Q to the A

I love reader emails. I don't always have time to respond to every one of them, but I do read each one. Often they ask similar things such as:
1. Will there be a fourth Charmed Life book?
2. Will there be a fourth Katie Parker book?
3. How do I get published?
4. Would you like to collect the 400 million your long-lost relative in Nairobi left you?

I've gotten a lot of these lately, so I thought I'd answer here.

1. Will there be a fourth Charmed Life book?
No, there won't. I love series, as well, but the more books you write in a series, sometimes the fewer readers you keep. I read a popular series that is now on book 15 or 16 and the reviews in the last few years have basically been requests for the author to wrap it up and start something new. Nobody wants to be that girl. Okay, actually I would because this author got like a trillion dollars for her last deal, but still. Know when to go home. While there are always mysteries to solve, Bella has retired. But I loved writing about an amateur sleuth (didn't expect to), and you never know when I might get in touch with my inner Sherlock Holmes again.

2. Will there be a fourth Katie Parker Production book?
No, there won't. I know it didn't end like we all expected it to, but it ended best for Katie at that point in her life. But let's just imagine that Katie is now a freshman in college and Tate has gone to study abroad because he's quirky like that. And who does Katie see on campus all the time now? Maxine. Of course. Because she's doing that Senior Citizens Go To College Free program and finally taking Algebra I, pottery, and Introduction to Rap Music. But Katie also runs into Charlie. And he's got that look in his eye, you know? The one that says, “Why did I throw us away?” He also has that look that says, “I totally don't understand my FAFSA.”

3. Will your YA series be made into movies?
Steven Spielberg calls me ALLLLLL the time. It gets old; it really does. But I'm just not ready to hand over my stories like that. At least not until they can assure me that I have a part. With Hugh Jackman. And we get to sing show tunes.

4. If your books are made into movies, will you let me have a role?
Yes.

5. How do I get published? Will you read my writing? Can you edit my writing?
Due to time and a need for a few hours of sleep at night, I cannot read or edit your writing. I've talked about tips for writing/publication HERE. I recently answered a reader email about writing troubles and included this advice as well:
Just write. If you wait to “love it” or “feel” it or to have a complete plot in your head, we will find you sitting at your computer with a foot of dust on your head. The best way to become a writer is to:
1. read a lot
2. do a lot and not live in a small bubble
3. write a lot

6. When will I find my Tate, Charlie, Luke, Alex, or Connor?
Probably when you're not looking and when you're living outside that bubble and becoming the most interesting person you can be. Give it to God and just live your life. But I wouldn't settle for anything less than someone who has the gentleman-like qualities of a Tate, the smarts of a Luke, the comfort and smile-inspiring friendship of a Charlie, the compassionate heart of a Connor, and the magical “sigh” inducing presence of Alex. Also keep in mind those guys were pretty close to perfect. And that's why we call it fiction…

7. Who were you rooting for in the Super Bowl?
I'd have to go with Doritos, but I'm also a big sucker for those E*Trade babies.

8. Will you do a book signing in my town or school?
Book signings are lonely, lonely things that are only cool in our minds. Or the minds of Stephenie Meyer and Meg Cabot.
Because people show up for theirs.

If you would like to hang out, I'll be speaking in February in Rogers, AR at a high school girls' event, signing at Lifeway in Arkansas in May, speaking in June in Ecuador (a simple bike ride away…), and speaking in July at a location I'm totally psyched about but gonna keep a secret for a bit longer. And of course, I speak every week day at my high school, and you are most welcome to move to our district and enroll in my class. I have it in good with the counselors and could work you a deal. For a small fee. Of chocolate.

9. Do you save your reader emails?
I save a lot of them and put them in an email folder. Some authors call this their “sunshine” folder, as in a little ray of light on those cruddy days. When you've had a bad review or think you're the world's worst writer, you can go to that folder and get a little encouragement. I call my folder “Here Are Three People Who Have Read Your Book. Or Three People Who Got You Confused with Junie B. Jones. Again.” (Seriously, just happened AGAIN this week.)  Here's a portion of an email I saved from last week about Just Between You and Me. It made me smile. It also reminded me that Pulitzer will not be calling me any time soon.

…Anyone who can write about junk food addictions and push-up bras with a realistic God-perspective on life deserves a special spot on my book shelf. My own addictions and futile search for the perfect push-up bra aside, I've been searching for you for, well, a long time. Maggie made me laugh out loud, and I need more of that in the stories with which I choose to spend time. (Oh, and by the way, thanks for using the word “crap.”)

Push-up bras, Twinkies, and “crap.” Flippant references? Mere words? Nay, carefully strategized components of ministry.

So thank you for all the emails. I do appreciate each one. It's always great to hear from readers, to know what you thought of a book, what you did or didn't like. To hear you are toiling over writing too. Or that a book kept you up late. Or made you go buy a paper shredder. I can take it. : )  To all readers, I thank you. Keep those emails coming.