Webster: ! Good morning everyone! We'll be starting the
chat event with R.L. Stine in about 20 minutes! In the meantime,
you can submit any questions you have by clicking on me! So I'll
stay onstage for a bit and give you a chance to type in your
questions. Again, to submit your question to the stage,
shift-click on me, type your question, and then press return. To
stop sending questions, shift-click on me again.
Communities.com and The Read In Foundation are again proud to
bring to you the number one best selling children's author of ALL
time, R.L. Stine! He returns annually because he wants kids to
READ! - And not just his books! Ask him about it! We are honored
to again present Bob (his friends call him Bob) Stine for his
annual communities.com Halloween event! Please help me Welcome,
R.L. Stine!
RL: Hi, everyone! Happy Friday the 13th! It's Friday
the 13th and a full moon! My kind of time! Before I
answer your questions I have a question for you. How many of you
have visited my new website? It's called NIGHTMARE.COM. No, I'm
wrong it's called TheNightmareroom.com. I'll be there tonight at
7:00 Eastern time. I hope you will join me for another chat. I
will be trying out some story ideas on you. I really want your
opinions. Hope to see you tonight at TheNightmareroom.com. Now,
who has a question for me?
Webster: While we wait for people to submit their
questions, Mr. Stine, we all are excited you are back and want you
to know we look forward to reading your new book! We understand
you are working on a brand new book series for 8-to-12-year-olds
called The Nightmare Room. It's been described, as being a lot
like the TV show, The Twilight Zone. Could you tell us more
about this series?
RL: My scary new book series just came to stores a few
weeks ago. It's called The Nightmare Room. The first book is
called DON'T FORGET ME! It's about a girl who accidentally
hypnotizes her brother and can't bring him out of the spell! The
second book is called LOCKER 13. It's about a very superstitious
boy who is assigned Locker 13, the most unlucky locker in the
world! I hope you will enjoy my scary new series.
Webster: We already have quite a few questions from the
audience! So weíll jump right into those.
From ReadingLover: Were there any books in particular
that you remember reading when you were growing up?
RL: When I was nine or ten, I discovered the sci-fi
stories of Ray Bradbury. I loved them! Ray Bradbury has always
been one of my favorite authors. I think one of the scariest books
ever written is his book, SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. Last
summer, I had a real thrill. I got to meet Ray Bradbury. We had a
nice talk.
Webster:From DARLINGTONWI 1: When did you start
(writing) your newest series, Nightmare Room?
RL: The first Nightmare Room books were published in
September. There will be a new one every month. The next one is
called MY NAME IS EVIL.
Webster: From NyeEaglesB8-SD, CA:
When you were little did you
write a lot?
RL: Yes! I started writing when I
was nine! I really wanted to be a cartoonist. But I couldn't draw
at all! So I had to write. I started writing little magazines and
joke books. I'd take them to school and pass them around to my
friends. They were always getting me in trouble with my teachers!
My teachers begged me to stop writing them!
Webster: We have a lot of audience questions, so will
try and get to as many as we can.
From clyde fliers: What is the most favorite book you
have ever written?
RL: My new favorite is a Nightmare Room I just
finished. It's called LIAR, LIAR. It's about a boy who tells lies
day and night. He cannot tell the truth! He lies so much, he lies
himself into another reality! He finds himself stuck in a parallel
world!
Webster: From Eagle23-TurlockCA: Our class would like
to know how many books have you written?
RL: I am embarrassed to say I have lost track! I wrote
87 Goosebumps books, and about 100 Fear Street books. Over 250
books in all.
Webster: That is a lot of writing!
RL: And I just keep going-- like the Energizer
Bunny!
Webster: From *JaneC/RiverbankCA: How is Nadine, your
dog?
RL: Nadine is barking right now, because someone rang
the doorbell. Nadine has a good life. She sleeps 20 hours a
day!
Webster: The audience may be interested to know one of
his newest books, The Nightmare Room: Locker 13 has
THE READ IN!'s own Mrs.
Coffey, as a character. She is the computer lady in the main
character's school! Be sure to get a copy soon to read about our
very own Mrs. Coffey! We know she is honored to be in an RL Stine
book and we know you will want to read itÖand now our next
queston...
RL: Sometimes I use the names of real people in my
books. My son was the star of a Fear Street book. Do you know my
son Matt's claim to fame? He has never read one of my books. Isn't
that terrible? He didn't even read the one he is in!
Webster: From Josh_WI: Are your books banned anywhere
in the USA?
RL: The Goosebumps books made The Most Banned
Books of the Decade list! I don't really know why. I guess it's
something to be proud of.
Webster: lol (laughing out loud)
RL: A lot of wonderful books get banned for one reason
or another. For the most part, teachers, parents, and librarians
have been wonderful to me!
Webster: A comment from the audienceÖ
From 3-216: We've been to your site. It's super!
RL: Thank you for the kind words. I hope more kids will
check out TheNightmareroom.com. I think it's really cool. There's
a 13-chapter story there that you can only read online. Nowhere
else! It's called DEAD OF NIGHT.
Webster: and changing the topic a bit, this
question...
From *MrsC-Turlock: Mr. Stine what is your favorite
Halloween costume?
RL: My LEAST favorite was the one I had to wear every
year! I wanted to be scary, but my parents bought me a DUCK
costume! I had to be a stupid duck-- with a fuzzy tail-- every
year! I was not happy about this. I remembered my duck costume
when I wrote The Haunted Mask. I gave it to Carly Beth in that
Goosebumps book.
Webster: hahahaha...
From Josh_WI: Are you STILL afraid to jump in a
pool?
RL: Yes, I am. This summer we built a beautiful
swimming pool at my new summerhouse in Long Island. The pool has
three waterfalls and a THIRTY FOOT water slide! I like to watch
the slide-- but I've only gone down it once! I think I'm afraid of
the water because I'm from central Ohio and we don't have any
water in central Ohio!!
Webster: next question...
From BlueEagles: Did you ever have a scary dream and
that's where you got some of your ideas for
Goosebumps?
RL: I've never gotten a story idea from a dream. Never!
My dreams are totally boring! One night I dreamed I was eating a
Snickers Bar. That was one of my best dreams!
Webster: From Eagle23-TurlockCA: How do you feel about
today's chat being held on Friday the 13th?
RL: Today's chat is being held on the 13th HOUR of the
13th DAY. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Webster: From Kess23, BC: What does R.L. stand
for?
RL: That's an easy one. My name is Robert Lawrence
Stine.
Webster: From Eagle23-TurlockCA: What inspired you to
write the series "Give Yourself Goosebumps"?
RL: I think kids like to be part of the action. They
like to imagine that they are the characters in the books. So it
seemed like a good idea to write GB books in which the readers
decided what happened next.
Webster: From DARLINGTONWI 1: We have seen pictures of
you in the paper and on TV and you are always wearing black. Is
there a reason for this or are you just wearing your lucky shirt
like Luke in Locker 13.
RL: I'm supposed to be a scary guy so I always wear
black on TV or at bookstore appearances. The problem is, I'm not
too scary in person.
Webster: More questions....
From clyde fliers: Have you thought about making a
Fear Street Movie like you did the Goosebumps TV show?
RL: No. Fear Street is over for now. But very
soon I hope to make a big announcement about a NIGHTMARE ROOM TV
show. I'm not allowed to talk about it yet. But it's going to be
on one of your favorite TV channels. Also, we are working on a
direct-to-video R.L. Stine movie for next Halloween. Meanwhile,
the GB TV shows continue four days a week on the Fox Family
channel. I love watching them, even though they're reruns!
Webster: From Josh_WI: Does your wife help you
write?
RL: My wife is one of my editors! Jane has her own
publishing company. It's called Parachute Press. She is just about
my toughest editor!
Webster: From clyde fliers: We are on
thenightmareroom.com site now...can we still expect the conclusion
on Halloween night?
RL: I think so.
Webster: We have some multi-taskers in the
audience!
RL: I'm not really sure. It's supposed to be a new
chapter every week.
Webster: From DARLINGTONWI 1: Does your family read
your books?
RL: My wife HAS to read them because she's the editor. My son
Matt won't read them-- just to make me crazy. And I don't think my
dog Nadine reads them, either. I'm lucky to have lots of nieces
and nephews who are all big fans.
Webster: This next question is in two parts....
From NyeEaglesB11-SD,
CA:How do you start a
book?And from Kess11,
BC: How long does it take you to write a book?
RL: First, I get a title. I
always start with a title. Then I see where the title leads me. I
never just sit down and start to write. Never! I write a detailed
outline of every book first.
My outline goes chapter by chapter.
Everything that's going to happen in the book goes into the
outline. This is the hard part. My editors have to approve the
outline. By the time I start to write, I know everything that's
going to happen-- even the ending. That makes it easy to write the
book. And fun! It takes me about two weeks to write a book. And
then I usually have to revise it once or twice.
Webster: From Southport Sabers WI: Do people you
meet on the street recognize you and ask for an autograph?
RL: Sometimes I get recognized. The other day I was
walking Nadine and a school bus full of kids came by and the kids
all started to yell, "Hey, R.L.! Hey, R.L.!" But in New York, most
people act very cool. If they recognize you on the street, they
pretend they don't know who you are. One of my biggest thrills was
being recognized by kids in Paris, France!
Webster: and from DARLINGTONWI 1: Are you wearing black
today?
RL: This morning, I did 27 TV interviews for 27
different cities. I was wearing my black outfit for those
interviews. As soon as I got home, I changed into jeans and a
t-shirt.
Webster: changing the subject...
From BlueEagles: Do you illustrate your own books?
RL: I wish I could! But I can't draw anything! All of
the Goosebumps covers were painted by a wonderful artist
named Tim Jacobus. We have two new artists who take turns painting
the covers for The Nightmare Room.
Webster: From DarlingtonWI 2: Do you visit
schools?
RL: I used to visit schools often. I love it. But my
schedule has gotten too crazy. I won't be able to visit schools
for a while. Maybe after the new series is launched. A few years
ago, I went back to Columbus, Ohio, and spoke at my elementary
schools. It was a weird experience. My kindergarten teacher showed
up. She was 180 years old!
Webster: Now that's old!
From Newport El. 2: did you make a third "say cheese
and die?"
RL: No. I thought about it, but I couldn't think of a
good story. Sequels are hard to write. The Goosebumps
series ended before I could think of a story.
Webster: From Eagle26-TurlockCA: Mr. Stine, Our Stine
addicts recognize the Deadhouse. They've read about 40 of your
books. What other authors would you recommend?
RL: One of my favorite authors for kids and teens is
William Sleator. He wrote HOUSE OF STAIRS and THE DUPLICATORS and
a bunch of other creepy, suspenseful books. I also love William
Pullman's trilogy. (Is his first name William??) And I think Bruce
Coville is very good.
Webster: A little tidbit for the audience...RL Stine is
typing to you from his apartment office in New York City. And one
of the audience members wanted to know what kind of computer you
use.
RL: I have a Dell PC. Did you know that I type with
only one finger? I never learned how to type. I've typed all 200
of my books with just one finger. The finger is all bent!!
Webster: lol!
RL: It's totally wrecked! Once the finger goes, my
career is over!
Webster: From ST JOHN 5TH GRADE: what do you do for fun
other than writing?
RL:What is fun? No-- seriously. I love taking
long walks around New York and watching old black & white
movies. I have a pinball machine and a pool table, which is also
fun. And, of course, I like to read.
Webster: From clyde fliers: We are interested in Ohio
authors. Have you ever met Chris Woodard from the Haunted Ohio
series?
RL: No, I haven't. The only Ohio authors I've met are
Wes Craven and Virginia Hamilton.
Webster:From Josh_WI: Please say hello to the
kids in Hawaii.
RL: Hey-- of course I'll say hi to my friends in
Hawaii! My family and I were in Maui a couple of Christmases ago.
We loved it!
Webster: From I Love To Read: Were you a good student
in school?
RL: No. I was always trying to make the class laugh. I
was a solid B student. I was always more interested in my writing
than in my schoolwork.
Webster: From Eagle23-TurlockCA: Do you speak any other
languages yourself?
RL: Yes. Martian! A little Spanish, a little
French-- not much. When I was in Italy last year, the kids were
very confused. They asked me: "If you can't speak Italian, how did
you write so many books in Italian?"
Webster: From
NyeEaglesB9-SD,CA:What do
you do when you are having a writing block?
RL: I'm very lucky. I've NEVER
had writer's block. I can always sit down and write. Some days it
feels as if I'm writing uphill! But I just keep going.
Webster: From NyeEaglesB11-SD,CA:
Will you make a sequel to
Attack of the Mutant?
RL: No-- not unless we bring back
Goosebumps. Attack of the Mutant was one of my
favorites. But it wouldn't fit into the Nightmare Room series.
Maybe some day we'll start up Goosebumps again.
Webster: We have time for a couple more questions
before closing the event today....
This from Kona in Hawaii: Have you ever been to Hawaii
and do you surf in between writing?
RL: My family and I were in Maui and the Big Island. We took
an amazing helicopter ride over the volcano. We had a great
time!
Webster: From clyde fliers: Are your books as popular
in other countries as here in the USA?
RL: I'm so lucky. My books were best sellers in
England, France, Italy, Spain, Israel, and a dozen other
countries. It's really a thrill to know that I'm terrifying kids
all over the world!
Webster: And our final question today isÖ
From Eagle23-TurlockCA: What piece of advice can you
give to 31 dedicated 6th grade writers who want to publish
books?
RL: My advice is: don't worry about getting published.
Just write, write, and write. Write something every day. Keep a
journal or a diary. Make sure you read all kinds of authors. You
won't be published until you practice your skills for years and
years. I started writing when I was 9, but I was 28 when my first
book was published. Mainly, you have to write all the time!
Webster: On behalf of the audience, thank you so much
for joining us today! Do you have any closing comments to share
with us?
RL: Thank you for all the wonderful questions! I loved
spending Friday the 13th with you. I hope you will join me again
tonight at 7 Eastern time. I'll be at THENIGHTMAREROOM.COM.
I hope you'll be there too. Thanks again, everyone. Have a SCARY
day!
Webster: We'll send you the URL when we close so you
can bookmark it! We want to thank all of you for attending our
annual Halloween event with RL. The folks at communities.com
and The Read In Foundation want you to be careful this
Halloween and remember, become literate:
READ!
READ!!READ!!!
Thank you for coming Mr. Stine! We enjoyed spending Friday,
the Thirteenth with you!
And now, get ready because your browser will launch
momentarily. As we send you to Mr. Stine's page, I'll give you a
moment to bookmark, and then give you the URL for
THE READ IN! Thanks again, RL!
Ok...one more page to bookmark! Thanks for coming and we look
forward to seeing you next year!
