S.E.’s Comments (group member since May 17, 2013)

S.E.’s comments from the Ask S.E. Hinton - Monday, June 17th! group.

Kate wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton,

Thank you for taking time to do this discussion group!

My question for you would be how do you push yourself as a writer? What things did you do to help define your voice early..."
I'm not much on pushing myself, especially these days.
One way to keep things "fresh" is not doing YA anymore

Beth wrote: "Ms. Hinton,

I am a huge fan and have had the pleasure of teaching several of your books. First I would like to say thank you for the gift of your books. Teens that absolutely hate reading adore..."

No, though that could be the case. "Learning disabilities" weren't thought of much in those days.
Probably Soda would be called "hyper"
wasn't

Theresa wrote: "from one of my students: Where did you get the wisdom that is expressed in The Outsiders? What inspired you?"

I was a wise child. I'm not kidding.

Shallowreader wrote: "Hello,

I read and reread all your books in the 80s and loved them as they were my comfort. I suggested to my son that he read The Outsiders too and he is now using it as his extra text for a spee..."

One reason I can't write a modern book is that I can't
keep up with technology.

Isaac wrote: "I've notice over the last few year, Young Adult has become the realm of violent fantasy/distopia novels. Do you think this is driven by the young readers, or parents? I've noticed that most of the ..."

I don't know anything about YA lit these days. I don't
read it.

Steve wrote: "Ms. Hinton, My name is Steve and I'm a fan of your books. But I've always been curious about one thing pertaining to Rumble Fish. As we all know Rumble Fish was originally an 80 paragraph short sto..."
The first version of the book was narrated by Steve, and
I've lost it. The short story was third person omniscient.

Wong wrote: "Greetings, Miss Hinton!

I've read your book The Outsiders 2 years ago in my middle school Literature class. I loved it all the characters in the book. That was Then, This Is Now broke is a book th..."

You probably won't. But you'll enjoy your school years more. Try to take something practical once in
a while.

Dassi wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton,

I'll just start by stating the obvious. Like all the other posters here, I am a huge fan of you and your books. I discovered Outsiders a year ago, and instantly fell in love with..."

And I had nothing to do with the TV series. Supposedly
I did, but I didn't.

Dassi wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton,

I'll just start by stating the obvious. Like all the other posters here, I am a huge fan of you and your books. I discovered Outsiders a year ago, and instantly fell in love with..."

I have had so many letters telling me about the symbols
in the book, they must be there. But I did not put them there consciously.

Tami wrote: "I am a lover of books and I pray that you will have the Outsiders along with all of your other titles printed in book form for future readers. The love of books is a personal thing and books that c..."

I hope they stay in print. That's up the audience.

Beth wrote: "Dear Ms. Hinton,

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions. I first read The Outsiders in middle school, and have since reread my own copy many times (I am now a college graduate, ..."

This sounds lame, but it is true. I don't know how
I do anything. I just do it.

Carli wrote: "Oh my goodness hi this is so amazing. I read the Outsiders this year and when I told my teacher and my friends about this they were soooooooo jelous!!! So anyway I love love love the Outsiders and ..."

I just get my ideas from staring out the window.
The Cat In the Hat is the best book on writing I've
ever read.

Joshua wrote: "HI, my question for you is what is your favorite young adult books?"

Of mine? Don't have one, well, maybe a little partial
to TEX Of all I've read? A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Amy wrote: "Hi - Do you ever get tired of it all? i would, especially after writing that book. Sometimes I get tired being the best teacher ever, and
i just want kids to know I would love them anyways. It mu..."

If I am tired of writing, I take a break. you have
a very tough job, one I couldn't do.

Aaron wrote: "How do you approach the moment in a novel or story where pivotal action or change must occur in order for the protagonist to now face a challenge...what I mean is does this come along naturally as ..."

I don't "over-think" as I write. I have a story and
write what comes next. If you read enough, this will
lodge in your unconsciousness & you won't have to think about it.

Mack wrote: "What's your favorite movie adaptation based on your work?"

I like the movie versions of Tex, the Outsiders,
and Rumble Fish. But Rumble Fish is a piece of art.
And it's Mr Coppola's movie, not mine.

Caroline wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton!

I feel honored to have the opportunity to teach The Outsiders to my 8th graders this upcoming school year, and I believe your passion and perspective are strongly evident through..."

I don't like it when teachers tell kids the is only
one way to read a book. "The sunset is a symbol of..."
There are as many different interpretations of a book
as there are readers.
And PLEASE DO NOT tell the kids to write me & if they
get an answer it will be extra credit. There is no
way I can answer all my e-mails, and I am not responsible for anyone's grades.
That being said Teachers are My Heroes.

Katie wrote: "Hi Susie,

As your books have been published all around the world with different covers, I wondered if you collect all the different art covers they have? I know authors don't often get a say in th..."

No, I don't collect them, but I get surprised sometimes
when I come across a new one. The hardcover cover of
Some Of Tim's Stories is my favorite cover of all time.

Martin wrote: "Hi Ms Hinton, Is the idea of demonstrating the power of art and its potential as an agency for change something you thought about when writing your novels?

Best,
Martin Genet
Christchurch New Zea..."
nope

Anthony wrote: "Dear S.E. Hinton,
My name is Anthony Dailey and I'm an aspiring writer. I haven't sent anything out recently to be rejected because I'm mapping out a few of the stories. So far I've only read The O..."
I'm working on a paranormal suspense comedy novel right
now.
True, if you don't send things out they can't be
rejected. They can't be published, either.