Ask S.E. Hinton - Monday, June 17th! discussion

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 yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Hi, my name is Eden and I've been a fan of S.E. Hinton ever since I read The Outsiders when I was 13 or 14. Afterwards, I bought every book I could find by S.E. Hinton.

I also started writing because of S.E. Hinton. After reading The Outsiders is when I realized what I wanted to do with my life is write and so I want to be an author. S.E. Hinton has been one of my biggest inspirations and so that leads me to my question for S.E. Hinton...

Who is your biggest inspiration? Is there an author or someone else in your life that inspired you to become a writer?

I'm Jack and I loved the book The Outsiders. How did you come up with the idea?

Hello. I'm an 8th grade English teacher in middle Georgia. It's difficult finding novels for my students without some parents becoming offended at drug/sex references and/or language. It's tiresome. Any suggestions? I'm asking you because I teach THE OUTSIDERS every year without issue. Its language and drinking references don't offend - it's well-loved by parents and kids alike.

Did you ever expect your books especially The Outsider's to shape so many young lives and how do you feel about it?

Thanks for doing this, when I got the e-mail I was giddy with excitement! I have already made my own kids read through some of your works. Thank you, much respect from Canada :)

I'm a big fan of yours books! I was wondering if you based any characters from them off of people you knew or know in real life. Thank you!

How much of your work is based on your own life experiences? I've been a huge fan of yours since I was eleven years old and I received a copy of The Outsiders for Christmas.

What advice would you give to budding novelists?

I thank you for years of reading pleasure!

When you first read the Outsiders, what did you think of the story as a reader, rather than as an Author?. I've read it once a year since I was 13 and i'll be 40 next month, so its the oldest book i own, thank you.

Hello . I am jessica. i am now 21. the putsiders was suggested to me by a teacher in 7th grade. it was love at first read. i then went back and read ALL of your books [including hawks harbor) i am now thw proud owner of all of them INCLUDING the movies for outsiders and runmblefish (still trying to track down tex) my favorite book was tex. YOU ARE MY IDOL and it is so cool to know you might actually read this.

I know you probably heard this alot but:

How do you feel to know your books have touched so many lives?


xxx Jessica

Hi Susie,
I still have my signed copy of The Outsiders and I have followed your career ever since I left Tulsa University. I hope you are doing well - are you still in Tulsa?

Just wanted to say I read all your books in middle school and I loved them so much! I remember being so thrilled that you were a female writer who wrote stories that weren't just fluffy girly books like Sweet Valley High or something (not that there's not a place for those types of books too), there was something so real about the characters in your books that made them feel so much more important during those teen years of my life. You were one of the first authors that really made me want to be come a writer and helped further my love of the written word. Thank you!

You've said that after the events in The Outsiders Ponyboy becomes an author and Sodapop dies in Vietnam. What happens to Darry, Steve, and Two-bit after The Outsiders?

Wow! I am FREAKING out excited about this! The Outsiders is my all time favorite book and without it and S.E. Hinton I wouldn't have ever gotten into writing myself. Hinton has been such an inspiration, especially upon finding out how young she was when she wrote "The Outsiders" - of course I love all her books! Thank you so much, Miss Hinton for this amazing opportunity and discussion... I'll have to think of some good questions!

Hi Susie! I read outsiders for my 7th grade year (now I'm a freshman) and I also saw the film and bought it. We're you very straight forward with how you wanted the film,because it was really similar to the book? Thank you so much! (I also read Tex & Rumblefish)

I'm a big fan and my students just love your novels. How do you feel about how young adult novels have become so popular and where do you see this type of literature developing in the future?

I just ran across my copy of The Outsiders which I read approximately twelve times. I even had the first paragraph memorized at one point. I know Frost's poem by heart because of this book.

I would like to know how involved you were in the making of your movies. I know you have a cameo in The Outsiders, but at one point, many of your books were turned into film. Were you involved at the ground level? Or did they consult you at all?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I read your book The Outsiders when I was 13 or 14 while attending an Irish catholic school in India. I would read and re-read that book so many times as a teenager, such beautiful writing. In many ways it informed me about life in the USA. Although I am not a writer by profession your book influenced my writing in so many ways. I still remember the first line ...
When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home .....

That's when I first heard of Paul Newman :-)

Wow, I'm a little star-struck right now. I read The Outsiders as a teenager and it is one of the books that influenced me to share my love of literature as a English teacher. What advice would you give to teachers who want to ignite the passion for reading in our students, considering the many obstacles we face today?

I'm a Tulsa, Oklahoma girl. Will Rogers H.S. Grew up right by where the Outsiders movie was filmed. Now, I play golf and have a caddie who is a writer, as well. ALL...he ever wants to talk about is you and your books. You inspired him to try his hand at writing. I don't have a question for you but just wanted you to know. Thank you...he's wonderful man who is living his dream...because of you.

I can honestly say you made me proud to be born and raised as an okie :) I live in broken arrow and I loved seeing all of the things I see now that I saw in the movie especially with all the really famous actors! It's amazing! God I just love your books!

The Outsiders is hands down my favorite book ever, and I've read a lot of your other books since then. I would just love to know what inspires you to write.

I am a huge fan of both The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now. I have read The Outsiders so many times throughout my life, I am pretty sure I could probably recite most of it start to finish without even opening the book. I wonder, what books inspired you to write? I would also love to know what young adult fiction that has come out over the years that you have come to love?

Hello Ms. Hinton! My question is: what do you think of today's youth (let's say, current high school students)? They strike me as less maladjusted and disaffected as when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s, but I'm curious to see if you notice any characteristics. On a related note, if "The Outsiders" were to be written today, what would be the major differences in terms of characters or plot, if any?

Hello! First of all, thank you for this opportunity! The Outsiders is one of the most memorable books from my childhood; there is something about the story and the way you write that just sticks with you!

I've noticed that the main characters in your books are males ... being a female author, is it challenging to write a story from the perspective of the opposite sex? Is there a reason you choose to do so?

I'm Marissa, I read the Outsiders a year ago and it completely changed me. I use to hate to read but then now all I do is read. It opened so many doors for me and started so many relationships for me. My question is how much has popular writing style changed over the years in your opinion? And do you personally like it?

I just want to thank you too the Outsider's changed my life and without it I wouldn't have met the most important person in my life. So really thank you... Thank you for saving my life.

I read the book as a teenager and loved the movie adaption.
The world has moved a long way since then with gadgets and the way we all communicate. A book is no longer just a printed paper object as it was when I learned to love reading.
How has the advance of technology changed the way you write?
Do you still prefer a book to hold when you read?

I'll skip over the how I read The Outsiders when I was a kid and how I still have it and read it to this day since so many others have said the same thing. I'm trying to get my niece to read them now.

Is it true you are a HUGE fan of Supernatural? And if so, are you planning to write something paranormal now? I would love it if you did. Supernatural is the best show ever, just like The Outsiders is and will always be the best YA book ever.

Hi Susie: no questions except how are you? I was part of the Mimi Kayden,Suzanne Glazer library promo group: first at Random House in the late '70's,and then Bantam in the '80's and Scholastic in the '90's..until being promoted got in the way of my spending time with my favorite authors.
You remain one of my favorite authors. With fond regards,

Doris Bass

As a middle school student, I fell in love with the boys in The Ousiders. They became my friends, and I felt like I was a part of their story. As a middle school teacher, I hand the kids in my class The Outsiders when they tell me they have nothing to read. I only have to do it once, and then it travels around the class. I've always wanted to write something that makes kids feel like The Outsiders does.

The kids are always surprised that a teenage girl wrote the book. How do you think your age and gender affected your writing?

Is there anything you would change in your books now, as an adult, since you were a young woman when you wrote the book?

Thank you, as a reader and a teacher, for giving us such a wonderful book.

Hello, Ms. Hinton! Thanks so much for participating in this discussion.

I've heard that your book 'The Outsiders' is occasionally banned for containing profanity, teenaged violence, and alcohol. What does it feel like to have your book banned, and what are your thoughts on book banners in general?

I read The Outsiders as a class assignment in eigth grade. I was wonderig where did you get the inspiration for the book?

I read The Outsiders when I was in middle school and then again more recently and appreciated it even more the second time around. I have it in my high school library and a number of my students have read it and other books by S.E. Hinton. My question is if a book is written as realistic fiction, is there a point at which it becomes historical fiction? My students really enjoy The Outsiders but view it more as historical fiction because of the time in which it is set.

Hello! Many of your books have been made into films, during which you seemed to be at least partially part of the process. Was it mostly frustrating or upsetting to watch the transformation into film, or did you enjoy it overall?

I've read "The Outsiders" as a high school requirement, university requirement, and for personal enjoyment. My question is: how hard was it for you to learn how to write a novel/novella while you were still in high school?

Thank you for your time, and hope to be available on Monday to "speak" with you.

A. Hotzler

Firstly I would like to say a big hello! Your writing transformed me as a teenager...you transported me to this world of excitement and adventure! The characters in your books, from my ever favorite The Outsider to Tex, were so....raw and relateable! Are the characters you created inspired by people you've met or knew of? Just wondered if the characters and stories had a personal/emotional attachment?

I read "The Outsiders" when I was 13 as a class reading assignment, and i have to say I loved it. My question is, What gave you the idea to writing this novel?

How did you get your first book looked at by a publisher? Do you think the process was easier 45 years ago?

Hi Ms. Hinton! Thanks so much for taking your time and answering our questions.

I read The Outsiders two years ago in my 7th grade English class, and really liked it. I was really surprised when I found out you were just a teenager when you wrote the book, and I was inspired. I absolutely love to write. The way you wrote The Outsiders was like you were an adult, and it was amazing. I just have two questions, what inspired you (other than the gangs) to write such an amazing novel? And, as a female author, was it hard to write in the point of view of the opposite sex?

Thanks again!

Just a comment at this moment. I used The Outsiders with high school struggling readers for many years. Students always enjoyed the story. I consider the book a classic! Thanks S.E. Hinton.

I am so excited to hear your responses to the questions asked of you. The Outsiders is a classic book. It was s defining book in my reading career and I am now 53. DO you ever feel that the rest of your work was lost due to the almost cult status of The Outsiders?

This is really cool. Can't believe we can ask S.E. Hinton some questions.

My question has to deal with dialogue. When I was reading all your books, I really liked how natural the dialogue sounded. Was this hard to accomplish or did it come naturally?

I teach 8th grade English in Memphis, TN, and my students LOVE The Outsiders. Even the most reluctant readers--the kids who tell me they absolutely hate to read--are surprised at how much they like this book.

Two questions my students always ask--
1. Why did you give Dally and Darry such similar names?
2. Why aren't there more prominent girl characters? (We make movie trailers every year and the girls always wish there were more parts for girls. )

Thank you for writing a book that fosters a love of reading! You have changed countless lives!

Hello Ms. Hinton- I am a huge fan! My question is about authors- who were some of your favorites as a teenager, and are there any current authors you think are capturing teen issues like you did in The Outsiders?

The Outsiders is my all time favorite book, and I am an avid reader! I even named my kindle Ponyboy.

How did you come up with the unusual names Ponyboy and Sodapop?

Ms. Hinton, I would just like to say I am a huge fan. The Outsiders is both my mom's and my favorite book!

My questions would be:
1.) what inspires you to write?
2.) How did you come up with the name Ponyboy? Is there a story behind it?

And my mom would like to ask:

If there was a remake of the movie the Outsiders, who would you pick to be the main characters?

Hello Ms. Hinton,
I am a younger fan and I have to say that The Outsiders and Rumblefish were both fantastic. How did you get inspired about writing so much about gangs and other rough topics?
Thank you

Hi Ms. Hinton! My name is Emily, and I am a huge fan of your books, especially 'The Outsiders'. There are two things I've always wanted to know while I was reading the novel, and now while I reflect on the novel;

1. How did you come up with the unique names in the book 'The Outsiders'?
2. Is there anything you wish or would want to change in 'The Outsiders' ,if you could write the book over again?

Thank you so much for all your amazing books you've written. You truly are one of my favorite authors of all time. You've really changed my prospective on many things, and you've given a voice to all the outsiders that have ever lived.

Thanks again,
Emily Boyer

Your work and other early young adult works of literature feature strong male lead characters. So why do think today's YA lit features so many female heroic characters?

P.S. Thank you for starting the YA Revolution!

Hello, Ms. Hinton, it's nice of you to be here for all of us, thanks! I have one, two-part question for you concerning Rumble Fish: Does the Motorcycle Boy have a real name and if so what is it? I'm sure I'm not the only who wonders, so please let us know if you can. Thank you!

Dear S.E. Hinton,
Ever since I read The Outsiders I was amazed. I read it so many times my father had to make me take a break from it. Since then I've read Tex,Rumble Fish, and That Was Then and This Is Now. Was it difficult in writing the books or were they actually real life scenarios you or someone you knew went through? After I read the books I started to get fascinated in becoming an author like yourself. Any pointers? And was it hard writing in a male point of view or was it easier?
Thank You,.