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I’m always eager to read your comments about my books and stories, so please feel free to pitch in. Here are a few things for you to know:
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964 entries.
Hey Bruce how are you doing I am fine how are your cats doing I have two dogs and there names are Syidney and Satchael and they are 7 and 8 how aold are your sweet cats. When are you coming out with a new book
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tova -
We have three cats - Luna, Dolittle, and Esme. We also have (somewhat unexpectedly) a dog, a German Shepherd named Athena. She is usually a good dog, but was very naughty today.
I have a new book coming out in 2016. It will be called HATCHED, and it is about a griffin. I'm not sure yet what month it will be coming out in.
Thanks for writing!
BC
We have three cats - Luna, Dolittle, and Esme. We also have (somewhat unexpectedly) a dog, a German Shepherd named Athena. She is usually a good dog, but was very naughty today.
I have a new book coming out in 2016. It will be called HATCHED, and it is about a griffin. I'm not sure yet what month it will be coming out in.
Thanks for writing!
BC
Mr. Coville, I am writing to you to tell you that when I was 8 I discovered the first story of Cara and the unicorns at a school book fair. As you can imagine, I was ecstatic to find a book where the main character had my name! Cara isn't the most usual name. I was enthralled and read the first book again and again. I could never find the second book and eventually, with life's usual course of events, gave up looking. Recently, at 30 years old, I stumbled upon the series on amazon. I bought the next two installments and continued the amazing story of the girl who shared my name. I am awaiting delivery of the 4th and last book, and I imagine I will become quite emotional when the tale of Cara is complete. You're a fantastic author and I look forward to reading your books to my son, starting with Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Thank you for your work. It has given me wonderful memories.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Cara -
Oh, many thanks for this lovely message!
The reason the main character is named Cara is that I based her, in part, on my daughter, who is also named Cara. I had been struggling with the book, couldn't get a handle on the main character. Finally I decided to drop the character I had been trying to develop and just put Cara in her place, asking myself how my daughter would respond to the various things that happened. Suddenly the book began to flow!
I'll be very interested to know what you think of the fourth volume. I nearly broke my brain trying to write it!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
All best,
Bruce Coville
Oh, many thanks for this lovely message!
The reason the main character is named Cara is that I based her, in part, on my daughter, who is also named Cara. I had been struggling with the book, couldn't get a handle on the main character. Finally I decided to drop the character I had been trying to develop and just put Cara in her place, asking myself how my daughter would respond to the various things that happened. Suddenly the book began to flow!
I'll be very interested to know what you think of the fourth volume. I nearly broke my brain trying to write it!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
All best,
Bruce Coville
Hey BC I was a ninja for Halloween and I loved the custom it was a red and black ninja and it looked so cool and your friend Bobby
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi Bobby - Oh, sounds like it was a VERY cool costume! Glad you had fun.
BC
BC
Dear Mr.Coville,
I just read your short story "Old Glory" and I really enjoyed it! While writing the story, did you use our current government system as an inspiration, and is this related to the CIA or FBI? Thank You!
I just read your short story "Old Glory" and I really enjoyed it! While writing the story, did you use our current government system as an inspiration, and is this related to the CIA or FBI? Thank You!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Isabella . . . and EVERYONE -
As I have been slammed with over a hundred messages about "Old Glory" I have to give up on answering them all personally. I just can't handle it.
So this is one answer to everyone.
First and foremost, I'm delighted that you all loved the story so much. It is one that I am very proud of.
Oddly, it is an unusual story for me in that it is the only time I can remember that I wrote something out of sheer rage.
Let me explain: Jane Yolen had invited me to write a short story for a futuristic anthology she was editing. As I was casting about for an idea, President George Bush (the father, not the son) was angling for some short term political gain by pushing a constitutional amendment against flag-burning.
I am a first amendment (free speech) absolutist. One of the seeds for a science fiction story is the question "If this goes on" . . . and so I thought, "What happens if this goes on . . . what if we make the flag such a sacred object, and subdue free speech so much that it is worth someone's life to speak his mind . . . what kind of world would that be?"
And from that question came the story.
BC
As I have been slammed with over a hundred messages about "Old Glory" I have to give up on answering them all personally. I just can't handle it.
So this is one answer to everyone.
First and foremost, I'm delighted that you all loved the story so much. It is one that I am very proud of.
Oddly, it is an unusual story for me in that it is the only time I can remember that I wrote something out of sheer rage.
Let me explain: Jane Yolen had invited me to write a short story for a futuristic anthology she was editing. As I was casting about for an idea, President George Bush (the father, not the son) was angling for some short term political gain by pushing a constitutional amendment against flag-burning.
I am a first amendment (free speech) absolutist. One of the seeds for a science fiction story is the question "If this goes on" . . . and so I thought, "What happens if this goes on . . . what if we make the flag such a sacred object, and subdue free speech so much that it is worth someone's life to speak his mind . . . what kind of world would that be?"
And from that question came the story.
BC
Dear author of the wonderful short story "Old Glory",
in my eighth grade ELA class, we are learning how to write short stories and I can't think of any ideas because I think that every story has been written down and there aren't any more to be written. People in my class are writing stories based on others that they've read and they're all similar. I want to write something entirely different something people will learn a lesson out of. But again, I can't think of any idea. How do you come up with all these great stories like the one we read today, "Old Glory", and how did you realize that you had the talent to write???
in my eighth grade ELA class, we are learning how to write short stories and I can't think of any ideas because I think that every story has been written down and there aren't any more to be written. People in my class are writing stories based on others that they've read and they're all similar. I want to write something entirely different something people will learn a lesson out of. But again, I can't think of any idea. How do you come up with all these great stories like the one we read today, "Old Glory", and how did you realize that you had the talent to write???
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sabrina -
Oh, there are always more stories to write. For a story like "Old Glory" think about what irritates you in the current news. Right now I could probably write a story about how dreadfully we are responding to the crisis of the Syrian refugees.
Watch the news. See what disturbs you. Then use that as a springboard for your stories!
BC
Oh, there are always more stories to write. For a story like "Old Glory" think about what irritates you in the current news. Right now I could probably write a story about how dreadfully we are responding to the crisis of the Syrian refugees.
Watch the news. See what disturbs you. Then use that as a springboard for your stories!
BC
Hi Mr. Coville! I haven't seen you in 4 years, since I met you when you came to Tecumseh Elementary to watch the 4th grade production of "The Dragonslayers" (I played Grizelda if you remember it was so long ago) I have always loved your literature and I have always loved The Dragonslayers. We recently read "Old Glory" in 8th grade ELA. I did happen to have a few questions, like where did you get the inspiration for this story, and why did you choose the names? Thanks and hope you have a nice year!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Wynnie -
Nice to hear from you. I hope you'll see the general answer to questions about "Old Glory" that I posted. I got totally slammed with questions about that tale!
My best wishes for a lovely holiday season!
BC
Nice to hear from you. I hope you'll see the general answer to questions about "Old Glory" that I posted. I got totally slammed with questions about that tale!
My best wishes for a lovely holiday season!
BC
Why did you mention Uncle Sam, if all "he" did was stamp barrels of food with U.S. and they nicknamed that Uncle Sam?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Jack - You're confusing the possible origin of "Uncle Sam" with the mythic status the character has achieved in American culture. What "he" did is far less important than how Americans now view the character.
BC
BC
Hello Bruce Coville's, my name is Whitewolf, yes my name is actually that. Except that's not why i'm contacting you, the reason is because in my English class we just read the Science Fiction short story the "Old Glory." To my opinion, this was really interesting and neat to learn/ know about. If you wrote a whole book on this, i would read it and give it a gold metal, i mean after i've read it this much , i mine as well read a whole book about it. Anyways i really like your short story, it was really interesting to know about i really hope you're doing well to this day. 🙂
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Whitewolf -
Glad you enjoyed the story. I do sometimes expand short stories into full novels, but I'm not sure that would work for this one. It's short and packs a punch partly because it gets to the climax so quickly.
Hope you are having a good week.
BC
Glad you enjoyed the story. I do sometimes expand short stories into full novels, but I'm not sure that would work for this one. It's short and packs a punch partly because it gets to the climax so quickly.
Hope you are having a good week.
BC
Hello Mr. Coville, I am doing a project in my English about how to write a novel. It would be amazing if I could get feedback from you about how you write a book, and your writing process. Thanks- John Jenkins
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, John -
Oh, goodness - people write whole big books on how to write novels. It's not something I can tell you about in a couple of paragraphs!
I can, however, recommend a really terrific book for you. It's called SPILLING INK and it's by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best book for young writers that I know of, chock full of great and useful information!
Good luck with your project!
BC
Oh, goodness - people write whole big books on how to write novels. It's not something I can tell you about in a couple of paragraphs!
I can, however, recommend a really terrific book for you. It's called SPILLING INK and it's by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best book for young writers that I know of, chock full of great and useful information!
Good luck with your project!
BC
It's been a good five years since I last posted a message here. Has it really been so long? (bet you don't remember what I posted :P)
I just re-read through all four books of the Unicorn Chronicles, and am very saddened to hear what became of the Last Hunt's publication. I'm also sad to hear we may never see more of Luster.
As such the last book left questions I wish you could answer, but I understand if you can't.
1- "There are still seven in Luster. We don't talk about him." I'm never going to learn about that am I?
2- M'Gama and Namza. Er... they going to be okay?
3- Please tell me Medafil survived. The book kinda just stops talking about him.
4-What do you think Beloved would have said if she ever met Princess Twilight Sparkle from My little pony? XD
You can ignore that last one if you wish. Thank you ever so much for the books. We may not get more Luster books, but I'll be on the look out for anything Unicorn from you!
I just re-read through all four books of the Unicorn Chronicles, and am very saddened to hear what became of the Last Hunt's publication. I'm also sad to hear we may never see more of Luster.
As such the last book left questions I wish you could answer, but I understand if you can't.
1- "There are still seven in Luster. We don't talk about him." I'm never going to learn about that am I?
2- M'Gama and Namza. Er... they going to be okay?
3- Please tell me Medafil survived. The book kinda just stops talking about him.
4-What do you think Beloved would have said if she ever met Princess Twilight Sparkle from My little pony? XD
You can ignore that last one if you wish. Thank you ever so much for the books. We may not get more Luster books, but I'll be on the look out for anything Unicorn from you!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, James -
Nice to hear from you - and lovely to think of you having read straight through the Unicorn Chronicles quartet again.
I have so many more stories I wanted to tell about the unicorns! Scholastic's fumbling of the 4th book kind of broke my heart.
Of your questions, the only one I can answer with certainty is that, yes, Medafil did survive. You are not the first to ask, so clearly I should have put in a bit more about him at the end. The others are things that I would work out in the process of writing the next story, should that ever come to pass.
It does truly delight me to hear from someone who has read and enjoyed the entire quartet. Many thanks for writing to me.
BC
Nice to hear from you - and lovely to think of you having read straight through the Unicorn Chronicles quartet again.
I have so many more stories I wanted to tell about the unicorns! Scholastic's fumbling of the 4th book kind of broke my heart.
Of your questions, the only one I can answer with certainty is that, yes, Medafil did survive. You are not the first to ask, so clearly I should have put in a bit more about him at the end. The others are things that I would work out in the process of writing the next story, should that ever come to pass.
It does truly delight me to hear from someone who has read and enjoyed the entire quartet. Many thanks for writing to me.
BC