***EXCITING NEWS!***
Mr. Sonnenblick is thrilled at your interest in his work and has decided to occasionally stop by and join the discussion. Use this entry to post any questions, comments or observations you have to which you would like Mr. Sonnenblick to respond.
92 comments:
Hi all -
It's me, Jordan Sonnenblick. Thanks for having me, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Mr.Sonnenblick I would like to know what inspired you to write this book "Notes From the Midnight Driver".
Hey Mr. Sonnenblick, it's a great pleasure to have you here to answer our questions! So far i'm loving the book and I didn't think I would at first. The second I looked at the book cover I fell in love with the book because It portrays all things random, as do I! I only have one question and that is when you made this book did any of this actually happen too you? Because so far it seems so realistic it could have. I also love how you combine the "Yiddish" language with the book, I'm proud to say I've told the refs. in football too "Bluz in Toches!" once or twice this year.
Mr. Sonnenblick, Where did you get the idea for this book and why?
How did you come up with the characters, and how they act in the story?
Are Laurie and Lewis going to get into a big fight?
How did you come up with solomon Lewis. He seems to have the same personality as my teacher in some ways.
How did you come up with your idea for the characters personality its a fittig one for Alex though..
thanks for reading our coments!!!!!!!!!
Dear Mr. Sonnenblick this is a wonderful book. I'm always having a great time reading it because of the humor. Everyone needs a great book so thanks for putting laughter into the world everyone needs.
Mr. Sonnenblick, I have another question, Im wondering how you came up with the main idea of his story, and if you have even seen this happen to people in their life, oh and i do love how Solomon talks to alex in the book also.
Mr. Sonnenblick I first want to say the book is so far very good!
-it seems so real! like you yourself is a teen! I think a lot of kids can relate to your book!
My only question is what gave you the inspiration to write this book?
=]
Hey Mr.Sonnenblick! Do you mind if i call you by your first name or do i always have to adress you as Mr.Sonneblick. But thats not my only question. My Question is how did you put so much hummor into one little book.? By the way Great book
Hi guys -
Please feel free to just call me "Mr. S."
To answer some of your questions, I wrote NOTES because a bunch of my 8th grade students misbehaved for a sub. I made them write apology notes, but none of them took any responsibility whatsoever. That got me to thinking, "What if a fairly good kid did something really stupid, and then refused to apologize?"
Then I threw in a parental divorce (which happened to me when I was in H.S.), and Sol, who is modeled on my real-life Grampa Sol.
By the way, I chose drunk driving as Alex's stupid move because several of my former students have died or lost family members in drunk-driving accidents.
OK, gotta go back to writing. I'm trying to come up with a good title for the sequel to DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE. I wrote a first draft this summer, but couldn't come up with a decent title.
Peace out -
Jordan S.
Mr.Sonnenblick, i would like to thank you for agreeing to do a blog with the class i believe it will open opportunities to the class that few have the chance to experience. My question is why pair, Alex a sarcastic, impuslive typical teenager with Laurie a girl were "big things come in small packages" and "gothic tinkerbell" are both very fitting, together i know some friends are very different that i can relate but so far we haven't seen hardly any commanalities.
Mr Sonnenblick, I would like to know, when you were writing this book, did you get any idea's from your students? This is very great of you to do this for us.
Dear Mr. Sonniblick, it seems like you have very good imagination and know how to use it to produce imagery. I myself like to write stories and am very good at using voice but i cant seem to put in enough imagery, so my question is how can i larn to put more imigery in my writing, also i was wondering if you came up with the drunk driving idea because of a personel expience or because drunk driving is a big issue?
So far this book is great! I really like Mr.Lewis and I would like to know how you came up with this character, he is so funny! He reminds me of my great grandma.
Monica asked if I ever get ideas from my students. I don't teach anymore, but when I did, my students never came up to me and told me what to write about. However, I got lots of ideas from watching the students and seeing what they said in conversations.
Kienna asked how to write good imagery. I think the key there is just to keep your eyes open. Also, notice when an author is using good imagery while you're reading, and try to figure out how you can use similar language in your own stories.
Mr. Sonnenblick im very supprised that you wrote back to Mr. Doolin's English class. As you being a writer and an English teacher I assume that you will be really really busy wiht writing new books and etc. So I think that every student Mr. Doolin has for class is very pleased to have you. I have three questions for you. Here it goes.... How did you come up with the idea of the plot, were you outside reading a book\telling a funny story, Thinking, watching t.v., etc. Well second, do you like doing what you do for a living, you know teaching english and being a writer....Have you always wanted to be what you are today.... hold on let me rephrase this.. Have you always wanted to be a writer and english teacher ever sence you were little or did you have dreams of doing something else in life? Well sorry this was so long and I bet it took up alot of your time. Im looking forward to hearing your response back......
Mr. Sonnenblick I would like to know in the book when Alex got caught drink and driving, why he didn't get a more harsh punishment instead of having to help someone in a nursing home, because usually you would get a way worse punishment then just having to do what Alex did.
Mr. Sonnenblick I really like the book so far and i was just wondering where you got the ideas for the characters like Laurie and Alex's parents.
Mr.Sonnenblick, I was wondering what inspired you to write this book? Also has the events that have happened in the book, happen to you? Or is this book based on someone or something? Thanks for taking the time to read my questions! :)
hi jordan i would like to say how great it is to use humor to tell a story and I thik you should wright another book with humor. Thanks for the inspitation Mr. sonnenblick
Hi Mr.S, I have never heard of you books before. Thats atualy realy surpriseing because I barely whatch T.V. I spend mos of my time reading. I have read about a thousand books, but so far this one is one of the best. Keep writing and I will be reading.
shappalappadingdong
hey, how did you get inspired to be an author?
Mr.S,
I think it was funny that you had Alex run over a lawn gnome. Why did u have him run over a lawn gnome? And I wanted to say that I really like your book and I didnt think I would like it because I like fanticy books and not really books about modren day. Maby you could write a fanticy book, I wold probaly like it.
hi mr.S im james ridge i was wondering *seeing as how my mom likes books i kinda got that gene from her* but have you made any horror stories my mom likes them and i like them too. i never expected to like the book "notes from the midnight driver" but my mom would like to meet you. but if you made any horror stories i would like to know.thx.
What I would like to know is what exactly made you think of a lawn gnome for Alex to run-over with his mom's car? How exactly does that fit in with the rest of the story? Now I know I am only on the chapter named "Laurie Meets Sol," but I feel that there is more to it than just an inconvineint random thought. Which I would understand because I am just so random myself. Thanks for listening!!!!!!
Hi Mr.Jordan Sonneblick, my name is danielle but i go by danny.have you ever gotten drunk and killed a garden gnome? while trying to go after your dad? what inspired to right this book? how manny times did you reright this book before you published it?the book is amasing so far.I love how you put a nonfictional charictor in real everyday probles.the book has me hooked.well i hope you get back to me Mr.Jordan Sonnenblick.
Mr. Sonnenblick i thought that your idea to have Alex smart off to the cops like that was really funny. I was wondering what your personal opinion on under age drunk driving is?
What inspired you to become a writer.
Mr. Sonnenblick...I love your book it's so realatble...my question is...how did you get the idea of a teenage kid, divorced parents, drinking and driving, and getting hard core consequencs. What did you do while writing this book, did you laugh at your thoughts, did you get upset? What made you think of all of this? When you write how many times did you think it wasn't good enough and start over? Was there any major parts that you took out and replaced? Well hope you write back
Later-
Bobbi :D
Mr.Sonnenblick,
thanks for writing an awesome book its really cool, any ways im just wondering.... what do you feel like whe you really get into writing a good book??,, like how did you feel when you got so into it such as suspence?, I personally love when i get into a good book and feel the suspence it makes things feel really exciting!!
Hi Mr.S, Thank you for wanting to answer our questions. We are happy to have you here. I think your book is awsome. How old were your when you wrote your first book? In your opinion what do you think the most important steps are in writing a book. Thanks again for answering our questions.
Mr.S i have been considering a title for your new book but i haven't read the first book so i don't know what either is about. Just some basic information like whats on the back may help i'm sure that if not me someone in our class or even Mr. D may be able to come up with something that may help.
Hi Mr. S my name is Sierra and I love your book!!!!!!!!! Since I't still a student I have trouble writing correct grammer, spelling, and cat/puc (catpltaltiona and puckuatuion) and probably wrote that wrong. Anyway did you a troubles in english as a student?
Dear Mr. Sonnenblick,
I am just amazed by your talents of writing a book. This book is a great joy to read. I can always paint a picture in my head while i read it. I really like how you can use humor to make some serious facts funny or joyful. Did you ever have a son, cousin, brother, or nephew that has down what Alex did?
Hi Mr.Sonnenblick! I'm really happy to be reading your book! My question for you is what is your favorite book you have ever written/read?
I love your diction and imagery and what inspired you to write Notes, i am also a young author i find out that very often my friends enjoy reading the stories I have written, and i was just wondering if you every get writers block just as you are writting the climax of your story? Cause i always seem to. Well, i would love to here your response!! And i would love to thank you for taking your time to talk to us.
Mr. Sonnenblick (SP?), What inspired you to write this book, did you get drunk and stole your mom's car when you were that age or did it just into mind at a random moment?
Hey Mr. Sonnenblick what's happening. Do you like teaching middle school kids? How did you come up with the names of the characters, do you have relatives that are named that? Do you also have a relative that's in a nursing home, and needs some help? Are you in any way related to this story. I want to learn some yiddish words, so I think you should right another book. I've told all my friends to "Gay kockin offen yum" Then I just walk off, and they're really confused. Then I tell some of my teachers that, it's hilarious to see their faces!
Mr. S, I would like to know some of your tips on discribing a character. I usually skip that part because I really don't know where to start!
Hey Mr.S, I was wondering if you were like Mr.Doolin and didn't want to be an English teacher until he was older. Also, what made you decide to start writing? Great book so far!
mr. s i think your book is very humorous i like it so far and think that i realy connect to alex in a way. iv never gotten drunk or stolen my moms car but many people have labled me as a bad kid so i kinda relate to him in a way.
Hey Mr. S., I am so happy you agreed to post comments concerning our questions and comments on your book "Notes From the Midnight Driver". I really didn't think like I was really going to like this book, because as I looked at the book cover, it seemed like we were going to read about a garden gnome riding around in a truck writing notes to people at midnight. That just seemed obsurd! But now that I have read the first few chapters, I am sincerely interested in your books. I hope to soon read your other book I have heard about from my fellow classmates "Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie". I hear it is a fantastic book. Now, I have a question for you. While you were writing this book, did you ever think to yourself, "Is my book going to be ever used in a real classroom discussion?"? Also, my last question is when you heard about our class starting to discuss your book, what emotions did you start to have or did you feel emotional? Thank you for taking your time in reading my blog and hope you take time in answering my questions. Thanks again Mr. S.!
Mr. Sonnenblick....Hi it's me again. I was wondering how you got to your career in life as a writer. You know my mom always wanted to be a writer to and is try now but they keep saying something was wrong do you think you could give me some heads up thought I could tell her to see if she could improve on it or see what she was doing wrong......I'd and my mom would really appricate it..oh also I was wondering when you write how do you keep the story going. I always wanted to know.....
Mr.S,
I was wondering if you write out of houmor or are just crazy like Mr.Doolin...
Well, so far i have absolutly LOVED "Notes" and i have just one more question.
Where did you get the inpiration for your characters?
Really i think if Mr.Doolin wrote a book most of his characters would be based off his students but hey, he is REALLY cool like that!!
Again i thank you for talking with us.
I love the book! It all teaches us teens a leason that we need to be careful with our decisions and try our best to keep our parents trust so that they let us spend more time away from the tight leash a parent who lost their childs trust would. Every teen has learned the hard way, we all know that and can't say we haven't. It's life! I have to admit, i was expecting this to be another book that i wouldn't find much intrest in. Like most other books previous teachers have picked out......But i can't go wrong with this book! Im eager to read farther and see what happens when Laurie meets Solomon =0. I like how Solomon has a edgy personality. Great book Mr. Sonnenblick
Hello Mr. Sonnenblick, what made you want to write books? Does the story The Midnight Driver relate to you, or is it a wonderfuly random story you came up with? i Laughed out loud when i read "Gay kockin offen yom." I find your story extremely hilarious. Do you know any more Yiddish language? i can't wait to read more!
hey Mr. S So far i like your book are you writing a book write now? how many books have you writen? why do you write? do you find it interesting, fun, or what Personaly i dont like to write all that much when did you start writing this book
Hello Mr. S how are you im good. Along with mostly everyone in our class i like the book so far also. Disaponting to say I have not read all of your books but yet again I don't like to read. That's my question do you have any suggestions on getting me fired up more about reading. Thank you.
Hey Mr.S.! My name is Jordan to,but i am a girl!1 Bye the way, I love your book so far. It is very funny! Today while i was reading other peoples blogs, and your response, i saw that you are no longer an english teacher anymore. And i asked Mr. Doolin how old you are, but he didn't know. So how old are you? And how old were you when you wrote this book? How many years did you teach english? I think it's cool that you are doing this for our classes!! Well i Hope you answer my questions!
Thanks again,
Jordan K.
Wow, I turned my computer off for half a day, and BOOM! I see thirty new posts. That's pretty cool.
Anyway, in random order, here are some answers to your questions:
-I'm 39 years old, and taught in public schools for 14 years. I miss the classroom, but writing was a huge dream of mine, so I grabbed that chance when it came up.
-Someone asked how to get boys more "into" reading. I think the keys are availability and choice. Everybody must have SOMETHING out there that he'd like. I don't care whether it's comic books, magazines, newspapers, novels, nonfiction -- as long as you're reading and it ain't Dr. Seuss. So the school and/or your parents need to provide you with exposure to tons of different kinds of reading material and then you have to put in the time to figure out what works for you. By the way, for me when I was 13, it would have been comic books.
-Why a lawn gnome? Because they irritate me.
-Why drunk driving? Because I hate seeing kids die from something so totally preventable.
-Did I wonder whether my books would be used in real classrooms? Yes, and it's a huge thrill to know that this has happened. Especially because I was a teacher myself, I am tremendously honored to think that other teachers would use valuable class time to teach my work.
-How do I keep my stories on track when I write? You probably won't like hearing this, but I follow the writing process. I brainstorm and research before I start actually typing, and then I draw a big, detailed, chapter-by-chapter outline. When I'm done with the first draft of a novel, I spend months with my editor revising and editing. But the one key for me is knowing the ending before I start writing, which comes from outlining.
OK, gotta go watch the presidential debate.
Hello Mr. Sonnenblick, It's me again and I was just wondering what exactly you do when you hit a writers block, or does that even happen for you? And also, how long does it take you too develop and write a story?
Aaron -
When I get writer's block, I typically take a break and go walk a few miles or ride my bike. That usually loosens things up in my brain. I don't tend to get multiple days of writer's block because I always write from an outline. As long as you know where you're going, it's a lot easier to get there.
It takes me about 2 months to write a first draft, then about another 6 months to go back and forth with editor and copy-editor to develop a finished manuscript.
Hi Mr.S, again
I just wanted to say i am currently writing a short story, most likely not to be published, but i would like to say thanks your advice on wirters block helped me get through!!!
Hey, thanks for agreeing to cheak the blog and answer questions.
Mr. S, I admire an author such as yourself. I hope to write a book one day myself. I have always thought of what i would write a book about though, Whats your inspiration to the ideas you get that you write about in your novels?
Hey Mr.s
I was wondering how you came up with the title?????
Mr.S
I too hate gnomes because my sis plays dungeon and dragons and me and two of my other sisters wanted to play and we were going to get pet dragons and 1 of there favoret foods are gnomes so I hate them. Also there too small.
O and how many brothers and sisters do you have I have 2 bro's and 5 sisters
Hello again, Mr. S. I have another question for you. That question is how do you suppose is the easiest way to set up an outline to keep track of your ideas?
hi.. i dont realy have any questions for you but i realy like the book so far!!!! nice job..
Thanks for checking in, guys! Now I have to sign off, because I will be out of town for the next week doing school visits.
Take care -
Jordan S.
Hi I just want to say how much i enjoy your book and how iteresting it is. I would like to know after you are finished with the book if you can remember all of it or if you forget some parts?
MR.S
Why did you start writitng books after you teached? Was it something you just wanted to be? a writer? or did you want to be a writer for along time? Did you start developing ideas while you were a teacher and just took interesting things from there lives that would soon be Alex's life?? Sorry i have a lot of questions in one small space!!!! I would also would like to complement on the yiddish language used with the characters... I dont understand where you got the idea for Solomon louis though!! could you write and tell us where you got the idea? I have one last question for you did you have a child hood friend that was Laurie or something like Laurie her character must have been hard to develope her personality..
Hi again Mr.S
I just wanted to say I really like your book so far it is verry iteresting it makes me want to check out more of your books.
Um Mr. S how did you come up with Laurie?
Hi mr.s its danny agin and i was just wondering whats going on between Alex's mom and dad because they were both sneeking into the house at two in the morning and our teacher is being egotistical and won't let us read on. I want to read on so bad the suspence has me by the throat and won't let me go.
Mr. S
I recently paid a visit to a nursing home and true enough you could smell the lysol marinated turkey from outside, the nurses inside are always yelling or beign yelled at and i even ran into an elderly man that reminded me very much of Sol. Not the friendliest type with the very intimidating jewish look to him. Anyway you said Sol was inspired after your grandfather did he ever convince old ladies her teeth or pance were missing
How did you get the idea to make drunk driving into humor?
Mr. S it's Sierra again. I don't know why but when I write I HATE using the writing process. It just annoys me. I LLLOOOVVVEEE to just wing it while I write. I just come up ideas while I'm writing. Did you ever have any trouble with the writing process when you were in grade school. (Kindergraten through 12 grade)?
Well, have fun at your school stuff Mr. S. I hope you get back soon! It is nice to be able to express some of my questions and ideas towards your book "Notes From the Midnight Driver". :) Have fun!
Hey Mr. S thanks for answering all of my questions. For the title of the sequel to DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE could be (even though I don't even know what the book is about) GUITAR, GIRLS, AND STUPID BOYS. I know you wont like it, but it's an idea. Thanks again for answering my questions. I understand the background of the book better now.
Mr.S
Why ugh why would you make Alex's Dad hurt Alexso much then suddenly just have him come back like he didn't even do anything!!!! oh my gosh i cant believe Alex's mom went out with Alex's dad
I was reading through a couple of things you said Mr. S., and I saw that your parents had a divorce, correct me if I am wrong, please. Now, my question is, do any actions of Alex's after the divorce of his parents relate to some actions of yours while growing up after a family divorce? You do not have to answer this question if it bothers you too much, and I'm sorry if it hurts you personally, but that is just my question.
Dear Mr. Sonenblick, have you seen the movie The Bucket List? If you havent try to because one of the characters remindes me of Solomon Lewis, a lot.
Mr.S., Where does the idea of a lawn gnome come into the story? It is brought up several times in the story when a character is explaining how Alex didn't kill anyone, he had just ran over a lawn gnome. What affect does this have on the plot? How did you come up with this interesting idea for the story? Did it just come to you or did you have an experience that made you think of this idea for your book?
I would like to Know what were you thinking when you decided to have Alex in a Jazz band and thought he could put on a show for Solomon and all the other people at the retirment place or the nursing home ???
dear Mr.S I think its cool that you put hings in the story that relate to your life.Also the fact that you put a character that resembles your grandpa in the story is really cool.
Hello Mr. Sonnenblick, My name is Nathali and I just wanted to tell you that when our class first started to read this book the title caught my eye. I was interested because i thought that this book would be a DUD. However i can relate to this book in many ways. So now that I am reading it I love it and I NEVER want to put it down. Thank You
Why did you make Alex's dad come back into Alex's and his moms life, this is huge and it just makes my jaw drop!!!
Yo! Mr. S. In many ways were you like Alex.? That may be to personal but MAN it seems like you and that Alex dude have a connection
Mr.S, what was your insperation to become an auther, and to write this book. Oh and i like your book.
Mr S
Why do you hate lawn nomes?
I know their fun to blow up/bust/launch in the air or throw molotov cocktails at but why do you hate them so much?
I hate them but that doesn't mean I want them blown to Oblivion!!!
So, please leave a comment why you hate them.
Please?
Hey does your ancestors have to do anything with lawn gnome? Did you ever want to be a writer when you were little, if not what did u want to be?
Mr.S,
I think it is cool how you, maybe, realated Judge Judy and Soloman. I'm just predicting but I have a pretty good feeling that they are father and daughter.
Hey Mr. S., have you ever had a friend that you were friends with for like, a long time like Alex and Laurie. If so, was it a girl or a boy. And if it was a girl, did you ever start to like her after a while like Alex is starting to like Laurie?
Hi Mr. S What made you decide to start wrighting? I think this book is really awsome. I really like all the twist and turns. It is really awsome how a lot of teens can relate to this book. Mr. Doolins asked us today if when there is the conversation in the book between the caracters if there is a our voice in there saying it because it is true that teens talk to each other and thier parents like that.
how did you figure that hyperbole would make the story that much better? Man your good.
Hi!!! Mr. S.!!!!!! It's Sierra. hope your having fun traviling to other schools. I have to bring up the part about Sarah. Did you like literally hold your tounge while trying to figure out how Sarah sounded when she talked?! Since I love "Notes from the Midnight Driver", I'm thinking about reading your other book "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie".(Probably be reading it next) I hope that I can't stop laughing when I'm done reading it. I can't believe that we can blog to an author!!!!!!!! We will be finishing "Notes from the Midnight Driver" soon,but I don't want it to end.
Later,Sierrab
Hi Kids -
Aaron Engleman asked me (via email) to post here again, so here I am!
I just wanted to thank all of you for your really nice compliments, and for the weeks of intelligent discussions about my work. Even though I only posted to this particular topic, I read all of them.
OK, gotta go vote. Please tell Mr. Doolin I said hi, OK?
Take care -
Jordan S.
Hi Mr. S I was wondering have you ever got some idea's about writing from other books, movie, or television show's you watched. Who did you vote for? I heard Obama won,.... It kinda scares me but I'll live. Well got to go.......
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