S.E HintonEarly Life Susan Eloise Hinton was born in 1950 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and at the age of 17, wrote her first novel, “The Outsiders” while attending high school. Although Susan was not in a gang when she wrote the novel, she was a friend to many Greasers and Socs and once said that the greatest complimentary was that her Greaser friends enjoyed the book. Due to the success of her novel, Hinton was able to attend university where she received a degree for education. She took up teaching soon afterwards but discontinued after discovering that she did not have the stamina nor the time to teach children. She spent all day chasing and all night worrying about them. During this time Hinton met her future husband, David Inhofe, in a freshman biology class and was inspired by him to write her second book, “That Was Then, This is Now” which was published in 1971. Hinton later on went to publish many other books and in the process received over 30 awards for her works. Writing Style S.E. Hinton's writing can be described as fun, exciting, youthful. In fact she has often times been referred to as "the voice of youth". Hinton, displeased with the way Young Adult novels were written decided to act on her feelings and give her example of how a novel for younger adults should be in her first novel, The Outsiders. She tries to connect with her younger readers and writes in a way that they can relate to. Hinton uses foreshadowing, epistolary, and vernacular or “fancy words” in order to draw readers in and keep them interested. Epistolary meaning that she writes in a way that is relatable, easy to understand. When Hinton writes she writes as if she is writing a letter to a friend, pen pal or family member. In fact we see that form of writing in The Outsiders and can’t help thinking that it might possibly be the reason that the novel is adored and cherished by all. I'm a very private person, and I'm very uncomfortable talking about my personal life, but a few facts: My hobby is horse-back riding; I've shown both jumping and dressage. I read constantly, and occasionally take a class at the university not for credit - it's more fun when you don't have to take the tests! A writer's life is not very exciting - usually you're alone in a room with your tools - paper, pen, imagination. (I usually write long-hand first, then put it on a computer.) I walk the dog, ride my horse, wander the grocery store wondering what to cook for dinner. So much for my glamorous life. I have a great husband, a wonderful son; I won't invade their privacy by saying any more. Unless I want to write about them. - S.E Hinton |