Click here to ask S.E. Hinton!

[Kristin]

First, I would like to say that as a high school special education teacher I have seen struggling, reluctant readers not want to put your books down. The Outsiders and That was Then, This is Now have been in our curriculum and even when the kids drag their feet to read in the beginning, they find themselves completely 'sucked in' by the end.
Secondly, my question for you is this: with so much of today's young adult fiction focused on the supernatural, do you find it even more amazing that your stories are still so relevant and popular today? With nearly 500 comments in this thread, it is apparent that your books are still loved by so many.
Thank you!
Kristin Vaira

[Kira]

Kristin wrote: "First, I would like to say that as a high school special education teacher I have seen struggling, reluctant readers not want to put your books down. The Outsiders and That was Then, This is Now ha..."

Kristin- that's a fantastic question!

[Sweetdreamsprs]

Hello Mrs. Hinton, I have read The Outsiders and I loved the book. I was wanting to ask you, what is your favorite book that you have written? Thank you for your time.

I would appreciate it if you replied. You can email me at pspiperrose@yahoo.com

Thank you.

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[Leyla]

Wow, I gotta say, this is a real treat! Ms. Hinton, you've been such an inspiration to me, in regards to the world of literature in general, ever since I read The Outsiders as a teenager . Being an outsider myself for as long as I can remember, I identified almost instantaneously with the protagonist Ponyboy and needless to say, I think that all of your books are eye openers for teen readers and young adults alike. Whats more is you're the reason I fell in love with poetry after reading Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay." As an aspiring writer, I can only hope to reach a professional level like you someday and touch hearts at the same time. I would be delighted if you could take the time to answer my following questions. Thank you very much!

1- What got you into writing in the first place and what is your greatest source of inspiration/motivation?

2- I distinctly recall reading an interview of yours where you stated how tough it was for you to get back to writing after your books had been published. How difficult was it for you to overcome that intimidation and wariness caused by the 'public eye?' Were you able to suppress the weight of the responsibility that comes along with going public with your work what with the expectation of readers and their ultimate question, 'what next?' If so, how?

(I hope I worded that ok and it makes sense).

Thank you once again for making a difference and touching hearts,
Leyla Savsar

[Jasmine]

I'm so excited for the chance to participate in this group. I love your work and have read your books several times. The Outsiders is my favorite, but Rumble Fish is a close second.
My question is about the time between writing The Outsiders and That was Then, This is now. I read somewhere that you went through a severe bout of writer's block after The Outsider's success, and I was just wondering how you overcame that? Especially how you overcame it to write several more amazing books. What are your tips for dealing with blocks and performance anxiety?

Thank you!

[Debrina]

Hello! Ms.Hinton I love your book The Outsider,It was a AMAZING piece of work. I read it at least 10 times and each time I learn something new, or realize something I have missed before hand. My question is when you wrote the book,what did you want the readers to get from it?

Staying Golden,
DeBrina Boyer

[Agustina]

how did you come up with such an unusual name as ponyboy? is there a story behind it?

[Kellie]

Hello! I have a quick question, I love reading, "Rumble Fish," I thought it was a great book! How do you feel personally as the author about the film version?

Thanks,
Kellie

[Talisman eBooks]

Dear Ms.Hinton, beloved author of a world entire generation, even in Spain, your book The Outsiders teached us so much of the occidental youth of some years ago and things that never changes as the teen feelings...
Now I am a publisher, I publish in Spanish and in digital format (also enhanced enbooks) and translate other languages authors into spanish, but I´m sure that publishing you in spanish and digital format is something out of possibility, isn´t it...?

[Hinerangi]

Hi,

My name's Hinerangi, and I'm sixteen. I first read the Outsiders a few years ago and have since read all your other books. My favourite would definitely have to be That Was Then This Is Now, as I think it really hit hard and made me think.
'Some of Tim's Stories' is decidedly different from most of your other books, which are mostly from the point of view of teenagers. Why did you decide to write such a different book? And why did you write it the way you did, in slightly disjointed parts? I actually really loved the somewhat disconnected chapters.

Thank you so much, I love your writing.
Hinerangi.

PS. On hawkes harbour... Why vampires??????

[Violet]

Given that you've written books that continue to appeal to teens even in this very different time, what other books would you suggest for the high school age range? Clearly you have a good sense of that which appeals to teens, and I'm always searching for new works for my students. Thank you.

[Justin]

Hi Ms. Hinton! My name is Justin and I love the Outsiders. I just have one single question. What messages or lessons did you want the reader to learn?

Thanks so much
Justin Paige

[Anika]

Mrs S.E Hinton,
Greetings!!
I am a great fan of you and your novels. I am a seventh grader from Dubai and we have been given a project in which we had to choose a influential youth an work on it. I chose you. I have a few questions. It will be a great help if you can answer them for me!!


1. What gave you the idea for writing"The outsiders"?
2. Was the book "The outsiders"based on a real life incident?
3. Who were your favourite authors when you were small?
4. What other passions do you have apart from writing?
5. At what age did you start writing?
6. What genres of writing do you like the most
7.Do you still have the same passion as you had earlier for writing?

[Jeff]

Hi Susan,

Would you ever consider coming to The Bronx, New York to talk to our students about how you took your own experiences and turned them into a novel? Thanks in advance.

Take care,

Jeff Vargon, high school English teacher