Mister DP, what is your opinion on Mrs. Obama's war on calories? I recently finished the Afterlife Diet and found myself thinking that Michelle might appreciate an autographed copy.
Why is it always a war on this or that? I am all for fresh veggies, and I think she is a cool lady. A really dedicated person can gain weight on nothing but healthy foods, and I think if you're going to be fat, do it right.
Dear Daniel,
I had dinner with author Richard Peck a few years back and he listened intently, mining for information as I spoke of the odd stuff my kids do and believe. He said he always thinks he will never be able to write anything else again and then he finds his way back to it by reading other authors' work and by going to the library to do research. (Yes, the library). In his final re-write he also axes ten percent of his copy to tighten it up. What is your writing process like? Do you pay close attention to "stuff" to get ideas. Do you have a pattern of research or thinking about "stuff" that gets you back to the Corona? (A typewriter, not a beer, you younger ones). White suit and panama hat like Tom Wolfe? Are you a merciless editor of your own work? Just curious about how the greatness happens.
Why are people always so interested in the work habits and processes of writers? It's office work, for pity's sake! Desk work! It's not interesting. I mean, ask a sculptor how he goes about selecting and acquiring a great big piece of stone, winkles it into his studio, goes about planning how he's going to carve it, what tools he uses...mostly things you've never seen or heard of...the danger of making a mistake and accidentally whacking off a buttock, or splitting the thing in two, how he lives, eats, sleeps, suffers while he works, how he knows when to stop before all he has is gravel....that might be interesting. I have had dinner with an author or two, and the subject of how one writes has always been carefully and politely avoided. I will be polite now, even though you ask for it.
I spent much of my childhood reading your books, and am now happily introducing my son to your work. He recently read Big Bob and the Magic Valentine's Day Potato and was confused by something. In Chapter 3 (Potato Valentines), Big Bob is referred to in the third person. Is this a typo? Or is someone else narrating this chapter? I think I remember you reading this book on Chinwag Theater. Boy do I miss that show!
It is probably a typo. These things happen. Sometimes the Pinkwater Podcast does a rerun of Chinwag Theater. Look in the audio archives.
OK. Thanks for the advice about the tattoo. I respect your wisdom even though I do think the Wempires might be pretty cute on my ankles. Google for the Edward Gorey wrist tattoo. Wouldn't ankle Wempires be cooler?. Also Happy Birthday Mr. Pinkwater. It's Family Book Club Night on Thursday, November 15 2012 at my library, and we are reading the Chicken Emergency in your honor. I hope you know how groovy you are.
Well, I do admit the Edward Gorey tattoos are cool, but he was a really good artist. I actually do know how groovy I am.
Happy Birthday. You were fundamental in my weirdness. Thank you for helping to save me from small minded normals.
Thank you. You think you have been saved from normals. Well, it is my job to entertain with stories, not break disturbing news.
A Very Happy Birthday to you, Mr. P!
If fate ever finds you in Albuquerque, NM, I would love to bake you a cake (or buy you a bagel, or some such activity).
All the best from a family of your fans!
Thank you. If I am ever again in Albuquerque I would prefer something Mexican or fry-bread. We have cakes here in the Northeast, and of course it is to laugh to hear you talk of bagels.
Shoe laces. They're way too long. Something has to be done. And who else but you can do it? Shoes as we know them will go the way of the lava lamp. I failed the robot test!, too!
It is not that shoelaces are too long. Manufacturers are skimping on eyelets to save money and bilk the customer.
Hi this is Alex. I'm 8 years old. I'm doing a book report on one of your books about the blue moose and it's due on your birthday. How old are you going to be on your birthday? I liked the Blue Moose and I would like to read another story that you wrote. What do you think I should read next?
Hi, Alex! What a nice birthday present! I will be 71 years old, and I am exactly the same person as when I was 8. I think this is true of everybody, but some grownups don't know it. You can read anything that has my name on it--all my books, except two or three, are good. I hope your book report goes well. Maybe the class will sing Happy Mooseday with you.
You’ve been known to thoroughly argue both sides in a debate which concerns public interest and civil service matters, such as the right of public employees to strike. What is your position on the new ( and highly controversial) walking school bus programs, secretly funded by DHS?
It is untrue that I argue any side of any issue. My mental process is limited to recalling little vignettes based on my personal experience, and relating them in no particular order, and without purpose. When I began first grade, I was walked to school by my mother, then by my older sister--for a short period. The family then began giving some older kid a dime per week to walk with me. Naturally, the older kid abandoned me and streaked ahead as soon as we were around the corner, so I made my way through the streets of Chicago solo. I enjoyed these walks, and remember them with pleasure. Various sites and sights were highlights--possibly my favorite was the poultry market, which featured a window through which I could see into the basement where many fowl milled around uncaged, many of them admirable. Scholars will find this account of interest because of the chicken connection.
Hello Mr. Pinkwater, again. I am sorry for disturbing you with my babbling again but I wanted to know if you are a proud sufferer us C.L.U.S. CLUS (also known as Compulsive Library Usage Syndrome) is a disease that presently has no cure and gradually worsens over time. Symptoms include: checking out more books than you can read before the due date, putting away books for the librarian out of enjoyment and sitting down and reading a book cover to cover in the library without checking it out. I recently diagnosed myself with it, and realized that I read Blue Moose, The Moosepire and Attilla the Pun under influence of this disease. And while I’m at it, my father also makes wacky vegetable soup.
Sincerely,
Holmes S.
I used to be. Since moving to my present community, not so much. I hope your father resides in one of the states in which wacky vegetables are legal.
Whither Hoboken?
It will be fine. This more than usual, but I remember the Hudson River visiting my basement many a time. They're a tough lot, the Hobokeners--it's where the guys are the squarest, the girls are the fairest, H-O-B-O-K-E-N.
Hi Daniel,
Love all your stuff, especially Lizard Music because so out there for a young adult novel. not that your other stuff in 'in there'.
Anyway, I have a theory that you always write the full name of your characters, 1) for stylish effect, 2) so the pages fatten up faster (David David David comes to mind). Am I correct? I promise I won't tell your agent.
Everybody has a theory. You are entitled to yours. I don't understand why authors are expected to reveal their technical doings, and explain just how they go about writing things. Magicians are taught never to reveal the secret of a trick, 1.) because it ruins things for other magicians, and 2.) because it spoils the pleasure for the audience if they know how it's done. Of course, you could read my book, HOW TO WRITE, available from this website for $12.95, only to members in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Authorers.
How are you weathering the storm? I hope you are all OK and your community is not too heavily affected.
Oh, we did remarkably well. Big luck. Tiniest amount of damage, never lost power. Much better than some millions of folks. And here it is, the next day, and already some maniac preacher is claiming God made the hurricane because the presidential camdidates do not hate homosexuals enough. Wouldn't be a proper disaster without something like that.
Two items: Hope Hurricane Sandy did not destroy your home. Also, my grocery store sells avocado-shaped containers to save your uneaten avocado halves in the fridge. Another 21st century marvel.
No, it didn't. What are uneaten avocado halves?
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Our family, initially for the benefit of our three year old daughter, has been immersed in the Larry and Bad Bear books of late. A question repeating in our house these days is: are Bear Number One and Bear Number Three also known as Irving and Muktuk?
Thanks for your books and we hope you've stayed out of the storm.
Best,
Jessica, D and Sofia Sculley
Bear Number One and Bear Number Three, and Irving and Muktuk, are fictional characters. I made them up. Could they be two and the same? Well, yes they could. What do you think? It is not for me, the author, but for you, the reader, to decide what happens outside the pages of the books.
