Scooby Doo wrote to Ann Brashares, author of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Second Summer of the Sisterhood.

Ms. Brashares: First, let me say that I am so, so sorry for the very late reply to your letter. I have been overwhelmed with the response to these books and I am finally finding time to answer the many letters I have received about them.

I think it’s wonderful that you and your classmates have created a mother-daughter book group, I just looked at your website and I was very impressed.

I will try to answer some of the questions that you asked in your letter.

Scooby Doo: Were the characters based on people you know?

Ms. Brashares: The characters were not based on any one person I know, but rather on different characteristics of people that I know. They also evolved quite naturally by themselves as the book progressed.

Scooby Doo: Have you ever been to Greece?

Ms. Brashares: No, I have never been to Greece but I would love to go! I did, however, do a great deal of research on the country.

Scooby Doo: Did you ever have a pair of pants like this?

Ms. Brashares: I have never had a pair of pants like that but my wedding dress was worn by my best friends and my two sister-in-laws.

Scooby Doo: Is there a specific place where you like to write?

Ms. Brashares: I like to write in my study, usually late at night after the house in quiet and my children are asleep.

Scooby Doo: Do you plan to write any new books outside of your sisterhood series?

Ms. Brashares: I have several writing projects on the go now, besides the Sisterhood books.

Scooby Doo: When did you start writing?

Ms. Brashares: I was a reader before I was ever a writer; I’ve always loved to read. I edited other people’s books working in a book packaging company before I wrote the Traveling Pants series, and I think that was invaluable experience for me as a writer.

Scooby Doo: Where did you get some of the ideas for your books?

Ms. Brashares: Ideas for my books come to me all the time, from stories I’ve heard, from things that happened to me or people in my family, and also from what I see around me.

Scooby Doo: Do you have anything to say to potential authors out there?

Ann Brashares: Advice for future authors? Read as much as you can and write as much as you can. Thank you for your letter, Erica, and welcome to the Sisterhood!

X O Ann