Guestbook « Peter Lerangis

Maddie wrote on January 2, 2013 at 6:19 PM

Hi Mr. Lerangis! Happy New year. I was wondering if you are one to make New Year Resolutions? And if you are do they always fail like my mom trying to give up chocolate? (that did not go well! 🙂

Admin Reply:

Hi, Maddie. My one resolution is to eat MORE chocolate. And I’m afraid I’m already off to a flying start. Happy New Year to you, too!

Reneilda wrote on January 2, 2013 at 12:14 PM

Hello again, Mr. Lerangis! 🙂
I just wanna ask, how many books will cover the Seven Wonders series?

P.S. We at Cahill Philippines are so excited for your Seven Wonders book tour! I hope we'll see you face-to-face and I hope you'll like it here in the Philippines! 🙂

P.P.S. Don't forget to drink tablea (there are two kinds though: tsokolate eh and tsokolate ah. tsokolate eh is thicker than tsokolate ah. the latter's watered down 😛 <-- it's actually on history books because the recipe is old hehe)

😀

Admin Reply:

Hello, Reneilda! Thanks for asking. There will be seven books altogether, but I will also be writing shorter eBooks between each of the volumes. I can’t wait to visit, but I must say that I have not yet received 100% confirmation, so it’s still not official. I will post just as soon as I know. I am so looking forward to meeting all my amazing fans who have corresponded over the last few years. And I promise I will drink tablea, both the tsokolate eh and ah versions!

Mr. 🙂 wrote on December 31, 2012 at 10:42 PM

Mr. 🙂 would like to wish you a happy New Years, and would like to ask a question: when you're writing something, does the story come along gradually for you or in chunks as in some days are better than others? Because that's what happens with Mr. :), and it is very annoying when he can't think of anything after the most successfull (Mr. 🙂 knows he spelled that wrong) day was the day before. Those days are when Mr. 🙂 is 🙁

(P.S. This is actually Kade, Mr. 🙂 was just a clever disguise, and I was wondering that because today I sat in front of my writing for an hour or so and barely came up with a paragraph, and it's not even a pattern, sadly, so I don't know when to just sit back and when to actually try writing. It's a lot like a light that only works sometimes, and that you can't predict)

Admin Reply:

Hi, Kade/Mr. :)! Oh, yes, I feel your pain. Sometimes, for me, a week can go by before I have one or two pages I like. Other days I turn around and I have written 20 pages without realizing it. I think it is time to celebrate the new year. It will all work out in 2013!

Truman wrote on December 31, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Happy New Year!
By the way, I'm not sure you remember this, but someone asked you what animal you'd be on the Message Board a few months ago, and you said the tsetse fly. That fly is basically like a mosquito, except it transmits diseases.

Admin Reply:

Thank you, Truman, I will take that cool, informative, but rather disturbing thought into 2013. May your new year be happy, productive, and tsetse-free!

cassandra wrote on December 29, 2012 at 11:19 PM

i just wanted to complement you on the 39 clues books you wrote and say that the new series seems really good.

Admin Reply:

Hello, Cassandra. Thanks so much for the kind words. They are much appreciated. Happy New Year!

Kade wrote on December 29, 2012 at 7:53 PM

Hi, Peter! Happy two-days-and-a-half-until-New-Years! I took your advice - the part about chocolate, that is. I got this box of chocolates that my parents didn't want that had almost every chocolate inventable, but the bad thing was most of it was filled with some cream. I mean, it's called CHOCOLATES. NOT chocolate-filled-with-cream.
Anyways, I sorta took your other advice too, except what I forgot to mention (sorry, it was like 11:30 PM when I wrote that and I was really tired) was that the 12,001 words weren't the actual story - it was just like a write-out plan for the entire thing describing everything that happened chapter by chapter and this and that, and I edit it now and then so now it's 12,036 words. I started actually WRITING it two-three days ago, and in that I have (precisely) 2716 words. And whatever happens with this story, I'll be happy as long as it's finished and I like it 🙂
Oh, and one more thing. Do you know how if you're writing with commas, like this, you put the comma and then space it and then write the next word? I've been wondering how it works with numbers. I mean, do you put 50,000 or 50, 000? (I've always put it as 50,000 but it came to mind a while ago and I had to know)

Admin Reply:

Hi, Kade! It’s 50,000, not 50, 000. But you do insert a space after a comma that follows a word, like I just did. And I agree with you about chocolate creams — no no no no! Good luck with your story. A 12,036-word outline is a great start! Happy New Year to you too!

*Katie* 🙂 wrote on December 29, 2012 at 1:50 AM

What's up, Peter?

Ok, so I'm in a bit of a dead-end. And I was hoping you'd have some advice...

So, basically, I'm writing this story that I promised someone (and I also promised myself) I'd have finished in two months. And those two months were supposed in September or early November. And I promised another person to have another story written. (But I didn't mention a deadline for that story.)

And, well, I've got caught-up in other stuff and it's only been a few days since I went back to writing. But there's a problem: I'm not able to write 2 stories at a time. And, to me, I think I should be able to write 2 stories at a time, because the second story I agreed to write is basically The Clue Hunt, just in Irina's POV. But the person insisted I should continue up to Book 10, despite Irina dying in Book 6. And I admit I'm now struggling with writing 2 stories at a time.

Music usually helps me write and keep calm, but unfortunately, music isn't gonna be enough this time. So that's why I'm writing to you. Do you have any advice on what I should do?

Thanks in advance! 😀
Have a Happy New Year!!! 😀 😉

Admin Reply:

Hi, Katie. I also can’t write two stories at a time, so I know how you feel. My advice: Take the holiday off and wait. You have a whole life to worry about deadlines. Don’t let this get you down. (And it beats me how you could write books 7–10 from the point of view of a dead character. You could keep the pages blank, I guess.)

Aurora wrote on December 28, 2012 at 11:50 PM

Hi!

Happy holidays and all!

I know that you love chocolate. (I already know why too-because it is awesomely delicious!!!!!) What is your favorite kind? I like chocolate with caramel in the middle. Mmmmmmm!

~Aurora

Admin Reply:

Hi, Aurora! Ah, yes, my favorite topic. I like dark chocolate with caramels also. I try to get those out first from any assortment. But I also like really good solid chocolate. I could go on and on and on and on and on … Happy Chocolatey New Year!

Skye wrote on December 28, 2012 at 9:22 PM

Hey Peter! It's Skye!

So I was searching Day of Doom on the internet and I came upon a website that "flames" to have the first chapter of Day of Doom: [pl-popup content="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2012/10/25/39-clues-baldacci-excerpt/1656249/" title="" width="1000" height="640"]http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2012/10/25/39-clues-baldacci-excerpt/1656249/[/pl-popup]
I was just wondering if this site was... trustworthy. I feel bad for typing that because of Trust No One... (sorry if you've already answered this question on here)

Admin Reply:

Hello, Skye. Happy New Year! And yes, ’tis true. You can bank on USA Today.

Monica wrote on December 27, 2012 at 8:03 AM

Hey Peter!

Sorry I haven't written to you in a while! Merry late Christmas and a happy new year! I saw the trailer for The Seven Wonders. I cannot wait to read the books! Knowing you, you have given it the Lerangis touch it needs. 🙂 So, how are you? Have I missed anything in my absence?

Nice to chat again.
Monica.

Admin Reply:

Hello, Monica, and welcome back! Glad you enjoyed the trailer. I didn’t have much to do with it, besides putting in a few creative suggestions, like, you know, MAKE MY NAME BIGGER! and such. Trying to enjoy the holidays, but I’m madly finishing up Book 2 and preparing for a tour that will take me to Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; Cincinnati, Dayton, OH; Raleigh, NC; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metro area; Dallas, Austin, Houston, TX; Denver, Boulder, CO; San Franciso, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; the Philippines; Singapore; and Malaysia. Hope you’re having a great holiday!

Truman wrote on December 26, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year!
By the way, I noticed something with the logos of 39 Clues. I'm sure this is just a random detail, but on the regular logo it's blue without any sort of decoration. Then on the Cahills vs. Vespers logo, it's red with little dots. Then on the Unstoppable logo, it's green with a sort of maze.

Admin Reply:

All best holiday wishes to you, too, Truman — and good eye!

Aquadolphin wrote on December 24, 2012 at 12:33 AM

i heard about unstoppable and It sounds really cool but if the vespers are stopped what can go bad ? Can you tell us allite about the plot or who will be in it

Admin Reply:

Hi, Aquadolphin! All I know about UNSTOPPABLE is in [pl-popup content="http://bit.ly/PW_Unstop" title="UNSTOPPABLE" width="1000" height="640"]this article[/pl-popup]. Like you and all other 39 CLUES fans, I will be appreciating UNSTOPPABLE as a reader, not a writer. Because of the schedule for my new series, [pl-popup content="http://www.bit.ly/7WSite" title="SEVEN WONDERS site" width="1000" height="640"]THE SEVEN WONDERS[/pl-popup], I wasn’t able to write an UNSTOPPABLE book. (Sadly.)

Kade wrote on December 22, 2012 at 10:07 PM

Hi, Peter! Did you know chocolate was discovered by Hernán Cortés? I find that to be the most interesting piece of history I've learned all year. Anyways, about the story I told you about, so far I have down roughly 12000 words (Ok, quite honest number? 12001, but I thought it was safe to round) Do you have any advice for a young writer trying to publish what he hopes to be a novella-length book?

Admin Reply:

Hi, Kade! Congrats on completing such a lengthy piece! Okay, some advice: First, there’s no need to round your word count. That 12,001st word may be the best one. Savor each! Second, eat chocolate to celebrate your discovery of Cortés, and his discovery of chocolate. Third, don’t worry about publication. I don't know how old you are, and I haven’t read the story, but I’m assuming you’re still in school. It’s unbelievably rare for someone school-age to have a book signed by a publishing company. I know of only a couple: Gordon Korman, who entered a Scholastic contest and had a book published at age fourteen, back in the 1970s; and Chris Paolini, whose parents devoted their lives to generating press for their son’s book. I believe he was fifteen. Most people are published after they’ve developed their craft for many years and had a fair amount of education. You can always publish it yourself if you really want, but if your goal is to approach a publisher, your best bet is to keep writing, keep developing your skills as a storyteller. Get feedback from people you trust, get the best education you can, and fill your life with extraordinary experiences. Those things will help you grow as a writer. Remember, each story you write will be better than the one that precedes it. So you want to get a few of them under your belt before you try to approach a publisher. I know this may not be the advice you want to read, but it’s sound. If you’re passionate about writing and you have great, original stories to tell with wonderful characters, you’ll do well. Never lose that desire or the drive to work hard. Or the interest in chocolate consumption. (That can help you grow, too, but in a different way.)

TempestEagle5 wrote on December 22, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Hi! You will never guess what series I read in less than a month! The Lord of the Rings series, including the Hobbit. Have you seen the movies? They split the Hobbit into three parts, so I have to wait for the next two. I haven't seen the third movie yet, eiyther. It is so good of a series. Not many 11-year-olds reasd them, i guess. I need to go now. Goodbye!
~TempestEagle5
P.S. All of my sib;lings hate Arwen, the elf who Aragorn is in love with. That makes me mad. They are SO for each other. I guess most boys just aren't match-makers.

Admin Reply:

Wow, less than a month? That’s pretty impressive. Those are dense books! (And I think you’re right on your observations about match-making.)

Truman wrote on December 22, 2012 at 1:38 PM

If you could pick any historical person other than you or a relative to write about for The 39 Clues, what would it be?
Also, why didn't Interpol chase Amy and Dan in Trust No One? The only thing I can think of is that maybe their deal with Milos Vanek in Shatterproof permanently sealed the deal.

Admin Reply:

Hi, Truman! Well, I don’t consider myself to be a historical figure, at least not yet, so I think I’ll go with Theodore Roosevelt. If you ever get a chance to read Edmund Morris’s three-volume biography of him, you’ll know why. As for your question about Interpol, I think you may be right about that. You may want to check with Linda Sue for the definitive take, as she wrote the book, not I. Happy holidays!

Alistair Again (the fake one...) wrote on December 22, 2012 at 3:04 AM

Hey. I'm back!!! So...I guess that counted as a spoiler *sad face* seriously I'm just pointing out a flaw! I'm not asking for anyone's identity or anything...! *cough, cough*

So yeah...the world isn't ending *waves arms in the air*

Hey, it's Kade...and Becca...and Montego... and Mieka! 😀 I know you guys! -waves- heyyyy!!!!!

Sapphire

Admin Reply:

Ah, but Sapphire-as-Alistair, perhaps it is not a flaw at all! All will be revealed in the fullness of time. (Now that we know time will indeed have fullness beyond 12/21/12.) Waves to you all, and have a a great holiday!

Kade wrote on December 21, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Hey, Peter! The world didn't end, because it's Dec. 22 in New Zealand!

Admin Reply:

Hurrah! Thanks for the good news. So I guess I need to keep writing ...

Mieka wrote on December 21, 2012 at 1:24 AM

Hey, Peter!!!

I was wondering about your Watchers series (can't find Lab 6 anywhere--URGGGGGH) so far the only thing that connects all these books are the fact that they are candidates for being a 'Watcher'. Is there ever going to be a final book that will explain all that, and why those children in particular? Unless it's explained in Lab 6 which I haven't read yet. Although, I like it better when it's up to our imagination 😀

The best,
Mieka

PS. Happy one-day-early Apocalypse! 😀

Admin Reply:

Hello, Mieka! Fear not, the entire WATCHERS series has been re-released as eBooks, so LAB 6 is once again available. You can get it through the links on this page. And although I did plan to develop the specific story line for those Watchers further, the series ended earlier than I wanted, so your imagination can remain free! And Happy Apocalypse Minus One to you too. (Better get this answer in fast ...)

ALISTAIR OH FROM THE DEAD wrote on December 21, 2012 at 1:13 AM

JK...I'm not really Alistair 😛 that would be awkward, because I'd be an old, burrito-loving...MAN O_o anyway, I know you read Trust No One waaaaay before it was published (and you've probably read Day of Doom already. Suggestion for David Baldacci--SOMEONE HAS TO DIE AND IT CANNOT BE A VESPER.)

On the subject of my "name" above, I saw this on the Message Boards and thought you might want to see this. You probably don't have time, but it's pretty hilarious XD
[pl-popup content="http://www.the39clues.com/messageboard/show/37441" title="" width="1000" height="640"]http://www.the39clues.com/messageboard/show/37441[/pl-popup]
For anyone else about to click- it contains spoilers from Trust No One!!!

Also, (does this count as a spoiler?) you know how in every book, a Vesper Council member is revealed in the mission, but Amy and Dan only find out in the next book? Well, how does that work in Day of Doom? I know about Unstoppable, but I think there's a time gap there.

Does that mean the DoD mission will NOT be revealing V-1, as he/she should already be revealed in the book? Because--V-2 will be revealed in DoD, we all know that. But Dan thinks V-2 is V-1!!! So...two Vespers have to be revealed in DoD, right? That will make the mission pointless. And I know there's a DoD mission. Sooo... *waits for Peter to fill in the blanks*

Quite simply- Amy and Dan always discover the Vesper revealed in the previous mission, in the next book. But Day of Doom is the last book in the CvV series, so how will they discover who V-1 is? We will via the mission...but what about them?

Sapphire (not Alistair. But I wanna try an ice-cream burrito--they sound cool.)

Admin Reply:

Aha! I know you are an impostor, for the REAL Alistair Oh (being felled one too many times by spoiled meat in his frozen burritos) has never, ever in his adult life actually asked for a spoiler!
P.S. If your script is ever made into a movie, I would like to audition for the role of Linda Sue Park.

CommanderLucian12-Montego wrote on December 20, 2012 at 12:11 AM

Hi, Mr. Lerangis!

I have one quick question: In TNO, Dan already drank the amber-colored serum. However, in the DOD excerpt, he THEN drank the reddish-green serum. How is it that he drank the serum twice, and of two different colors?

Another question: In TNO, he "ducked into a bathroom", which I'm assuming was close to the cafe where they got their coffee. How is it that he was able to walk out of it into the suite in the DOD excerpt?

I may have some of my facts wrong, but thanks!

-Montego

Admin Reply:

Hi, Montego! Your first question will be made clear in DOD, further on, so I can’t comment on it. As for your other question, the text on page 189, end of the seventh paragraph, of TNO reads “ … and the three boys went up to their rooms.” So Dan was in his hotel room when he ducked into the bathroom.

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