Event Recap: Ally Carter Signing

Earlier this week I saw a tweet from Ally Carter saying that she was on her way to Boston and I thought....where? when? How did I not know about this? So I immediately clicked over to her website and saw that she was doing a signing nearby on Friday, 12 Feb at 7 pm. I got to the Barnes and Noble around 6:30 and did a bit of browsing and picked up some other books that I'd been wanting. Then seeing that the event area was starting to fill up I decided to head over there, grab a finished copy of Heist Society (Carter's newest release), and take a seat. I was really impressed with the turn out so many people showed up and I loved seeing people (teens and adults) starting to read Heist Society as they waiting for Ally Carter to arrive.

When Ally Carter arrived she began by giving a short introduction about how she knew she wanted to be a writer. She said that she knew from when she was a teen that it was something she wanted to do. Especially after reading The Outsiders and learning that the author was from an area not far from where she lived. It was then that she realized that author's were real people and that it could be something that she could do. But she also realized that sometimes dreams weren't always realistic and so she did the responsible thing, went to college and got a degree but always felt something was missing. She first got the idea for her Gallagher Girls series from watching Alias. The sound was off and the idea of a boarding school for spies just sort of popped into her head and wouldn't shake free. For Heist Society she was listening to a book on tape and one line jumped out at her, 'like a kat burgler in own house', and soon Kat Bishop - the cat bugler was born. Her writing tends to start with a character and from there she asks herself 'What is the worst thing that could happen to this character?' And the story begins to evolve from there. Carter also talked about the movie option for Heist Society and her excitement over the deal. After the intro Ally Carter opened up the floor to questions and here are some of what was asked along with her responses.

Will there be a movie for I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You ?

The book was optioned for a movie but that contract has lapsed. But that this is a good thing as the rights are back in Carter's hands and will allow her to be more picky in the future. As the initial screen plays that were being written weren't very true to the story and she didn't think the fans would have been happy.

What was your practical day job?

Agricultural Economics at a university.

Was it hard to write Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy?

Carter calls the second Gallagher Girls book her nervous breakdown novel . She knew that she wanted to do something with this throw away line from the first book that involved a boys school for spies. The book took a long time to write as she had premise but had trouble figuring out plot

What is the contrast between when writing is going well vs getting stuck?

When things are going well writing goes fast things are obvious. She can sit down write for a few hours and then take off to the movies or whatever. When stuck she has no idea what happens next. That its the whole 'fit square peg in round hole' scenario and sometimes she has to just step back till she figures it out.
Was Zach always in drafts of bks 2?

There always a boy that would be the counterpart to Cammie but he didn't fully develop until almost the end of the drafting process.

How focused are you on syntax when writing?

Carter adopts the 'Don't get it right just get it down' policy for early drafts. She doesn't worry about syntax til end as there are so many scenes and situations that might change or get cut. So she doesn't worry about the syntax of things until the book is mostly formed. First drafts just about writing it all down.
How old were you when you first started to write?

Carter first began to do some writing in middle school and high school. When in college she wrote some screen plays in college. But she didn't complete her first novel until she was around 28.

What is your writing process like?

First drafts can be written anywhere.. Around the house, Panera Bread, bookstores, anywhere. For early drafts she likes to get out of house as much as possible. When rewrittting she is stuck in office at her house and has to be more structured. She'll use a white board to plot out scenes which makes it easier to cut things, rearrange and figure out where things might be going. To do list for problems, etc

How do you deal with writers block?

Take naps, go to movies, go for walks. Do things to take mind off it.

Do you have any advice to new writers?

Writing is about writing. Just sit down and write and don't talk about being a writer and what you'll do when you have signings, etc. Talking about being a writer doesn't get book written. Also read as much as you can.

What was the inspiration for Bex?

She always wanted a british character and to have her be an opposite to Cammie in every way that doesn't matter. Cammie white, while Bex is black. Cammie is invisible while Bex is noticed. Bex comes from a spy family like Cammie's but still has both her parents while Cammie doesn't. This allows Bex to feel more secure and so doesn't have that fear that Cammie has. Cammie has seen the worst that can happen in the life so it makes her more cautious.

Where did the character names come from?

For Cammie she wanted a c name for the alliteration with the chameleon. She also wanted a name that could be a last name as she always had the idea that Cammie's name would be her mother's maiden name. Katerina came from the idea of Kat the cat burgler and Katerina just felt right. Kat's last name is a homage to the movie Sneakers which is one of her favorite heist movies.

Where do you get the idea for all the spy stuff and gadgets used in the Gallagher Girls books?

Most of the ideas come from her imagination and spy movies that she likes. She wanted items in which the girls could do what needs to be done, incapacitate the bad guys but without the use of guns or other deadly weapons. She loves the International Spy Museum in Washington DC and highly recommends it.

Was there a specific reason that Heist Society was written in third person as opposed to the first person of the Gallagher Girls books?

Yes. She didn't think she could write in another first person voice that didn't sound like Cammie. And thought it would be easier to transition between the two worlds when having to do edits in the different books.

Why did you make Cammie's mom the headmistress of the school?

She made Cammie's mom the headmistress for several reasons. Her mom popular teacher at her school and she knew from first hand experience that teachers kids can't get away with anything. So she loved the idea of Cammie sneaking out and breaking the rules right under her moms nose. She also wanted Cammie to be able to have a relationship with her mother as she'd just lost her dad and as Cammie was going to boarding school it made sense to have her mom leave the spy life and be at the school.

What can you tell us about Hales characteristics?

WW Hale, from Heist Society, is one of her favorite characters. She wanted to create a who wasn't raised in Kat's world. Hale comes from a very rich family and he's a bit bored and lonely. So she wanted to create someone who stole just for fun of it. Hale is a bit of a homage to The Thomas Crown Affair. Hale is lonely and so needs Kat. His family, and their absence, really shaped his character.

Will there ever be a book from Zach's Point of View?

There is nothing planned right now but one day she might do a Blackthorne spinoff series but not sure.

What sort of process do you go through to come up with a title?

Some titles just show up. I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You was always title of the first book. Heist Society was a bit more difficult. The title started as Heist Society but no one was really sure of it as its a bit of a tongue twister to say. Many other titles were then tried out but nothing ever seemed to work as well as Heist Society so in the end they just kept it. The title for Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover actually came about from a line in the book.

Where did the idea of Gillian Gallagher originate?

The idea came about by thinking of important events in US history and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln just sort of stuck out. Gillian is a girl who managed to prevent the first assassination attempt and her legend just grew from there. Carter has a hole backstory for Gillian and would like to write about it one day. Maybe.

What are you working on now?

Just finished the edits for the fourth book in the Gallagher Girls series, Only the Good Spy Young, which be be released on 14 Jun 2010. As well as doing a little work for Heist Society 2. Although that isn't a main focus as there is no contract for it yet and so no publication date.

How many Gallagher Girls books will there be?

The current plan is for 6 books. But it will take as many or as few books as it takes to tell the story well. If it can all be tied up in 5 then that's all there will be or if she needs more then there will be more.

Are any of the events in the book inspired by real life?

Nothing specifically comes from real life but indirectly everything that happens in real life does influence in some way.

Where did Joe Salomon come from?

Solomon was a bit of yummy that just appeared. She wanted someone at school with a connection to Cammie's past and to her father. She also wanted someone who would be a bit harder on her and challenge her a bit.

How are Gallagher Girls and Heist Society Similar?

Both girls both grew up in a world that is dominated by males and one that isn't traditional for girls to be a part of. There is also a huge push to be part of the family business. A bit like kids growing up on a farm and the parents want them all to be a part of its future. male dominated biz and to do things girls don't traditionally do.

Do you plan out what's to come?

Yes and no. Big picture things are known but the little details in how to get there can be a process. For example, she always knew the ending of the fourth Gallagher Girls book and what the start of the fifth book would be since beginning to write the second book. With Heist Society she has plans that would take her through 4 books. She isn't so good at outlining so doesn't know till she gets there just what works for a story.

Why is Cammie's Dad dead?

No comment. Keep reading.

Why don't you write the screen plays for your books if that's where you got your start?

That's a bit like asking sugeon to take out own appendix. She's too close to the story and characters to do a screen play of them justice. Plus she has book commitments that just won't wait.

Would you rather have unknown actors or bigger more well known stars for the movies?

Carter is open to either what matters most is that they find the right person for the role. She also made a point that the bigger the star cast the more money that they tend to bring to the budget which expands on what can be done in the movie.

Do you ever wish that you could live some of the extraordinary events that happen?

Yes but she doesn't think she could deal with stress. She often finds it hard to write the events that she puts her characters through and she's in total control.

After the Q&A Ally signed books for everyone and took a few minutes to chat with everyone who stopped by. She was very sweet and I really liked that she spent a little time with everyone. Despite the number of people there the wait wasn't long and everyone seemed to have a good time. If Ally Carter ever makes her way to your area you should take the time to stop by. She's a really cool author and her even was a lot of fun.

Me and Ally Carter