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955 entries.
Dear Bruce
In your SCIFI short story Old Glory why did you include the part when Gran-Da was high up and waving the flag it seemed real almost too real. I was wondering if you had a personal connection to someone dying for what they believe in perhaps a relative in the war.
In your SCIFI short story Old Glory why did you include the part when Gran-Da was high up and waving the flag it seemed real almost too real. I was wondering if you had a personal connection to someone dying for what they believe in perhaps a relative in the war.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Connor -
I will take "it seemed real almost too real" as a compliment. Part of what this story is about is what a man might do to stand up for what he believes.
No personal connection to someone who has done this, but I read history and there are many who have died for waht they believe in.
BC
I will take "it seemed real almost too real" as a compliment. Part of what this story is about is what a man might do to stand up for what he believes.
No personal connection to someone who has done this, but I read history and there are many who have died for waht they believe in.
BC
Hi! In my ELA class we read your short story Old Glory, and I was wondering why you wrote it. We talked about the sci-if warnings, and what made it a science fiction short story, but I still wonder, What made you want to write Old Glory and why would we not be able to have freedom of speech? Also why would we be S.O.S.ed of we did so?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alex -
The short answer to why I wrote "Old Glory" is that I was requested to write a story for an anthology called 2041 - a collection of short stories set in the future.
The longer answer is that I was furious about people trying to ban flag-burning, which was a direct assault on the First Amendment to the Constitution (Free Speech!) I wrote this story as a kind of protest.
It is not that I am in favor of flag-burning. It is that I am deeply opposed to laws that restrict any form of free expression!
BC
The short answer to why I wrote "Old Glory" is that I was requested to write a story for an anthology called 2041 - a collection of short stories set in the future.
The longer answer is that I was furious about people trying to ban flag-burning, which was a direct assault on the First Amendment to the Constitution (Free Speech!) I wrote this story as a kind of protest.
It is not that I am in favor of flag-burning. It is that I am deeply opposed to laws that restrict any form of free expression!
BC
Dear Bruce Coville,
Hello, my name is Jack. so... are class just finished Goblins in the castle it was so fun to read and it is all because of your amazing writing skills. I have a couple of questions about the book and about you. first where did you get the idea to write Goblins in the Castle? Also who is your favorite character? mine is Herky! I made a Coloring of Herky that I am going to send you. My biggest question is are you going to make a sequel to Goblins in the Castle and if you do please tell me about it I would love to know! one more Question what is your favorite book that you have written?
-Your Fan Jack
Hello, my name is Jack. so... are class just finished Goblins in the castle it was so fun to read and it is all because of your amazing writing skills. I have a couple of questions about the book and about you. first where did you get the idea to write Goblins in the Castle? Also who is your favorite character? mine is Herky! I made a Coloring of Herky that I am going to send you. My biggest question is are you going to make a sequel to Goblins in the Castle and if you do please tell me about it I would love to know! one more Question what is your favorite book that you have written?
-Your Fan Jack
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jack -
So glad to know that you enjoyed GOBLINS so much.
You asked about Herky. He was not part of my original plan for the book. But I got to a point where I needed an exciting chapter ending, and Herky came bounding into the story. Once he was there, he became so much fun to write about!
As to a sequel - though it was many years in coming, just this year I published GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. Herky is in it, and Igor of course. All the old gang is here. The big difference is that this time Fauna tells the story. And lets us in on her secret, which is a corker!
BC
So glad to know that you enjoyed GOBLINS so much.
You asked about Herky. He was not part of my original plan for the book. But I got to a point where I needed an exciting chapter ending, and Herky came bounding into the story. Once he was there, he became so much fun to write about!
As to a sequel - though it was many years in coming, just this year I published GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. Herky is in it, and Igor of course. All the old gang is here. The big difference is that this time Fauna tells the story. And lets us in on her secret, which is a corker!
BC
Dear Mr. Bruce Coville
I am a big fan of your work, my favourite book that you wrote is Goblins In the Castle. I love the way you described the characters in your book like Igor, William, Fauna and Granny Pinchbottom, every character and book you wrote inspires me to do better in my writing. But there is one question I want to ask you. What I want to know is what inspired you to write Goblins in The Castle and Always October and if your reading this can you please tell me what inspires you.
I am a big fan of your work, my favourite book that you wrote is Goblins In the Castle. I love the way you described the characters in your book like Igor, William, Fauna and Granny Pinchbottom, every character and book you wrote inspires me to do better in my writing. But there is one question I want to ask you. What I want to know is what inspired you to write Goblins in The Castle and Always October and if your reading this can you please tell me what inspires you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Junaid -
Oh, it makes me so happy that in addition to GOBLINS you know ALWAYS OCTOBER. I love that book, but unlike GOBLINS it has not yet found its audience. Since I think it is one of the best things I have ever written, that makes me a little sad.
What inspired me to write GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE was all the fun I had when I was a teacher with Igor coming to my room every Halloween. The whole school looked forward to his visits. I knew I had to write about him, but when I tried to do that I soon discovered that it just didn't work to have him in modern times. I needed to go back in time and have him living in a castle.
What inspires me? A desire to create books as wonderful as the ones that I loved when I was a kid myself. I'm always trying to live up to those models!
BC
Oh, it makes me so happy that in addition to GOBLINS you know ALWAYS OCTOBER. I love that book, but unlike GOBLINS it has not yet found its audience. Since I think it is one of the best things I have ever written, that makes me a little sad.
What inspired me to write GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE was all the fun I had when I was a teacher with Igor coming to my room every Halloween. The whole school looked forward to his visits. I knew I had to write about him, but when I tried to do that I soon discovered that it just didn't work to have him in modern times. I needed to go back in time and have him living in a castle.
What inspires me? A desire to create books as wonderful as the ones that I loved when I was a kid myself. I'm always trying to live up to those models!
BC
Dear Mr. Coville
Where do you get your inspiration? In school we read Goblins in the Castle it was by far the best book EVER!!! Can you pleeaassee make a sequel pleeaassee. If you do, can Williams parents come back and stay at the castle with him and William tries to introduce Igor to them then Igor bops them on the head with his bear?
Where do you get your inspiration? In school we read Goblins in the Castle it was by far the best book EVER!!! Can you pleeaassee make a sequel pleeaassee. If you do, can Williams parents come back and stay at the castle with him and William tries to introduce Igor to them then Igor bops them on the head with his bear?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Hunter -
I HAVE made a sequel! It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL, and in this book we learn the secret behind the stone toad that is in the cage in William's castle. But (surprise!) this time Fauna tells the story - and we learn her secret as well.
Inspiration? Readers like you! I love making kids happy with my stories!
BC
I HAVE made a sequel! It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL, and in this book we learn the secret behind the stone toad that is in the cage in William's castle. But (surprise!) this time Fauna tells the story - and we learn her secret as well.
Inspiration? Readers like you! I love making kids happy with my stories!
BC
Dear Bruce.
My favourite book of yours is Goblins in the Castle. My favorite part is when Igor goes BOP, bop, bop, at the end of the book. I also like when Herky jumps on William. I would like to read more of your books. I also have 2 questions 1: are you going to make a sequel to goblins in the castle? if so when? Question number 2: how long does it take you to make a book?
-Josh
My favourite book of yours is Goblins in the Castle. My favorite part is when Igor goes BOP, bop, bop, at the end of the book. I also like when Herky jumps on William. I would like to read more of your books. I also have 2 questions 1: are you going to make a sequel to goblins in the castle? if so when? Question number 2: how long does it take you to make a book?
-Josh
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Joshua -
I have already made a sequel - though it took me more than twenty years to get around to it. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL.
As to your second question: There is no real answer to how long it takes to make a book. Every book has its own time and rhythm. I wrote the first version of GOBLINS in 1977 - but it didn't work and I put it aside for a long time. I finally figured out how to make it work 14 years later!
BC
I have already made a sequel - though it took me more than twenty years to get around to it. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL.
As to your second question: There is no real answer to how long it takes to make a book. Every book has its own time and rhythm. I wrote the first version of GOBLINS in 1977 - but it didn't work and I put it aside for a long time. I finally figured out how to make it work 14 years later!
BC
Dear Mrs.Coville I have read your amazing book " goblins in the castle" it's very funny. I love the characters ,Willam and Herky also Igor. My favourite part is when Igor got to live up stairs.I have a question will you make another one.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Riley -
Glad you liked GOBLINS . . . out of all my books, it's one of my own personal faves. As to your question - I have already made another one. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. Hope you'll enjoy it when you have a chance!
BC
Glad you liked GOBLINS . . . out of all my books, it's one of my own personal faves. As to your question - I have already made another one. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. Hope you'll enjoy it when you have a chance!
BC
Dear Bruce Coville,
My teacher read us your book "Goblins in the Castle." We really enjoyed it so I was wondering if you were making a sequel. Happy reading and writing!
My teacher read us your book "Goblins in the Castle." We really enjoyed it so I was wondering if you were making a sequel. Happy reading and writing!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lauren -
I love - LOVE - knowing when teachers read my books out loud. And GOBLINS was definitely written to be read aloud.
This year I (finally!) published a sequel. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL.
It was really hard to write, but I think it's a hoot!
BC
I love - LOVE - knowing when teachers read my books out loud. And GOBLINS was definitely written to be read aloud.
This year I (finally!) published a sequel. It's called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL.
It was really hard to write, but I think it's a hoot!
BC
Dear, BRUCE COVILLE,
Hi, I read your book Goblins In The Castle, and I loved it soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! I loved it so much because of the detail you put into It I could picture myself in Williams body and I also made a picture of Herky in fan art I will send that to you too. I could see what he saw, smell what he smelt, and feel what he felt it was so, awesome!!:0 my favorite character is Herky and Igor and William. and also are you going to make a sequel if so send me a private message to me about it. Sincerely, Wyatt M
Hi, I read your book Goblins In The Castle, and I loved it soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! I loved it so much because of the detail you put into It I could picture myself in Williams body and I also made a picture of Herky in fan art I will send that to you too. I could see what he saw, smell what he smelt, and feel what he felt it was so, awesome!!:0 my favorite character is Herky and Igor and William. and also are you going to make a sequel if so send me a private message to me about it. Sincerely, Wyatt M
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Wyatt -
Wow, thanks for this great message.
When I teach writing I talk about "engaging the senses" so when you say "I could see what he saw, smell what he smelt, and feel what he felt" I feel that I lived up to my own lessons. So thank you for that!
It took me 23 years to do a sequel, but it's out now. The title is GOBLINS ON THE PROWL and Fauna tells the story (and reveals her own big secret.)
BC
Wow, thanks for this great message.
When I teach writing I talk about "engaging the senses" so when you say "I could see what he saw, smell what he smelt, and feel what he felt" I feel that I lived up to my own lessons. So thank you for that!
It took me 23 years to do a sequel, but it's out now. The title is GOBLINS ON THE PROWL and Fauna tells the story (and reveals her own big secret.)
BC
Dear Bruce Coville,
I really enjoyed "Goblins In The Castle" because it was really, really, really, really, really AMAZING and AWESOME! You are the best writer ever!
I would love to be in a book or have one dedicated to me. Oh one more thing who inspired Fauna?
I really enjoyed "Goblins In The Castle" because it was really, really, really, really, really AMAZING and AWESOME! You are the best writer ever!
I would love to be in a book or have one dedicated to me. Oh one more thing who inspired Fauna?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Zoey -
So glad that you loved GOBLINS. Of all my 100 books, it is the one most like what I thought I would be writing when I started.
Your question about "Who inspired Fauna" is a great one, but I'm not sure I have an answer. I know why I wanted a girl at that spot, but I did not expect her to be quite so cranky! I did love writing her - and she is the one who gets to tell the story in the sequel!
BC
So glad that you loved GOBLINS. Of all my 100 books, it is the one most like what I thought I would be writing when I started.
Your question about "Who inspired Fauna" is a great one, but I'm not sure I have an answer. I know why I wanted a girl at that spot, but I did not expect her to be quite so cranky! I did love writing her - and she is the one who gets to tell the story in the sequel!
BC