Fern and Persimmony Glitchet

Summary
Fern seeks advice from Persimmony Glitchet, the mysterious and elusive author of the Horrendously Horrible Happenings book series.

Plot
In the introduction, Fern talks to the viewers about how classic stories would not be so interesting without a conflict. She gives several examples of altered tales, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood (with Arthur characters acting out the stories). However, D.W. (Little Red Riding Hood) ends the intro by saying, "Hey you, narrator! If there's no big bad wolf in my story, what's the point?"

Fern and Persimmony Glitchet

At the Elwood City Library. Fern and Francine are returning the same item, book thirteen of the Horrendously Horrible Happenings series. They both enjoyed it and are excited for the next one. They talk about the previous books, reliving some of their favorite moments. Fern wishes she could write a series like that someday, and Ms. Turner overhears. She convinces Fern to write to the author, Persimmony Glitchet. Francine does not think he will write back, but Fern sends a letter anyway, asking for advice on becoming a writer.

A few weeks later, Fern gets a reply, but the letter turns out to be blank. She suspects it to be written in invisible ink, and uncovers the writing by using a spy lamp. The letter tells her that she must read, write, rewrite, and look for ways to publish her writing.

Fern writes a short story called "Happy Happenings," under the pen name Agatha Shelley, for the upcoming issue of Lakewood Elementary Reader. Her story makes it in, and she starts asking her classmates what they think of it. They all found it boring and shallow. At the library, Francine asks Fern if she has read "Happy Happenings"; Fern lies that she has not, and Francine advises her not to, saying that the story is way too happy and has no mystery or scary events. She complains about Agatha Shelley's writing, unaware that the story is by Fern.

Fern sends another letter to Persimmony Glitchet asking what to do. She receives a response, telling her to first imagine horrible things happening to people who dislike her work, then think critically about if the criticism is true. At the end of the letter, Fern is challenged to either continue writing or give up. Inspired, Fern writes and submits (again using the pen name of Agatha Shelley) a sequel to "Happy Happenings," with conflict and excitement. Francine reads this and likes it, commenting that it feels like something Fern would write.

Finally, the 14th book of Persimmony Glitchet's series comes out. Fern and Francine wait in line to get a signed copy, but it turns out that the author is not attending the signing. Just when they are about to leave, a stranger starts talking to Fern about the Horrendously Horrible Happenings series and their author. Fern tells him about the invisible ink letters she got, and the man asks to see her copy of the book. He starts writing in it and then hands it back, leaving quickly. Francine and Fern look at what he wrote: "Dear Fern, when you become a famous writer, I promise not to reveal your true identity. Best of luck, P.G., a fellow writer."

It turns out that the stranger was Persimmony Glitchet himself, but he drives away before the two can question him.

Major

 * Fern Walters
 * Persimmony Glitchet

Minor

 * Francine Frensky
 * Duke Vladimir
 * Mrs. Turner
 * Max Wheeler
 * Arthur Read
 * The Brain
 * Binky Barnes

Cameo

 * Bronte Orphan #1
 * D.W. Read
 * Victor Bronte (Bronte Orphan #2)
 * Bronte Orphan #3
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Buster Baxter
 * Patrick
 * John
 * Helen
 * Brian
 * Otis
 * Steve
 * Jane Read

Trivia

 * Karma: Fern made a boring story, so no one liked it.
 * Moral: Don't make a story that is boring for your own benefits.

Episode connections

 * In "I Owe You One," Arthur is shown reading a book titled The Bellicose Bathroom, written by Persimmony Glitchet.

Cultural references

 * Fern's other favorite writers are Agatha Christie and Mary Shelley, and her pen name, Agatha Shelley is taken from Agatha Christie's first name and Mary Shelley's last name.
 * Persimmony Glitchet is a reference to , and Horrendously Horrible Happenings is a parody of the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.

Production notes

 * This episode is the first to use the Fern Writing title card.

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur: Season 10