Ask Ally Condie - Tuesday, March 12th! discussion
Ask Ally!
I love the series!!! I was upset that she didnt end up with Xander, he must be a really nice guy not to hate her but i know that without Cassia going for Ky the society never wouldve changed... But really, what were the chances of Cassia Catching up with Ky in the canyons, honestly that frustrated me. And what happened to the other girl that was the Piolt? Ky's friend. (sorry i don't remember her name!)
Hi Ally.How did you come up with the names for the characters? and Are you going to write more young adult books like this?
Thanks,
Christina
Hi Ally,I wanted to ask for tips for young writers who would like to have a book published. I have no clue where to start. Also, great series!!!
what was the first dystopian novel you read? Did you like it?
Was there ever even a chance that Cassia would end up with Xander?
Hey I'm Kelly and I love your books and i want to hear more books from you
I read Matched and Crossed and I am now reading Reached. You are a great writer. Are you working on any new books?
hey, I LOVE this series. I loved how the book kept you wanting to never put the book down.when the series is all done are you going to write a book about Xander after what happens and does he meet anyone after everything with Cassie and KY?
Ky and Cassie are such a pefect couple also.
Hello Ally,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 nieces can read and chat over. Keep up the great work.
Okay I saw somewhere that the Matched series was being turned into a movie. Is that true and when is the first coming out?
Hi Ally Im Leah. A huge huge fan. Love your books. I was wondering, how did you got the idea for the matched series? Are any of the characters based off of people in real life? Because it is a distopia, did you have any loose ends that you had to change because things didnt add up? If you hadnt have published the books already are there anythings you would have changed? thanks a tonLove always,
Leah G x
Hi Ally,I just finished reading your first book, and it's probably the very first romance novel that I actually like. Now my question is when did you first start writing? Were you always a love of reading and writing from beginning or from middle school and above?
I haven't read it yet, but I have it. How did you come up with the idea for the plot?
Hello, Ally!As my time in high school draws to a close, I find myself, like so many other young people, struggling to choose what to do with my life.
When did you know you wanted to become a writer?
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Mariah
Dear Ally,What inspired you to write books? Did something influence you? I'm hoping to become an author when I grow up, but I'm not in middle school yet, so I have a while before deciding. I love your books a lot. How do you get ideas for all your books? Are they based on personal experiences? Or do the ideas pop into your head from nowhere? Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer our questions. We appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Allie
When I first received your book for a Christmas present, I couldn't stop reading, except to think that it was such a shame that Cassia lived in such a restricting society. I loved it so much that I got the second one the next christmas. I haven't yet read Reached, but I plan to. :) I was wondering where/how you got the inspiration, generally for the story itself, and/or its setting in the dystopian world that you used/created? Cause lately I have these ideas for stoies or movies when I'm walking home from school, nothing really inspires me, they just pop into my head. Was it like that for you?
Thanks, Elise :)
I am 14 years old and aspiring to be an author some day. I read all of your books and was gripped! What is your greatest advice to someone young and just starting out?
Was any of your book in relation with the hunger games? they became similar?
What advice would you give on writing suspense/cliff hangers?
Will you write a spin- off series? (Say Ky and Cassia's kids and how life is different with the new leader.)How so you pronounce Cassia's name? I've heard it so many different ways!
Was it easier to write from Ky's or Cassia's view-point?
What inspired you to use the Carving as a hiding place for the farmers' belongings?
In "Reached", why didn't you write an epilogue of who was nominated as leader ? Or even if Cam and Laney decided to have children? I feel as if it isn't truly over.
Hello Ally!I'm a major fan of the Matched series! Is Matched going to be a movie? Do you enjoys books that have love triangles? What inspired you to write Matched?
Hey Allie, I am teenager who loves reading and writing. How did you become an authour? Is it something you have always wanted to do?Thanks
Hi Ally! Just wanted to say hi and tell you that i LOVE the Matched trilogy! I'm a huge fan and can't wait till' the 12th!
Hi Mrs. Condie,I know the Matched books were put as a trilogy, but have you ever considered making an epilogue book to help explain all three, or to tie up loose ends that may have been unresolved? Great books, one of my favorite series of all times!
Amanda
Would you make another dystopian themed trilogy? please do i love your worksincerely,
michelle
Hi, Ally, or Mrs. CondieWell, I'm writing a book, and the thing that frustrates me the most is how should I make connections with stuff a the book, like what you did with the blue tablets, or the letter in the third book that helped with the cure. The point of this question is, what is the easiest way to make twists and turns connecting one big idea with other small ideas?
Also, if you could, but you don't have to, can you give a few tips on editing?
And I know I'm going over the top, but I have to know, I've read so many books which have two boys in them, and my book that I'm writing also has two boys, I need to pick one, which would you recommend, asking people who'll read my book which should be you know, (it feels awkward saying it so,) in the spot where Ky is in your novels, or should I pick myself the one who should be "in love and be loved" by the main character?
And tpI LOVE your trilogy, I read them all in order, and I have to admit, I was addicted to them. If I can find more books by you, let me tell you, I am going to read them.
Hi Ally,Just wondering-why did you write your first book in only Cassia's POV and then do Cassia/Ky alternating POV in Matched, (view spoiler)? Also, no offense, but I never understood what was so wrong with the Society in the first place.
Hi Ally,First of all I simply adore your books. They were an amazing series.!
I was just wondering : will there be a movie(s)?
That would just be sooo cool!!!
Anyways thank you for your time and hugs from Canada!
Hey Ally!What do you think is the most important thing a writer should strive for in this day and age? (e.g. relatability, creativity, individuality)
Also, if any, what messages do you try to convey about the human spirit through your book? Did you specifically characterize Cassia to be a model of strength, compassion, determination, love, or any other traits like these?
Thanks!
~Emily
p.s. I love your books and am a huge fan! xx
Hi Ally!I really loved your Matched Trilogy and was wondering whether you're planning to pursue dystopian fiction in your next books?
For me it was the use of poetry and prose that set your series apart from others; does poetry influence you a lot in your daily life or was it for another reason that you chose it as your "medium of revolution"?
Do you maybe write poetry yourself?
I suppose you read a lot; do you ever think "That's something I would have liked to write about, too" or somthing like that when reading a novel written by somebody else?
How did you think up the class system of "Matched" and what do you think will happen to the US after the plague has been eradicated? Will you possibly explore the outcome of the revolution or the prehistory of Matched in your future novels?
I'm sorry, those are a lot of questions but you rarely ever get to ask one of your favourite authors about their work :)
Thank you in advance!
Love, Catya
Do you relate yourself to Cassia? How?
Did you plan it all out? Or just make it up as you went along?
For Kye, was there anyone that you based him on or was it just straight from your imagination? Btw i love this series.
Hi! Why did you choose to write a dystopian trilogy when dystopian novels (trilogies in particular) are so hyped right now? In which way are your books different from other dystopian books?
Do you think you could express the moral of the story in just one stand-alone book opposed to a trilogy?
Hola Ally me han encantado los dos libros que he leído me gustaría preguntar ¿Crees que en un futuro nuestra sociedad puede acabar igual? ¿o se te ocurrió esta distopía sin relación alguna con la sociedad en la que vivimos?Besos, Carmen.
What happens after the last chapter, in 10 years time or something? x
I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!! (those exclamation point are to show my excitement!)But anyway QUESTION: In the third book, what happened to the Gallery?
Hi Ally,I was wondering if you have any advice for young writers?
Thanks!
Morgan
Hello Ally! Ooh this is so cool, I have a another question, :) ahhh!! I'm srry excited, QUESTION : In your books Lei and Vick both had stories with fish, Vick the rainbow trout, and Lei the ones that went to the ocean. Was this for a reason - C
Margo wrote: "Welcome to the group! Ally will be answering questions on Tuesday, March 12th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Ally or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do..."I don't see any replies ...where do I look for Ally's responses?
I think everyone already asked all the questions that I would've asked, so instead of books, I'll ask you about music. Do you have a favorite song, or a favorite music artist? If so, what song/artist? (Your books are so inspiring!) Thanks!
Why did you choose to write Reached from Xander's point of view (I haven't read Reached yet)?
Dear Ally,First can I just say that you are one of my FAVORITE authors! You have so much amazing skill:) Does Xander ever find out about Li? How long have Ky, Xander, and Cassia been friends?
From your number 1 fan,
Alexa<3
What gave you the idea of the Society? What's was your favorite aspect in the world of Matched? What character can you relate to the most?
Hi Ally, Hi all -- just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to this event.Ally- I was lucky to meet you on the Breathless Reads tour in NYC a couple years back. Thanks for taking the time to talk about your books, and give a fellow author a few pointers. Just a quick question: Are there any plans for a movie adaptation of your books, and if so, do you plan to be involved with the process? Thanks!
Dear Ally~I'm a middle school teacher, and I really loved your series. However, I was wondering how why you chose to end the series the way you did? Are you planning on writing more about this world? Thanks for your time!
~Kelli Maurer
Matched gave me a lot to think about as far as the agency we have in life to make all kinds of choices and that freedom also means we have pain and hurt that we cannot avoid either. The society took that away in your story. I thought of Benjamin Franklin's quote, “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Were the political issues of the past decade any part of the inspiration that led you to imagine what life would be like if choices were taken away?
Since reading the first 2 books in this series, I have thought a lot about how our ability to choose really is a gift....even though we sometimes make choices that we regret later. Through your books, I've seen how life could be without personal choice and it has made me view the bad things in life (diseases, random violence, etc.) a bit differently. Has any of that happened to you?
Dear Ally,Who is your favourite and least favourite character and why? Who was the easiest/hardest to write dialogue for and do you have any advice for writing a novel?
Thank you for your beautiful book and sharing the poetry.
Katie
LOVE the Matched trilogy! For me and other readers, what other books would you recommend that you enjoy/find inspiring?
Dear Ally,I just want to say how much I adore your books. Did you always know how the story would end or did you just put pen to paper? and I know this is a silly question but how did you come up with the names to the charachters? Usually charachters in books have such mundane names and your charachter's names are so imaginative and very beautiful.
So i am a huge fan of all your books my question to you is was it difficult to write the matched series,did you have fun with it? And How do you come up with great ideas for books? i believe you have been gifted with super awesomeness what do you think? ohh and last one Do you love your fans as much we adore you?
Your Truelove
Melanie