Click here to ask S.E. Hinton!

[Ari]

Dear Ms. Hinton, At last count, I have read about 676 books. 'The Outsiders' remains my favorite book of all time. I've probably read it 15x, and have even memorized portions of it. It was the single most influential book of my teen years. 41 years after I read it for the first time, I am a published author, and I just wanted to say thank you for writing a book so profoundly relevant to young people, that it has endured and remains relevant even today.

[Aileen]

Yet another author here thanks to your books. I talked about being a writer from a young age, but after reading The Outsiders in seventh grade, I grabbed my notebook and began to write.

Question: (and I apologize if it's been asked) With the passage of years since The Outsiders was first published, do you think the theme or message in books for young people has changed?

[Emily]

Hey!

Where do you find motivation and inspiration to start a book, and then you finish it?

Congratulations on being awesome!
Emily Sutherland, Faithful Reader

[Heather]

I was so excited to be invited to join this discussion. My sister and I read The Outsiders when we were about 12 or 13, and I now read it with my 7th graders each year. The situations are different, but each of my students find something and/or someone to connect with in the novel. Did you ever imagine your work would touch so many people over the years? (I've encouraged many many students to read your other novels as well. We have some amazing discussions together. Thank you so much for your inspiring books.)

[Bec]

Hi Ms. Hinton! First of all, I'd like to thank you for writing The Outsiders, a book that has left its mark on so many people. It is the first book I read in High School that actually got me passionate.

My question is; What sort of challenges have you faced being a female author?
Do you feel like it has been an advantage/disadvantage in any way?
What was your first reaction when it was suggested that you publish the book using only your initials?

Thanks so much!
Bec

[Emily]

Hi! Thank you do much for allowing us this wonderful opportunity to correspond with you! My name is Emily and I'm 15, in the 8th grade. I have been a huge fan of all your books since the sixth grade when I discovered The Outsiders. Needless to say, I have been a massive fan ever since I picked it up!

I have some questions! First of all, did you ever consider killing someone other than Johnny or Dallas? What are some alternate endings you had planned?

How did you come up with the ideas for Rumblefish? That's my second favorite book, it is so unique and artistic!

Finally, I'm sure you get asked this so many times, and you're sick of hearing it, but do you plan or consider writing a sequel to any of your books?

Thank you so much! I am a huge fan and can't even express how much I love your books and how much they have touched me :) My class read The Outsiders in English last week and they loved it; I know because now you can't walk down the hall without hearing "Stay Gold" or "Do it for Johnny!" Have a great day and thanks again for sharing your remarkable writing with us.
Always,
Emily Kouba

[Jaymee]

Hello! This is a really cool discussion group. Anyway, I read The Outsiders three years ago when I was 13 because it was the centre point of our Literature class. I've admired the way you have written the setting and the aura of the characters because it really made me feel like I was in the early 60s. It brought more insight to my knowledge about the time then.

Everyone must be asking the things that I've been wanting to know ever since I've finished reading The Outsiders. So my only question is (I apologise for the lack of importance in it, if any)...

What exactly were Soda's feelings about the Sandy incident throughout and after the story?

[Davey]

The Outsiders has helped my students relate to a book in ways they never thought they could. Every year the English at teacher at my school ponders if she has time to read this book. Her students are reading at a third and fourth grade level and are in the seventh grade. Every year she decides to read it she is happy with the results.

My question to is has your writing technique changed over last years?

[Rebecca]

It's funny. I first read The Outsiders when I was about 12 years old, for grade 7 English class. When I first read it I didn't like it. But then I kept thinking about. I thought about and thought about it. I couldn't get that book off my mind. Next thing I knew, I'd read the book about six times.

These days, YA fiction can be so shallow. It's all about trashy teenaged love triangles and overdone fantasy. There is a distinctly short supply of thought-provoking teen literature. But your novel... Your novel is a classic. A beautiful, deep, classic. I will always love The Outsiders. I like to think I grew up with Ponyboy, in a way.

Now that I'm done fangirling (I am sorry for that, by the way)I'm wondering how publishing your first novel impacted your life? To my understanding, you were quite young when the Outsiders was published. What was the affect that had on your life, and does it still affect your life today?

Also, do you ever think about the characters from the Outsiders? I know I always grow attached to the characters in my writing, do you ever experience this?

Thank you so much for your time :)

Respectfully yours,
Rebecca Lavigne

[Alma]

Hi Mi. Hinton! My name is Alma, and I started reading "The Outsiders" when i was 11 and loved it! Even after I finished reading The Outsiders, I wanted to read all your books.
Questions:
1. What gave you the idea to write The Outsiders and how did you come up with the names of PonyBoy and SodaPop?
2. Who are your true inspirations?
3. Were you satisfied with how the movie for The Outsider's turned out?
Thank you so much!
- Alma T
p.s. I love your work!

[Deanna]

I read The Outsiders when I was in grade 8 and now, six years later, it is still one of my favorites. Thank you for writing such an amazing book. I can't wait to see some of your responses to the questions here, especially the ones regarding your inspirations and how you came up with such unique characters.

[Valeria]

Hello! I was wondering, is there any book you regret writing, if so, why? And are there any symbols in "The Outsiders" or is it supposed to be taken literally

[Fernando]

The opening line of The Outsiders is beautiful and captures the readers attention immediately. What was the process of beginning that opening line like for you?

[[deleted user]]

Dear Ms. Hinton
Like everyone else in this group, I have read The Outsiders. However, the reason I read The Outsiders and Rumble Fish (as unflattering the reason may sound) was because it was mandated by my school to read those books. The reason why the school picked your books was because they are very well written, deep with regards to plot and theme, and deal with topical issues that the youth of today faces.
I personally find the fact that you were a teenage when you wrote the Outsiders phenomenal (my English teacher is also a fan of the book too, which is why I know that and that the book was inspired by a fight that involved a friend of yours and is based, more or less, off of your real life). What I am wondering about does not involve the characters of the book so much as the writing. How could it be that someone so young was able to write a book that is still able to resonate with so many people? As an aspiring young writer, I’m open to any anecdotes or advice that you can give (even if it’s as perfunctory as “read a lot and write every day to practice”).
Also, what prompted you to make the writing decision to write The Outsiders from the perspective of Pony boy? I’m only wondering this because, as a female writer, I find it difficult to put myself in the shoes of a male character (or keep the actions of my male characters realistic).
I would also like to know how you went about getting your first book published- did it rejected at first, like Harry Potter did? (Because I feel sorry for the poor shmuck that made that decision)
Finally, (I know these are a lot of questions, and I’m sorry that to be taking up so much of your time, but I just have to ask) how do you feel your voice as a writer has evolved over time? By that, I mean have you looked back on what you wrote in The Outsiders and find yourself disagreeing with what you said or feeling like some of it was young and ill-advised? Or do you think that was what you wrote still holds true? I know many authors find that as they get older, they look back on their past writing and realize how much they’ve changed (for better or for worse) as a person.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these long open ended questions! I’m really a huge fan of your work and getting a chance to ask questions to such a great author is as cool as getting to go on a date with Johnny Depp
Stay gold,
Colleen

[Jenni]

Hello Ms. Hinton,

I am a big fan of your books. I can gladly say your are my favorite author and that some of your books are my favorite books. Some questions I have for you are:

1. How do you overcome writer's block? I am a writer as well and struggle with writer's block from time to time and struggle to push past it at times.
2. Do you think your writing style has change from your first book you wrote to the latest book you wrote? If yes, how so?

[Sarah]

Hi! I just want to say I love all of your books and you are amazing. My only question is if you are ever planning to attend the festival of books at USC in Southern California.

You rock!
-Sarah Medina

[Lis]

Hi! My name is Lisa. I have read many of your books. The Outsiders, Tex, Rumble Fish, That Was Then This is Now, are some of them.

What I want to know is:

1. What was your inspiration for Tex, which, aside from The Outsiders, is my favorite book of yours?

2. How did you ever decide to start writing? Did the words just come out or did you study up, or both?

3. I know why, but why did you have to kill Johnny?

Thank you for listening and for writing Tex and The Outsiders, which both really meant a lot to me and changed the way that I looked at books as a child. They are truly classic novels.

Thanks again,
Lisa

[Tammy]

I am a big fan of all your books. I recently reread That was Then, This is Now. I love the Outsiders as many others have expressed. Your books are a collection I will never let go of!

[Brenda]

Hello, Ms. Hinton! My name is Brenda. I just wanted to say that I read The Outsiders in seventh grade and I loved it.

[Eugenia]

Ms Hinton, your books (especially The Outsiders) were the first books about people that I could relate to. I am re-reading them right now and saw on IMDB that when Rob Lowe asked you during the filming of the movie version of The Outsiders what happened to Sodapop, you said that he died in Vietnam. :( What happened to Ponyboy and Darry and how did they manage to get along without Soda? (Also what happened to Tex by the time of Taming the Star Runner?)

Thank you so much. I can't begin to thank you enough for what you did for me as a child with your writing.

With much love,
Eugenia Beh

[Sandy]

Hello, Ms. Susan Hinton!

I have to say I am obsessed with The Outsiders and in love (yes, this is how I live my life)with your characters. I love your other books too. I was just wondering if there was an inspiration behind each character and their names? Also, do you have a favorite character, either as a friend or a little more? I am a 12 year old fan who believes that you have helped us, all the kids who needed a little something, all the Johnny Cade's, the Dallas Winston's, the Steve Randle's, and all the other characters. "I could picture hundreds and hundreds of boys living on the wrong sides of cities, boys with black eyes who jumped at their own shadows. Hundreds of boys who maybe watched sunsets and looked at stars and ached for something better. I could see boys going down under street lights because they were mean and tough and hated the world, and it was too late to tell them that there was still good in it, and they wouldn't believe you if you did." Thanks for helping me for an explanation.

With Love,
A Dallas Winston Of The World

[Eliza]

Hello! I have always admired (as a girl) how well you seemed to understand the point of view of the male gender in "The Outsiders." How did you do it?
Also, were the events in "The Outsiders" based on anything that actually transpired in your life?

[Sandy]

Also,

Do you ever read fanfictions on your books? Here's a link if you ever want to take a look at the kids you've shown something and inspired: http://www.fanfiction.net/book/Outsid... Some of theses people admire you so much.

With Love,
A Dallas Winston Of The World

[Thida]

Hi, I'm Thida from Cambodia. I'm fifteen and I never know you until my Reading Language Arts teacher introduces the Outsiders to our class. I really love it! It's my favorite book. It gives me a lot of inspiration and teaches me to look at people further inside. After reading it, I feel like I understand people around me better and try my best to make to learn about them when they act differently from me. I hope I can read your other books as well, but I couldn't get one because our school is in the country and I don't know if any is available in my town, Siem Reap. I don't know why, but I am just against ebooks,I don't like to read stories from ebooks, but it doesn't matter, I will try to find one. I just want to tell you that I LOVE the Outsiders. I want to ask a question too:
1. How did you shape up individual character?
Thank you! I'm so excited about this, and nervous too, I guess. :)

[Sam]

Hi! This is a thrill, you are my favorite author ever. I love all of your books, especially The Outsiders. It really spoke to me on a person level (:

If I may ask, how do you stay inspired? Also, what is your writing process.

Much love, Sam from Seattle
p.s. You are my idol!

[Kathy]

Hi! I read The Outsiders for school and saw the movie! It was fantastic :) How does it feel to have a movie made after your book? How much of a say in the movie did you get, or not at all? Did you think that the book was well represented, or would you have changed anything? How do you think you've grown as a writer from your very first published book until now?
Thanks!

[Sue]

Was there a downside for you in finding success at such a young age?

[Leanne]

We studied your novels in high school and I loved them. I passed that love on to my son. I have always wondered what you thought of the movie versions of your novels.

[Mike]

Hi Ms. Hinton,

The Outsiders was a life-changing novel for me. It ignited a lifelong passion for reading within me that has only intensified over time and I can't thank you enough for that gift.

With that said, you’ve spent a career writing, masterfully, in adult-fiction. I was wondering, what advice do you have on accurately representing teenage life in writing? Was it easier, almost like memoir, when you were writing as a teenager? Did you find it more difficult to write about it as an adult? What made you want to stick with that particular genre throughout your career?

Thank you for your excellent work as a writer and for taking the time to answer these questions.

Sincerely,
Mike Wilson

[Tammy]

I just wanted to say that I love your books and read them all as a child. My kids have read some of them now too. I'm grateful to you for writing such fantastic books that hold the test of time!

Tammy

[[deleted user]]

Hello, Ms. Hinton.

I've read that you were involved in every aspect of making The Outsiders and that you were very close to the cast. My first question is: Have you kept in contact with any of them? Secondly, I was wondering if you have any favorite authors or books you'd care to recommend?

Thank you so much for writing books worth reading.
Sarah

[Sarah]

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 for making my teens far more enjoyable.

Sarah Long

[Angie]

I read all your books as a teenager, and to my delight, they made That was then, This is Now, into a film with the Brat Pack, eg Matt Dillon,. Patrick Swayze and I cried,. when the poem Stay Gold is read out,I went through a box of tissues, Did they portray. the characters they way you wanted. ? thanks

[Mika]

Wow um okay. I guess I'm just gonna put a question out there. umm... how hard is it to get a book published and what is the process behind getting it published? I'm just wondering. Another question how many books have you written? (fails included) So, yeah. That ends that. I read The Outsiders. It was a really good book. Great writing!

[Cetta]

Hi Ms Hinton, My name is Connie. I am a massive fan. I live in a suburb called Salisbury, north of Adelaide, South Australia. The demographic ranges from lower socioeconomic to middle class. Growing up I read most of your books and was able to draw comparisons with your characters in my own life. We all had a Ponyboy in our lives. I love the song by Stevie Wonder and the beautiful poem from Frost. Your writing touched so many people from different walks of life. How does it feel to know that you're work moved so many, and guided them in a positive way?

[Jen]

Hi Susan,
My name is Jen Mech. I have worked in a public library for the last nine years, and here's my story. I hated to read until the fifth grade. All of my friends were reading R.L. Stine's Fear Street, and before that it was Goosbumps and Ann M. Martin's Babysitter's Club. I didn't enjoy the books written for kids my age and I never saw the appeal of reading for pleasure. That is until we were given an open-ended reading assignment where we could choose any book as long as it met the page requirement. When I told my Mom that I had a choice, she handed me her beat up, well-loved copy of The Outsiders. She had read it as a young woman, then passed it on to my sister, my brother, and then to me. I sat on the couch with a box of tissues and finished it in one sitting. The next morning I asked my mother to drive me to the public library where I found That Was Then, and This is Now (my second favorite), Tex, and Taming the Star Runner. Your books changed the course of my life. Not only did I figure out that you don't have to read a book that features characters your age, but you don't have to read what everyone else is reading. It was a few more years before my friends had the pleasure to pick up your books, but I had already loved the boys for years. Now, I am in charge of ordering the books for the Young Adults all the way through the brand new babies, and helping match kids to the book that may change their lives. Could you have ever imagined at sixteen that you had the power to change one person's life, let alone the millions of lives you have touched worldwide? All I can say is thank you for changing mine and the face of fiction for the young. What advice would you give teens to inspire them to dream big?

[[deleted user]]

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,

[Valerie]

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 authors include Jane Austen and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Are there any modern authors that garner your attention and esteem, and if so, who are they and why?


Also, with your involvement in the shooting of the films for Tex, The Outsiders and Rumblefish, did you make any friendships with the directors and actors in the films that continue today?

Thank you very much!
Valerie

[Jacqueline]

Wow this is such an honor just be a part of this group. I have two questions for Ms. Hinton.

1. What was it like becoming an author at such a young age?

2. What do you think about your books having such a wide reach for both teens and adults?

[Shelleyc]

Is there another novel or other work that you think is a good complement to THE OUTSIDERS? I read THE OUTSIDERS every year with my 7th graders and would love to expand the unit with another read.

[Theresa]

Hello, Ms. Hinton. I love your novels for young adults, as do all of my students; I also liked very much your novel Hawkes Harbor. My question is this: which authors did you most enjoy reading when you were growing up?
Thank you.
Theresa Davidson

[Trevor]

Hey S.E. Hinton! My name is Trevor, and I have read The Outsiders and fell in love with it. I felt like the characters were real, and I was apart of Ponyboy's gang. I have three questions for you. I have heard that you once suffered from the dreaded writer's block. How did you overcome it? The last question is about publishing your book at a younger age than most authors do. How did you publish your book, and was the road to completion difficult because of your young age?

[Tia]

Hello! My name is Tia, and I'm a fan of your writing. My mom got me to read 'The Outsiders' when I was about 13 and complaining that I didn't know what to read. Needless to say the book became my favorite book of all time and got me interested in reading your other works as well.
There are a couple things I've wanted to know, both about the book itself and about being an author in general:

1)Was it hard writing about Johnny and Dally's deaths? How did you go about doing that?

2) When writing a story, how do you keep yourself interested in writing it when you're at a point in the plot that isn't as exciting as the climax or a massive cliffhanger at the ending?

Thank you so much for writing amazing books.
Tia K

[Ax]

Hi! I regularly use your book 'The Outsiders' in my classes and it never fails to make a really big impression on students from very diverse backgrounds.
To what do you attribute this book's enduring appeal?
Do you have a favourite simile/ metaphor/ line which you have written?

[Randi Steers]

S.E. Hinton, you have been and continue to be an inspiration to me as as both a woman, and a writer. I first read your work when I was a young girl. I loved your stories then, and they remain still, my favourites to this day.
You have such an honest way of writing; raw and real. I hope to bring that kind of honesty to my work, and so my questions for you are related to your writing process.

Question 1: Do you have any advice for new writers of today?
Question 2: How would you describe your writing process?
Question 3: Any tricks of the trade?

I would like to thank you for writing the stories that have affected me so, and for the opportunity to ask you a few of the many questions I have for you. You are one of my heroes. I aspire to be a published author one day, and when that day comes, I will owe much to you.

Thank you,

Randi Steers

[Ryan]

Hello Ms. Hinton,

It's a pleasure to get to thank you for your wonderful books. I have read and loved them all. One of my favorites was "That was Then, This is Now." A line that has always stuck with me is “You know what the crummiest feeling you can have is? To hate the person you love the best in the world.”

I really love the character M&M. Was he inspired by anyone in particular?

Thank You!

[Natalie Joy]

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 to take it but I don't know how to get it there! Suggestions?
It is amazing how inspiring your books are.
Thanks!

[Eric]

Whose idea was it to go by S.E.? Was it specifically to hide the fact that you are female? I hate to admit it but as a young teenage boy I read many of your books and I can't say that I would have read them if I saw they were written by a female, at least not when I was that age.

[V]

I loved seeing your guest role on supernatural. It's great seeing such a successful fan be on the show. Have they ever asked you to write an episode?

[Erin]

You started writing (and were published!) at a young age, how has writing changed for you over the years?