That Was Then...

[zevie]

That was an *awesome* connection. I use TWTTIN for backstory on the Shepards a lot, because there's so little info in the Outsiders (not that there's much in TWTTIN). Especially with Angela - I don't even think she was in the Outsiders and her character has tons to work with from TWTTIN. I definitely use that character in Outsiders fics. She's one of the few semi in-depth female experiences we get from that world, so I find the parts about her invaluable. Plus, more Tim possibilites.

[fairlane]

No, I didn't even include Angela in my Shepard fics just because she wasn't in The Outsiders. Later on I wished I had included her, although it would have changed the dynamic a lot, but I didn't want to go the whole 'surprise long lost sister' route to get her in there lol.

[Keira]

I was going to answer no, but then I remembered my fic Rock Bottom (which I ought to update sometime) that features Angela in a scene and mentions of Curly and Tim (can't remember if they're actually in it though).

While posting that thread on Tex, I thought about M&M from TWTTIN and thought he'd make a very interesting character to develop a story around. Poor kid. When he was hallucinating... Man, that gave me chills. Still does.

[printandpolish]

Cathy is briefly in "Only Two" as Pony's girlfriend. There's also a reference to her "million brothers and sisters."

[BlindedxxFalcon]

No, I haven't used any TWTTIN characters in my fanfics...although I don't think I've written that many. I have read a fanfic or two where Mark or Bryan are in them.

[BlindedxxFalcon]

It would cool to write a fanfic about TWTTIN, centered around Bryon's behavior after the whole thing with Mark. I once read a fanfic where Bryon was, well...wacked out. He was spacy and ended every sentance with that was then, this is now.

i just have to share this. In the end of the movie (I don't know if he said the same thing in the book, I'd have to go back to it) Mark says that was then, this is now, which, you all know, Bryon says. Then Bryan says "Yeah? Who said that?" and Mark replies "I don't know...some a**hole" That part really got to me, and I don't know why. Maybe I liked Bryon's character.

[sharpshooter]

Oh, I loved that book! Though the ending left me feeling depressed... It's cool to see Ponyboy hasn't become stupid or anything. -but of course he wouldn't, 'cause he little Ponyboy! -hugs him-

I think it would be interesting to write a story from Pony's point of view of his friendship with Mark, and his relationship with... Cathy, was it?

Oh, and M&M was so cool! He reminded me of a smaller Johnny for some reason, probably because of his black hair. A story involving him would be interesting to read...

[Keira]

So, I feel a little bad. My youngest brother (who's recently read Tex, and now TWT,TIN) just finished this book. I pulled up to the house, after getting off of work tonight, and he was standing outside in the cold, waiting for me. I got out of the car and he practically shouts:

"Why do you keep giving me sad books to read?"
"What are you talking about?...Oh."
"It's GAY CRAP! I just barely finished, and I almost CRIED."

Which, apparently, "tough" fifteen year old boys don't do. Lol.

"I told you it had a very different ending, and you probably wouldn't like it." (The ending.)
"I don't remember that -- I wouldn't have read it if I knew. No more S.E. Hinton books! They all make me sad!"
"Even Tex?"
"YES!"
"Why?!"
"Because Mason LEFT."
"Yeah, to go to college."
"Yeah, but it was still SAD!"

He keeps harping on about it now, poor kid. Lol. I was doing my math on the couch and he comes up and said, "I was sitting RIGHT here, when I almost cried. Do you know how embarrassing that is?" Lol.

[Nittanylizard]

Keira, I think the funniest thing about all of that is that he TOLD you he almost cried. Like, he could have gotten away just saying, yeah, it was okay. Had no effect on me. Because I'm cool like that ;D.

So funny.

[Keira]

Haha, I know. He was so furious. You could see the tears threatening to come on the rest of the day. Add to that, he kept throwing fits over little things and when I told him to calm down and grow up he said, "No! I'm MAD!"

Lol. This is also the kid who went from liking "any music [he] hears" to liking only happy music. Anything remotely unhappy makes him apparently very sad Oh well, it was worth a shot -- AND, despite not liking the ending of Tex, he still likes the book itself, lol.

[sharpshooter]

I was telling my sister about your little brother -because I also got her to read it, and she was all sad over the ending- but at first she thought I was talking about The Outsiders, and she said she almost cried at the ending of the movie; "Johnny told Ponyboy to have Dally look at a sunset, but Dally was dead, and he didn't know it!"
I thought that was pretty funny, seeing how I almost cried at that part in the book too. This chat also led to me telling her I'd cried at a concert we'd both went to, only for me to find out she hadn't noticed. How embarressing. -Me and my older brother are veiwed as unemotionless because we never cry, and now I've ruined my rep.!- ;-;

I really want my little brother to read Hinton's books, but I'm afraid they might be too mature for him. 'Cause y'know, he's only a year younger then me, so I must fret over him losing his innocence. ^-^;;

Nittanylizzard brings up a good point though; he told you he almost cried. That's kind of sweet though, 'cause he trusts you enough to say that. I guess. xD

[Keira]

Haha, you both have a point there. There's little I don't know about him... I think. He kind of freaks out if I ever happen across the computer while he's check his email or while on facebook, but I pretty much know whatever he does -- because he talks REALLY loudly on the phone

I think if I hold off a few months I can get him to read another book -- he HAD consented to read HP and the HBP, on the condition that it didn't have a sad ending, so I told him he'd better skip it for now. *Sigh*.

I don't think I fully realized until yesterday just HOW sad these books are, lol. I always enjoyed the range of emotions -- I never felt like I was digging myself into a depression, and still don't, but I guess I can see how people would feel like that, or see it that way.

[Nittanylizard]

Hey Keira,

We just need to write up a fanfic for him where Tex moves away to college with Mason . Oooh, I've even got a title - Going (referring to the gypsy woman who tells him he's staying, but in the fic he ends up going instead). That's what she says, isn't it? Staying or going?

Not that I even have a plot or anything. ;D But it could be a fun story to write.

[Keira]

Haha, that would be really funny.

I was thinking about this earlier, and I can't believe I forgot to mention it... A week or so ago when he was still in the middle of reading the book, I asked him what part he had gotten to.

"Uh... they just left the party at the school. You know, there was like Bryon, and Mark, and Cortez."
"Cortez?" *Throughly bewildered*
"Yeah. That one guy that Bryon doesn't like."
"Curtis? You mean Ponyboy."
"Is it really? WOW. Yeah, I just said Cortez."

And to this day he still refers to him as either Cortez, or Curtez. Lol.

I like the idea of that fanfic. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it. He REALLY loved Johnny and Jamie. He was thoroughly disappointed in the fight as it was portrayed in the movie, though, lol.

[Tensleep]

Dude, he's sworn off S.E. Hinton books? Make the whiney brat read Taming the Star Runner. He probably won't be able to figure out the horse gets fried, only that they're moving in the end.