Robert Heinlein's Pre-Internet Fan Mail FAQ 181
Hugh Pickens writes "Kevin Kelly has an interesting post about a letter he found amongst correspondence from his days editing the Whole Earth Catalog. The letter is Robert Heinlein's own nerdy solution to a problem common to famous authors: to deal with fan mail. In the days before the internet, Heinlein's solution was to create a list of frequently asked questions, answer them, and remove the questions. Then he, or rather his wife Ginny, checked off the appropriate answer(s) and mailed it back. Some of the entries in Heinlein's answer sheet are quite illuminating and amusing. Our personal favorite: 'You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?'"
Why?! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Wow, offtopic when he mentions Lazarus Long in a Heinlein article. People just don't read these days.
Maybe if you don't know anything about Heinlein, you shouldn't modding
Re:Why?! (Score:5, Funny)
There's got to be a Lazarus Long quote to fit the situation somewhere. Let's see...
Perhaps the bad mod was an example of "Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect."
but this quote probably fits better: "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity."
Re:Why?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Lazarus Long reminds me of The Simpsons... there is a quote by him relevant to practically any imaginable topic, The Simpsons by dint of its sheer volume and Lazarus Long because of the universality of his quotes.
"The difference between science and the fuzzy subjects is that science requires reasoning, while those other subjects merely require scholarship."
Re:Why?! (Score:5, Insightful)
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Long time since I seen a /. response containing the word 'grok'. I do have the impression that the general newsfeed is not that interesting anymore, and probably not to the other ./'ers who would use this.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
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Bless you.
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I dunno...
My sig meshes a Stranger in a Strange Land quote with my own stupidity, and I havn't changed it in five years :)
I guess in Korea, only old people quote Heinlien.
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Re:Why?! (Score:4, Funny)
Maybe if you don't know anything about Heinlein, you shouldn't modding
Maybe he accidentally a coca-cola bottle.
Citations? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Citations? (Score:5, Informative)
The Renshaw reference is regarding "Citizen of the Galaxy": accelerated education using a tachistoscope to provide brief glimpses of material that must be read and or memorized. Using a projector with exposure settings much like a camera, you can learn to recognize things very quickly. I used this when I learned to speed read and it was quite effective.
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Interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
Some of the answers were amusing.
The list makes me think that the *unchecked* "Please do not write to me again" and "Your letter was most welcome! ..." answers also work as special reward and punishment, respectively.
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I'm lazier than Robert (Score:2)
It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:3, Insightful)
Before, they had to write the thing, buy a stamp and send it.
Now I can send britney my lesbian star trek fan fiction at the click of a mouse. It's got to be wayyyy worse to go through your mail now. (Assuming you have the intention of attempting to appease your fans by answering). Way easier to delete of course.. :)
Re:It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:5, Insightful)
Every time I feel like writing fan-mail, I think, "Wait, would I really want to be bothered by this? And is it creepy?" and then I don't send it. I'd love to tell Alastair Reynolds how much I enjoy his work, but then I stop myself because the last thing I want to do is waste his time reading "gosh I sur luv ur books lawl" when he could be spending that time writing more books...
Re:It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:5, Funny)
This is why hate mail makes so much more sense. People like reading their hate mail.
Insightful rather than funny... (Score:2)
And yes, some of it was unintentionally very funny. (I think he was planning to donate it eventually to the Abnormal Psychology people.)
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This is why hate mail makes so much more sense. People like reading their hate mail.
Well, Slashdot does, anyway (see idle).
Re:It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:4, Insightful)
Hatemail, on the other hand, I can deal with. Sometimes they have a point and it makes you think. Sometimes they're funny. And sometimes it makes you shake your head and want to leap on theirs. All in all though, I find it much easier to respond to.
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To the fan, I don't think it matters much what they get, the attention of someone they admire even for a moment is reward enough.
Send a joke - on topic or personalised if possible. Or do what the performers do and talk about where the fan is from.
My mother in law was meeting the band after an Arrogant Worms [arrogant-worms.com] concert once. She said to the member signing her new CD "You're my favorite", to which he replied "You're my favourite too". Still makes her happy.
Well, check out the last answer on the list : (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:5, Funny)
My fans are pretty well-behaved. Sometimes they'll say "hi" to me on the street, but they're almost always too shy to tell me that they recognize me from the photos on my blog. Occasionally, my more enthusiastic fans will take time out of their workdays to send me fan mail, often exclaiming that I'm "Super lucky!" or "Pre-qualified!". I do find it a bit creepy when my more ardent fans send me lists of all of the public places I've been in the past few weeks. Although I don't usually notice them when I'm out and about, some of them must get pretty close, as they've been keeping track of my spending habits.
Come to think of it, rising political stars often take advantage of the boost in self-confidence that comes with their new stature on the national stage to send me personalized greetings in the mail, praising our shared values and beliefs. Somehow, though, we always lose that special connection once they're in office.
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My fans are mostly well behaved as well. The dogs know how to sit and stay, but the cat never gives me any space or privacy at all - particularly at feeding time...
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Every time I feel like writing fan-mail, I think, "Wait, would I really want to be bothered by this? And is it creepy?" and then I don't send it.
One thing that tells you is that your personality profile has an "I" in it instead of an "E", due to the 2 italicized words in the quote. That said, I'm sure almost anyone would appreciate novel, well-thought-out, positive, criticism. That said, I always figure someone has always beaten me to it with a better-thought-out note already, so I don't send it either.
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INTJ, actually. You've piqued my curiosity. How did my use of italicized words lead you to this conclusion?
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I always figured the best kind of fan mail is the royalty check the author gets each month. For those books I truly love, I buy them again when the old copy wears out/gets left behind on the train/becomes a chew toy for the dog. I've bought the paperback version of Dune four times now (I know, he's beyond getting fan mail or royalty checks now.)
I have, however, sent fan emails in a few specific cases- with specific inquiries. I've asked a couple authors about making their work available for the Kindle (I
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Also, give them as gifts!
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I only respond to authors with blogs. If a person just wants to work and create stuff I like to read, I'm not going to joggle their elbow unless they invite comments and such.
Re:It isn't "better" now, though... (Score:4, Funny)
I am intrigued by your lesbian star trek fan fiction and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Answer to answer (Score:4, Interesting)
Because if you're a good writer, you might have pleased millions.
And if millions of people write to you, it could make the postman unhappy (and other people too).
There's already a good way to show appreciation - via the writer's bank account.
That said, do write an appreciation letter if it's for something exceptional (or your letter is going to be something worth reading).
But millions of letters just saying "I liked your latest book" might get a bit tiresome (or worse think star trek fan vs Shatner ala SNL ).
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If you've got a better answer than Heinlein, then quit writing it on Slashdot and start a novel.
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If you've got a better answer than Heinlein, then quit writing it on Slashdot and start a novel.
Perhaps being good at answering questions doesn't necessary imply being good at writing novels.
Good idea (Score:5, Funny)
( )The intervieuw
( )The ramblings
was
( )intresting
(X)informative
(X)funny
( )bullshit
and thank you for
(X)sharing this with us
( )informing us of such a very important item.
( )wasting our time
Re:Good idea (Score:5, Informative)
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and
(X)thank
( )fuck
you for
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Reminds me of this (Score:5, Interesting)
via [thislife.org]
Re:Reminds me of this (Score:4, Interesting)
Stephen Goldin's 23 rules
I count 17 actual rules and 6 "refer to rule X" clauses where the same rule applies to other situations.
The gist however is don't be an ass, do the right thing at the right event, be generous and buy the bloke a meal or drink. Seems like common sense to me. I guess it's not so common (especially for some of the less socially adept that attend these conventions).
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From the linked article:
``Offering to buy the Pro a drink or a meal is always in order.''
I disagree with this on the principle that the pro is already being rewarded, perhaps handsomely, for attending the event in return for the expectation that he or she will entertain or inform the audience.
If a fan were to meet their hero in the street, then by all means buy them a drink in return for their time. But they shouldn't require additional inducements to perform their contracted duties at a convention.
Another one (Score:5, Informative)
There's a copy here: http://mackereth.net/images/SotW_Thank_You_Card.jpg [mackereth.net]
Televangelists did it better (Score:5, Interesting)
One of the big-name televanglists (Billy Graham?) had an early computerized system for answering his fan mail. A staff of people read the mail, and used highlighter to mark phrases that contained relevant keywords. Data entry operators keyed in the address and the highlighted phrases. A program used the phrases to select an appropriate canned reply, filled in keywords, added bible citations, and printed out a letter.
Re:Televangelists did it better (Score:5, Interesting)
One of the big-name televanglists (Billy Graham?) had an early computerized system for answering his fan mail. A staff of people read the mail, and used highlighter to mark phrases that contained relevant keywords. Data entry operators keyed in the address and the highlighted phrases. A program used the phrases to select an appropriate canned reply, filled in keywords, added bible citations, and printed out a letter.
BAD famous person!
I once wrote Johnny Isakson about the PDEA (piracy deterrance and enforcement act) which would have turned the p2p wars into the war on drugs, and received a canned reply about the public domain enhancement act.
Makes me want to pick up my rolled up newspaper and swat him good and proper, then lock him in the garage.
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Read "Grumbles from the Grave"... (Score:5, Interesting)
"Grumbles from the Grave" is a (now out-of-print) posthumous collection of letters from Heinlein, mostly between himself, publishers, and other SF Authors. It contains many letters on dealing with Fan Mail, Fans themselves, critics, publishers, etc. Quite an interesting little book.
SirWired
I have to say (Score:2)
Re:I have to say (Score:4, Informative)
a lot more polite in that letter than I would have expected from his books. A letter bomb wouldn't have surprised me
Ah, but bombs are expensive, and most people aren't worth the money.
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I found the letter insulting and sarcastic, and calculated to hurt everyone who received one. A simpler, more polite response would be to have each of the checkboxed items by itself on its own page; form letters still, but one that doesn't beat the recipient over the head with "Your letter is completely unimportant to me."
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And from all I've heard from people who actually knew RAH... you're right.
Good old Robert (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Good old Robert (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Good old Robert (Score:5, Funny)
Heinlein got the technology of the cellphone absolutely right but it didn't occur to him that in the future people would just keep chatting away, annoying people around them.
Well, there's a reason it's called science FICTION, no?
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Dick Tracey had a cellphone long before THAT. It was never much of a stretch, even in the early 20th century, to imagine a portable radio that could be used like a telephone.
I just want to know when we get out powersuits.
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Oblig (Score:2, Funny)
Because... (Score:4, Funny)
'You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?'
Because, if I sent you a fan letter after every story I liked you would probably have me arrested for stalking.
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'You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?'
Because, if I sent you a fan letter after every story I liked you would probably have me arrested for stalking.
RAH call the police for a stalker? Sorry, but I don't think that going to the authories was his style. He had an electric fence installed around his property to keep out the hippies who were fans of Stranger in a Strange Land.
shooped! (Score:3, Insightful)
Heinlein's Hometown (Score:2, Interesting)
I wonder how much of an effect growing up in 'The Electric City" had on him and his writting and what affect he himself had on the community and its total aversion to technology (it's very mu
Being polite? (Score:2)
Our personal favorite: 'You say that you have enjoyed my stories for years. Why did you wait until you disliked one story before writing to me?'"
Isn't it obvious? Do you want to flood him with just "good job" letters everyday, eventually wasting all his time? Constructive criticism and empathy (hence the reason they mention they were a "long time reader") can go a longer way to show that you are doing a good job, but have 1 tiny problem with the work.
George Bernard Shaw did it too (Score:3, Informative)
We recently cycled to his home shaws corner [nationaltrust.org.uk] and on display are the colour coded "FAQ" letters that his secretary would send back to questions about vegetarianism etc.
Re:who ? (Score:5, Informative)
is this idiot ? and why cvant he use a computer ?
TFA makes it quite clear that it's talking about days before home computing, not the days before the internet.
Re:who ? (Score:5, Funny)
is this person who reads the TFA ? and why cant he act like other /.ers ?
Re:who ? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm not sure that is an excuse; I'm fairly confident that Robert & Virginia Heinlein were fully capable of producing a computer from parts from a TV, washing machine, and whatever was laying around in the basement, anytime from about 1946 on.
I bet it was the printer that was the sticking point.
Actually, he missed on that point (Score:4, Informative)
I know that your post is tongue-in-cheek, but the reality is that Heinlein didn't foresee electronic computing and in all of his early works which I am familiar with (e.g., the "Future History") he has human mathematical savants being used for navigation calculations.
Re:Actually, he missed on that point (Score:5, Informative)
I personally like Space Cadet; its only one sentence, but the character has a pocket-sized portable telephone. 40 years ahead of the curve on the cellphone.
Re:Actually, he missed on that point (Score:5, Interesting)
For me, what's interesting in that is that one of the character says they put their phone in their suitcase so they didn't have to answer it. It's that very human interaction with technology that makes his writing so believable -- even when, as in this example, he didn't predict the exact form of the future (ie the need for a power button).
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My cell phone "conveniently" wakes up and rings even if I have it turned off......even in "silent" mode the screen still lights up. The only way to go off-grid is to either be out of reception areas (harder and harder these days) or put it in "flight mode" or, as a last resort, take the battery out.
Stupid electronic leashes.
Layne
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When an iPhone is off, it really is truly off and won't receive calls.
You're just a troll.
Also, you're a troll who uses Steve Jobs' language, which is funny. Steve Jobs acts like you should never call it "an" or "the" or "a" iPhone, but... it's always, "Make calls with iPhone." Replace iPhone with just phone and you can see that the sentence doesn't make sense.
Re:Actually, he missed on that point (Score:5, Interesting)
The early stories did have some computers; Heinlein just fell into the same trap as most writers then and thought they would always be huge. "Slipstick" Libby was a special case.
Don't forget Deija Thoris Carter. But by then he was making the point (repeated in Friday) that a computer, no matter how fast, may not be able to beat human intuition.
Then there is Lazarus's clone sisters Laz and Lor who IIRC had similar talent with numbers. I won't include Dora Long because she started as a computer in the first place.
Re:Actually, he missed on that point (Score:4, Funny)
Moderators (Score:3, Insightful)
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I personally like Space Cadet; its only one sentence, but the character has a pocket-sized portable telephone. 40 years ahead of the curve on the cellphone.
Having a very short attention span, I was delighted to hear of a Robert Heinlein story which was only one sentence long. However, upon acquiring Space Cadet, I realized that this story is significantly longer than one sentence.
Thus, I request that yo
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Heinlein didn't foresee electronic computing
True. In Beyond This Horizon a computer tech explains that the computer operates off of 3-dimensional cams, and says he wishes he could have a 4-dimensional cam (and some 4-dimensional lubricant for it) because he has some functions that are too complicated to encode to just a 3D cam.
In Methusela's Children the protagonists steal a prototype starship, and the ship's computer is described as being one of the new models with no moving parts. That novel is set in t
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In "The door into summer" (1957) Heinlein wrote what I think is the first literary description of a CAD system, plus plotter. Had many details wrong (i.e. using keystrokes instead of a pointing device) and his description of the device's electronics is totally crap, but he had some great insights, imho.
A great many long-time Autocad users and the like still use at least 50% keystrokes when working. It's much faster at times to define an entity from the keyboard rather than moving the mouse through menus or toolbars.
That and many times you want the mouse pointer to stay on the focus of a particular point/object/entity so that you can execute the command.
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I'm not sure that is an excuse; I'm fairly confident that Robert & Virginia Heinlein were fully capable of producing a computer from parts from a TV, washing machine, and whatever was laying around in the basement, anytime from about 1946 on. I bet it was the printer that was the sticking point.
If he had a beautiful daughter he would have had a time machine in his basement as well.
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Re:who ? (Score:4, Funny)
No no... You are confusing him with McGyver.
I think the TV was the sticking point (Score:5, Interesting)
Read The Door Into Summer: the guy practically designed AutoCAD in 1956, but with the computer interfacing directly with a plotter. The missing piece was the idea of using video rather than the paper itself to visualize intermediate results.
Re:Makings of a slashdot poll... (Score:4, Funny)
What question in a fan's mail will receive the answer: "Please do not write to me again" ?
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Re:Makings of a slashdot poll... (Score:5, Funny)
What question in a fan's mail will receive the answer: "Please do not write to me again" ?
Writing to say you loved his foundation series.
Re:Makings of a slashdot poll... (Score:5, Funny)
Do you like what Stanley Kubrick did in the on-screen adaptation of your book?
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What about the same think, only with Paul Verhoeven instead of Kubrick?
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I'm a HUGE fan of Showgirls, will you be doing more scripts for Mr. Verhoeven?
Re:Makings of a slashdot poll... (Score:5, Interesting)
Heinlein was very intolerant of anyone who challenged certain of his political views, even driving away life-long friends over very minor issues. He didn't suffer those he saw as fools gladly, and I'm sure he used that check-box often. You can read Spider Robinson's biography and literary reviews of Heinleins work for the sordid details, if you care about that sort of thing. Don't mistake the author for his protagonists.
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Heinlein was very intolerant of anyone who challenged certain of his political views, even driving away life-long friends over very minor issues. He didn't suffer those he saw as fools gladly, and I'm sure he used that check-box often. You can read Spider Robinson's biography and literary reviews of Heinleins work for the sordid details, if you care about that sort of thing. Don't mistake the author for his protagonists.
He must have had a lot of hangers-on though. Politics is a good excuse to use if you are just bored with somebody.
different from his protagonists? (Score:2)
I'm not sure. It does seem similar, the radical political statements and not suffering fools gladly. Maybe it's just that what he stood for didn't look as nice in reality as it did in his books. But I don't see him being hypocritical about it, or deceiving himself.
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He ended his friendship with Arthur C. Clarke because Clarke had the audacity to express his opinion of SDI.
You can read Spider Robinson's biography and literary reviews of Heinleins work for the sordid details, if you care about that sort of thing.
Also Asimov had a section on Heinlein's vicious streak in his biography I, Asimov.
Don't mistake the author
Re:Makings of a slashdot poll... (Score:5, Funny)
You need to maintain a balance. In any room an ideal mixture is half ready to kill you, and half eager to defend you. That's maximum entertainment.
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This is going to drive me batty.
I remember seeing the book a while ago, and I could swear the name was TANSTAAFL, and I thought it was written (or at least partially written) by Spider Robinson. Unfortunately, further investigation says I am wrong.
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I had a great link a few years ago, and I can't find it now either. I was hoping someone would help us out! Spider wrote a great review of each of heinlein's stories, along with commentary about Heinlein's life and politics at the time of the story. It's online *somewhere*.