Talk to DP Forum

Submit a message

Robertson Thacher

Post #3496 – 20130803

August 3, 2013

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

We have a skunk who lives in our back yard whom my kids and I have (affectionately!) named Daniel Stinkwater. (I hope you hear this as the heartfelt tribute we intend). This did get me thinking, though, as someone who had to suffer through some uninvited nicknaming in my younger days: have you ever been tormented by unwanted nicknames? Mean-spirited rhymes, unimaginative comments on personal attributes, etc?

Thanks,
Robertson, a/k/a Fat Bobby

Daniel replies:

I like skunks!  They are sweet-natured animals, and friendly.  (Don't get too friendly with them though, because they are carriers of rabies).  I do not mine the smell of skunk perfume--a good thing, since my dog's head smells of it for the past week or so.  My nickname in school was, ""Please don't hit me, Daniel.""


Pete Franks

Post #3494 – 20130731

July 31, 2013

Traveling from Iowa to New York City & environs for a couple of tourist days next week.
What to see in Hoboken aside from Tesev Noskecnil Park?

Daniel replies:

The single best thing to see in (or from) Hoboken is New York City.  Weehawken is another good spot, specially at night, and most specially at 5:00 PM on a winter weekday evening.


Crystal Williams

Post #3493 – 20130731

July 31, 2013

Your books are profoundly inviting in their gentle provocation. I also think they are cool. If you had a musical twin it would by Mauricio Kagel. If you watch the opening five minutes of this musical piece listed here, you will see what I mean. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuM8sYuZPp8 Don't forget to write and write and write. And publish also. Crystal Williams

Daniel replies:

Seems pretty good, though I don't pretend to understand your ragtime jazz music.


Robert C

Post #3491 – 20130725

July 25, 2013

Mr. Pinkwater,

You were one of the largest literary influences on me as a child. I think I started with "Fat Men From Space" and eventually went on to Fish Whistle as an adult, but to me your magnum opus was "Alan Mendelsohn, Boy From Mars". Truly a masterpiece. As we speak I am attempting to indoctrinate my very literate young daughter into your wonderful world (starting her on "Fat Men"). Thank you thank you thank you for providing many happy hours of wonderful reading – Lizard Music, Yobgorgle, etc. I actually used to have an email address of Yobgorgle@ that I used to anonymously flirt with my wife before we started dating. As I said you've been a very powerful force in my life. Keep up the good work!

Rob C from Long Island

Daniel replies:

Yobgorgle?  Really?  And she married you?


Ruth

Post #3488 – 20130718

July 18, 2013

Last Guru is one of my favourite Pinkwaters. Thank you thank you thank you for the podcast. I taught my niece about Silly Hats before she was even 4. I can't wait for the next chapter.

Daniel replies:

It turns out there is something quirky about the way my brain works.  I suppose this will come as quite a surprise to readers, as well as people who know me.  What I'm referring to here is that I can read a book written by myself a long time ago, or even a year or two ago, and it will seem completely unfamiliar to me.  At the same time, if there is an editorial insertion, or a typo, I will notice it.  So, I am enjoying it along with you.   More or less.


Kevin Cheek

Post #3487 – 20130718

July 18, 2013

You know about bagels–I know this. However, this week I believe I can safely say that I know the best bagel in New York city. My nickname for my daughter has always been "Bagel." I've never really known why–perhaps I was just too lazy to pronounce all the syllables of "baby girl" and it just came out "bagel." This week, my daughter is in New York City, dancing with the Joffrey Ballet. So from my parental point of view, I know the best Bagel in New York City.

Daniel replies:

I can only hope this high honor for your daughter will eventuate in a choreographed bagel ballet.  When the time comes, if I am still compos mentis, I would like to have a chance to write the story.


natalie Wrigley

Post #3475 – 20130716

July 16, 2013

hello!

I am so lucky to have discovered you today! I picked up a couple of books on cd from the library to listen to on road trip from Hartfordto the Adirondacks. The Neddiad has kept us entertained all day. My seven year old son keeps saying "what a great story" and it is, we were hooked after the discription and explanation of how the father became so rich and of course the cast of "characters" are great. fortunately or unfortunately our road trip is not as exciting. not even a ghost in our hotel room:)

imagine my surprise when I looked you up and you maybe close by in upstate new York. We would love to stop by and say "Hi" , not quite as great as hooking up with Aaron Flynn but close!!

Take care,

natalie and Owen

Daniel replies:

There's a Neddiad CD available?  I don't think anyone ever thought to send me a copy.  This is how authors are treated.  You can't always tell if there's a ghost in your hotel room.  Sometimes they're shy.


Mike

Post #3476 – 20130716

July 16, 2013

I remember a story from an old tape I had that involved lighting a fire cracker to get revenge on an otherwise horrible dorm mate. What was it called and where can I listen to it again?

Daniel replies:

It's probably in Fish Whistle.  I don't remember what it's called.  You can download the whole book from Amazon.



It's called """"Pyrotechnudnik,"""" and is indeed in Fish Whistle, which you can get from Amazon as a Kindle e-book or from Xlibris as the combined Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle. Unfortunately I don't think there are any audio versions available currently. --- Ed


tudza

Post #3478 – 20130716

July 16, 2013

Sorry to say several respected tomes reject the claim that "It's a doozy." originates with a big fancy car.

Daniel replies:

I am crushed, humiliated, desolate that I contributed to a corrupt etymology.


Elizabeth

Post #3474 – 20130714

July 14, 2013

This is not really a question, but upon discovering your podcasts, I remembered that I'd meant to drop you a fan note. I grew up in the midwest devouring your books. On a recent business trip to Jersey City, due to blindly following instructions that failed to take the weekend PATH schedule into account, I found myself in Hoboken. I felt oh-so-briefly that I'd taken a wrong turn and ended up in some fantastical land with a nonsense name. Sadly (or perhaps not), I saw no giant chickens. Even so, you made what was otherwise yet-another-business-trip far more exciting. Thank you!

Daniel replies:

You say it was the weekend.  No wonder you didn't see any giant chickens.  They only work weekdays.


gallagher bares

Post #3473 – 20130714

July 14, 2013

I love your books and i want you to write a book that is called "the boy who lives in a washing machine." the book title sound so daniel pinkwatery. so please tell me what you think.

thank you your twelve year old fanatic ,
gallagher

Daniel replies:

It not only sounds Pinkwatery...it sounds just plain watery.  Why don't you write it?  It could be about a boy who wants to train as an Olympic swimmer, but doesn't have a pool to go to, so he lives in the washing machine, and gets practice swimming amongst the laundry.  He tries out for the Olympic team, but doesn't make it because he can't swim in a straight line.  But there is a happy ending--he gets into the Octopus Olympics, and wins a silver medal and a scholarship to a school of fish.  If you write it, and it gets published, I get 10% of the money for giving you the plot.


Elizabeth McGough

Post #3472 – 20130714

July 14, 2013

Hello.

I had hoped to send Mr. Pinkwater a short children's story about a small bear who has a big adventure, written by my mother, which she used to tell me at bedtime. This would be just for his enjoyment – no feedback, review, comments, advice, editing or anything else requested.

However, after reading the above caveats, I am not sure if and how I should proceed.

Hesitantly but sincerely yours,

Elizabeth McGough

Daniel replies:

I really cannot accept, and will not read, unpublished works.  Of course, nothing of this kind would happen with you, but someone might send me a story about a bear, and then ten years later I write one, and suddenly I'm accused of having stolen it.  I know, I know, you just wanted to send me yours for my own enjoyment, but the world is such that I have to make this policy.  Thanks for the thought.


Dina

Post #3470 – 20130704

July 4, 2013

I really like Mrs. NoodleKugel . I read the whole book in two days. When will the next book come out?
Love, Charles (6 1/2) and his mom Dina

Daniel replies:

Glad you liked Mrs. Noodlekugel.  I'm not sure when the next one comes out...pretty soon.  It's all finished, and I think the illustrations are done.  And, there is going to be a third one!  I hope you read them all!


Muffy M.

Post #3469 – 20130703

July 3, 2013

My most esteemed sir:

I am in my late thirties and work, sporadically, as a writer. (Meaning both that I get paid haphazardly to do it and I'm a bit lazy in my work habits.) I have been re-reading some of my favorite books of yours from my youth and realize now how deeply your style affected me. I've also been delighting in reading "Fish Whistle" and learning you made very little up. I must mine my own dull life for more material.

But I write to you today as a dog owner. Four years ago I adopted a poodle mix who is the perfect gentleman inside and a holy terror on the leash. He barks, lunges, and generally goes berserk when we pass dogs, bikes, people…I can't walk him. I simply drag him outside to excrete as quickly as possible. He goes from poodle to wolverine in two seconds flat.

Is there anything that can be done to help him? I've tried positive reinforcement, squirting him with water, running in the opposite direction etc.

Also, I know a very fine Malamute named Buddy Bear. His ears never learned to stand up so he looks like a hundred-pound puppy. He's quite snugglable.

Also – the salami salesmen you speak of. Do they also purvey pepperoni? Because I could probably be a vegetarian if it weren't for the Italian cured sausages.

Yours, etc.
Muffy M.
Los Angeles, CA

Daniel replies:

Why do people assume that the stories in FIsh Whistle are not made up?  I know, actually.  It was labeled non-fiction.  Most of the pieces were originally """"commentaries"""" on NPR, and the understanding was that they were non-fiction, because it was on a news show.  At the end, they would say something like, """"Daniel Pinkwater is a fiction writer, he lives in New York State.""""  That should have been a clue.  Did any of them have an element of truth?  Sure they did.  Do the characters and events in my books published as fiction have an element of truth?  Sure--that's how you write fiction. 



Your dog.  Can you ride a bicycle?  If so, did you learn from reading about bicycle riding theory, or did someone show you how to do it?  It's like that with dog training.  I'd guess your dog's behavior problems can be easily solved, but you need an instructor--this can be in an inexpensive class.  You live in a big city, so it should be easy to find someone.  Ask your vet for recommendations.  The fact that your dog has been behaving this way for four years should make no difference.  If he were mine to train, I could probably turn him around in a week or two.  It might take you a little longer, but with the right instruction you'd see improvement pretty quickly.


Daniel E. Kennedy

Post #3467 – 20130627

June 27, 2013

Hello Mr. Pinkwater,

Was re-reading "Borgel" for the millionth time, and was wondering

1) Have you thought about doing any other sequel to Borgel, or any of your other classic books besides Hoboken Chicken Emergency?

2) I am a musician who has, at least in principle, been greatly influenced by your work. One of my newest pieces is entitled "Chef Chow's Hot and Spicy Oil," could be considered "Fan Art" in some respects, and could be heard here if you're at all curious:

www.knomigon.com

…it's the second video.

I don't know how much you get into this style of music. While I feel certain that Gordon Whillikers would appreciate it, most people would probably say that it ain't Beethoven.

But I am curious as to the breadth of your musical tastes, so my question is that.

3) I am also a fan of Bud Grace, the creator of the Piranha Club (formerly Ernie) comic strip. I always thought that your prose shared a certain dadaistic, vaudevillian aesthetic, and was wondering if you are also a fan? Whether the two of you have met? And whether you meet for a seafood dinner sometimes?

I hope you don't take offense to this artistic comparison. Your stuff is way better. I don't mean to automatically assume you like him. He's a jerk, isn't he?

That's all my questions, but I would be a plumb fool not to take this opportunity to obsequiously squirm in the grassy dirt before your greatness. From your novellas to your autobiography, you have given me and so many others so much. Your autobiography in particular is SO inspiring to artists, musicians, sculptors, writers. At least it has been for me.

I bet there is a whole generation of Pinkwater-inspired creative types out there. Must feel good! Your legacy is truly one to be proud of. I wish I could describe what your books have meant to me. I hope you continue to write until I die an old man.

Thank You for all you have done,

~Daniel E. Kennedy

Daniel replies:

My autobiography?  I wrote an autobiography?  Damn, it seems to have completely slipped my mind.  Well, I'll take your word for it.  And I was just thinking I would write one.  Maybe I'll write my sister's autobiography instead. 



You're typical of my readers.  They rate me higher than I deserve because I'm all they've got.  Sad, really. 



I watched/listened/dug the mandala/music/yantra thing you provided a link to.  It's brilliant. This is exactly the kind of art I wanted to make, only I had no idea how, before I got sidetracked into the books thing.  If Beethoven could have experienced it, it would have straightened his wig.


1 … 41 42 43 44 45 … 210
Submit a message
  • September 2025
  • August 2024
  • October 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
    • « Back
    More »