Ask Ally Condie - Tuesday, March 12th! discussion
Ask Ally!
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Margo
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Feb 22, 2013 12:13PM
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Hi Ally,As a dystopian author during a time when dystopian literature for young adults has reached its peak, what do you think differentiates your stories from others? How do you differentiate stories in the same genre from one another?
How much did poetry influence the Matched cycle? Why did you choose the poetry you did?
Thanks,
Natalie
This will be a spoiler for some, but when I was reading Crossed, I thought the tubes were samples of Cassia et al. from past lives, like the Society was able to predict what they would be most likely to choose or how they would most likely act by aggregating the data from past lives. Which is definitely spooky in itself. What made you go with the medical research route instead? Are there any redeeming characteristics of the Society left then?
I'm Elizabeth! :)In your opinion, was it harder to write the first book or second book and why?
Also, who is your favorite character in your story?
Where did you draw your ideas from when you formed your characters? And how do you make their personalities and quirks?
Hey, I'm Chelsea :) I just wanted to say that I LOVE the Matched Trilogy and have them all in hardback :) I would also like to ask if you will be writing any more books dealing with Cassia, Ky, or Xander.
Second I would like to ask if you will be writing anymore books in this type of setting.
Thank you so much for the books and your time :)
Hi I'm a teen I love write little stories and I love to read dystopian books and I loved your books so much I laughed, I cried, I lived your books I couldn't stop thinking about them once I started I was wondering where you got your inspiration and when you started writing books like this and if you had any advice for young writers like me.
How much input will you have on the movie(s)? How much input on casting? Any thoughts on who you would cast for Ky, Xander and Cassia? That is always the most difficult for me to buy when I watch a movie after the book - the cast - because I have already created a character in my mind. I'm sure as the author you would be even more invested in your characters.
Do you plan on writing any more trilogies like this matched series? I think you have a real talent and I would just love to see what else you have in that creative mind of yours.
How do you differentiate your characters from each other and other fictional characters? Are they based on real people, or are they completely made up?
Hey Ally!I'm a huge fan of your books and I recommend them all to my friends when they're looking for something to read:)
Some questions about the Matched trilogy:
How much did poetry influence your writing and why did you select the poems you did? (The Do Not Go Gentle poem REALLY spoke to me so thank you for using it!)
Also, did any other literature influence your character development? Did you do much research into the dystopian genre before developing your plot?
Oh, and one last thing...my most favorite scene from the whole series is when Ky is being taken from Cassia (pg. 318-323 of Matched)...read it over and over again and wanted to cry every time! How did you come up with that scene and how did you make it so powerful?
Thank you in advance and please continue being the amazing inspiration you are!
-Sarah
What lead you to use poetry as a driving force and a currency in the trilogy? How did you come across the poets and poems that you used?
Hi Ally, I wanted to ask you if did you always know you were going to have Ky's POV when you started the trilogy and that if getting into Ky's character was difficult.Did you know from the beggining every single thing you were going to write through out the trilogy? Like that thing about Matthew or the fling between Indie and KY?
Hi Ally,I'm just wondering if there's anything you can tell us about your next project.
Thank you!
Hi Ally! I hope you are having a wonderful day because my day just got better knowing you will be answering our questions! I am a huge fan so thank you so much for taking the time to do this! My question is what components,if any, in the story relate to you personally? Again, thank you so much!
Hi Ally!! i wanted to ask some things:1) the first is that i wonder what was Cassia´s family doing while Cassia and Ky were on the carving?
2) Why when Cassia, Indie and Ky have to cross the river (almost at the end of the book) why can´t Ky and Cassia go on foot and leave Indie ride the bote alone and like this Cassia and Ky can go to the Rising together.
3) I really love the "Do not go gentle poem" thanks for let me know about this poem!
4) I really admire you and thanks for this amazing trilogy!!
My one and only question:WILL THIS BE A MOVIE!?!?!
i haven't read reached yet and have heart palpitations every time I hear someone talk about it.
How did you come up with the storyline?
Loved your books Matched and Crossed and look forward to reading Reached. I have read that the movie rights have been picked up, any idea when it will be released and who would you like to see cast as Ky, Cassia and Xander?
I am dystopian addict!!! I really liked your series but I have always wondered why did you decide to kill Cassia's dad? Can't a character keep their developing path without killing someone close? I've read a lot and I've notice that. :)
Did you ever doudt Cassia would end up wih KY? I mean, in you writer mind did Xander ever stand a chance?
Out of all of the characters in the series, who would you say is more like you? As I read your series, all of the characters had their own personalities and they say the authors characters are alike them in some way.Also, will these books become movies? You an amazing author and this is one of my favorite book series.
Thanks!
Bri
Hi Ally I loved the books but to me it didn't feel complete. At the end I was shocked that was it. So my question is this. Is there a happy ever after for Ky and Cassia or does the rising end up being just like society and there back to square one?
Is there going to be a movie? If so, any info on release or actors?
Did it take awhile to decide how the love triangle would play out in the books? Was it something you thought through carefully and thoroughly or did you think as you go? :)
What are some words of advice that you'd give to aspiring young people who want to write? Also, how would you go about getting published, if you already have a book written?
Thanks!!
Oh I forgot! You didn't talk about what happens to the Markhams. What happened if anything?
Are you working on anything new? Will you write another story similar to the Matched Trilogy?
Hi Ally! I'm Alicia. I loved the Matched trilogy and appreciate that you reach out to your readers so often. I had tweeted you right after I read Matched and was so surprised when I recieved a tweet back!Onto my question(s): As a former English teacher, did your work with students influence these novels? And how/when did you make that jump from teaching to becoming a novelist? Any tips for aspiring writers?
When is the next time you will be signing books in Illinois, Wisconsin, or Michigan area?
Hi Ally!When you were writing the books did you originally root for Xander? Or have you always planned to have Ky and Cassie end up together? Also how did you come up with the whole idea for the plague?
Do you want our books turned into movies? Or would you rather not have them touched by Hollywood directors? I do love movie adaptations (Hunger Games, Harry Potter, etc.) but sometimes it's better to let your imagination decide as opposed to changing the story and forcing a certain picture into your head. I'd love to know your thoughts on this.
Did you know ahead of time it would be a trilogy, or were you not sure how many books it would take to tell your story? If you knew it was 3, did you ever along your path of writing think that you might need less/more books to finish the story?
Hi Ally,As a young writer, what would you suggest is a good way to stay with a novel and find the motivation to finish it? I've written many pieces, but have never finished writing a novel.
Love your books by the way, I read "Matched" as soon as it was released, and loved the other ones as well. :)
~Apoorva
Hi Ally. I loved your book series. One part I really loved was that you used the Dylan Thomas poem, "Do Not go Gently into that Good Night". What inspired you to use this poem? I was recently able to read and recite it in my Intro to Lit. class. Your book inspired me to want to read it and recite it. I am now going to write an essay over the Thomas poem. Another question I have is: Do you include references to poems in any of your other novels?
Hi Ally! I'm Kayla and I am a huge fan of the matched trilogy! I just got Reached for Christmas but I decided to read Matched and Crossed again before I started Reached because they were so amazing! I was wondering if while you were writing these books if you felt any connections with Caasia or the others. Did you feel upset when you made Cassia tell Xander that she didn't love him the way they were supposed to?
Also how did you come up with this trilogy?
Last question, who was your favorite character in all of the three books?
Thank you! I am a huge fan of your work! :D
Is writing a novel difficult? Specifically for you? I've been told that for some people it is difficult, while for others it seems simple.
OMG, HI!!! Huge fan...ANYWAY...just curious, how'd you come up with the whole Matched idea, like the beginning basis with the compatibility stuff? Who is your favourite, Xander or Ky and can you tell me if there's going to be a movie or not? OMG MY LIFE WOULD BE COMPLETE!
Toodles :)
What inspired you to write a dystopian book? How were you able to develop each character's personalities?
What do you feel are a few of the major themes of your book Matched and why?
When creating the two characters Ky and Xander did you have a favourite and if you did has it changed?
Hi Ms. Condie I am such a HUGE fan of your books I think that they are so creative and innovative and gripping. I love everything about them and even plan to reread them!!!!! I am on Reached and just finished Crossed - I thought it was fantastic!! How did you come up with such a dystopian idea? Thank you for writing these!!!!!!
Is Reached the last book of the series?Are there any other books or series you plan to write?
Hey Ally!I was just wondering if you we're thinking of starting a new series...? If yes would it still be another sort of distopia or something completely different? Thanks!
P.S: love your books!!
Dear Ally,I've read all the Matched books, but who put Ky in the Matching Pool? Where do they get the dresses? And finally who would you choose Xander or Ky?
Sincerly,
Pennie
Hi! Im Emma.. these are the best books Ive ever read!Does the poem Do Not go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas and its connection with the series have a specific meaning to you?
Thank you for your time!
:)
Dear Ally,I am a HUGE fan of the Matched trilogy, but I felt that "Crossed" was just sort of a block. Did you feel rushed? I felt like this book was written a little too fast. I LOVED "Reached", and ADORED "Matched" but "Crossed"? Ehh. Could you please respond to me? It would mean SOOO MUCH!
Thanks!
Your fan, Megan
Ally, I loved these books (I've only read the first two and I'm still trying to get my hands on the third one). My question is: Why did you decide to write these books, what was your inspiration, like did you see a poem and just start writing, or did you set out to write a book one day and come up with Matched? Thanks so much for taking time to answer my question.
Chelsey :)
Hey Ally!I am a huge fan of the 1st book of the series, Matched and I was wondering about what inspired you to create the series? Was there something that happened in your life that made you want to write this book? Along with this, Matched was a fantastic book and usually when movies adopt a wonderful book, they either alter the story or something isn't right and I was wondering on how you are determined to go by the idea of Disney taking the story and turning it into a movie. If you have any say about the movie, can you pleaseplease help them direct the movie? Maybe the movie version will be as fantastic as the book? (or not usually the book is more detailed) Anyway, THANK YOU for taking your time to respond to my message and all the other questions from your other fans! Thank you again!
~A fan of the series Sophia
Hi Ally Condie! I loved all three books in the Matched series. My question is - how did you decide which paintings to showcase for the 100 paintings? I have to say it's given me a greater appreciation for art. I looked up every poem and painting you mentioned in the books and now have a few new favourites! Thank you!
