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S. E. Hinton Quotes

Powerful S. E. Hinton for Daily Growth

About S. E. Hinton

Susan Eloise Hinton, born on July 22, 1948, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a renowned American author who made her literary debut at the tender age of 17 with the groundbreaking novel 'The Outsiders' in 1967. This coming-of-age story set in a fictionalized version of Tulsa explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the struggles faced by adolescents from different socio-economic backgrounds. Hinton drew inspiration for her work from personal experiences growing up in the working-class neighborhood of North Tulsa, where she observed the societal divide between greasers (working class) and socs (socialites). This dynamic was reflected in 'The Outsiders,' which became a bestseller and has since been considered a classic of young adult literature. Hinton's second novel, 'Rumor Mill,' was published in 1975, and although it did not achieve the same level of success as her debut, it still showcases Hinton's knack for exploring complex teenage emotions. In 1988, Hinton returned to the world of the Greasers with 'That Was Then, This Is Now,' which further solidified her reputation as a master storyteller. Hinton continued writing throughout her life, producing works such as 'Tex' (1990) and 'Taming the Star Runner' (2008). She also ventured into screenwriting, collaborating on the 1983 film adaptation of 'The Outsiders.' Despite a relatively small body of work, Hinton's impact on young adult literature is immeasurable. Her stories continue to resonate with readers, offering insights into the complexities and challenges faced by teenagers, while also celebrating the power of friendship and the enduring spirit of youth.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There are people in the world who super size on love. Not me."

This quote suggests that the speaker is not someone who requires or consumes an excessive amount of love. They prefer a balanced, reasonable, and perhaps modest amount of love in their relationships, as opposed to those who may have a larger emotional appetite or need for affection. It implies that they are content with a selective, thoughtful approach to love, rather than indulging in it on a grand scale.

"That was a bad night, that was a really bad night when I realized I could lose everything in the world I cared about."

This quote by S.E. Hinton captures a moment of profound realization and fear. The speaker has come to understand that they stand to lose everything they hold dear, their entire world, which makes the night in question "really bad". It highlights a universal human experience of facing imminent loss or change, a situation where one's emotional attachments and security are at stake.

"I'd rather be a somebody than a nobody. Even if it means risking everything."

This quote by S.E. Hinton expresses the desire for personal significance, for being known and recognized as an individual, rather than living a life of obscurity or insignificance. It suggests that one is willing to take risks and potentially lose everything in order to achieve this recognition, reflecting a strong spirit of ambition, courage, and self-determination. It's about daring to make a mark on the world and not settling for a life without purpose or meaning.

"Time's a funny thing, you can't touch it or hold it but it passes anyway."

This quote emphasizes the intangible nature of time, something we cannot physically grasp or control, yet it continues to pass relentlessly. It serves as a reminder that time is an essential aspect of our existence, shaping our experiences, relationships, and personal growth, regardless of whether we actively engage with it or not. The passage of time is inevitable, immutable, and universal, making it one of life's most enduring constants.

"You can't change the way you feel with just one kiss. I found that out for myself the hard way."

This quote suggests that a single act, like a kiss, may provide temporary relief or pleasure, but it cannot fundamentally alter deep-seated feelings within a person. The speaker learned this lesson through personal experience, implying that one should not rely on fleeting moments for long-lasting emotional change, as the root causes of emotions often require more time and effort to address.

When I was young, all the books were about a Mary Jane and the football player and the prom and ending up with the quiet guy and making your mom happy.

- S. E. Hinton

Football Player, Making, Prom

I think that 'The Outsiders' was meant to be written, and I was just picked to write it.

- S. E. Hinton

Think, I Think, Meant, Picked

I was a 'young adult' when I wrote 'The Outsiders,' although it was not a genre at the time. It's an interesting time of life to write about, when your ideals get slammed up against reality, and you must compromise.

- S. E. Hinton

Young, Against, About, Adult

My characters are fictional. I get ideas from real people, sometimes, but my characters always exist only in my head.

- S. E. Hinton

Always, Real People, Fictional

My goal from being a child was to have a happy home life.

- S. E. Hinton

Happy, Goal, Being, Home Life

More people thought I was strange because I was a teenage novelist, not because I was from Oklahoma. That's where I got the looks like I was from the zoo.

- S. E. Hinton

Thought, Like, More People, Novelist

I grew up with my cousins, who were as close as brothers, and frankly, I didn't like what girls were expected to do. I liked horseback riding, playing football, going to rodeos. I wanted to be in jeans all the time, and I couldn't figure out why I was supposed to conform to a certain standard, so I didn't.

- S. E. Hinton

Why, Brothers, Standard, Horseback

I go straight from thinking about my narrator to being him.

- S. E. Hinton

Go, Straight, About, Narrator

Movies can't ruin books. They can only ruin movies.

- S. E. Hinton

Movies, Only, Books, Ruin

'The Outsiders' died on the vine being sold as a drugstore paperback.

- S. E. Hinton

Sold, Drugstore, Outsiders, Paperback

I have no idea why I write. The old standards are: I like to express my feelings, stretch my imagination, earn money.

- S. E. Hinton

Like, Idea, I Write, Feelings

I just felt being part of my peer group so strongly. I was immersed in teen culture, but not taken in by it.

- S. E. Hinton

Part, Being, Felt, Group

Since I am first of all a character writer, that character's emotions are as vivid to me as my own. I always begin with an emotion after I have established a character in my mind. I feel what they feel. I guess that is why it comes across so strongly.

- S. E. Hinton

Own, Why, Feel, Vivid

If people want to find me, they can. They'll see a middle-aged woman wandering around the grocery store, looking to see what to buy for dinner.

- S. E. Hinton

Woman, Want, Buy, Middle-Aged

'The Outsiders' cast in particular was a joy to be around - sweet kids, normal goofy teenagers off camera and serious artists on. They were great. I never got them mixed up with the characters, though. Each of them had his own strong personality.

- S. E. Hinton

Strong, Own, Goofy, Camera

If you enjoy reading something, read it.

- S. E. Hinton

Reading, Enjoy, Read, Enjoy Reading

Sometimes, I feel like I spent the first part of my life wishing to be a teen-age boy, and the second part condemned to being one.

- S. E. Hinton

My Life, Sometimes, Like, Condemned

I like having a private name and a public name. It helps keep things straight.

- S. E. Hinton

Private, Straight, Having, Helps

How a piece ends is very important to me. It's the last chance to leave an impression with the reader, the last shot at 'nailing' it. I love to write ending lines; usually, I know them first and write toward them, but if I knew how they came to me, I wouldn't tell.

- S. E. Hinton

Love, Very, Reader, Lines

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.

- S. E. Hinton

Mind, Stepped, Paul Newman, Paul

The thing is, the Tulsa experience that I wrote about in 'The Outsiders' is closer to the universal experience than it would be if I wrote it from L.A. or New York. It's an everyman story.

- S. E. Hinton

New, About, Wrote, Everyman

Any writer who gives a reader a pleasurable experience is doing every other writer a favor because it will make the reader want to read other books. I am all for it.

- S. E. Hinton

Doing, Other, Read, Gives

I do feel that the boys are getting left out. Girls will read boys' books, but boys won't read girls' books. If you're writing for a girl, you've got most of the audience on your side anyway.

- S. E. Hinton

Audience, Side, Read, Anyway

My mother was physically and emotionally abusive. My father was an extremely cold man.

- S. E. Hinton

Mother, Father, Physically, Emotionally

When I see a movie with someone it's kind of uncomfortable.

- S. E. Hinton

See, Someone, Movie, Uncomfortable

I was a tomboy and most of my close friends were male.

- S. E. Hinton

Close Friends, Most, Were, Tomboy

Naturally, everything boils down to relationships in my books.

- S. E. Hinton

Relationships, Naturally, Boils

Anything you read can influence your work, so I try to read good stuff.

- S. E. Hinton

Work, Try, Read, Stuff

My husband and I get along great. We're both introverts, and it's hard to make new friends.

- S. E. Hinton

Great, Friends, New, Husband

I grew up here and my friends are here. There's nothing wrong with here.

- S. E. Hinton

Nothing, Here, Up, Grew

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