Natalie Standiford

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I learned of your book from the Book List in THE WEEK Magazine, August 20, 2010. I found it at the library and I read it. I want you to know I am 63 years old. It's a great book. It is much more than a YA book.

Thanks for writing.

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What a beautiful compliment! Thank you very much. I'm so glad you found the book. Many thanks to Rob Sheffield for mentioning it in The Week.
-Natalie

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Hi,
I only picked up this book because it was the one of the few that caught my attention when I went to the library. At first I expected a love story but soon I realized it was much more deeper than love. It was the type of friendship that only comes along once and stays with you forever. In a way I'm glad it wasn't a romantic novel with a fairy tale ending, even though the ending made me cry a little, because that would have taken away from its charm. I felt that I could relate to Bea because of her quirkyness and the way she seems to come off as cold and unfeeling. I also loved Jonah being a sort of mystery and that you never really know what he's thinking. I also loved their little escapade when they ditch prom. I'm glad I stayed up all night reading it because it was truly worth it.

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Thank you very much, dear anonymous commenter.
-Natalie
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Hi!
I just finished the book, I really enjoyed it. It's a cut above other YA books. I liked that Beatrice ended up in Poughkeepsie, because that's where I live! Now I almost feel as though I could run into her. :-)
Thanks,
~Liz
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Thank you, Liz! I'm so glad you liked the book. If you do run into Bea, say hello for me.
-Natalie
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Dear Natalie,
Wow. just wow, words actually cannot describe how i feel about this book. Maybe a picture though. But ill try to describe, this book is like a unique gift, i have never read anything like it. Its got all the elements a fantastic book should have: poignant, raw, realistic emotions that made me actually nod in agreement when i read it. Its beautiful and hilarious, to the extent where i was crying in sadness and happiness. you have incorporated everything into this novel, like Leonardo Divinci who incorporated so many talents in the rennisance but for u its for this book. never in my life has there been such a powerful book and i mean it. When i first saw it at the library i tossed it aside figuring it would be another one of those chessy YA novels but somehow i looked at it a second time because the book just called to me and i knew i had to read it. please please keep on writing. and do write more books like this one. you inspire me a lot because i want to write something so meaninful like you. i know deep inside there probably will not be but i cant help but asking are you going to write a sequel?
~ ShanShan Guo

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Dear ShanShan Guo,

Thank you so much for this beautiful comment. I'm overwhelmed by it. I'm glad the book touched you so much--that's what I was hoping to do. So I really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Your instinct is correct: I'm not planning a sequel to HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT right now. Maybe someday, but for now I feel that Jonah's fate should be a mystery. And it's hard to imagine telling a story about Bea without Jonah. But I'll never say never.

In the meantime, my next book, CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS, is coming out in September. It's different from ROBOT, so I'll be curious to hear what you think.

Thanks again, Shan Shan. Good luck with your writing!

--Natalie
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Dear Natalie:

Admittedly, I only picked up your book because I saw that it was set in Baltimore and was hoping that it would have a John Waters reference in it (thanks, by the way!).

I read it in about three hours. I read it over and over again. I read it until I had read it so much that my friends starting borrowing it so that they could see what all the fuss was about.

I couldn't believe how much I related to the book. I think (or at least hope) that everyone has, at one point in their life, a friendship like Bea and Jonah. You captured it so perfectly, the pain and beauty and excitement of it all, and for that I'm very grateful. You've written a truly amazing book. So, thanks.

-L

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L, thank you so much! I'm glad I didn't disappoint your yen for a John Waters reference. And thanks for sharing your thoughtful comments with me.
-Natalie
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Greetings ! (Don't worry, it's not Kreplax or Don Berman.)

I loved your book, How to Say Goodbye in Robot. Every time I go outside, I'll be looking for Ghost Boy now. You are a brilliant writer, and I hope you write and publish more books soon. I really enjoy your creative writing style. Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there? Being a writer is my dream job.

Thanks so much for writing!
--Alexandrite.

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Thank you, Alexandrite! My main advice for aspiring writers is to read a lot, and when you're ready to write seriously, make sure you finish something--whether it's a short story or a novel, write it through to the end. Once you have a first draft you can revise and polish to make it better. There's a lot of good writing advice online, too. You could start with Barry Lyga's blog at barrylyga.com--he gives great, specific tips about writing. Good luck!
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Hi,

I absolute love this book I got it from my sister when she was at school and she showed it to me I told I had to read. I absolute love the ending it made me cry. I would stay up all night reading it and my dad and mom would tell me to put the book down but i couldn't. It was a Amazing book I absolute want to read more of your books.

~Linda

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Hi Linda! Thank you so much for all the nice comments you've sent me. I'm really glad you liked the book. I like to stay up reading all night too!

--Natalie
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Dear Natalie,
I absolutely adored How To Say Goodbye In Robot. I got it out from the library and finished it that same day. I should have known from the title (love the title, especially after the end) that it wouldn't be a happy ending, but I loved Bea and Jonah (and the rest of them) so much, and I kept rooting for them anyhow... It's better that you didn't succumb to the romantic YA cliches though. The ending was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, made me cry buckets. Also, now I want to visit Ocean City!
Please write more YA fiction! This story was so unique and so real. Thank you very much.

-Pamela

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Thank you, Pamela! I am writing more YA fiction--a new novel coming out in September called CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS. It's set in Baltimore but very different from ROBOT.

You should definitely visit Ocean City! It's a strange place.

-Natalie
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Dear Natalie,
How To Say Goodbye In Robot was definitely the best book I have ever read. I've read alot of books but I just couldn't bring myself to put this one down. I got lost in everything that was going on, trying to put myself in Bea's place. Staying up late listening to the Night Light show, waiting impatiently to see if Ghost Boy calls in. I got so sucked in, everything seemed real. I cried when I found out Jonah left. The whole book was just absolutely amazing and I hope to read more from you soon.

-Karli

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Thank you very much, Karli.
-Natalie
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Dear Natalie,
I absolutely positively love this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. You had me screaming at the book, in the best way. I've read it five times, and I've made each of my friends read it. I fell in love with Jonah and I'm naming my car Evil Miss Frankenhimer(sorry if i spelled it wrong). Please please please write more teen fiction. I can't wait to read whatever you come up with.
Sincerely,
Jerrie

Dearest Natalie,
My name is actually, believe it or not, Beatrice. I have never met anybody by the name of Jonah though. My best friend suggested this book (And I see that she already left a comment here, heh.) and I absolutely L O V E D I T! You really got into the minds of these young adult/teenager characters of yours. The plot was so unique! I read this book in ONE WHOLE DAY. And I usually hate reading! Ahaha! Thank you so much for the wonderful book. I can't wait to read another tale of yours!
...
..
Don Berman! Don Berman! Don Berman!

;)

How to say goodbye in robot,
is amazing.
I read it over and over and over
again! :)
I never cry when i read
a book, but in this one i did.
Love it so much!
I like how it ended in a non-cliche
way. (:

-Claudia.

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Dear Jerrie and Beatrice and Claudia,

Thank you for you wonderful comments! I love to think that somewhere out there is a car named The Evil Miss Frankenheimer. That makes it all worthwhile.

Don Berman forever,
Natalie
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Natalie,
How To Say Goodbye In Robot is my all time favorite book. I absolutely LOVED it. I've read it over and over and I still cry at the ending; ahah. Thank you for the amazing tale. It'll be in my heart forever. (:
PS: I can't wait until you write another book!

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Thank you, anonymous commenter!
-Natalie

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Hello.

I was waiting like crazy for "How to Say Goodbye in Robot" to come out, and when I got it, I was not disappointed at all. I truly adored it. I especially like, as many other readers do, the fact that the relationship between Bea and Jonah is really complicated and hard to define. This is one of the few books that I've read in my life that has made me cry (in a good way). I look forward to reading what you come up with next.

- Kimmy

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Thank you, Kimmy. I really appreciate that.

Natalie
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Hi,
I just wanted to say that for once in my life I was able to read a book with a pink cover and not throw up all over myself.
Although I left reading YA stuff behind me the minute I turned 14, when I saw this book in my HS library, for some strange reason I just had to pick it up, and fell in love with it immediately.
I love how for once there is a YA book about a boy and a girl that doesn't end up with them snogging and making stupid, false promises to never leave each other again, and that despite the fact that they are "a boy and a girl" they don't end up "together" in the dating sense, and how they are able to have a deep, meaningful relationship that can't be described with words. (lol, sorry I sound cheesy)
well, anyways, I loved your book and I really look forward to seeing more by you.
Your Fan Girl,
Sarah

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Thank you, Sarah! You sound like just the kind of reader I was hoping for. I'm so glad you got past the pink. The phone image on the cover is wonderful though--don't you think?

Natalie
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I just finished How to Say Goodbye in Robot today, and yes, I actually did cry. That book was my favorite! i LOVE it!

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I'm so glad! Thank you.
Natalie
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Hey Natalie. I love your dating game books. I was wondering if you will be continuing that series?

Lina

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Hi Lina,
(just like in the Dating Game series!)
Thanks for your nice words about the Dating Game books. Sorry to say that series is over now. Book 6: PARALLEL PARKING was the last one.

Natalie
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Hello,

your book was simple amazing.
the ending was perfect.
i hope to read more from you.

thank u.
ghost girl,lol.

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Thank you, ghost girl.
the ending is my favorite part.

Natalie
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Hi Natalie

I love all your books so far and you have inspired me to write my own book. I can really relate to some of your characters. I hope you continue writing and make more great books!!!

Thanks for the awesome books

Beee
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Thank you, Beee! Good luck with your book. I hope you'll keep writing too.

N

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natalie, i'm an adult that happens to be obsessed with YA, and my soul is aching because i just finished your book. it was beautiful and whimsical and funny and real and magical and well, heart-breaking. i loved it.

i really hope you plan to continue writing YA books, because it's obvious that you have a gift for it. and, if you'd like to see yet another glowing review for "robot," check out my site's write-up:

http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2009/12/11/altf4/

thank you for sharing bea and jonah with me.

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Wow--thank you! Your comments have made me feel warm on this cold Saturday in January. And I love your site!

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hi i loved the book and its my favorite book now!
i was wondering if you just made up the characters Bea and Jonah or if they were inspired by people you know?
they seemed like amazing people and it was just a question that popped up in my head when i was reading it.

-D

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Thank you, D! Both Bea and Jonah have little bits of me in them, and I'm sure some qualities of other people I know sneaked into their characters, but otherwise they are made up.
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is there going to be a 2nd for How to say goodbye in robot? im dying to know if jonah comes back. and if bea looks for him. amazing book it made me cry.

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Thank you! Sorry to make you cry. I'm not planning to do a second book--I like leaving the fates of Jonah and Bea open-ended for now. But you never know.

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i loved the book "how to say goodybye in robot" it was so good that i read it over again, well at the the last part and wat jonah said wen he was disguised as casper! i really really love it and the funny thing is that i live in baltimore maryland! i recommend this book to everyone! its a mix of romance and love but you can't really call it that but deep down u no it is, and its someimes its humerous
-L

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Thank you, L! from your fellow Baltimorean, Natalie
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Just read How To Say Goodbye. I'm a Baltimore transplant and really love the city, despite everything. Any chance of posting "Over Fifty Overnight" broadcasts? I'm curious.

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Hi--I'm glad you like Baltimore! I wish I could post some of those old radio shows but I don't know if there are any recordings or archives of them. If I find anything I can use I will definitely post it on my site.


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Haha! No, I didn't know until now! Thanks for responding!

M

I just finished reading How To Say Goodbye in Robot and just had to come here. I loved the book, and feel a little like Bea. I hope you write more, can't wait to see!

M

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Thank you very much, M! Did you know you wrote a rhyme?
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Thanks you for this amazing book! It's been a few days since I finished reading it and Bea and Jonah won't let me rest--in a good way. The flying carpet image gave me shivers! Can't wait to see what you share with your readers next!

would you mind entering a picture of wat you think Jonah or Bea would look like? Sometimes it ruins the imagination, but I'd still like to see the real Jonah from your point of view...

-Metal Chick

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Thanks for your comment, Metal Chick! I'll have to think about putting up pictures of how I imagine Bea and Jonah. I can't draw so it would have to be photos of other people--and I'm not sure I want to do that. I think I'd like to let people decide for themselves what Jonah looks like.

Anyway, I'm glad you liked the book! --Natalie