[Jacob M.]

            Dear Mr. Korman, 

          My name is Jacob M., I am a fifth grader at West Salem Middle School. I have 2 dogs, a cat, a hamster, and a turtle. I love math and video games. I struggle with a condition called OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 
          I loved your book Ungifted and it’s cover design. Your titles are very nice as well. My one dislike about your books is that they are slow to the point.
          I have some questions for you too. How do you find inspiration? How long do books take to make? And, have you ever had a book rejected? Keep up the good work!

 

 

                       Sincerely,

                       Jacob M.

                              

 

                       

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Jacob,

Thanks for posting. I'm glad to hear that UNGIFTED made a hit with you. There's a sequel that's been out a while, called SUPERGIFTED. It continues the story, so I hope you'll read and enjoy that one too.

Slow to the point? Who, me? Take UNGIFTED, for example. The kid wrecks the gym, ends up in the gifted program, and decides to hide at the Academy, all in the first few chapters. But I agree with you. I think I drag it out on purpose, and work on the character so his history becomes clear over several chapters. I don't do it in every book, but I admit to it. You got me.

Re: OCD, with which I'm familiar. One of the characters in my Book #100, THE FORT, scheduled for June 28th release, struggles with it. He's unique among my characters, I think. Mitchell is his name.

Thanks again for your comments, Jacob. And best regards,                        -----Gordon Korman-----

[daniel delarosa]

Dear Mr. Korman 

Hi I am daniel delarosa i am a 5th grade student at st. Thomas aquinas school.i like sports,video games,and reading. I just read restart and i like the way how you in the 1st chapter you made good hook. Also when you wrote your first book THIS CANT BE PUBLISHED AT MACDONALD HALL what is exactly macdonald hall.Last thing is i want to write a book how do i start a chapter and also get a good hook.

sincerly

daniel

[Gordon Korman]

Hi, Daniel,

Thanks for posting. The book was actually called THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING AT MACDONALD HALL. Macdonald Hall is a fictional boys' boarding school just north of Toronto.

Your request for help in writing a book is short on details, Daniel! You have to have a story, a setting, and characters. And I know what you mean by "a good hook." You want to hook the reader in on page 1. That means you have to have something interesting, or unusual, or funny to say right at the start. That depends on the story and characters, right? I often start a first chapter right in the middle of some action. That might work for you too. Try it.

I can't tell you how to write, but I can tell you what works for me. Plan your story pretty carefully before you start to write. Planning is everything. You can't say anything properly unless you know EXACTLY what you want to say. And you can't know that unless you plan.  

                                  Good luck!                                                     -----Gordon Korman-----