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

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

Jill wrote: "I've been a fan since I first read Outsiders as a teenager, and think often of Ponyboy quoting Robert Frost "Nothing gold can stay"... It actually inspired me to read Robert Frost, which opened ano..."

Yes, writing came naturally to me. I started about
the same time as I learned to read. READ & PRACTICE!

elie88 wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton
I am a huge fan of Rumble Fish, both the book and the movie

My question is, how did you make the Motorcycle Boy to be such an epic and cool character?

also what did yo think of ..."
Mickey Rourke did a great job of playing The Motorcycle Boy. It wasn't an easy part.

Ashley wrote: "Hello! I first read Th Outsiders about 18 years ago, when I was 10. After that, I read your books (up to Taming the Star Runner) every few weeks for the next several years. I pretty much single-han..."

I don't know what happened to M&M. When I am through
with a story I start thinking about new characters.
The golden-eyed cowboy got around. I don't know about
that.

Taylor wrote: "Hi there.
First off, like so many here, The Outsiders is my favourite book, I have several copies that are completely worn out from being read too much. I first read it when I was about 14 and was ..."

It amazes me that is still being read (it sold more
last year than ever before) and that it is read in so
many different languages. I guess it hits a universal
note with a lot of readers; everyone identified with it.

Sherri wrote: "Thank you for taking time out to speak with us Ms. Hinton. I am curious, the discussion description here states you will talk about every book (I think) that you wrote EXCEPT The Outsiders. Was thi..."

I sure didn't get that memo. I expect a lot of Outsiders
questions.

Kathy wrote: "Did you write Ponyboy as someone you'd want to be, or someone you'd want to date? I know I was madly in love with him when I first read it as a teen!"
I wasn't interested in dating him! HA! I wrote him
as a person who was telling the story.

Tate wrote: "HI,
um,
oh god there are a lot of messages on top of this"

Yes, and I can't find some of them. There's always
a chance.

Sue wrote: "I read The Outsiders and Rumblefish as a young teen. While The Outsiders is my all time favorite movie - followed closely by Fahrenheit 451.

Is there anything about The Outsiders movie you would h..."

I was very involved in the movies The Outsiders, Tex,
and Rumble Fish. I scouted locations, helped with wardrobe, taught Matt to ride for Tex, ran lines
with the actors on Outsiders, sometimes wrote scenes
for Rumble Fish just as we were getting ready to shoot them. I'm very happy with all three.

Juli wrote: "Dear Ms. Hinton,
I love assigning your book in my 8th grade Lit. class because it is the one book that unites all of us, readers and non-readers alike. It doesn't matter how strong a reader each ..."

Please tell me what #48 is because I am lost and
wandering around in here.

Kaitlynn wrote: "Hello! my name is Kaitlynn and my mom and aunt first showed me the Outsiders, i loved it and i have read it over 10 times and then i was a bit like Tex when my mom said you had written more books I..."

I am horrified when people tell me they read Rumble
Fish when they were ten. No way could a ten year old,
or a 16 year old, can understand it. Read it again
when you are 25. You still won't understand it, but
you will "get it".

Jennifer wrote: "Hi Ms. Hinton,

I'm a big fan of your books. I absolutely love your book The Outsiders. I first read it in English class in middle school. I loved it. I can't out how many times I have re-read it..."

He might be dead by now, after all he is 60-something.
If it's not in the book, it's not cannon. Feel free
to make your own version of what happens to the characters.

Mani wrote: "Hi Mrs.Hinton, I'm a big fan of the outsiders and read in middle school for English class. I've re-read this book so many times you would not believe. I love this book so much, my favorite characte..."

I'm never going to write a sequel to The Outsiders.
The story ended where it ends. I could never re-capture
that feeling again.

Natalie Joy wrote: "Hi, Ms Hinton! My name is Natalie, and I really like your book "The Outsiders." My question is: Where did your ideas come from? I'm writing a book right now and I'm sorta stuck. I know where I want..."

The middle is the hard part for me, too. I suggest
you write a scene you know you will need, then
another, and string them together. (I learned this
trick by working in the movies)

Sarah wrote: "I'd like to know how you managed to tap into the male teenagers angst so brilliantly? And did you have any say in who portrayed the characters on film?

Great cameo in The Outsiders!!
Thank you f..."

It's just easier for me to write from the male point
of view. I recommended Matt for The Outsiders & Rumble Fish, but he would not have been cast if the
director didn't think he was right for the part.

MrMustacheoCrafts wrote: "Hi, my name is Jessica. I LOVE The Outsiders! I just wanted to know, is there anything that you put in the book that you wish was put into the movie?
Thanks,"

I thought the movie did a great job of capturing the
book, the "Complete Novel"DVD especially.

Valerie wrote: "Hi Ms. Hinton!

I grew up in Okmulgee and I was a young teen when the films were being made for your books. It was an exciting time to be in and around Tulsa!

I have read that your favorite auth..."
As adult I read a lot of history, memoir, and very little fiction. I am still friends with all my Outsiders actors, Tim Hunter and Francis Coppola, my
directors. Made some very solid friendships.

Rebecca wrote: "Hi lady!! It is my honor and pleasure to be able to say I have spoken to you. I, of course, read all your books when I was in high school in 19 (mumble mumble mumble).

Our English teacher who i..."

How can your parents stop you from writing? They can't.
Go to school,figure out a job you can do, and write
all you want. It is hard to make a living at, but
you can always write.

Kate wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton,

Your books are such a large part of my childhood/adolescence and I have read each of them multiple times. I want to first take this unbelievable opportunity to thank you for all ..."

My publishers suggested I go by my initials, just so
the first reviewers wouldn't pick up the book, see
the subject matter, and decide "a girl wouldn't
know anything about this" & review it that way.
After that, (it worked) no effort was made to conceal
I am female. I find it easier to write from a male
point of view. I grew up with guy friends, and really
didn't understand the female culture at that time.

Mel wrote: "Hello Ms. Hinton,
Thank you for your wonderful books! I love all of them. I have 2 questions for you. After "Taming the Star Runner", your next book was a children's book. Any particular reason for..."

I was busy being a mother at that point, and couldn't
think about teen-agers. Both Big David, Little David,
and The Puppy Sister were based on things going on in
my home. Right now I am working on an adult paranormal suspense comedy.

Madeleine wrote: "Thank you for setting this up!
What inspired you to bring in Gone with the Wind, one of my favorite books? Had you read the book or seen the movie at the time? In the edition that I have you answer..."

I brought in a lot of books in The Outsiders. Pony
certainly was a literate kid! Yes, I'd read Gone
With The Wind may times by then.