STACKS Kids Chat: The 39 Clues with Patrick Carman

Live Chat Transcript,
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Special Guest:
Patrick Carman
6-7 P.M. (ET)


Read the original blog post announcing the Patrick Carman chat

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: We will start posting your questions in just a few minutes.

_Dewdrop208_: Hi you guys!

_alboztomboy_: hey this is my first

__Lucian__: 39 Clues!

__Lucian__: Thanks moderators for moderating us.

_alboztomboy_: hello

__Lucian__: PATRICK CARMAN!!!!!!!!!!

_Dewdrop208_: I only read the first book. Is that OK?

_prachir_: hi

__Lucian__: Cool

_alboztomboy_: i can't wait

_Taylor431_: I am soooooooo glad i could make it here

_prachir_: hi

_alboztomboy_: yay

_prachir_: 39 clues rock!!!!

_Taylor431_: the 39 clues rule!!!!!

_alboztomboy_: when we are starting

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: @Dewdrop208 It's totally fine that you have only read the first book so far, but be warned — there will probably be SPOILERS!

_Karen_Stacks_Staffer_: @alboztomboy: We'll be starting in about 5 minutes. We just want to give everyone a chance to join.

_Dewdrop208_: Omg! Patrick Carman is HERE!!!!!!!!

_Reid201_: It's awesome

_Taylor431_: i have like soooooooooo many questions to ask

_Dewdrop208_: What are spoilers?

_prachir_: i read the whole series!!!!

_harp_seal_: Can't wait

_alboztomboy_: thanks for answering me

__Lucian__: PATRICK CATRMAN IS DA BOMB! Whoe likes Hamilton Holt? GO HAMILTON!

_Taylor431_: OMG i still cant believe Patrick Carman is here!!!!

_Reid201_: The 5th book is my favorite so far.

_alboztomboy_: they're likesneak peeks

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: @Dewdrop208 A spoiler is when someone gives away a part of the book, and it spoils it for you because you haven't read it yet.

_Winter's Read_: I will read the fifth book in a few days!

_Taylor431_: Hamilton is hilarious !!!

_prachir_: the 5th book is also my favorite

_alboztomboy_: right like that

_Dewdrop208_: I totally know how you feel @Taylor431!

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: @Taylor 431 Hamilton was one of my favorite parts of the book!

_Taylor431_: Well, The whole Holt family is hilarious

_9john99_: OMG I can't wait!

_prachir_: go dan and amy!!!

_alboztomboy_: this will be the first time i will be live chatting with a author

_Taylor431_: I know !! What would the book be without the Holts?!

__Lucian__: Hamilton is funny! GO AMY FOR KICKING IAN INTHE SHIN! YAY!

_bibliomania123_: has anyone seen the messages in the page numbers of all the books?

_Reid201_: same here

_Winter's Read_: This is my first time too!

_lucky5800_: hi

_bibliomania123_: has anyone read the new one yet?

__Lucian__: Same, it is my first time! BUT it is fun!

_prachir_: this is my first time too

_Taylor431_: This is my first time too!!

_9john99_: I am a huge fan of DAN & AMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_prachir_: Ihave read the new one

_JohnAsLewis_: Hey Pat!

__Lucian__: Yes, I have seen the messages.

__Lucian__: THe moderators are fast! THANKS! =)

_alboztomboy_: me too

_9john99_: Mine's too

_PokeFreak7_: This is soooooooo cool

_Philip2000000_: Hello World!

_Taylor431_: Same!

_Dewdrop208_: Who likes the Kabra twins?

_bibliomania123_: reid203 have you read them

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: This is my first chat too, so I am so happy to hear from all you other first-timers!

_Kaya1764_: hey everyone

_PokeFreak7_: My name is hi

_alboztomboy_: hey i love the books and i want to read them all over again

_prachir_: i don't like the Kabras

_Winter's Read_: I am an Ekat, who else here is an Ekat?

__Lucian__: The Kabras are not twins.

_ztag100_: were chatting

_Ekaterina69_: hi

_prachir_: I am an ekat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: It's 6 o'clock and Patrick Carman is here, so feel free to send in your questions.

_dlouisville_: Ekat!

_Philip2000000_: I a Janus! Go Jonah!

_Reid201_: yea

_Ekaterina69_: i am a janus

_prachir_: GO EKATS

_9john99_: I am a Tomas.

_ZWFaucett_: Hello Everybody!

_Winter's Read_: I need Ekat friends, so please add me!

_Dewdrop208_: Alistair Oh is mysterious.

_Kaya1764_: I personally like the kabras- don't ask why.

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: @Winter's Read I am an Ekat!!

_lucky5800_: Can you give us a lead to the next book, In Too Deep?

_Patrick_Carman_: My peeps! Glad everyone stopped by to hang out for a little while. Ready to roll.

_Patrick_Carman_: I can tell you where the next book takes place.....but you'll have to wait until the end of the chat.

_arion16_: I have a question for the auther, in the book the Kabras mention something about their branch allready having clues, do the branches allready have clues? And how many do they have

_Patrick_Carman_: Such a Lucian thing to do!

_Patrick_Carman_: All the teams have an advantage over Dan and Amy because they started with clues Amy and Dan didn't have. Not sure exactly how many each team has...

_i-luv-cheese_: Which of the 39 Clues books that you DIDN'T write is your favorite?

_Patrick_Carman_: That's a super hard question to answer, but if I was forced to pick, I'd have to go with The Maze of Bones or The Sword Thief - only because I love swords and American history!

_9john99_: My dad ask how old did you started to write books?

_Patrick_Carman_: I've been a storyteller forever, like a hundred years, but I started writing novels seven years ago.

_55matt55_: Which branch is your favorite of all four? Besides Lucian!

_Patrick_Carman_: Janus - where all the writers, artists, and coffee drinkers hang out. Those are my people.

_bibliomania123_: Patrick, do you know what branch Amy and Dan are from?

_Patrick_Carman_: I SO know what branch they're in. But if I tell you I'll get in BIG trouble. Grace was pretty good at keeping secrets, even I had to dig to find out.

_Patrick_Carman_: There are hints in the books about what branch Dan and Amy are in if you look closely.

_arion16_: Who is the most insperational Cahill to you

_Patrick_Carman_: The Kabras. Kidding!!

_Winter's Read_: @_Stacks_Admin_ Why are all the waiting messages stacked up?

_Stacks_Admin_: @Winter's Read (and everyone else): If you submitted a question, it's being reviewed by a moderator. We'll try to post as many questions as possible for Pat to answer within the hour!

_mrednor_: Who do you relate to most in the books?

_Patrick_Carman_: Okay, for real, I love Dan - he's just like I was when I was a kid.

_Patrick_Carman_: I probably relate to Dan the most as well - I have an older sibling, I loved to collect stuff, and I couldn't stop talking. Ask my teachers, they'll tell you.

_Ekaterina69_: Is NRR helping Amy and Dan or not?

_Patrick_Carman_: I think she's helping them in the quest, but she's also putting them in serious danger so.......hmmmmm......

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: You guys are asking really difficult and thought-provoking questions! Yay you!

_boxer4356_: Is it fun to write a seiries with other authors?

_Patrick_Carman_: It's actually more enjoyable than I thought it would be. I expected the king (you know, Mr. Riordan) to call me every five minutes and say 'no! not like that!' but he never calls me.

_lucky5800_: Do the Holts have anything to do about the death of Amy and Dan's parents?

_Patrick_Carman_: They totally did it.

_Patrick_Carman_: I'm making that up. Them might have done it.

_Patrick_Carman_: Them = They...me make typo.

_Patrick_Carman_: The Holts were there the night they died, that's all I'm saying.

_Cahill-E_: HOW DID THE LUCIAN STEAL A WHOLE ROOM

_Patrick_Carman_: In little tiny pieces.

_Patrick_Carman_: and then they put it back together again. That's how the Nazis did it. At least that's what my editor says, and she knows ALL (insert spooky music here).

_Summer Colour_: On Wikipedia it says the Team 8 will join the hunt. Is that true and if it is then who is in Team 8?

_Patrick_Carman_: Team 8 is me, MR. T, and Madonna.

_Patrick_Carman_: And I'm working on Hannah Montana, but she's really busy.

_Patrick_Carman_: As far as I know, and I know basically everything, there is no team 8.

_Stacks_Admin_: Hey everyone, if your question has already been answered, we won't be posting it again. If you joined after the start of the chat and don't see the beginning of the chat, don't fret -- we'll be posting a transcript at the end.

_Winter's Read_: Are you and the other authors all aware of what will be written in the future books?

_Patrick_Carman_: I think I know, but it's possible they're making up some things and they'll pull the old switcheroo at the end. I think 'they' are not Lucians.

_9john99_: What's it like to write this book?

_Patrick_Carman_: Writing The Black Circle isn't that different than writing an original novel. I knew where the story was, where it had to go, and where it had to take place. There was a lot of freedom other than that. Very cool.

_Mad-House-Of-Mouse_: Who is your least favorite Character in the book series, and why?

_Patrick_Carman_: That cat. I hate cats.

_Patrick_Carman_: I don't really hate cats. I just like dogs better.

_Patrick_Carman_: Least favorite has to be the Kabras.

_bibliomania123_: Patrick, the competition is about Hope. Alistair was there the night they died. remember Madeiline. Olivia had another. Sound familiar?

_Patrick_Carman_: Hidden codes from the books. Very good!

_Patrick_Carman_: All those codes are important in the end - keep paying attention!

_ztag100_: what's william mcintyre doing in the time of the 5th book

_Patrick_Carman_: I think I saw him at the GI Joe movie the other night, but it might have been someone that only looked like William.

_Patrick_Carman_: Seriously, he's doing important things to the story off camera - stay tuned!

_zeldaspirit_: How could you hate Saladin?

_Patrick_Carman_: Sorry! I don't hate Saladin or cats - - - he's a pretty cool cat, especially the picky eating part. If I were a cat, I'd be picky, too. What I meant to say was RATS. I hate RATS. Not cats. I love cats.

_ztag100_: smooth move carman

_9john99_: is it more fun to write for the good characters or the bad ones?

_Patrick_Carman_: Definitely the bad ones. It's so fun to pretend to be evil, I can't tell you.

_Patrick_Carman_: But I also like showing the other side of bad characters - like with Hamilton Holt - that guy is a dream for dialogue, and probably more complicated than he appears when you meet him.

_Taylor431_: Is there a special reason you put out Nellie or you just wanted them to be independent?

_Patrick_Carman_: I don't trust Nellie. Plus, she's always got that loud music playing, so how much attention could she really be paying? She was bound to lose them at some point. And yes, I did love the idea of getting Dan and Amy off on their own.

_Summer Colour_: As yet Amy and Dan are slowly finding each clue as in 1 per book. How will they find the remaining 34 in just 5 books??

_Patrick_Carman_: If you play the game, you're way ahead of Dan and Amy. With the books and 39clues.com, we're up to 20. I guess the way to look at it there are 20 clues already found in the story as well, it's a question of who has them and how Dan and Amy will get them.

_Sabertooth Dragon_: What branch are the Starlings in?

_Patrick_Carman_: Ekat

_Patrick_Carman_: Are they all dead?

_Patrick_Carman_: I hardly knew them

_arion16_: I'm starting to trust Alliser Oh more and more, but he wasn't even mentioned in your book, so I was wondering if you know where he is and if there's anything we should know about him?

_Patrick_Carman_: Alistair re-appears in the next book, and I'm sort of on the fence about whether or not to trust him. He's a wily one.

_arion16_: And I would assume that you are in the hunt for the 39 clues, how are you doing so far?

_Patrick_Carman_: I have 40 clues.

_Patrick_Carman_: I can't be beaten. It's impossible.

_ninjanick_: 40!!!!!!!!!!!! wow!!

_Dewdrop208_: That's cool Mr. Carman!

_Biffle15_: If you could choose, 1 million dollars and walk away, or the competition of the 39 clues, which would you choose?

_Patrick_Carman_: If I could get some sweet basketball skills out of the deal, plus beat all my friends at my favorite X-Box games, I'd take the clues. Otherwise, I'm taking the money and buying surfing lessons.

_ztag100_: ( i have 41 )

_Patrick_Carman_: I don't really have 40 clues, but I do play the game so I have 20 - I'm obsessed.

_candygirl4_: what was your favorite part of book 5?

_Patrick_Carman_: I was hoping I could make book 5 both funny and exciting, and I wanted to push Dan and Amy into some new challenges that would tell us more about their personalities. Writing something funny is harder than it looks - but Hamilton and Dan helped me out.

_lizwhiz23_: Do you know who started the fire for Hope Cahill and Arthur Trent or was it just an accident?

_Patrick_Carman_: It was the cat.

_Patrick_Carman_: kidding!

_Patrick_Carman_: that's one of the central mysteries of the story - I think, in the end, Dan and Amy are going to have to come to grips with some big secrets about that fire.

_Sabertooth Dragon_: Are we going to learn about the first cahills (Katherine, Thomas, Luke, and Jane) in later books?

_Patrick_Carman_: If it were me, I'd write a 20 book prequel....but that kind of decision is way over my pay grade.

_Patrick_Carman_: 39clues.com has some info on this in the game

_Stacks_Admin_: Hey everyone, we're getting some questions about why your messages aren't being approved. The chat is SO popular today (bc Patrick is so awesome) that we're getting a lot of questions. We're publishing them as fast as we can -- but we might not get to all the questions.

_Amber Mint_: am i talking to a real live author? And, um, have you written other books besides the 39 clues, land of elyon, and the skeleton creek series?

_Patrick_Carman_: This is me - I'm real - and I'm eating a candy bar.

_Patrick_Carman_: Let's see - Ghost in the Machine, the sequel to Skeleton Creek is coming out in October - a good fun scare!

_Amber Mint_: LOL! I wish I had some candy!

_ztag100_: What candybar

_Patrick_Carman_: I'm having a Snickers bar. Not my favorite, but it's pretty good. I'd rather have some Jr. Mints.

_Dewdrop208_: The Land of Elyon is soo amazing!

_ShogunMozart_: What can you do to find out if someone's a Madrigal? (I think my teacher's one.)

_Dewdrop208_: Hee hee

_Patrick_Carman_: If you think your teacher is a Madrigal, than he or she probably is. Be careful. And switch classes if you can.

_ShogunMozart_: Thanks for the advice!

_bookworm92_: I LOVE SKELETON CREEK!

_Patrick_Carman_: Thanks for loving Skeleton Creek! That story is SO fun to work on.

_Dewdrop208_: Who would Amy Cahill resemble most in your life?

_Patrick_Carman_: Amy is probably most like my youngest daughter - she's bright but a little bit shy.

_Patrick_Carman_: I hope she's not watching or I'm in big trouble.

_A Major Bibliophile_: Right now I am here with my friend and sister; we all love Skeeton Creek, and are going to have a party when Book 2 comes out! :)

_Patrick_Carman_: Party ghost style! That's a great idea - I got an email the other day where a school of 500 students all read and watched it together - crazy!

_QueenofBooks11_: Comprehending relationships between siblings is difficult. Do you have siblings that make writing about the bond easier?

_Patrick_Carman_: I have an older brother, which is complicated for sure. He was kind of a meanie head for a stretch. He liked to sit on me and give me noogies. Still, later on, when we got older, we started to like each other. Now I'm bigger than he is, which is super nice.

_Patrick_Carman_: Into the Mist, the prequel to the Elyon books, is about two brothers - that book was one of the easiest one's to write because it was like hanging out with my bro again - I had a lot to draw on.

_Solus_Nui_: What has the Lucian Leadership said about the publishing of The Black Circle?

_Patrick_Carman_: No one has called me yet, but I'm watching my back.

_Sabertooth Dragon_: Why was it so easy to get into 2 Lucian strongholds!?! The Lucians are the best! Glory for the Lucians! (I'm a Lucian)

_Patrick_Carman_: I'm thinking the Lucians have a reason why they let Dan and Amy get so close. We're always up to something, and usually, it's not what you think.

_Biffle15_: Why did you decide that Amy, Dan, and the Holts should work together at first?

_Patrick_Carman_: There were too many places for one team to go it alone in Russia, so The Black Circle represents a different kind of challenge: can teams learn to work together? So far, it appears that Dan and Amy are the only ones thinking this way - even the Holts, Minus Hamilton, aren't really 'working as a team -

_turtlequest_: Irina is such an interesting and complex character. Is it fun writing about her? Is she turning from evil to good?

_Patrick_Carman_: Interesting about Irina - I'll be honest, some evil characters are more fun to write than others. She's kind of tough for me, but I like the way she's super complicated. Maybe that's why she's not as fun - Hamilton is much more black and white. I know you'll be seeing a lot of Irina in book 6

_candygirl4_: When you were a little kid did you like reading?

_Patrick_Carman_: I liked candy more.

_Patrick_Carman_: but reading was okay.

_Patrick_Carman_: I was into comic books

_Patrick_Carman_: but then, at about the age of 12, I got really into books

_Readiac_: I love to write! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

_Patrick_Carman_: Aspiring writers out there - just have fun with it. Read books you enjoy, write the kind of things you're interested in, and don't worry about it. You can do it!

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: We have 5 minutes left in the chat and a big secret is about to be revealed.

_Patrick_Carman_: looks like we're running out of time - so.....

_Patrick_Carman_: if I didn't get to your question....

_Patrick_Carman_: fear not!

_Stacks_Admin_: Hey everyone, since there were SO many questions for Patrick, we've arm twisted him into agreeing to answer some more later on! We'll be saving your questions and he'll select some and answer them in a blog post on Ink Splot 26.

_Dewdrop208_: I'm writing the secret down on paper!

_A Major Bibliophile_: It was so great talking to you! :D You're awesome!

_ninjanick_: you are the best!!!!!!

_max39_: Hello Mr. Carman if you can, can you please tell me more about Book 6?

_Patrick_Carman_: Okay, so I was told I could give away a big secret now....

_Philip2000000_: You awesome, Pat!

_Dewdrop208_: Rock on Patrick Carman!

_Patrick_Carman_: about book 6....

_Sabertooth Dragon_: Yay Patrick

_Biffle15_: @Patrick_Carman Thank you so much for taking your time to answer all of our questions!

_Patrick_Carman_: Book 6 takes place in.....

_boxer4356_: U ROCK!

_Patrick_Carman_: hang on, I need to get some water - give me like 10 minutes.

_Patrick_Carman_: okay 5

_Patrick_Carman_: Oh forget it, here goes

_Patrick_Carman_: Dan and Amy are heading to...

_Patrick_Carman_: Australia!

_Patrick_Carman_: Awesome!

_Patrick_Carman_: The land down under

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: Thanks so much for joining us Patrick! Do you have any final words for all your fans here in chat?

_Patrick_Carman_: This was SO fun - I could hang out with you guys all day. Thank you for all the kind words. Keep rockin' the 39 Clues - see you in the land of Kangaroos!

_Biffle15_: Thank you soooo much Patrick!!!

_turtlequest_: You're awesome, Mr. Carman. I can't wait for Book 6 and I'm just about to start Skeleton Creek. You rock~!

_ShogunMozart_: THANKS!!!

_Solus_Nui_: Be safe from Madrigals!

_A Major Bibliophile_: Sweet!

_Biffle15_: Oh! That is so cool! I can't wait!!1

_turtlequest_: cool!

_boxer4356_: COOL!

_jrollnotphilfan_: bye

_Amber Mint_: great word!

_ztag100_: THANK YOU PATRICK CARMAN

_Dewdrop208_: I will miss you!

_Stacks_Admin_: Thanks for joining the chat, everyone! We'll be posting the transcript on Ink Splot 26 -- http://blog.scholastic.com/ink_splot_26/ and check back to see MORE answers in Pat's upcoming blog post!

_bookworm92_: THANKS!!!!

_Ekaterina69_: thank you you're awesome

_prachir_: thank you

_UltraFire_: BYE

_Stacks_Admin_: To continue the conversation about The 39 Clues with other fans, visit The 39 Clues message boards! http://community.scholastic.com/scholastic?category.id=The_39_Clues

_Ton4o_: Great!

_TheCadetOfSpace_: Australia= Awesome. Bye!

_Solus_Nui_: You rock, Mr. Carman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_ShogunMozart_: Don't leave us!!!

_Saberhagen_: Good Bye

_cecil1000_: I am the biggest 39 clues fan!

_Dewdrop208_: what is the next chat about?

_Biffle15_: Bye Patrick! Thank you so much!

_turtlequest_: Thanks to the awesome moderators!

_Karen_Stacks_Staffer_: @turtlequest: Aw, you're welcome! :-)

_Dewdrop208_: Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_Stacks_Admin_: Thanks for joining us, Pat! :)

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: You guys are all awesome. You all made this chat so much fun! Please come back for next month's chat.

_Sonja_Stacks_Staffer_: The topic will be Kids' Choice. We will be posting a poll for you to choose what books you want to talk about in the next chat, so check back on the STACKS!

_UltraFire_: Thanks!!!

_amy39cahill_: Bye patrick!

_bookworm92_: You rock Patrick!!!

_Biffle15_: @Patrick_Carman Thank you soo much for taking your time!!!

_Amber Mint_: THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_A Major Bibliophile_: Bye! Thanks again!

_basketballcow23_: bye

_Cahill-E_: see you pat

_amy39cahill_: Bye!

_Dewdrop208_: thanks mods! *smiles*

_Saberhagen_: Good Bye

_Ton4o_: bye!

_boxer4356_: Thank you for being Cool!

_Stacks_Admin_: @boxer4356: You're welcome.

_Stacks_Admin_: oh, you were probably talking about Pat. He IS way cool. :)

_MusicLover837_: Bye!

_amy39cahill_: See ya!

_ztag100_: BYE PAT

_amy39cahill_: You are awesome Pat!

_beardia_: Bye!

_Solus_Nui_: Thanks a ton, Mr. Carman!

_Ekaterina69_: Bye!!

_Cahill-E_: later

_Biffle15_: Thank you all for organizing this! Can't wait for next month. Bye!! 39 Clues rocks!

_painter26_: Thanks again!

_JohnAsLewis_: peace

_ztag100_: PEACE OUT PATRICK CARMAN

_JohnAsLewis_: bye!

_Dewdrop208_: I will c u on the boards!

_candygirl4_: thanks pat have a nice day

_patrick pudding_: bye

_ztag100_: SEE YA

_Saberhagen_: Bye!

_bookworm92_: Bye!!!

_Stacks_Admin_: Head on over to The 39 Clues message boards to discuss the series with other fans! http://community.scholastic.com/scholastic?category.id=The_39_Clues

_Solus_Nui_: We all wish you to be safe from Madrigals, Pat.

_amy39cahill_: YOU ROCK PATRICK CARMAN!

_anthony2010_: BYE!!!

_Karen_Stacks_Staffer_: Okay, guys, I'm closing the chat room now. Scoot on over to the 39 Clues message boards. Go, go!

_Stacks_Admin_: http://community.scholastic.com/scholastic?category.id=The_39_Clues

_Karen_Stacks_Staffer_: Byeeee!