Ask the Author: Liesl Shurtliff
Answered Questions (47)
Liesl Shurtliff
I love that you picked up on that! The Bork in GRUMP is the great-great-great-great-great grandfather of the Bork in RUMP, as mentioned on page 150 of RUMP.
Liesl Shurtliff
She definitely would be! However, Maleficent is a licensed Disney character. That means I can't use Mileficent's specific name/character without express consent from Disney. I could, however, tell the story of Sleeping Beauty from any character in the original tale. (Or one I make up.) As it happens, I am in the early stages of doing just that. More to come!
Liesl Shurtliff
Yes, they are! Jack's world exists below Rump's world.
Liesl Shurtliff
My life has never been very mysterious, but I lost track of my childhood best friend and despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to track her down. So maybe that could somehow be a twist in one of my stories� a best friend disappears...
Liesl Shurtliff
Thanks for reading! I'm so glad you've enjoyed. It's possible that I will write more in the Fairly True Tales series. There is nothing set in stone at this point, but I'm thinking about it!
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi Kate,
Thank you for reading. I'm working on more books and definitely hope to share them with you in the future. Hopefully I'll have more info to share soon!
Thank you for reading. I'm working on more books and definitely hope to share them with you in the future. Hopefully I'll have more info to share soon!
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi Charishma,
Truth be told, I don't think too much about "theme" when I'm writing a story. I'm just thinking about my characters, their wants and needs, and their journey. Theme is something that naturally emerges from a story well told. That's all to say, I prefer not to say what the theme is and leave it up to the reader to discover whatever themes emerge for them as the reader. So can I flip the question on you? What do you think the main theme is? There really isn't a wrong answer.
Truth be told, I don't think too much about "theme" when I'm writing a story. I'm just thinking about my characters, their wants and needs, and their journey. Theme is something that naturally emerges from a story well told. That's all to say, I prefer not to say what the theme is and leave it up to the reader to discover whatever themes emerge for them as the reader. So can I flip the question on you? What do you think the main theme is? There really isn't a wrong answer.
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi! That's a great idea. It's possible that I could write more for Time Castaways at some point, but the decision is mostly in the hands of my publisher. For now there are no plans to continue the series in any format, but it's not impossible. Thanks for reading!
Liesl Shurtliff
I'm so glad you're enjoying Time Castaways! As of now, there are no plans to continue the series. There's always a chance, but the decision would be mostly up to my publisher.
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi! It's pronounced BELL-uh-me.
Liesl Shurtliff
I can't pick a favorite! I feel like that would be like picking a favorite child. I can't do it! I love them all so much! But I do have favorite things about each book.
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi Charishma! I am working on more books every day!
Liesl Shurtliff
Ha! I won't lie, I have considered it, but haven't figured out what viewpoint or angle I'd tell it from. I have to feel that "special something" in order to dive in with a project and I just haven't felt it yet for Rapunzel. Maybe some day.
Liesl Shurtliff
Thank you! I haven't closed the door on more fairytales, but I also haven't committed to write more, so I really don't know!
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi Georgia! Thank you for reading my book. I'm glad you've enjoyed them. There are so many great Disney characters, but I think my favorite is Rapanzel from Tangled. She's quirky and spunky, I love her voice, plus the magical hair...
Liesl Shurtliff
Hi Nicole,
I have definitely thought about writing Beast's story (as well as other fairytales) but haven't made firm plans at this point. I have been focused on my Time Castaways trilogy for now.
Thanks for reading!
I have definitely thought about writing Beast's story (as well as other fairytales) but haven't made firm plans at this point. I have been focused on my Time Castaways trilogy for now.
Thanks for reading!
Liesl Shurtliff
I'd go to the magical world of Harry Potter, but only if I could be a Wizard and not a muggle. I want a wand! I want to go to Hogwarts! I want to go to Weasley Wizard Weezes and all the shops in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. And I'd want to go to The Burrow and take a ride on the Night Bus. I want to do it all!
Liesl Shurtliff
This past summer I read:
Harry Potter 7 (reread)
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Messy by Tim Harford
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Adventures of a Girl called Bicycle by Christina Uss
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacey McAnulty
Harry Potter 7 (reread)
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Little Fire Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Messy by Tim Harford
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Adventures of a Girl called Bicycle by Christina Uss
Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacey McAnulty
Liesl Shurtliff
I don't intend to write a Rapunzel retelling. Sometimes I just like to hint at other fairytales, not necessarily to set the stage for another book, but simply to add a little surprise and delight. My friend calls them "Easter Eggs." But who knows? Sometimes those Easter Eggs can turn into their own story, so I'll never say never.
Liesl Shurtliff
There's certainly no age limit to becoming an author. There are many authors out there who published at a very young age, and did it to great success, but keep in mind that they are the exception. More often than not it takes time to develop your writing skills to the level necessary to be published. Be patient. Read a lot and write a lot. And the more you read and write the more ideas you will get for more stories. I remember feeling like I didn't have any ideas when I was younger, at least not any great ones, and now I have so many ideas I feel frustrated that I can't write them as fast as I would like. You will get there! And maybe soon! Who knows? You could be the next Christopher Paolini or S.E. Hinton. I hope you'll let me know when it happens. Thank you fo reading my books! I so glad you enjoyed them.
About ŷ Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the ŷ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
