys like Ky or Xander that does..."
I answered the movie question up in an earlier post but I just had to say this second question was awesome. I love it! And I am glad that you like Ky and Xander.
Hi Ally! I was wondering if you wrote from an outline or if you wrote it as you went? Thanks Heidi
About how long did it take you to write each book?
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Congratulations on a very sucessful and wonderful trilogy!
I apologise if this question has already been asked:
How much planning do you put into your novels before you write them? Do ..."
I don't plan very much when I'm writing a standalone. I just like to have fun and write whatever comes to mind. That does make for lots of revision later! (With a series, though, I do plan the later books as I write the earlier ones. But there are always things that surprise me!)
I love your book covers that portray the tablets and her breaking free in each book, I guessed what the next two would be, how did you come up with the ideas for them!? Love Charlotte
Why did the third book start the way it started? I just feel like it made me just give up on the book, since it didn't made sense?
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My favorite authors of all time are Wallace Stegner, Anne Tyler, and Agatha Christie. And Ray Bradbury (as you can probably tell--a particular scene in MATCHED was written as a tribute to FAHRENHEIT 451).
Some authors whose work I've loved recently include Ann Dee Ellis (EVERYTHING IS FINE), Grace Lin (WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON), Shannon Hale (BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS), and Franny Billingsley (CHIME).
My kids and I have loved reading Brandon Mull (FABLEHAVEN, BEYONDERS) and Adam Gidwitz (A TALE DARK AND GRIMM) together.
I also read anything Michael Phelps writes. I'm not a swimmer but his work ethic fascinates me. I generally like most sports writing because it gets right to the point, which is fun. I will read just about anything if I'm interested in the topic.
Did you make a list of the Hundreds (Hundred Poems, Hundred Songs, etc.)? Can you share it with us?
I actually started out making a list of the Hundreds and then abandoned the project because I hated it too much. Here's why. The Hundreds would be the Society's list, not MY list. And I hated thinking about what the Society would choose and not what I would choose. Also, the Society would pick only things that, while technically fine and often beautiful, would not be works that would call people to action, or make the uncomfortable. They also wouldn't really represent the diversity of human experience and emotion that exists in the real world.
So. While I can tell you some of the items on those lists, and the type of works that would be saved, in the end I found it too frustrating to make the actual lists for the Society. ;)
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Cassia's grandfather tells her it's all right to wonder, and over the course of the books she learns to understand this. Was this an important message? Did you leave the political outcome..."
Yes. You are a very smart reader. ;)
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This is one of the most wonderful/awesome compliments you can give an author/former English teacher. Thank you!!
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I was just wondering if you have ever read any other distopian books before - if yes, which?
All the very best!!
Simone"
The dystopian novels that influenced me most were 1984 by George Orwell, and FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury. When I was in high school (back in 1996!) a lot of the newer dystopias hadn't been released yet and so these classical dystopias were the ones that I read first and really had an impact on me.
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I think the answer is more complicated than that. I think there were people in the Rising who truly believed in its purpose (the Pilot, for example) and who were able to bring about an enormous change--at the end of the book, they were voting. Which, to my mind, is VERY different from the way things were before when the people had no choice at all. :)
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Did you have an alternate ending to the series? If so, can you tell us what it was?
. Thank you so much!"
I didn't have an alternate ending for the story. But I can think of lots of places it might go after this. :) But I like leaving that up to the readers' imagination--I don't imagine I'll write any more books in the series.
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How do you feel about the way your series is compared to Hunger Games. Yes, they are two dystopian novels but is your message that similiar to the Suzanne's?"
I always feel like it's an enormous honor to be compared at all to the Hunger Games. Suzanne is a master storyteller and I love her work. But I wouldn't presume to know the message of her stories, and so I'm not sure how to address that part of the question. I can say that I just wanted to write a book that people would like to read, and if I had any message, it was about the importance of art to human existence. :)
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I don't actually have a question. I am a 34 year old mother of 3 and just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your books. I am glad to have a series that both myself and my teenage ..."
Many thanks!! I love that you read the stories with your nieces.
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Was Lei's appearance inspired by people of Hawaiian or Filipino ethnicity? What caused you to create the character this way? Was it possibl..."
I can't answer all the questions (love them, though!) but I can answer this first one. Yes. Lei is. I have a niece and a nephew who are of Pacific Islander descent and so my intent was to include a bit of that heritage in the story. In my mind, Ky is also of Pacific Islander descent. His last name--Finnow--is a modernized/Society-changed version of the name Finau.
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I definitely get ideas as I write. It is okay not to know everything when you start--it's great to have a few big ideas, and some scenes you're really excited about writing--but I've found that I also get lots of my ideas as I go along. :)
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Writing a novel for me is hard work. It's also very fun. There are days when it feels like I never want to stop and other days when it's hard to get started. I think it's like any creative process--there's a certain amount of inspiration and also a certain amount of just pushing through and doing your best.
Hi ally, I recently read matched for a language arts project and loved it. I was wondering if there were any fun facts about yourself that you'd be willing to share, for my authors page.
Thanks,
Nikita
How do you get your ideas for writing novels?
Hi Miss Ally,This is Micah and i would like to ask you some questions about your book crossed. First what is the conection with Ky and Cassia and how do you want the reader to conect with the Ky. What can we expect from your next book Reached? And last but not least how are cassia and xander going to turn out?
Hi Ally!, I really loved the whole Matched trilogy and I was wondering if you ever had any trouble writing any of the three books, and if so where did you have that trouble?
throughout the series when you talk about the HILL it was always capitalized, so I was wondering if the hill was ment to symbolised something?
There's nothing better than the satisfaction of finishing a REALLY good book so I just wanted to say thank you for making me smile :)
Dear Ally,How did you choose the poems around which the books revolve? Why did you decide to make poetry that which Cassia and Ky's relationship is founded on?
Thank you for answering these questions and writing such unique, creative, and captivating books!
throughout the series when you talk about the HILL it was always capitalized, so I was wondering if the hill was ment to symbolised something? also I was wondering if Matthew, Ky' s cousin, came back or what I am trying to say is did you have his fate planned out our food you only come up with him going to the otherlands and where exactly is the otherlands?
Hi Ally!My friend and I are obsessed with your trilogy, and we are Team Xander all the way! We had another question for you:
On your website you stated that Xander and Ky are both based off of your husband. Are Cassia and Indie based off of you in that same respect?
Thank you!!
Hi Ally! :)I want to say that your books are amazing!!!
How did you get the ideas for your books??
Why do you want to write books?
When did you know you want to be a writer?
Will there be any movies basing on your books??
And....
Are you writing new book soon?? :D
~Pinja , 13 years, Finland :)
I am so excited for this anyhoo is there any advice you could give to young writers such as myself i am in desperate need of some advice! I am in way over my head with over six book ideas! Also I love love love yuor books they are AMAZING thank you for providing me with such entertainment~Carli
Hi Ally! I loved the matched trilogy, though i haven't read the third book yet. I was wondering how you go through the publishing process. How closely do you work with your editor, how long did it take you to write the books, and how do you decide the cover, title, and all of the little information that goes into making a book but isn't part of the storyline?I want to be an editor some day so i can get paid to read and i want to know how close the eidtor/author realtionship is. Thanks!
-Alex
Okay, i just remembered this question. I am a member of the LDS church in Chihcago and i love books written by other members like Brandon Mull, and obviously the Matched triology. What are the themes of your LDS books? How long have you been a member? (if u still r one) Are you planning on writing any more dystopian novels like Matched? What do you tell people when they ask you about the Church?
There was not much of a mention of weapons/guns throughout the trilogy. Was it because you were writing for a young audience, or is that how you envisioned the Society?
sorry my computer was wierd... i have a Q to ask, i wanted to ask if you new how to get started, its hard to find editors and publishers. also how do you keep motivated since books require alot of time and could easily bore a writer if kept there to long. another Q of mine is since the skills dont come over night do you know of any class's i could take to get even better. please reply and also i might be back with more Q's
Hi Ms. Condie! I know this is going to sound silly but my name is also Ally and seeing your name on books shows me that one day (hopefully) that is what my name will look like on the front page of some hard-cover book.
My question for you is, what is your best advise for an aspiring writer? I really want to be a writer one day and inspire young authors like you do for me! I want to learn from the best! Thank you so much! !!!
Sincerely,
Ally
Hi Ms. Condie. My name is Emmi and I love your books!!! Where did you get the idea for the Matched books?
Hi Ms. Condie,I would love to know where you would send Cassia and the gang if you were to add a fourth book. We have been discussing this in class and want to know what you suppose.
Also, thank you for creating a new series I can recommend to my middle schoolers and know it will make them love reading again. They are hoarding them and fighting over the few copies we have in our classroom. My heart has butterflies. I thought I would share them with you.
Who is an inspiration in your life? Did you ever have days when you went blank while writing? If so how did you continue. :)
Marisol wrote: "Who is an inspiration in your life? Did you ever have days when you went blank while writing? If so how did you continue. :)"Ohh I would like to know the answer to the second question as well. I have currently decided that I would like to start writing a book and I have already gotten stuck in some times and I'm not even 15% through with it all. How do you get your mind to co-operate, Ms.Condie?
hey Ally,i love your books. Do you think you'll add side stories to this book? and do you want it to become a movie?
There is one thing I'm really confused about...what color is Ky's and Xander's hair?????
Confused Fan,
Olivia