Les Norman
Post #4261 – 20160425
April 25, 2016
Dear Daniel,
When I was 11, I checked out a book I'd never heard of before…"Lizard Music". I've always been an avid reader, and through my years as a professional athlete (baseball-MLB/Olympics) I've read many works by many different authors. "Lizard Music" is still my favorite! I am in the process of reading it with my own 11 year old son each night!! Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world…You have created great memories for me from a childhood that didn't have many…and now I can share & create them with my own son! My geeky bio is on my website, lesnorman.com. Be blessed…and thank you again!
Daniel replies:
Lizard Music was the first long fiction piece I did, and after writing it, I did 99 more books of various kinds, most of which were good, and I learned things, but not one of which was as good as Lizard Music! Then, the 100th book, The Neddiad. I mention this because I've described the feeling I had when starting to work on it as like an athlete waking up in the morning knowing he's ready to pitch a perfect game. After you and your son finish with Lizard Music, maybe you'd like to give The Neddiad a try. Let me know if you like it.
Louis Bruneau
Post #4255 – 20160412
April 12, 2016
I just needed to say that your books shaped me into the rotund good-hearted mortal I am today (as well as give me a deeper appreciation of film). That is all.
Daniel replies:
I don't understand. They shaped you? Did your parents make a tiny bassinet out of my books? Were you made to sleep under a cover of books? Did you use them as weights for exercise?
Sage M.
Post #4251 – 20160407
April 7, 2016
First off, I am a huge fan of your work! One of my favorite books of all TIME being "Fat Men From Space" when my mother met my, now step-Father, we got talking about books and he is the only other person I know that is aware of that great work of literature! We share that as a bond now! But the topic of which I am writing; I am a 15 Year old boy from Upstate New York, who is very interested in Buisness! I recently had the idea of writing books for kids on different topics (cooking, buisness, school, etc). I wanted to contact you her and ask, What tips would you have for a brand new writer? And more importantly what advice would you give to me on getting te books published and distributed to stores? Thank you so much!
– Sage 🙂
Daniel replies:
Lemme see, you say you're 15 now. I would suggest that for the next 5 to 10 years you read as much as you can, not only for pleasure and information, but with an eye to seeing how it's done. Also write a lot, trying out different things which you did not know about before. During this period of reading and writing, (and also take walks, play basketball, do schoolwork, whatever...do not be weird), I would not worry about the possible business side. You can look into that when you know much more about writing.
Robin
Post #4252 – 20160407
April 7, 2016
Mr. Pinkwater,
I was just informed that April is national poetry month. Who are some of your favorite poets and poems?
Daniel replies:
I don't really go for the """"name your favorites"""" thing, but for purposes of this forum I will mention Don Marquis, who wrote the archy and mehitabel poems.
fat 21 year old
Post #4249 – 20160407
April 7, 2016
any tips for body acceptance?
Daniel replies:
Here's something I never told before. Everyone has a particular epithet or insult that gets to them. I had a cruel father, who'd snarl """"little elephant!"""" at, to, and about me. It hurt. So when I was 26 I took off for Africa, and hung out with actual elephants. They are pretty admirable and formidable, also wise. And fat! Round! Beautiful. So am I.
Gary
Post #4245 – 20160401
April 1, 2016
Hello Mr Pinkwater,
My good friend is an author and today she lamented that, after a productive, 2000 word morning, her cat walked across the keyboard, sending all her good work to the ether.
I recall an essay or radio bit you did about a similar situation, your computer freezing up, which segued into a discussion about an artist whose spray fixative was replaced with black paint.
Can you tell me the title of this piece and perhaps point me to where it might be found? Neither my failing memory nor the Google machine are of any help. I'd like to send it to her by way of enlightenment/commiseration.
Thanks!
Daniel replies:
I don't remember the title, or if it has one, but I'm pretty sure it's in FISH WHISTLE or CHICAGO DAYS, HOBOKEN NIGHTS, findable on Amazon and other places in various forms. Tell your friend the cat may have done her a favor--the 2000 words will probably be better when she rewrites, and now she will never forget to save her work every five minutes as she goes along.
Eric Trombly
Post #4244 – 20160327
March 27, 2016
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Hello, my name is Eric Trombly, I am a student at Northern Michigan University majoring in English, minor in writing. One project I am working on is to write a children's book, and I was hoping you'd be able to answer a few questions.
1. Did you ever see yourself as a children%u2019s and young adult%u2019s author when you were younger? Do you think you would have been one if it wasn%u2019t for that editor who pushed you to write, The Terrible Roar?
2. How long did it take, on average, for you to write any of your children%u2019s books?
3. What were some of the challenges you encountered while trying to get published?
4. If you could go back, would you do it all again, or would you shift your style? What would you keep the same? What would you do over?
5. What kind of advice would you have for someone who is about to do research for and write a children%u2019s book?
Thank you very much for all of your time and patience. Feel free to answer any or all of these questions, and/or anything else you feel would be pertinent information to add. Thank you again.
Daniel replies:
1. I never saw myself as a children's or young adult author. I don't see myself as one now. Most of the time I don't see myself as an author. Actually, I'm not sure I see myself. I do get a glimpse in the bathroom mirror quite often. Usually that causes me to laugh.
2. On average, it takes between an hour and two years.
3. I don't recall any challenges. I lived in the metropolitan New York area, and editors took me to lunch at nice restaurants. Sometimes they would decide to publish something and give me money. When they didn't, I was still ahead on the lunches.
4. I wouldn't change anything. I am a pleasant lunch companion, and the editors I have dealt with have been clean and well-behaved.
5. I would advise that person not to do it unless they find the activity itself quite enjoyable. These are different times from when I started out. It is much harder to get published, and I think publishers don't have the same kind of lunch budgets. Besides, if you're in northern Michigan, there may not be even a sandwich in it for you.
Sincerely,
Eric Trombly
Patricia G
Post #4242 – 20160319
March 19, 2016
Hi Mr. Pinkwater – my 2 sons and I have been listening to Looking for Bobowicz, in a cliffhanger sort of way, as we drive around suburbia – to/ from school or grandma's house or wherever we happen to be going. The story stops as we do, and resumes as soon as we all pile back into the car. My 8 year old is riveted by the tale (I cannot wait to get my hands on some of the classics written as comics – for him, of course). And just today, I found myself explaining to my 5 year old, who thrives on the absurd, what "No add mittens" (no admittance) means. I think he understood, although you might have a better definition. At any rate, the next installment awaits… we are most grateful for your storytelling.
Daniel replies:
In German, it would be """"Nicht mit Mittens,"""" which means """"Persons wearing mittens may not enter.""""
Daniel replies:
I remember reading your article when it came out. One of the definitions of fiction is the telling of history the way we would have wished it to be.
Rafe
Post #4239 – 20160312
March 12, 2016
What is your favorite book you worked on.
Daniel replies:
I liked working on them all, all hundred-and-something of them, (so far). It's the same kind of pleasure someone might get from repairing a car, or sewing a dress, only in my case it's writing.
Ileana Grams-Moog
Post #4236 – 20160303
March 3, 2016
Every time I read your three memoirish books (Fishwhistle, Chicago Days Hoboken Nights, Uncle Boris in the Yukon), I am even more impressed than the last time by what a brilliant writer, deep thinker (no joke), humane person, and just plain mensch you are. Thank you for being you and sharing yourself with the world. I like your children's books as well–I was a children's librarian many years ago, before I went to graduate school and became a professor of philosophy–but my favorites are your essays. Are there more in book form? Do you contemplate writing more (hope, hope!)?
Your admiring fan,
Ileana Grams-Moog
Daniel replies:
I wrote more. Those books were largely made up of pieces I wrote for broadcast on NPR. I saw a list once, and it seems I did between 600 and 700 of them over the years. It was a side-job, provided a few extra dollars, and a nice warm-up exercise for writing fiction. I enjoyed showing off my skill, and working with the great radio professionals, but the network's taste and tone gradually changed. By the time I'd quit submitting, I'm pretty sure no one there knew I was gone. I wrote some similar pieces for various magazines, when approached, and I suppose I might do it again if anyone made an offer--but you see, I'm sort of weird. I've never really thought of myself as a professional writer, (notwithstanding that I won't write anything unless I expect to get paid, a funny contradiction). I still have a chance to be or become an artist. I'm glad you like the essays--my guess is there won't be any more. Have you read any of my recent novels?
Jennifer Miller
Post #4237 – 20160303
March 3, 2016
Mr. Pinkwater, I came across this fascinating article on the artistic and medicinal uses of mummies, and immediately recalled the delightful story of your mummy-tasting ("It was not an inconclusive experience") in Chicago Days/Hoboken Nights (one of my all-time favorite books). So I just thought you might enjoy it too: www.artinsociety.com/the-life-and-death-of-mummy-brown.html
Daniel replies:
An interesting article. It does not mention the widely-held belief that a boy's best friend is.....I can't go on.
eKo
Post #4232 – 20160211
February 11, 2016
Hi hi, this is in a similar vein to what Diana H has written. I was a little surprised to see her message.
I too, loved David Bowie from about the age of 12, and have been shocked by his departure. I'm 42 now. He was my guru. You are also my guru, maybe have been for even longer. I came here because I wanted to say thank you.
I read Lizard Music first, then pretty much everything else you've written. I don't know why some of us are naturally inclined towards having (for lack of a better word) Buddhist-Tantrica-Sci-Fi souls, but here we are. Thank you for helping to nurture mine.
I wish you all the best,
Thank you,
erin Ko
Daniel replies:
I'm not in the guru business. What I am is an artist. When you say I'm your guru what I think you are really saying is that you've been able to make something of personal importance prompted by experience of art I did. That's not necessarily what I had in mind, but when art is made right it's possible for a creative person to use it like that. Naturally, I'm happy when such a thing happens, but truthfully, I'm willing to settle for someone being entertained or diverted. It's to your credit that you've been able to bring something to my work that makes it more than that, for you. What I'm suggesting is that it is for me, and David Bowie, to thank you.
Adrienne
Post #4234 – 20160211
February 11, 2016
My class LOVES when I read aloud Larry books. We have all of them. Larry has a surfer accent and is our favorite polar bear. Tomorrow we are going to have a Larry Day with lap bongos, student created Larry stories and silliness. Thanks!
Daniel replies:
I think Larry talking like a surfer is perfect! Have a great Larry Day!
Patsey Manning
Post #4231 – 20160206
February 6, 2016
I just listened to your classic Car Talk piece, A Car Talk Christmas Carol. A bit late, I know. But it is wonderfully funny, delightfully silly. Thanks for being an originally wacky thinker and author. The NPR gang does your work proud!
Daniel replies:
Thank you. NPR was fun back in the day.
