Ask S.E. Hinton - Monday, June 17th! discussion
Click here to ask S.E. Hinton!
Greetings, Ms. Hinton!I am a 6th grade reading teacher at Gary Comer Middle School on the south side of Chicago. This year in class we studied Rumble Fish - and even named our class pet fish Rusty-James! For the summer, the rising 7th graders will read The Outsiders, and we'll discuss it when they return to school in the Fall.
On the last day of school, I invited my students to ask you a question, and am posting five of my favorites here:
1. Why did you write both Rumble Fish and The Outsiders as flashbacks? (Anya Smith)
2. Would you like to see Rumble Fish or The Outsiders made into a graphic novel? What is your opinion of literature made into graphic novels and graphic novels as a genre? (Marco Robertson)
3. What book would you recommend for a rising seventh grader to read? (Alexis Glasper)
4. What would you be doing if you weren't a writer? (Quansaa Gordon)
5. In Rumble Fish, did you intend for the reader to sympathize with Rusty-James and do you think all his fighting was justified? (Asanti Akbar)
Thanks very much!
Ross Knorr
Hi S.E. Hinton!!!I want to start off saying you are my favorite author. I absolutely love The Outsiders, I fell in love with each and everyone of the characters. They help me make tough decisions and I love sitting down with the book if I am having a rough day. I can't even express how much the book has helped me and will help me in the future. I know a lot of people think my love of The Outsiders may just seem like a fangirl obsession, but it truly is more than that. I have learned something from each of the characters and I will carry that through life.
I just finished reading, That was Then, This is Now. I loved it, but at the same time I hated it. I do understand that Bryon was in an odd frame of mind when he called the cops on Mark, but I have a best friend, and I could never imagine doing something like that. I can't help but think maybe he did the right thing though. So my first question is, maybe you could give me a little insight to how Bryon's decision truly affected Mark. Would he have ended up in jail anyways, possibly because of something else?
Second question... All of your books have a true meaning to them, something that makes people think. So I was wondering how you come up with the inspiration for your books? And if you are writing anything else at the moment? I hope to be able to write something that really makes people think and feel, but I just haven't had that type of inspiration yet.
Also, I read somewhere that you failed your first creative writing class. Not sure if that is true or not. But I recently auditioned for a school of the arts, my art being creative writing. I got in!! I am thrilled, but at the same time I'm afraid I'm going to get tired of writing, and it will seem like, just school work. I really hope that doesn't happen. Do you have any advice for me when it comes to writing?
Sorry this was so long, but I just had so much to say. I hope you can reply.
Thank you!!!
Maddie D.
P.S. I heard you like the TV show Supernatural! That is my favorite show! Not many people have heard of it, which saddens me that they are missing out on such greatness, haha. Oh, and what is your opinion of Sam's hair? I honestly liked it better in the first season.
Did you purposely try to make The Outsiders, That Was Then This Is Now, Rumble Fish, Tex, and Taming the Star Runner all connect? The books have reoccurring characters, reference to events in the other books, and all the books at one point are located in Tulsa. The books can be also be considered epilogues to each other such as The Outsiders epilogue would be That Was Then, This Is Now since it shows what happens a year later after Johnny killed Bob.
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 Outsiders and loved the loop effect of the story done by repeating opening line. My question is: What are your plans, if any, for a new book?
Don't have a question. I lived these books as many commenters seem to have. Along with Bruce Lee, Charles Bronson and the Outsiders, nothing was cooler in the early 70s. Translation was difficult in Fairbanks, AK, especially at 50 below, but we didn't care. Then I read That Was Then This Is Now in ninth grade and the ending blew my mind. Nooooooo. Stong storytelling never dies. Thank you.
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 Zealand.
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 the design of their covers but I wondered if you do or if you had any favourites that you feel represent the novels?
Best wishes,
Katie
www.rumblefishonline.com
I am an eighth grade LA teacher, and am currently teaching "The Outsiders" in summer school. This book is my ABSOLUTELY favorite, and every time I read it, I feel like I am revisiting old friends. I have read, and saw the movie more times than I can count. No other novel can compare to "The Outsiders" in regards to character development. And, I get just as distraught when Dally dies as I did when I read it for the first time.I had the honor to meet you when you spoke at the IRA conference in Canada a few years back, and I have a question in regards to "That was then, This is Now". Did Bryon feel remorse for what he did to Mark and Cathy? Every time I read this book, I get so angry, it just seems so unfathomable to me how Bryon could get so cold, and yet I think that is the emotion you wanted the reader to feel. Despite my love/hate relationship with this book, it too is one of my all time favorite books.
Thank you so much for being a part of my teenage years; I learned so much from Ponyboy, Johnny and especially Dally.
Lorie Zeiger
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 your work. However, if you could tell teachers using your novel as a main text (as I'm sure there are many of us out there) anything, what would it be? Is there anything you dislike that teachers do when covering your book? Anything you wish teachers would do more or consider?
Also, any advice to endeavoring authors out there - whether they be young teenagers or their teachers?
I have truly witnessed young people changed by your novel (even my sister and her best friend nicknamed themselves Pony Boy and Johnny!), so thank you for this gift!
Warmly,
Caroline Anderson
What's your favorite movie adaptation based on your work?
Hi S.E. Hinton! My name is Casey and I am in middle school. I just finished reading the Outsiders about a week ago in English class and loved it. It's my favorite book that I read in school. We also saw the movie and I thought it was pretty good too. I have a couple questions for you.1. What's your favorite book you've written? Is it the Outsiders or is that just the most popular?
2. If someone told you right after you wrote this book that generations after you would be reading it, would you believe them?
3. If you were the director of the Outsiders, what would change about the movie?
4. There are a lot of themes in the Outsiders, which was the one you want people to walk away with?
5. Do you have any tips to aspiring writers?
Thank you so much for reading this. Sorry I asked a lot of questions. Hopefully over the summer I will get the chance to read some of your other books. I am really excited to start That was Then, This is Now.
Congrats on getting your books on ebooks!
Casey
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 you write or is the event firmly established in an outline or in your mind before you begin the story? For example - the fight and stabbing at the fountain in The Outsiders was so dramatic and seemed really to come out of nowhere and ended rather quickly (as most violence does in real life) yet it set the stage for the rest of the novel, how do you go about creating that kind of magic in a story because it is often overdone and contrived, but it's not in your novels. I ask because I am writing a story and I'm having trouble creating this moment of conflict or challenge - hit a wall so to speak. Thank you for any help you can give me and thank you for all of your fine work over the years.
Hi S.E Hinton! I am only 15 years yet I read this book so many times starting when I was 12 until now. I have watched the movie at least 17 times and counting.
1)Did you have a say in the movie? Some of the scenes in the movie are very different then the book so I was wondering if you were on set watching because I do know you were a nurse to Dallas Winston in it.
2)Does writing come naturally to you?
I have based many of my writing pieces off of all your books: Tex, Taming the Star Runner, Rumble fish etc.
3)How did it make you feel the first time you found out your book, The Outsiders, was being featured in many schools across the U.S?
4) Were you an outsider?
I am a huge fan and your writing is absolutely amazing. I cried like a baby for 13 pages straight in the Outsiders and had to force myself not to during class this year. I know this sounds odd but I know many of the lines even by heart in the movie and book. Rumble Fish is my second favorite and I love how you incorporated Ponyboy into it as a small part.
You have really changed the way I look at the world and I thank you everyday for it.
Best wishes,
Melanie Gulbas
In the Outsiders: did u have a favorite secondary character in the book? If so, who? Do u have a favorite overall?
Cynthia wrote: "Welcome to the group! S.E. Hinton will be answering questions throughout the day on Monday, June 17th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for S.E. or just want to introduce ..."
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 must of been hard being so young and so smart. thanks for your gift, Amy
Hello Ms. Hinton,Thank you so much for agreeing to be part of this chat! I wish I had the words to tell you how much The Outsiders influenced me when I was younger. As the oldest of three girls, I often reflected on what my life would be like if my parents had passed away and I was in charge of raising my younger sisters. My sisters and I agree that our dynamic would have been very similar to that of Ponyboy and his brothers. (I wish I could say I am a Ponyboy, but I know I would definitely be a Darry!)
My question for you is about gender in YA fiction. I am sure you have heard about the recent debate surrounding YA book marketing and whether certain covers make books unappealing to boys, etc. You did such a wonderful job getting into the head of male protagonists; I was wondering what your thoughts are on this idea of "boy books" vs. "girl books"? Do think this is a natural phenomenon or do you think it has been artificially created through gender-based marketing?
Thank you so much for your books, and for introducing me to Robert Frost poetry. The Outsiders will always be one of my favorites!
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 was wondering where do you get ideas for your books? And if you could give any advice to young writers what would it be?
HI, my question for you is what is your favorite young adult books?
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, so quite a few years have passed since that first reading!). I absolutely love everything about the novel!
One of my favorite aspects of The Outsiders is the emotional connection I felt to the characters. What would you say is the best way to convey the emotions of characters (and the emotions you are feeling as a writer) to readers?
Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and for writing such inspiring works!
Sincerely,
Beth Jokisch
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 can be shared with friends draws us together. Please do not give up on REAL books, the loss to future generations of owning your books is a heartbreaker. Bless you.Tami Neilson
Calgary Bookseller
Dear Ms. Hinton,Wow let me say its an honor to have you read this. I only read one book you wrote but loved your writing right away. I read "The Outsiders"just last year and even got to see the movie. It was amazing. What inspired you to become an auther and write the books you wrote. In the stories you wrote did parts of them happen in your life or around you? Is anyone in your family or even friends an auther? Thanks and God bless you and everyone you love. <3 <3 <3
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 it. Of course the movie is brilliant, and I really enjoyed the T.v. series. But the book is solid gold, no pun intended.
I do have a couple of questions. First off, I heard somewhere that Johnny has a connection to Jesus, because they have the same initials, 'J.C.' Could you confirm or deny this?
Also, what do you think of the T.V. Series? Were you part of the writing team for it?
Thanks so much for taking time to answer fan questions.
Dassi
Hello Ms. Hinton. I picked up your book in a flea market in Pakistan about twenty years ago, and I loved it. You introduced me to Robert Frost, and though I couldn't, unfortunately, find more of your books here, I have read and re-read 'The Outsiders' more times than I can remember.I thought you should know, though, that even as far away as Pakistan, your book was immensely popular.
Thank you!
Sabahat Muhammad
Hi Ms.Hinton.First off I just wanted to say i've been a huge fan of your's since i was 11.I wanted to know what inspired to you to write That Was Then This Is Now?
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 that absolutely broke my heart. But I'm so in love with the book.
I'm 15 this year, and I am truly very interested in having further studies in English/Literature. But I get told constantly that I won't be able to get a job. What do you think of this?
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 story published in the University of Tulsa Alumni Magazine, except it wasn't told through the point of view of Rusty-James but Steve. Have you ever thought of releasing that version of the story (because it hasn't been published since the late 60s or early 70s) so that fans can compare the differences and the similarities to the book and then again to the movie. (Love the movie, by the way. Arthouse film for teenagers, genius.) Thanks, Steve. (The name of me and the character is a coincidence. My name is actually Steve. I'm ironically 14 as well but that is beside the point.)
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 characters in these books never really deal with real world social problems or sex, do you think that could be a big plus for parent in the US, or do you find it disturbing?
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 speech on change. Do you feel that society has changed in relation to class inequities since you wrote the book? How would this same story play out today with the technological changes we have experienced?
Thank you for your time today
Vassiliki
Thanks Cynthia for inviting me.Ms. Hinton, it is a true honor for me. As many others have stated, your work made a huge impact on my life. After finding The Outsiders, I flew through everything else of yours, reading each until I could quote passages (and all their movies as well). I felt as if I knew the characters myself. Reading your work also encouraged me to begin to write. You are genuinely gifted to be able to move so many lives. I look forward to sharing your books with my daughters when they get older.
My questions are.... If Ponyboy would have read Johnny's letter earlier and consequently told Dally, would it have made any difference?
How did you feel when the movie That was then, This is now ended so differently than your book? More specifically Bryon didn't turn Mark in.
Also as a woman are you more attracted to "bad boys" or "good guys"?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. It means so much to us. Thank you also for your books, they got me through many rough times.
One of your many greatest fans,
Cindy
I am a junior/senior high librarian. I would like to encourage my students to read your books...what "sales pitch" do you recommend? Also, do you have any UTube videos or other online presentations that I could show my students to promote your titles? Thank you, Carol
Mrs. Hinton: Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!1. In your biography it says that you were not satisfied with the literature that was being written for young adults before you wrote The Outsiders. Which books were you reading in high-school? What do you think was missing from those book that compelled you to write a different kind of book?
2. Now it is required for all authors to be very active marketing their books thru blogs and websites. Do you think that the exposure and recognition authors get with all the media, social media and internet platforms is counterproductive to their writing?
Hi S.E. Hinton,I want to say thanks for doing this. Our language arts class read your book The Outsiders as a class read. The book mesmerized me, I had never read anything like it. After i finished Outsider I That was Then, This is Now. I have two questions for you. Were you living in a place that had the lifestyle of The Outsiders when you wrote it? Also did you like how the Outsiders movie portrayed the characters?
Thanks again, Jessica
I understand that a lot of people are going to ask questions regarding The Outsiders, Tex, Rumble Fish, and their respective tones, situations, characters, and movies, but the first of book of yours that I read was That Was Then, This Is Now. I wanted to ask how you feel about his book getting second fiddle to the "big three?"
The changing nature of Bryon and Mark's friendship in the book really touched me as a teen.
Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I'd like to know which of your books is your favorite and if you have any future plans for writing. I read The Outsiders when I was about 10 and the rest of your books shortly after that. My favorite is Rumble Fish, but I have always enjoyed all the books and cannot wait until my sons are old enough to read them.
I have been teaching "The Outsiders" for the past four years to middle school students and I never tire of reading your book. You are the only author that my students get excited about after I tell them your story; it is so inspiring, not only to those that have a love for writing, but most importantly to those that don't think they can write. "The Outsiders" is one of those rare books that transends time and that all of my students can enjoy. I've always wondered how you were able to get your book published at such a young age and without the support of your teachers? I was also wondering if you have any favorite authors and if you have come across any books out there that you feel could be the next "Outsiders" for today's youth? I am always looking for another novel to teach in addition to "The Outsiders" that will appeal to both genders while being thought provoking and dealing with real issues that teenagers face. Any ideas?
Hi Ms. Hinton,I am 9th grader and i just read The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, and Tex. My favorite was Rumble Fish. I loved the way you wrote about the Motorcycle Boy. I couldn't stop reading it! :) My questions are: Did you know someone like the Motorcycle Boy? or did you just come up with him?
Thanks a bunch for doing this QnA!
Hello Susan,My name is Monica and I'm from Barcelona, Spain. I read The Outsiders for the first time when I was 14 and it really had an effect on me. I cried for the first time reading a book and a love for all the characters grew on me, especially for Ponyboy. I'd say this book made my passion for reading begin! So thank you for the beautiful things I experienced and learned while reading your book, I think every teenager or adult should read it, it opens your eyes.
I'd like to ask you some things:
- I read that you wrote your book after your experience in high school, to make people aware of the problems of both Dandies and Greasers. Do you think these problems still exist between teenagers nowadays?
-Is there any character based on any real person that you met?
Thank you again for writing such a good book that tells so many messages.
Best,
Monica
Hi, I'm Clara! I just wanted to say I love 'The Outsiders'. We had to read it in middle school, but everyone loved it! My big sister had to read it, and when she saw me reading it she said "Oh! That book is awesome!" Even though she didn't remember the plot that well!! Couple Questions for you:1. How did it feel being a female author when female authors were not yet accepted to be writing about a boy?
2. Who is your favorite character of 'The Outsiders'? Why?
3. Did you ever have second thoughts on publishing? Why?
4. Were you hoping that your book would have some kind of effect.
5. If so, what effect?
6. Are you still writing?
7. What was your favorite book to write?
8. Who/What inspired you to be an author?
9. Could you tell us a little bit about your writing process and/or any weird quirks/habits you have while writing?
~I just wanted to say, I'm a huge fan!!! I would love to meet you!!!
Ms. Hinton,I'm not sure if you actually read all of these or just pick some of them at random, however I would like to thank you for introducing me to Robert Frost when you included, "Nothing Gold Can Stay," in 'The Outsiders.'
I know it's the one book everyone has mentioned most frequently, though I believe this is because it is easy for a wide variety of people to relate to on several levels.
I have a few questions to ask you, and if you answer and with your permission, of course, I'd like to post your responses in various forums for literary minds to read.
Writing a hit novel is more difficult than most people think, and it's not always guaranteed that you will be a success in the writing business. What made you decide to choose writing as a professional career?
Many successful authors didn't get their start until their college years, yet you began with 'The Outsiders' when you were in High School. When did you decide that you wanted to become a writer?
As you've seen from previous questions asked all day, you have been an inspiration to many, both readers and writers alike. What advice would you offer presently to the young aspiring authors today?
Thank you so much for your time!
-Jonathon
Hello Ms. Hinton, my name is Raena Matz. I just wanted to let you know I've read all your books, and I loved them. I have a couple questions that I would love to have answered, as long as you have the time. 1) Out of all your books, which one was your favorite to write?
2)Is it harder to write stories, knowing you have all this fame? Do you feel your writing style has changed since you've become more popular?
What I mean is, when you were writing The Outsiders you were a typical High School students, but when you all your other books you had way more fame.
Thank you for your time, I really do appreciate it.
Take care,
Raena Matz
Back in high school one of our assignments in English class was..."If you had the chance to spend a day with anyone of your choosing who would it be and why?" Back then my answer was S.E. Hinton because I wanted to become a writer and "The Outsiders" was of course my favorite book back then...and to this day it still is. Now that I'm a 37 year old woman and if I was asked to answer that same question...my answer would still be the same...with the exception that I'd like to be able to have one last day with my Grandmothers once again as well but no worries, they'd love your company as much as I would. Some of my questions would be...well about your books of course, but I'd also like to know about some of your favorite authors. Also what do you think of the popular books that are out right now for young adults. How much do you think the "YOUNG ADULT" genre has changed from back when you were being published...do you think it's changed for the better or do you miss the innocents that it used to have. If you where to write "The Outsiders" or "That Was Then, This Is Now" in this decade...how different do you think it would be? How hard was it to be taken seriously as a Female writer back then? I'm Native American and grew up on a Reservation and I just gotta say...The Greases and the Soc's can be summed up as the Wellpinit Kids and the West End kids on my Reservation. Your story reminded me so much of how I grew up here on the Rez. LOVE IT
Mod
Luke wrote: "Wow, S.E. Hinton?!?! This place is cool!
Just thought I'd say hello. I read the Outsiders as a 13-year-old and it has really stayed with me. My question is, 'Did you see the Harry Potter / 50 Shad..."
No, I never pay any attention to what is "hot" and
neither should you. The trend will change by the time
you finish your book. Write something YOU want to read!
Mod
P.S. Thank you for starting..."
I like the fact there are more female heroes in YA,
but part of it is the majority of YA readers are female.
I think boys should have something to read, too.
Mod
If you read names for my characters, I don't know.
If you mean names for my stories, sometimes the title
is the last thing I think of, sometimes I have the title
before I have the book.
Mod
Very early I loved animal stories, especially horse
stories. All my early stories were about cowboys &
horses. After that, I just read what interested me.
Of course, all the Margaret Henry books.
Do you consider yourself to have just the right amount of anonymity as an author but still have the level if fame where you can visit your favourite television shows? Do you have any favourite fan websites to visit for your books/movies?
Mod
All my characters are fictional. But all must be some
part of myself, because I'm the filter they have to
go through to be on the page. So, while Ponyboy is
very much like I was at 14, some part of me is the
Motorcycle Boy, too.
Mod
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 d..."
I wanted a cool & epic character! That is the one of
the best things about writing. I loved the movie (I
co-wrote the screenplay with Mr Coppola) and thought
the score added a lot. My fav of my movies.
Ask S.E. Hinton - Monday, June 17th!
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The Outsiders (other topics)
I never cry. Haven't shed a tear in years, except once: the ending of "Hawkes Harbor".
Now please don't take this the wrong way, because I mean this as nothing but praise but I'm a fan of "Dark Shadows", particularly Jason McGuire, who's a huge obsession of mine. I absolutely loved every page of "Hawkes Harbor" (even if you made me cry with Kellen Quinn coming back on a schooner ship!) I consider the backstory of Kellen & Jamie to be the moreorless official backstory of Jason & Willie. You took the basic concept of characters & made them your own, original yet remaining faithful to them completely. I loved it. Is there anything you can tell me about how this book came about? What was your impetus for writing it? Was it a licensing issue that kept you from publishing it as an official Dark Shadows book?
Just wanted to give a shout out of respect & gratitude to you! Thanks for giving me Kellen Quinn & fueling my obsession.
Respectfully,
Jill