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 about how classic stories wouldn't be so interesting if they didn't have a conflict. She gives several examples of altered tales, played out by Arthur characters. D.W. (little red riding hood) ends the intro by saying, "If there's no big bad wolf in my story, what's the point?"

Fern and Persimmony Glitchet

This episode starts in the Elwood City Library. Fern and Francine are returning the same item, book thirteen of the "Horrendously Horrible Happenings" series. They both really enjoyed it and can't wait until the next book comes out. 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 doesn't think he would 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. Fern believes that it's written in invisible ink, like in the books, so she gets out her spy lamp. Writing shows up, and it says: If you want to be a writer, you should read, write and rewrite, and look for ways to publish what you write.

Fern decides to write a story for the upcoming issue of Lakewood Elementary Reader. Under the pen name Agatha Shelley, Fern creates a short story called Happy Happenings. Her story makes it in, and Fern starts asking her classmates what they think of it. Arthur said it's boring, Brain said it's shallow,  and Binky only liked the ending, but not the rest and rip pages to make paperplanes which shocks Fern. At the library, Francine asked Fern if she read Happy Happenings and Fern lied and said no. Francine advice her not to read because their no mysteries and nothing scary happen in the book. Fern points out not all books are like that, but Francine said that the book is way too happy and read a page for an example. She read how the main character Felicity Bonchez was gardening, until she found some burried trestuare and gave out candy and ice cream to the whole world. Francine said that it's boring how nothing bad ever happen to her and saying how "Agatha Shelley" must be from a different school. Fern said maybe it not "her" real name and maybe it's a pen name which Franice said she wouldn't put her real name on a story like that.

This makes Fern feel like a bad writer, so she sends another letter to Persimmony Glitchet asking what to do.Mr. Glitchet writes back again, saying that he always imagines horrible things happening to people who criticize his work. Yet, he always looks closely to see if what they say is true. He says that Fern can either rewrite or just give up. Inspired, Fern decides to rewrite her story. This time she adds some good conflict, and it becomes a hit with the students in the next school issue.

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 isn't even there. Just when they're about to leave, a stranger starts talking to Fern about the Horrendously Horrible books 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 Persimony Glitchet himself, but he drives away before the two can question him.

Trivia

 * This episode takes place over a period of ten weeks, a very long time compared to an average episode.

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 Lemony Snicket, author of " A Series of Unfortunate Events"

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur: Season 10

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