READER’S FORUM

March 9, 2023 at 10:13 pm Reply

Callum Tess

Hello Mr. Korman, my name is Callum and go to a school in West St. Paul, MN. I'm in 6th grade and have been reading your books for a very long time. I've completed your "On the Run" series, the "Swindle" series, the "Hypnotists" trilogy, and more of your books. I've noticed that you have very creative last names and wondered if you have a way or process to think of them. Usually when I write one of my stories for creative writing class I have trouble thinking of the right name. If you have a suggestion, please let me know.

-Callum
March 10, 2023 at 05:17 am Reply

Gordon Korman

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Hi, Callum,

Thanks for posting and for being such a loyal fan.

Great question! I used to be very dull with character names until I worked out a plan that gave me something more interesting. Names of characters can be Davis and Smith and Jones, but they're much more memorable if they're a bit unusual. Silly can be memorable too, but silly, like Fred Butterfingers, takes character away from Fred and turns him into a joke. But a name like Falconer really stands out. It even suggests a majestic bird.

Try the phone book, or any newspaper. The world is full of names -- hey, everybody gets at least one, right?

Hope that's helpful. Thanks again for writing. -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Callum,

Thanks for posting and for being such a loyal fan.

Great question! I used to be very dull with character names until I worked out a plan that gave me something more interesting. Names of characters can be Davis and Smith and Jones, but they're much more memorable if they're a bit unusual. Silly can be memorable too, but silly, like Fred Butterfingers, takes character away from Fred and turns him into a joke. But a name like Falconer really stands out. It even suggests a majestic bird.

Try the phone book, or any newspaper. The world is full of names -- hey, everybody gets at least one, right?

Hope that's helpful. Thanks again for writing. -----Gordon Korman-----
March 12, 2023 at 05:58 am Reply

Asher

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My favorite korman name is Mr. Plotnick. Unfortunately, it will probably be changed if the back-catalog gets Roald Dahled.

On that subject, Mr. Korman, what is your thoughts on the censorship and changes of Roald Dahl and Dr Seuss and the like? In addition, I know that some of your older books were changed to update them. Was that done with or without your permission? (I thought some of the charm of the War with Mr Wizzle was lost when it was updated.)
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My favorite korman name is Mr. Plotnick. Unfortunately, it will probably be changed if the back-catalog gets Roald Dahled.

On that subject, Mr. Korman, what is your thoughts on the censorship and changes of Roald Dahl and Dr Seuss and the like? In addition, I know that some of your older books were changed to update them. Was that done with or without your permission? (I thought some of the charm of the War with Mr Wizzle was lost when it was updated.)
March 12, 2023 at 05:36 pm Reply

Gordon Korman

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I thank you and Plotnick thanks you!

I don't like censorship, particularly done to someone like Dahl, who wrote that stuff a long time ago when a person could be enormously fat instead of just enormous. I wasn't asked for my permission to change a sensitive word here and there in my older books, but I wouldn't have complained. Apparently, times change, whether we like it or not. -----GK-----
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I thank you and Plotnick thanks you!

I don't like censorship, particularly done to someone like Dahl, who wrote that stuff a long time ago when a person could be enormously fat instead of just enormous. I wasn't asked for my permission to change a sensitive word here and there in my older books, but I wouldn't have complained. Apparently, times change, whether we like it or not. -----GK-----