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966 entries.
Hi Bruce Coville!
I just read "Old Glory" in my ELA class, and I was wondering if as a writer, you wondered if you would have written Donald as not deciding to call the Uncle and siding with his Grand-Da. Did you ever feel inclined to have an ending where Donald felt more than "a little sad" at killing his great grandfather? Or is this there to show that in this generation, killing a family member if they are breaking the government's laws is more important than siding with them when they are wrong.
Thanks,
Alethea
I just read "Old Glory" in my ELA class, and I was wondering if as a writer, you wondered if you would have written Donald as not deciding to call the Uncle and siding with his Grand-Da. Did you ever feel inclined to have an ending where Donald felt more than "a little sad" at killing his great grandfather? Or is this there to show that in this generation, killing a family member if they are breaking the government's laws is more important than siding with them when they are wrong.
Thanks,
Alethea
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alethea -
That's a good question, but the answer is nope. I never thought of ending the story any other way. I wanted to show how brain-washed Donald had become because of the way kids were being taught, what the values of this culture were.
One reason to write science fiction is to pursue the thought "If this goes on . . . " I was thinking about censorship, and did an "If this goes on" story to talk about its dangers.
BC
That's a good question, but the answer is nope. I never thought of ending the story any other way. I wanted to show how brain-washed Donald had become because of the way kids were being taught, what the values of this culture were.
One reason to write science fiction is to pursue the thought "If this goes on . . . " I was thinking about censorship, and did an "If this goes on" story to talk about its dangers.
BC
We just read "old glory" today and I was wondering what got you to write about that and I can kind of relate when you say my crazy grandad because my grandpa is kinda crazy to but I love it and when I read the end of the story I was really shocked that the kid let his grandad get shot for speaking his mind. Also I saw that there was no freedom of speech that was very shocking and made me think what the world would be like I think it would be very twisted, I don't know if you remember me but I wrote to you when I was in 3rd grade I'm in 8th grade one and I just want to say I love your books and short stories
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi Melissa -
I'm glad you were shocked by the end of the story . . . it was meant to be shocking. But not just for the sake of shock. I wanted it to provoke people to think about where we might be headed if we are not careful.
I'm glad you've been enjoying my books and stories for all these years!
BC
I'm glad you were shocked by the end of the story . . . it was meant to be shocking. But not just for the sake of shock. I wanted it to provoke people to think about where we might be headed if we are not careful.
I'm glad you've been enjoying my books and stories for all these years!
BC
Dear Mr.Coville,
My class has recently read your short story "Old Glory". But it left me with a question and that is where did you get the idea for this short story from?
My class has recently read your short story "Old Glory". But it left me with a question and that is where did you get the idea for this short story from?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Andrew -
I have written about 40 short stories. This is the only one I have written from pure rage. George Bush (the first Bush president) was looking to gut the constitution for some short term political gain, and it made me fiercely angry. That, combined with the fact that I had been asked to write a futuristic story, led to this exploration of what might happen if free speech was sacrificed for political gain.
BC
I have written about 40 short stories. This is the only one I have written from pure rage. George Bush (the first Bush president) was looking to gut the constitution for some short term political gain, and it made me fiercely angry. That, combined with the fact that I had been asked to write a futuristic story, led to this exploration of what might happen if free speech was sacrificed for political gain.
BC
Hi! So... MY GRANDPARENTS KNOW YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I'm Liam and Kevin Fitzpatrick's neice! I can't believe it! Ok, I kinda can. My grandparents know everybody. LITERALLY. I could list but I'm running out of characters...
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alayna -
See, your grandparents know everyone, and I know everyone, so it was inevitable that we would know each other!
BC
See, your grandparents know everyone, and I know everyone, so it was inevitable that we would know each other!
BC
Hi! Just wanted to say I loved the Unicorn Chronicles! One question, though...:Whatever happened between Lightfoot and Belle?...
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Syd -
Glad you loved the Chronicles! I poured my heart and soul into writing those books.
What happened to Lightfoot and Belle are untold stories. If Scholastic hadn't dropped the last book like a hot potato, I might have had a chance to tell them.
BC
Glad you loved the Chronicles! I poured my heart and soul into writing those books.
What happened to Lightfoot and Belle are untold stories. If Scholastic hadn't dropped the last book like a hot potato, I might have had a chance to tell them.
BC
Hi!!!! I live in Syracuse! Like you and Nina (Tanleven)!!!! I've only read one of your books (The ghost in the third row), but I can tell you're a REALLY good author. I'll be looking for your others! 😉
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alayna -
Greetings, sorta-neighbor. Glad you liked THIRD ROW. I had so much fun writing that, because (as you likely know) I used the Landmark Theatre as a model for the Grand. I LOVE that old building!
BC
Greetings, sorta-neighbor. Glad you liked THIRD ROW. I had so much fun writing that, because (as you likely know) I used the Landmark Theatre as a model for the Grand. I LOVE that old building!
BC
Hey there Mr Coville, I'm a 19 year old male who had a pretty rough history of getting bullied when I read The Monster's Ring in fifth grade. It taught me a great deal about standing up for myself but also about letting go of my anger and forgiving even when it's hard. On a whim i looked it up today hoping to write to you and here I am. I'm no teacher, and I'm certainly not your target audience anymore, but I want you to know that even today your book is in my mind as a shaping influence on the man I am today, so from the bottom of my heart: Thank you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gavin -
Many, many thanks for this message. Something like this really makes me feel that the work I have been doing is worthwhile.
I have a folder I call "To Look At On Bad Days" where I save messages that have special meaning to me. I'll be printing this one out to add to it.
My best wishes to you for success in all your endeavors!
Bruce Coville
Many, many thanks for this message. Something like this really makes me feel that the work I have been doing is worthwhile.
I have a folder I call "To Look At On Bad Days" where I save messages that have special meaning to me. I'll be printing this one out to add to it.
My best wishes to you for success in all your endeavors!
Bruce Coville
Hey I want to be a writer when I grow up but I do not know were to start.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sasha -
The answer is simple: Start by writing! Just write and write and write. Later, you can find many books on the art and craft of writing. One good one for kids is SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best book for young writers that I know.
Good luck!
BC
The answer is simple: Start by writing! Just write and write and write. Later, you can find many books on the art and craft of writing. One good one for kids is SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best book for young writers that I know.
Good luck!
BC
I LOVE The Monster's Ring. I am a fifth grader at the school P.S.174 William Sidney Mount. My teacher read it to us. The chapters had great cliff hangers. The end was fantastic. You are my favorite author! Thanks, Lenin Khan.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lenin -
Hey, thanks for this message! Really glad you enjoyed MONSTER'S RING. I basically wrote it because I was trying to write the kind of book I wanted to find at Halloween when I was in 5th grade myself, so approval from a genuine 5th grader means a lot!
All best,
BC
Hey, thanks for this message! Really glad you enjoyed MONSTER'S RING. I basically wrote it because I was trying to write the kind of book I wanted to find at Halloween when I was in 5th grade myself, so approval from a genuine 5th grader means a lot!
All best,
BC
Hello Mr. Coville,
My name is Carrie Nelson, I am 29 years old and I love your books. I have a niece that is 12 and she also loves your books. Unfortunately, she does not have many friends that like to read and became somewhat discouraged about her love of reading. We decided to start reading books together and then discuss what we think of them. We started our little book club with "Always October" (to celebrate Halloween, of course) and we both LOVED it! My niece says for me to tell you to "PLEASE write a sequel to this book. It is addicting and phenominal!" Thank you for all you do for our children...and us big kids as well.
Your almost grown fan club,
Carrie and Eden
My name is Carrie Nelson, I am 29 years old and I love your books. I have a niece that is 12 and she also loves your books. Unfortunately, she does not have many friends that like to read and became somewhat discouraged about her love of reading. We decided to start reading books together and then discuss what we think of them. We started our little book club with "Always October" (to celebrate Halloween, of course) and we both LOVED it! My niece says for me to tell you to "PLEASE write a sequel to this book. It is addicting and phenominal!" Thank you for all you do for our children...and us big kids as well.
Your almost grown fan club,
Carrie and Eden
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Carrie -
Thanks for this message. I LOVE that you started a book club with your niece - what a perfect way to deal with her discouragement. You get major aunt points for that move!
I'm honored that you chose ALWAYS OCTOBER for your first book, and delighted that you enjoyed it so much.
I would like to write a sequel. Alas, the publisher has not been supporting the book, and is not bringing it out in paperback (OY!) and so a sequel is unlikely at this time. (In a way, that's a bit of a relief, because I'm not sure what I would have done to top that one anyway . . . though it would have been fun to try!)
Thanks for being in touch. Keep reading!
BC
Thanks for this message. I LOVE that you started a book club with your niece - what a perfect way to deal with her discouragement. You get major aunt points for that move!
I'm honored that you chose ALWAYS OCTOBER for your first book, and delighted that you enjoyed it so much.
I would like to write a sequel. Alas, the publisher has not been supporting the book, and is not bringing it out in paperback (OY!) and so a sequel is unlikely at this time. (In a way, that's a bit of a relief, because I'm not sure what I would have done to top that one anyway . . . though it would have been fun to try!)
Thanks for being in touch. Keep reading!
BC