ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
March 18, 2009
He Creates the Clues
TFK talks to author Peter Lerangis about his new book, The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief
Fans of the popular mystery series can’t get enough of the third page-turning book, The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief. Author Peter Lerangis wrote the latest installment of the adventures of Amy and Dan Cahill. The siblings are hunting for clues that will help them restore their family’s power. Peter Lerangis brings them to Tokyo, where they find themselves working with their Uncle Alistair. But working with another Cahill can mean big trouble. Will Amy and Dan realize that before it’s too late? Only a few people know what the future holds for the Cahills, including Lerangis.
 |  Scholastic The bestselling book, The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief, hit stores early this month. |
TFK Kid Reporter Emily Jones talked to the author, who has written 162 books, including single stories and series books. So, is one more difficult than the other? “Hard to say. Both are fun to write,” he says. “There’s probably a bigger challenge with a series because you have to match a style.” Read on to find out more.
TFK:What direction did the publisher give you about what should happen in the book?
Lerangis:The idea for my book was pretty loose. Rick (Riordan) had basically written the arc for the whole series. I knew what was going to happen at the end of the series and where the main characters would go in the world for each book. I built my book on my own research and history. The plot was all my idea, however. I would show the editors, and they’d say, “Cool! Looks good!” so I guess that’s good enough!
TFK:Do you have an idea of how the series will conclude?
Lerangis:Yes, I do. The smaller details change a little with each book, so it might change the final ending a bit, but not much. It’s exciting to know the final clues!
TFK:As a child, did you know that you wanted to be an author?
Lerangis:Oh yeah! During my childhood, everyone though I was ‘Mr. Math’ and the genius in the class, but I’d sneak spiral notebooks into class and just write science fiction!”
TFK:So is science fiction your favorite genre to write?
Lerangis:Sci-fi used to be my favorite. It’s definitely still up there, but my top one would have to be action-adventure. That tops all. I’ve also written relationship novels and romance stories, but even the romance characters tend to end up adventurous.
TFK:How often do you write?
Lerangis:Every day. When I write, I’ll have these concentrated periods where I really think hard about what I want to write. Other times I may just write loosely and freely. Once a books starts and I know where it’s going, I figure out roughly how long it will be and when it’s going to be done. I love the incredible satisfaction when the pieces fall into place and the characters are basically pulling my hand along.
TFK:How did you come to be a writer?
Lerangis:I simply never wasn’t one. In college, I didn’t want to become a doctor, so I got into law school. I actually had Bill Gates in my class, so definitely some achievers! Then I performed on Broadway for eight years. After that, I was a freelance copy editor at publishing companies. Soon, I started writing books again, and I haven’t gone back since.
TFK:Did you have an inspiration?
Lerangis:No, not really. My parents weren’t really in the creative fields, but they had an uncanny sense of what I needed. My dad would take me to the bookstore and we’d buy lots of books. That really helped. I used to close the door to my room and just write. I wrote better when I was alone with my thoughts. Through school, I knew and felt that I was different, that I thought differently, but I had satisfaction in myself and my ideas.
TFK:What did it feel like when you saw your first published book?
Lerangis:If I could dance, I would have, but I’m a terrible dancer. I found out on the alphabetized authors list that I’m in between Madeline L'Engle. and C.S. Lewis, two of my favorite authors, so that was neat. When I’m touring, it’s cool to have all of my books in front of me to sign, but I just love seeing them on the actual shelves. It’s like, scrape me off the floor! Overall, it just feels fantastic.
TFK:What’s the best part about being an author?
Lerangis:What I’m doing right now: touring. It’s so great! I’ve been to Russia, San Francisco and lots of places in between. Kids are the best part. I’ve seen kids from kindergarten to pre-college. It’s so much fun to talk to them and tell them about my books.
