Uglies Character Names

Posted on by scott

Way back in this post, I gave a brief history and explanation of all the character names in Midnighters. As promised, and because you asked so many times, here is episode two of “Why I Chose the Names I Did.”

All about Uglies!

Tally Youngblood
This was obviously an important one. Midnighters bounces between five POV characters, but we’re stuck inside Tally’s head for 240,000 words! So obviously, her name can’t be too annoying or unwieldy. “Plaztercrappitastica” is way out.

But Uglies takes place 300 years in the future. Names probably won’t be the same as now. So I needed something that’s not a current name, but that doesn’t make your brain fritz when you read it. So I chose a regular word in English.

That’s right: “tally” as in “count.” As in “Hey, Mr. Tally-man, tally me bananas.”

Thus, the little spell-checker in your brain doesn’t ping every time your eyes scan across those letters. (And the real-world MS Word spell-checker doesn’t draw a squiggly line under it.) “Tally” is capitalized, of course, so you know it’s a name, but otherwise “tally” reads as a perfectly normal word.

But not too common. When’s the last time you actually used the verb “tally” in a sentence, like “Let me tally those Scrabble scores for you, Old Chum?” Too common could be very bad, like if you named a main character Ask, or Her, or The. (Actually, “Said” would be the worst. Even writing about the late writer Edward Said can be quite tricky.)

“Tally” in itself doesn’t mean anything, but her last name has a host of associations. Youngblood is sort of halfway between “Young Turk” (a political upstart) and “fresh blood” (a newcomer). You can tell Tally is going to disrupt the system.

In fact the whole thing would be a bit too obvious, except that last names don’t get used very often in the uglies world. Usually people only say Tally’s last name when she’s in trouble (in that parental way, as in, “Get back in this house, Scott David Westerfeld!”), which makes it especially appropriate.

I knew I’d chosen the right last name for Tally in Pretties, when the savages who think she’s a renegade god fallen from the sky started calling her “Young Blood.” It just fit.

Shay
Shay is a real name, but it’s not very common. If you check the US Social Security baby name rankings, you’ll find that it hasn’t cracked the top thousand in the last ten years. It made 981 back in 1995, but that was as a boy’s name in the US. In it’s place of origin, Ireland, it’s a girl’s name that means “fairy palace.”

I’m not sure where it came from in my brain, but I like that it shares two letters with “Tally,” because they’re more alike than most readers realize. Heh.

David
David has the only “normal” name, and of course he’s from outside the system, so he should stick out. Because he grew up in the wild, David’s kind of old-fashioned, like that home-schooled kid in your town whose name is Ezekiel, or whatever.

And yes, David is my middle name, and I have a tiny scar across one eyebrow. I actually don’t know where David got his scar, but I got mine fencing. (Wear the mask, people! That’s what it’s there for.)

Zane
Zane’s name started out as “Asher,” after a friend of mine’s kid. But ultimately I didn’t want any city-dwellers to have normal names. Justine suggested Zane, which has the always science-fictional Z-thing going on, so I liked it.

“Zane” is actually a last name, and fairly common. Mostly, I like that it rhymes with “sane,” and that in both books 2 and 3, Zane is Tally’s main link to sanity. (Or at least her real self, which may or may not be sane.)

Peris
Sounds like, but isn’t, a real place name: Paris. Again, it’s familiar and yet not quite 20th century. Also, Paris is a mystical city of lights that people fantasize about going to, sort of like New Pretty Town, where we first meet Peris. (Just thought of that.)

In the original outline, Tally’s pretty former friend was named Peri, and was another girl. But their first conversation was easier to write using “he” and “she.” (How lazy is that?) Also, I liked that Tally had a BFF who was a boy, and that it wasn’t about romance.

Dr. Cable
Like Peris and Tally, Dr. Cable has a name recognizable as a normal word. But “cable” brings to mind electronics and suspension bridges, so it’s much more technological and cold than, say, Peris/Paris. Think steel cable and wiry muscles. (Or being overcharged to watch TV.)

Andrew Simpson Smith
Like David, Andrew was raised in the wild, so he has an old-fashioned name. Plus I like it that his name is “smith” even though his people haven’t invented iron yet. (Smiths all got their name from being blacksmiths, or silversmiths, or whatever.)

Part of me thinks it amusing that the babarian is the only character in the trilogy with a middle name, becasue triple-barreled names sound posh and non-barbarian to me.

Crims
Australian slang for “criminals,” to go with all the other Aussie slang in the book: crumblies, littlies, spagbol, etc.

Who have I forgotten?

Also: Pretties has climbed to #4 on the NY Times children’s paperback list. You may woot. Specials has retreated from the hardback list, but all those people buying book 2 have to finish sooner or later. Hah!

Warning Do not put spoilers on this thread! Put them on the Specials Spoiler Thread. Spoilers in this comment thread will be deleted!

Update:This post has been boingled! Run for your lives!

199 thoughts on “Uglies Character Names”

  1. Ha! First comment! Does that bit about us bugging you about this mean if we bug you long enough you’ll write another midnighter book lol?

  2. Fencing! What an utterly dashing & romantic way to get a scar.

    This reminds me to get back to Specials. I had to put it aside for a bit, since the cutting was making me very uncomfortable…

  4. Oh yes, David’s parents. I knew something (someone) was missing! Please, please, please, please, please do So Yesterday names next! Even though they aren’t amazingly cool, futuristic names, So Yesterday is my favorite book. And then Peeps. And TLD. So, please?!

  6. I love it when authors elaborate about how their minds really work and where things came from. Names mean so much more than people realize sometimes. It usually takes quite a bit of effort from me to name a character for two reasons. 1. I think the name should just FIT them. 2. Once they’re named, I start to get attached. Once my co-writer and I introduced a character that he wanted to kill off quickly, but then he made the mistake of asking me to name her. I got attached and ended up saving her life. 🙂 Anyhoo, I love reading your blog and your books, you’re a huge inspiration!!!!! I’m jealous of your creative genius. Just absol-friggin-lutely green with envy.

  7. Zane is a last name? What about Zane Grey? OK, he was probably named for Zanesville where he was born, which itself was named for Ebenezer Zane. But, still…

    According to http://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi, Zane has been in the 200-300 range for popularity in the US for the past ten years, peaking at #220 in 2003.

  8. Hey Scott!
    Thank you so much for posting that. I just finished Pretties, and was wondering how you came up with those names.
    Since my library doesn’t carry Specials yet, I anxiously awaiting that and currently have my nose shoved into Peeps.
    About a year ago, I had a kitten named Tally; but spelled differently.
    Happy Holidays!
    Alyson

  10. I love knowing the reason behind the names!

    Shay is a beautiful name (I named my fish that after your character of course). There’s a guy in my school (never met him) who’s named Shay.

    I was once in a resturaunt and I heard a mom say “Tally come over here.” just to make sure, I kept listening and heard her say it again.

    I love the name Zane! I wouldn’t like it if he was named Asher. In the book “The Giver” the main characters best friend was named Asher, so it’s a good thing you didn’t name him that. (besides, when ever I hear the name Asher I think of Ash from Pokemon and that would be all wrong for Zane)

  11. John H: I suggested it because of Zane Grey. I was addicted to his books when I was little. I love westerns!

  12. I agree as some other posters, how did you get the names Maddy and Az?
    I’m also wondering if Ho and Tachs hold any special significance.

  13. ha! i find all this very amusing! who EVER says ‘Hey, Mr. Tally-man, tally me bananas.’ really? i love it! actually my youth pastor has a little girl (not even one yet) named telly., and 2 sons named trace and jaden. so tally always seemed like a normal name to me.

  15. how come it says that it is december 23? Are you guys someplace that is a day ahead of something? if you are, then you are lucky. Christmas comes a day earlier for you!

  16. Hey!
    You are my favoitest author and you have the best books I’ve ever read! I read because I read Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. At my school everyone was reading your book and now we had to order a couple more of your books! The movie needs to hurry up and come out!!!!!

  21. on the wiki specials i tried to add a pic but i did add this last blog post molly will you help me add a pic of the cover and the moveing tally pic plz i tried

  24. Mr. Westerfeld,

    I just finished reading “Uglies” about two miniutes ago and I was wondering when “Specials” would make it’s way onto audio.

  27. I loved ugleis and pretties and i went wild looking for specials today (its my christmas gift) i stayed up till 11:30 reading pretties. i dont want specials to end cause its so good!!!!!!!!!!!! you forgot mazzy and az

  28. Hey Scott, next time you need a name, use Meg, it hasn’t been on the top 1,000 list since 1966 and it never got any higher than 964th on the list. 😀 (Meg is my name by the way, fawesome name, no?)

  32. Thank-you so much for telling how you thought up the names you did. I am so glad you did not name Zane, Asher. I would think of an old man. I still would like to know how you came up with the names for, Az, Fausto, Sussy and Dex.

  33. Ok, this trilogy is awsome and I don’t mean to question that, but I have to ask this question.What happens if someone in Uglyville gets pregnant, right before there 16th birthday? Do the doctors kill the unborn child? Do they make them stay ugly the rest of their life? Do they wait to have the opperation????? I AM DYING TO KNOW!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE reply!!!

  34. You forgot
    Maddy, Az, Ho, Tachs, Croy, Fausto, Ryde, Astrix.
    One more thing why did [spoilery, doilery doo-dah]? I think you should make another book explaining everything that happened after the specials.
    P.S. those were the best books i’ve ever read!

  35. Amy: ‘Come, Mr. Tally-man, tally me banana’ is from Harry Belafonte’s Banana Boat Song (also known as Day-O)…

    Molly: I’m betting that Scott and Justine are back in Oz, which puts them several hours ahead of us – it’s already Christmas day there…

  36. well! you learn somthing new everyday. Merry christmas everyone! hope you all had fun with your family. i got barns and noble gift card…ALOT of gift cards.

  38. What I just realized today after opening my festively wrapped package containing Uglies was that there is a Tally (duh) and a Ho. Like ‘Tally Ho!’ I thought that was weird, especially since that’s what my sister screamed when she ran for the tree…

    And isn’t the Smoke called that because they burn trees, thus creating smoke. I thought I heard that from someone.

  39. haha, I thought of the Tally ho thing because my principal ALWAYS says it after we have assembly. And I was at a restaurant called Tally’s and they had the “Tally-Ho” burger….hehe
    Oh, and thank you for that post. I’ve been waiting a long time for that post:)

  40. I think thats the reason that you called it that right? Because of all the smoke? Or is there a different reason?

  42. This question just came to mind, why can’t some people become pretty? And this one came as I was typing, why are there dolls that keep Andrew Simpson Smith and those people in? Why does special cercomstances seem to want those people there? Is it to studie them or something? Like to see what will happen with wars?

  44. I was wondering y Maddy has a name that ppl have now, but Az has one of those futuristic names.
    u forgot: Ho, Tachs, Fausto, Maddy, Az, Croy, Astrix, Ryde

  45. Why do the citys al have different citys that are smaller in them? Theres Uglyville, New Pretty Town, and Crumblyville, and the other one that I cant remember.

  46. And i probly got a few of the city names wrong to, but what is the name of al the small cities put together? Whats it called?

  47. And where do they live? America, Africa? WHERE! It REALLY bugges me that I cant figure it out! 🙁 So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell us SOMEHOW!

  48. how did u come up with the name Az???
    when thhey say about the barberians and stuff it said that they like killed people ans stuff so why would the new smoke recrutie them when they could hurt people… wasn’t the point of the new smoke to help people… with the brain mabobs and stuff

    i really like your books they rock

  53. Ok so i have left a message before.
    PLEASE…can you make another book. Maybe about the life after or something.9if it ruins the trilogy then i understand). By the way great ending in the specials. I think these were the best books i’ve ever read. You havent’t responded or added the new names yet. I listed some on #34.

  54. You did forget sol, ellie, az, maddy, croy, fausto, sussy, an, dex, and ho. Yes i do own and reread these books:) JUST A REMINDER TO WIRTE MORE!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SPECIALS???? I HATE CLI FFHANGERS!!!!! >:( *calm down* ok. write more. seriously. please. you must. O and my name(sarah) means princess:) in case you need another normal name for a smokey:) And what about DIEGO?????? like um go diego go(dora the explorers cousin) yea that freaked me out. and write another uglies trilogy book!! Love the pretty-talk btw(aussie slang?nice.) spagbol:) i like padthai 🙂 im hoping cuz this is so long ull read it. or ur wife, them shell tell you about it 🙂

  57. okay i loved all of your books they are pretty much the most amazing ones ever! i cried when i found out what happend to [spoiler!]. yeah i know that lame but whatever. aww this is so sad that its the last book but i guess it cant go on forever oh well that stinks. well i think this comment is long enough so….thanks for the greatest books on the planet!!!

  58. Hi Scott, I just wanted to drop you a note to say I really, really enjoy your books. I’m currently reading the Uglies trilogy (haven’t quite finished Specials yet–didn’t appreciate the spoilers in the replies on this page, but I’ll live) and it’s very enjoyable. My friend introduced me to your books, and as soon as I read a preview of Uglies (love that feature on Amazon) I felt that spark that I get when I start reading a book I know I’m going to adore. I got some gift certificates to a bookstore for Christmas (woohoo!) and I plan to grab So Yesterday with them, as it’s also caught my attention.

    Thanks for the entry on the names in Uglies. I’ve always found how authors name their characters interesting, and quite helpful for me in my own character naming. I don’t know if you’ve said anything about it elsewhere on your site or blog, but I was curious as to how you came up with the name suffixes, like Tally-wa and Shay-la.

    I’m looking forward to getting more of your books, so keep writing so I have more books to get (not that my wishlist needs any lengthening) after I read your others!

    P.S. “Plaztercrappitastica”… Cute. XD

  62. i doubt andrew was made fun of. he was the only one that spoke english. i was always wondering what the people from the reservation spoke. russian maybe? that would be cool if they spoke that african language with click and wistles, (i spelt that wrong…i think).

  63. what about sol and elly? and maddy? and ryde and astrix and croy and ho and tachs and fausto and everyone else? oh, and dr. cable?

  65. I just thought of another question. On the covers of the books on uglies was that tally. on pretties was that tally and zane. and on specials im guessing that was tally. Those marks on her were those the flashing tattoos? Also how did u get those pictures. are those real people or were they created?
    thanks

  67. Samantha, in the backs of books near the author information or on the back they have the copyrights for the cover art/photography. The covers of Uglies, Pretties, and Specials were photos.

  68. In response 2 Samantha:
    on the cover of Pretties it’s Shay-la and Zane, not Tally and Zane. It seems weird, I know, but i e-mailed Scott and he said that it was Shay-la and Zane. The marks on her face r her flash tatoos, and those r reel ppl in the pics.

  69. Hey this is Naja and I love all of the names you chose in the first book but what about the pictures of the ppl on the covers of each book im thinking uglies on the cover is Tally. And in Pretties its either Zane ans Tally, Zane and Shay,Tally and Peris, or Peris and Shay, I vote for either Peris and Shay or Tally and Zane. An din the third book im guessing it would be Dr.Cable because she is the main special so far. I think im only like 3/4s of the way done with Pretties its so good I would have never guessed that Tally would turn pretty and what happens when she sees David again if she sees David again. Oh the suspensence. Im at the part where Tallly just jumped off of the balloon nd she dosent know where anyone is. I completely blame Peris for tht completely!!!I think i might read another one of your books beacuse I love these and ypu nvr know!!!

  72. I just started reading specials today i’m already on page 91. I love it i think it is the best so far. Oh and i love that uglies and pretties can be found in paperback but specials can’t but still i bought it and spent $16 for it but it is worth it so far. And the thing you said about Peris in Uglies i always kinda thought Tally had a thing for him and they would end up together until she met David that is. Now i’m torn between Zane and David and i feel bad for tally for having to choose. You SOOOOO should make this a movie pleez i’m begging. Oh and i can’t believe you made her a special well played… and to have her fall in love with 2 guys that are attached to the smoke. Pleez give me a movie.

  74. This is in response to Kellywa what she said about the pictures on the books. So uglies was Tally? And Pretties was Zane and Shay well Zane is pretty hot even though it is a real person. But i don’t see any markings on Shay’s face on the cover. And on specials that is Tally? Wow she looks different i mean she would have to with 2 different major surges to use a word from the book.

  75. My church’s preacher has an adult daughter named Tally. I thought it was really bizarre until I read Uglies and sort of got used to it.

    I also know a little eight-year-old boy named Zane (whose brother is named Laith. Go figure.), and have a baby cousin with that name, also.
    I used to have a friend in band class named Shay who was like the exact opposite of the Shay in Uglies. A woman at my old church had a little girl named Peris. It seems like I’m surrounded by Uglies names. (Of course, everyone knows a David and an Andrew.)

  76. Hey, hate to be annoying, but why the certain design cover themes for each book? I love them and wanted to know what really influenced them. I also wanted to know if the boy on Pretties cover is Zane or David? I know, pathetic question, but it’s been bugging me! I’m thinking Zane, but I know he is a pretty and the figure on the book is not what imagined as a pretty. So many different visuals. Love your books Scott. Can’t wait for more (knock on wood). Thanks!

  77. OH, I forgot on question: Is Shay supposed to be a good or bad character? I know there is a faded line between the two, but I just can’t figure it out. One moment she is wicked and the next she’s a best friend. She seems to hard to trust. Just not sure which catagory to put her in, or is she just a supporting character who can fall under either. I guess I’ll find out(almost done with Specials). Thanks(again)! 🙂

  78. Thanks Kellywa and Captain Caockatie for answering my question. One thing for kellywa, how did you email scott? Thanx
    thats a little shocking that shay would be with zane!!!!

  80. I am Tally.

    Seriously,my parents named me Talline,after my great grandmother or someone,but my friends call me Tally.Thats why i read the books.

    Anyway,did you know David and Zane both mean beloved?

  81. in response to Tally: I know! So weird they both mean the same thing.
    My little sister’s name is Tally.

  82. Samantha, to contact Scott you can go to the home page and click on “Contact Me”. You replace the “At” with “@” and then write your email.

  85. Um, you would have to have an email account… so you write it like any other email to any other person. You know: put the address in the “To” part?

  86. Wait i don’t get it. it says to scott at …….
    right i switched the aat to @ and then wrote my stuff
    but then it had errors i dont get that

  87. Look at the address carefully to make sure that it is all email-address-y. Like, make sure it doesn’t say “dot” instead of “.”. That happened to me one time…

  92. do you ever notice when things are pronouned really different than you hear them in the audio book? it’s weird. anywho…happy new year!(its still the first for me)

  94. Haddy, no I’m not the queen of westerblog — that’s Scott’s job, except he’d be the king… Thanks for your praise!

  95. I just finished specials and let me tell you i am flipping out over here. But the one thing i am kinda upset about is you don’t say if her and [Spoiler!] but do they end up together?I HAVE to know! I think that is the only thing you didn’t bring to an end for me with this book. But still reading all the books…they were the best books i’ve read in a long time that is saying a lot. I’d love it if you wrote kinda a spin-off i don’t know where you could take it after that maybe tell if [spoiler] and Tally fall in love all over again and if the smokies do revert to rusty ways.
    Bnicki

  96. the head of the accounting dept. at my workplace has 2 dogs, one named “Tally” and one named “Budget” :/

  98. no pb capt. i was thinking about in uglies how someone made a bug for gas so it would explode when it hit air i think he/she was smart thi nk to day the world it over poulated if the bug was real it would kill millions a day (or atleast kill all stupid people)thus createing a world of smart people and people that cant drive(agian with the stupid people) but it would be genuiuse and distructive. He would also be smart that he could make a bug to do that

  99. Let me start of by saying that I friggin’ LOVE your Uglies Trilogy!Today I told my teacher that I wanted to change my book report book to Specials instead of Pretties and I briefly considered doing Uglies for my report(I read Pretties before Uglies because my teacher didn’t have Uglies at the time)Anyways I thought the trilogy was great! They’re the best books I’ve read so far! I stayed up until 2:30 AM just so I could finish Specials. I had to sneak back downstairs to read it too because I was staying with relatives over Christmas and we all shared rooms and stuff. I think that’s really cool how you went to Thailand because Thai people are really cool!Like me!I’ve been trying to get people in my class to read your books. I know this one girl in my class read Uglies. But once they hear me say it’s about science fiction they’re not really into it anymore–which makes me mad because these are really really good books!I’m trying to get ahold of your other books because I’m sure they’re gonna be really good!But yeah better get back to working on my book report. I guess I got a little side tracked. Oh weird question: Why is the title in Uglies in the middle of the book and in Specials and Pretties the title is at the bottom?

  100. I know that you probably can’t make another book since it says lastbook in the trlogy but you have to! I’m not kidding I need to know what [spoiler] and Tally do in the wild. You have to make a 4th book! They are the best books ever! I’ve read a lot of books including all the Series of Unfortunate Events books,TTYL, and many other but these by far are the best! I couldn’t put any of the books down. Oh and i must say that it nearly killed me when i read that [spoiler, spoiler, spoiler!]! Oh and I have a question. In Uglies it has David telling Tally that he promised that he would tell her how he got the scar,but he never did. I was just wondering why you didn’t put it in the book. I love all of the Uglies series books Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. They are the best books EVER made. And please,please,please make another book to the Uglies series. I need it so much.

  101. Hey, I just read this new book called “Twilight”, and “New Moon”. Have any of you guys read them? I think you would like them a lot.
    Also, you know how on Amazon.com, if you are looking at a certain book, you can see what other books the people who bought the one you’re looking at bought. Does that make sense? Anyways, I noticed that people who bought “Twilight” also bought all the Uglies books, and “A Great and Terrible Beauty”, both trilogies that I have read.

  103. Ok, let me just say that this is the first time that I’ve ever actually commented but I’ve been reading Westerfeld books forever and love them all. Anyway, i just wanna say that I agree with Misshu about Shay’s name. I totally thought it came from Shay’s rebellion. That’s the first thing I thought when her name came up. And I have to agree with the other readers about there being another book in the triology, though I guess it ruin the whole idea of a triology, but still I really want to know what happens now!

  104. well in the hitchhikers guige to the galaxy trilogy there are 5 books. on the front of the 5th book it says ‘the 5th book in the increasingly inaccuratly named hitchhikers trilogy’. you can do whatever you feel like i guess. and alot of people would but it, but the title would be hard, wouldn’t it?

  106. Omg. I’m getting so frustrated. When i try to eamil him it says errors. and blah blah blah.
    this is what it says
    scott AT scottwesterfeld.com
    and this is what i do
    scott@scottwesterfeld.com
    and it doesn’t work
    help!!!

  107. Also it says the server can not be reached. The server is me right.
    Where do i put my email address. this is very odd.

  109. Ooh, a fellow fencer! And the names are back! But what about Croy, Maddy, Az, Sussy, Dex, etc? They all have extremely cool names too!

  112. Awesome! I loved that you told how you got the names. By the way, your books are awesome. I satyed up until 3 in the morning a few days in a row trying to finish Uglies and Pretties before school break ended.

  113. I know aren’t these books so addictive? Gosh i thought i was the only 1 who stayed up really late. these r such good books.

  114. if they ever make these books into a movie(which i know they will cause if THEY don’t i will, by the time I’m old enough) so, if they ever make this a movie the perfect song for a hover boarding scene with Zane would be “On Top Of The World” by Boys Like Girls. When ever i hear it, i can see it in my head and i just want to be the directer of it, so I get to make it perfect.

    And another one would be “The Great Escape” by Boys Like Girls, its the perfect name too

    this song would be in like a chase scene or a fast paced scene when tally escapes to the smoke

    it would be perfect

  115. in response to kelly-wa:
    its not shay-la on the cover of pretties cuz in the book it said that shay-la had green eyes and tally-wa had silver eyes.

    anywayz soo happy ’bout extras!!!!!!!!!!!

  117. When I think of Az I think of A to Z. Az was a doctor who figured out with his wife the hideous flaws of the way they were living. He had to consider every aspect of his society in order to make his discovery. Probably a lot of data and tests just like any of the “rusty” doctors we know. So I think of him looking over many papers and files before the ingenious lightbulb went off in his head. As in looking at all the letters in the alphabet. A to Z. That may have been his thought process as well.

  118. I have one question and one question only…can you make the Uglies Trilogy into a movie….if you do, can yougive me audition about it! the movie is so bubbly!!!!

  121. if u dont ill have to kill myself…SERIOUSLY!!!! I love the books so much i think i would di without them, I read the whole series 5 times from 5 PM, to 5 AM the next day a few weeks ago!!!!

  124. why would specials be icy, it doesnt sound fun…i guess for a special, that’s just what the feeling is

  125. My bday is in october and thats when extras is coming out….it better be out by Oct. 12, that would be the bubbliest bday presetnt ever!!!

  128. The Rusties weren’t barbaric. The PRE-rusties were. As in Andrew Simpson Smith? We are the Rusties and our use of resources is going to lead to our explosive end. (According to Scott)

  129. I was surprised by some of the names. Or rather, Shay. Although I do KNOW a shay (or shaylex) I kinda thought it was an indirect refference to Danniel Shays, since Shay’s a rebel and…ya know…Shays rebellion in the revolutionary war…Eh, whatever. History class has poisoned my mind.
    My friend has a little brother named Zane. Or rather, “Zayne” (which is just plain more fun because names with ‘y’s and/or made up spelling are just THE BEE’S KNEES *caugh*caugh* KaYli rather than Kayleigh…who needs those unnecesary silent letters?)…well anyhow, she says Zayne means beautiful, but I can’t find a website that agrees (which I guess could still mean it’s true).
    My friend Diana (or xinaad…seeing any pattern in our nicknames?) says Tally’s a weird name. Oh man, in our silly scoring system that’s uglies: 425 (for 425 pages of awesomeness) and Diana: 1 (for pointing out that Tally is an odd name). She’s closing that gap (but not too quickly). Well, if Uglies beats her horribly in this game she has to read it (which she doesn’t want too…silly Xinaad, but she’ll love it. I MADE her like Inkheart succesfully, anyway). Well, anyway, I’m getting my friends to read it (poking and prodding them subliminally…or superliminally. whatever). I have taken to calling my friend ‘insert first name here’ Talley “tally-wa”. ha ha ha.

    In closing, i apologize for this fricken long comment.

  132. Why would Maddy and Az name their kid David if they were from the city? Didnt they know that was a RUSTY name??

  136. i just fished reading “specials” i loved the book the ending sorta shocked me but it keeps me thinking what next???? i’m still thinking maybe i’m just not satisfied????? oh well i really like the sreies though… maybe reading it agian will do something???? i love the books 🙂 please wirte back!!!

  137. Hey I just wanted to say that your books are great..and I’m doing a book report on them, but I didn’t know what to put down for setting. Do they really take place in Australia?
    Thanks

  138. I must say that all of you people are jumping the gun on this movie business. I mean, has the screenplay even been written?! They can not make a movie without one. And it could take a long time, adapting a book into a screenplay. All the sounds, settings, dialogue… my head hurts just thinking about it!
    Anyways. Dani-Wa, which books are you talking about? Because So Yesterday, Peeps, and The Last Days take place in New York. But I suppose you’re talking about Uglies/Pretties/Specials. Which is the future in an undefined place. Looks like you’re stuck. Unless you’re doing Midnighters, which would speak for itself, location-wise.
    And, Tori-wa, someone said that Scott told them it was Shay… but maybe we should ask the cover designer? Or the photographer? Though the author knows best! And covers need not be exact. The girl has blue eyes, after all. So who is she really, if we’re sticking to the facts? Hmm?

  139. ok i got it!!!
    wells i like how the book ended i admitit but yeah ur books are good….. i can’t stop reading….. LOL!!!!! gtg

  141. Ruby, someone out there in the world has proposed the making of an Uglies movie. And so someone out there is writing a screenplay for it. And people here on this blog are all very excited. But it could take a few years…

  143. Hello Scott, My names Christina and I’ve read, The Uglies, The Pretties and im almost done with The Specials. I just wanted to say that I love your books and i wish u woild write more of this series I just cant let Tally and the crew go. I’m alittle mad , ok very mad haha that you let Zane die=[ I like him alot. I thought Tally and David were a good couple in The Uglies , but once she turned pretty and started dating Zane , I thought they were great toeghther. I’m so touvhed by your book that when I heard them say he was going to die, and that he did i started to cry. I just wish that you would write more , I dont care if It’s just one more book, I just need to hear more and when I read this series it makes me not want to stop reading , I say I’m going to stop after I’m done with a chapter but I don’t i read about 5 more haha. It’s just so addicting so when im done (which i almost am, I’m on page 325) I’m going to read them all over again.I’m so excited that you wil, have another one maybe called Extras? well i will deffinatley buy it as soon as it comes out!! cant waite!!!
    I’m saying thank-you and also thanks for taking the time to read this. I LOVE THE UGLIES SERIES!!!
    Truly,
    Christina

  145. Actually, I have a close friend named Zane. He’s Chinese, and it’s a direct translation/americanization of his asian name, Zhan. Pretty cool to see it being used in a book.

  148. I LOVED the Uglies trilogy!!! I know it is a trilogy but I’m still hoping for another book to come out some how! I have nothing but praise for Uglies Pretties nad Specials except for the cruel cliffhanger ending to the series. I also cried when (ya I know I can’t write their name) died. Great job, I am desparatly hoping for another Uglies book!

  149. OMG! i loved the trilogy! when i finished you 2nd book i thrw it against the wall and so i laughed hystericly at the little comment you made in the 3rd book! IM SOOO MAD AT YOU FOR ENDING THE TRILOGY! grr..lol youre a genius and i love you for bringing these books into my life

  150. okay, I would just like to point something out. I was telling my mom about the Pretties and about Andrew Simpson Smith. Well… heh heh heh… as soon as I mentioned his named my mom goes “You do realize what his initials are right?”… haha, yupp thats my mom!!! A.S.S.

  151. Actually, “Tally” is short for “Talia.” And “Croy” is an actual name. Short for “Croydon.” “Sol” is a form of “Saul” or “Solomon,” all of which mean “the sun.” “Astrix” sounds a lot like “asterisk” (*

  152. OH! And “Dex” is short for “Dexter” and I have a feeling that “Sussy” is a derivative of “Suzy.” (Or “Susan”, whichever.)

  153. haha im POSTING AGAIN(: lol my friends are getting mad at me now because i keep on talking about t he book

  154. Is there really going to be a movie? Can someone tell me the tryout dates? I have a secret weapon for this movie: TWO UGLY DIFFERENT COLORED EYES! One is blue and one is brown. YAY!

  156. Darn it, how do I CONTACT YOU? If I click the contact button, it doesn’t do anything!! ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

  157. Well, my first comment really can’t count beacause it’s just me complaining to you about how I can’t contact you. ((By the way, help me on that, I have a letter all typed out for you))

    Uglies rocked! I loved Zane and no one else can love him as much as I do, even if he died…. which I still can’t forgive you for..
    By the way, real name is Lauren, but all my friends call me Chulupnik… ((It’s my last name spelled wrong))

  158. Tally is an actual name. You sort of implied it’s not.
    Can you do So Yesterday next?

  159. hey u r an awsome writer! And how did u get all the ideas for the uglis books i have read them all the third and how dare you stop at three books!Do you think that you will ever write more books in the uglies seris and it would be awsome if you did!
    and i think that u should have another book with more details and how dare u let zane die!

  160. Hey i love your books! Are they going to put out an uglie movie? A fourth book? I need the info!!

  161. By the way, how did you come up with the -wa.-la bits? I guess you call someone that when you’re familiar with them…right?

  162. I just wanted to say I didnt really like Uglies, but my theory is tis because my teacher read to my classs, and I think it wouldve beenn more exciting if I had read it my self, but I digress. I just wanted to say that the Smoke is a nickname for Toronto Ontario, up here in the great white north. I doubt that, its where you got the name. Anyway I want to read Uglies again, and then the other two books!
    Cant wait till they start the movie trilogy!

  163. and london (UK) is called the big smoke because of the smog (we don’t have that anymore) but it also used to be called The Great Cesspit (which is like a mediaeval toilet and burial place… GROSS)

  164. i’ve just read Pretties, and you’ve forgotten Fausto, which is a really cool name. And like that story of the guy called Faustus who sold his soul to the devil.

  165. i was reading the year of secret assignmets (it takes place in new south wales, australia) and it said spagbol!!! it really did!

  166. hey- i loved ur books–i like the uglies and pretties most. I’d probably have to say that pretties got me most into the series though. I had prblems getting into specials though. It was drawn out until the near end. I was deaply disapointed with this book. I can’t believe what happened. I didn’t like the ending either. It was an appropriate one, but i wished it was something that was easier to understand, considering I was up half the night wondering why u had to end it in such a way. I cried in specials might I add. I think u changed Tallys WHOLE character in specials…alittle too much I think. It was just a let down for me. I still am upset over it actually. I wish u will email me to explain what u exactly meant in like the last 2 or 3 pages..and why did u do (the sad thing) if u follow..I don’t want to ruin it for others..so im speakin in code..I finished specials in 3 hours..on the day i got it–so i got a major letdown..but i must say i was biting my nails almost the whole time..i wish i knew what happened more with tally at the end tho..seriously I want to know why…? –taylor

    (this series was one of the best I have ever read..i wished specials ended happier–i want MORE..tho) LOL ———-taylorhites@yahoo.com

  168. oo one last question –which 2 people are on the front of pretties–tally and david or tally and zane..im thinkin david tho

  170. OHHH MYYY GOSHHHH!!!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE UGLIES AND PRETTIES!!!!!! I STILL HAVE TO READ SPECIALS, BUT I JUST FINISHED PRETTIES AND AT THE END I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE IT KIND OF SEEMED AS IF TALLY WENT THROUGH A BIG CHANGE NEAR THE END WHEN SHE SCREAMED “GET YOUR UGLY FACE OUT OF HERE!” TO DAVID. WHEN THE SPECIALS CAME TO MY SUPRISE LATER THAT THE CUTTERS CAME, AND SHAY AND HER GROUP BECAME SPECIALS. AND I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT TALLY TURNED INTO A SPECIAL! YOU BOOKS ARE AWESOME…… FILLED WITH SUSPENSE. I AM 11 AND READING UGLIES IN 1 WEEK MADE ME FEEL GREAT (WELL I READ UGLIES WHEN I WAS 10, BUT I AM NOW 11). THANKS FOR WRITING THE TRILOGY!!!!!!!

  172. !!!OH my gosh. These books are amazing. I’ve got all my other friends reading it and every time i see them I aske them where thaty’re at in the book. It’s really hard to not tell them whats goning to happen adn really anoying whenever they beg me to tell them whats going to happen but I won’t. [spoiler if yu haven’t read pretties] I got so mad when Tally fell in love with Zane becasue she was saposed to be in love with David but she couldn’t really remember him. I don’t really know what to do with myself though since I finiished them all so the next book has to come out soon!!!

  174. ok, so these books are my favorite books EVER and I really think that you need to make them into movies because they would be absolutly AMAZING movies.
    🙂

  175. I originally took an interest in th series because one of my (offline) nicknames is Tally. And people have actually sung that song to me. (“Tally me bananas”) It made the series more special to me, I never thought it was weird.

    There’s also a Specials spoiler up there, by Monique Diviner.

    Thanks for the books, and thanks for the “extra” 😉

  176. i just have to tell you that you need to make the uglies trilology into a movie!!!
    This is the only series that i could read and finished. i learned about this from my friends at tap. i have just one question…is extras a nother book coming out because if it is i an tottally excited. by the way did i tell you that you are my favorite author. thanks!!!!
    bye…. 😛

    oh, i almost forgot im really looking forward to bying peeps on my next trip to barns and nobles. 🙂

  178. Speaking of totally random, Scott. Is there a reason why there isn’t any subtext for the Specials cover?

    Huh?

    Just curious; I usually use the subtext to decide whether or not to read a book, but after reading Uglies and Pretties, it would be pretty retarded not to finish the series.

    So you got lucky that time, but next time I will hunt you down.

    Kidding.

  179. Haha, aren’t I annoying. I know. But I have to comment again.

    Scott, I have a confession to make. I am madly in love with Zane.

    Wow, that’s a load off my chest.

    I haven’t read Specials yet. So I’m seriously hoping he doesn’t die or something. If he dies, I’m pretty sure anyone who reads this will be maniacally laughing their heads off going “Poor girl, her life’s about to lose all meaning!”

    Why did Zane have to die? Oh, wait. Does he die? Ack, I’m confusing myself, so I’m going to quit while I’m ahead.

    Zane, please don’t die. And keep being sexy.

  180. LAST THING, I promise. I just read Jennifer’s comment about a good song for the movie if they made one. If they ever somehow put books 1 and 2 together into a movie, a ood song for David’s character would be “When You Were Young” by the Killers.

    It’s random, I know. But if you think REALLY hard, you it’s kind of like David being pouty about Tally and Zane.

    And there’s a reference to a hurricane, a mountain, and a beautiful boy.

    Okay, the mountain means nothing. Cut me some slack. I’m sleepy.

  181. hello. My name is shannon and i love your book. i could read them for hours. sitting there imagining things that have happend to a girl named tally. and her best friend shay. belive it or not my friends and family call me shay. i was very much into this book when i read this name. also the action scenes and where you have a hint ( or what i think of it ) is looks dont matter. a figment of our imagination. we can Out grow it. Its great. I love it. Awesome job. I hope I become such a great writer as you.

  183. Sorry last thing for a while. Seriously I swear last thing! Anyways. Im kinda sad about The adventures of tally is over. What if you make another book. About what happends after… Everything. What goes on how do THEY start over. you know what im talking about right. What does shay do???? Really very much i wish to know more, i seriously was on the verge of losing my mind thoroughout the serese. I truly felt hurt for david, what she said to him. hes been waiting.And i want to know more about what they do together.

    What she does without.. You know

  184. @ Sarah #173

    omg, you look exsctly like her (cover of UGLIES) in some pics…
    almost *too* exact..
    AND you even have modelling pics?!

    .. could it be?
    ahah i don’t know.
    but..
    yeah.
    you look EXACTLY like her.

  185. Hey , LOVE the books !! They are My Favourite Next To Harry Potter. Anyways, I was re – reading Uglies and I thought , These books would make good movies . Just a thought .

  186. Ello!
    I am a fellow reader. The uglies was on my school reading list, i read the back, and it totally reminded me of a twilight zone episode. So i decided to read it. I got sucked in to it! I love it. So i decided to read the rest of the trilogy. i am currently reading The Specials, and i’m enjoying it. I truely think that you should turn all three books into a movie!!!! I have been raving over these books ever since i started reading them.
    LOVE YOUR BOOKS! keep it up!

  187. I love the name Tally!
    And the person who wrote the last comment has a cool name!
    Piper.
    You should use that.
    Luv ur books.
    Peace!
    -Sarah

  190. At first the name Tally threw me off, but then it grew on me as the story progressed, and now she’s one of my favorites. I am nearly finished with The Uglies, but I accidentally left it at my sister’s house, so I am dying without it, even though it’s only been a day. 😛 I really think you should consider making it into a movie. You would profit greatly from it, because of its interesting story line and constant suspense. I truly think this book is among the best of all that I’ve read, and that is quite a few. I can’t wait to finish The Uglies and read the rest of the series you have wonderfully created. Your work inspires me very much, since I am planning on becoming a writer, professionally. Thank you. 🙂

    P.S. You forgot Maddy and Az!
    Their names were the ones I was curious about…

  191. Oh yeah…
    After starting from the bottom and reading
    up [[strange, i know]] to comment 99..[[i think]], it has made me want to also read ur other books like Twilight and New Moon. Maybe it was subliminal…
    Oh well, who cares? ha ha
    Just thought i should add that.
    Also, you are the first author i have written to, so feel free to gloat. 😛

    P.P.S. i wrote more loosely in this comment to
    show that i am not some stuck up smarty-pants. 🙂 haha
    bye!!

  192. i’ll stop bugging you after this one, i swear.
    Just sorry that i wrote SO MUCH in both…
    and i kinda took advantage of the use of smiley faces *MUAH HA HA*

    jk
    🙂
    bye!!
    [[FOR REAL THIS TIME]]

  196. I have read all four of the books! Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and I just finished Extras. Are you making a 5h one?!?! Please Please Please do! This has been my favorite series EVER!

    And!
    I’ve been looking up information on the movie that they are coming out with and I want to find a way to Audition for it! That would be sosososo SUPERLY amazing to the EXTREME! But I can’t find any dates or anything on places and such…Can you help me out?!?! Since it is your book…. PLEASE!

  197. Wow, there is alot of non-regular-commmenter on this post. Whats up with dat?

    These people need to post on the regular post more often.

    Cool thingy Scott. It was interesting. I likes the ‘(just thought of that)’ part.

  199. I loved your book specials, and just got done reading Extras.
    Out of all your charaters, I think Zane was my fave.
    I can’t wait to read more of your books.
    I was wondering if there would be anymore books after Extras, about (or with) Tally?.?.

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