[Jade]

 

01/01/2023

 

Dear Gord, 

You and I both know that I’ve barely said anything on the Forum. I talk even less than I did last year, I think, which is totally crazy to me–I’m significantly less busy this year! Well, that’s stopping. Right now. I’ve said that at least two times before but you’ll actually be surprised to see me make a difference this time. You’re cool, and I’m never giving up on my favorite author ever! So let’s give it up for Jade, who has, just like the Prodigal Son (Daughter?) returned to the Forum! 

 

Gord, you’re so cool! You’ve probably heard this a million times but you really are my favorite author. I got a lot of money for presents so I’m using it to preorder SLUGFEST. Can you believe it comes out so soon? Do you think there could be a “Book Club” thing for it like there was for MIXED UP? I don’t know if anybody would be free to do it but I’d be so invested. I’m so excited to read SLUGFEST that I’m actually preordering as we speak. Well, as I type. Right… about… 

 

(pause for intercession of about thirty seconds)

 

(Yeah, it’s been thirty seconds… sorry, my phone is in Spanish. I’m trying to figure out how to get the right information… I can’t read Spanish…)

 

Just finished. It’s been more like five minutes. Ah, that was so sad, to depart from my money like that, but it’s okay now. I can always make more money. But I can’t always pre-order SLUGFEST by Gordon Korman!

 

Well, I think we’ve come to the end of this “letter” things-ma-jigy. This may seem short, but it’s because you’ll be hearing a lot from me sooner or later… and definitely on the “sooner” side.

 

Be blessed, 

Jade

Hi, Jade,

Whatever you have time for, and whenever you have the inclination is OK with me. I always know you're out there.

I saw your open letter to Raymond and Jena, and I hope something can be worked out. The last time, chapter by chapter, it was a revelation to me! I really need to know what the people who read my books are thinking, and you've never been stingy about sharing!

Happy, happy, happy New Year!                                                                                       --G--

[Jade]

I really ought to get out of the habit of responding in my head. I'm glad you know I'm still out there looking over the Forum like the wonderful warden I am. But I ought to be more active!

Yes, something CAN be worked out, because Raymond said yes! I'm glad what we said was helpful to you. It sure helped me look at things from another way. It's honestly. So cool.

HAPPPY NEEEEWWWW YEEEEAARRRR

Be blessed,

Jade

Great to hear that it's the Jade and Raymond Book Discussion (so far!)                     ---Gord---

[Jade]

01/02/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Clearly, I won’t be able to write a letter to you for every 366 days in the year. That’s just unreasonable. But I can certainly try!

Kidding. Sorry. I really don’t think I have enough substance in the lives of me or my books for that. But still, hello for the second day in a row! I’m not how sure these daily letters are going to last (maybe even just these two days) but still. Hi!

 

How is life? Don’t answer that, that was rhetorical. But my life is GREAT and TERRIBLE and GREAT again because of a lot of things!

 

1. 
   

   I’m on break still. YAY!

   
   


2. 
   

   I go back to school the day after tomorrow. Pooey.

   
   


3. 
   

   I go back to school the day after tomorrow. YAY!

   
   


4. 
   

   SLUGFEST COMES OUT ON THE 9TH! SUPER YAY!

   
   

 

So overall, my life is a lot more great than it is terrible. It’s actually not terrible at all (I like my school.) So yeah, I can not wait for SLUGFEST. The description sounds so cool. I can’t wait to see how you execute. Gord, you’re super awesome!

Heads up. My “daily letters” for the month of whenever we do the Book Club (because I AM doing it) may literally just be my book club reviews. I may or may not make the time to write two letters in those days.

 

Well, unless something of significance happens before I send you this letter (because I do write these in advance, so I don’t forget), that’s all for right now. Thanks, Gord!

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

01/03/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Guess who it is. Me. Again. Yeah, I know, that shocked me too.

 

This letter is mainly an “apologie” for stuff. It’s an “apologie” because it’s not really an apology and more like a warning but of course, if it’s not an apology, why would you call it that but anyways I’m gonna shut up now and get to the point of the letter.

 

Gord, I’m old now. Really, really old. I’m a whopping 16 years old. Sixteen whole years (give or take a month) I’ve been on this earth and I’ve learnt a lot during my time here.

 

After many situations, watching the deaths and lives of various insects, after living through the hardships of my life… I’ve learned. A lot.

 

Mainly that I don’t remember anything.

 

Well, of course I remember facts and stuff, otherwise I wouldn’t do so well in school, but I don’t remember to keep up with my responsibilities. If I don’t write it down it’s not going to stick. Just like writing on the Forum. If I don’t have the page up it’s not going to stick in my mind that “I need to send a letter to Gord so that he hasn’t forgotten that he’s my favorite author yet.” Please ignore the grammatical implications of that sentence.

 

So of course, I am writing these letters in advance. It’s a new year Gord, and it’s time for a new me… a me that doesn’t forget to write to her favorite author at all manners of times of the year. So yeah, that’s why I’m pre-writing these letters. It probably doesn’t make a big difference in the long run, but I wanted to tell you.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

 

P.S. The letter isn’t actually over. I just figured that if you skipped over some parts, you probably wouldn’t skip over the “P.S.”, because that’s usually important. So here’s the important stuff.

 

TLDR; I want to “apologieze” for writing these letters in advance. I’m bound to forget to do something if I don’t do it in advance, which is why I’m doing this in advance. Please don’t have your feelings hurt. Thanks.

I'm humbled by the obvious fact that you care so much about me and what I think. And what do I really think? I think you're an amazing person who will blaze a trail  in this world! So do try not to exhaust yourself with your own enthusiasm!

And relax -- whatever you manage to write to me will always be enough.                                     --G--

[Jade]

GUESS WHAT!!! Theh got LINKED IN MY SCHOOL LIBRARY! That’s so awesome, I so need to check it out

 

Be blessed,

Jade

Proud of the Paggers! Glad you've found a copy of LINKED. I'll wait your comments.                          --G--

[Jade]

01/05/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

This letter is about my WIP, Veiled Deception. I got an editor! I don’t know how well it’s going to go but I am just trying to make some sort of progress on that. My writing is kind of behind considering that I don’t have an agent and am not that close to querying yet and I’m already in 10th grade but hey, I am getting somewhere! I really, really am. If I really want to do writing “right” (nice pun, write? LOL) maybe I should just write another book or something. Oh wait, I am doing that. Yay!

 

Gord, what are your thoughts on Wattpad? Do you know what that is? Is it good for authors if they just want to put their work out there for free? Maybe? Hm… 

 

That was probably the first question I’ve asked in at least a letter. Wow!

 

So yeah, I’m writing. Still trying to become an author, but I need to work harder. Life is good though. I’m actually being pretty productive, and I certainly think sending you letters is productive. It also makes me very happy. I can do things when I put my mind to them, you know?

Maybe I should do this in a different manner, though. Set it up so that I don’t burn out. I don’t have another day off until next weekend. Wow, that made zero sense in my mind. Ignore me.

 

Okay, back to the sensical part of writing a letter. Gord, please promise me something–You will NEVER show my mom these letters. She would absolutely kill me for being so unprofessional and random and everywhere-all-over-the-place to not only a grown adult author man, but also for the whole internet to see. We should be glad my last name is not on these letters (I nearly did that once before!)

 

So yeah. I don’t know if you can or should promise that. But if my mom ever asks you, “Did Jade ever say something that made zero sense to you?” please at least consider not answering her. I’m not gonna ask you to lie, but… please, be a little hesitant. Those few seconds you waste thinking are seconds I can begin to run for my life.

 

Anyways, cough cough. Back to the writing part. I want to be an author (you know that!) and I really don’t want to lose my skill. How did you hit the jackpot with having writing as your job? How do I do that? Is it possible, in this day and age? Wow. I have dreams, but I’m called to it, so it’s gonna happen.

 

Well, that’s the end of this letter. Toodles!

Be blessed,

Jade

 

(P.S. My poetry club at school is having a party for J.R.R. Tolkien during Lunch!)

OK, this one was a real letter, in every sense of the word.

An editor? Really? What sort of an allowance do you get? (Actually, I think the honest opinion of a professional is probably a great idea.)

Thoughts on Wattpad: I don't have any, except that I'm strongly opposed to doing anything for free. But if someone uses it to try and get noticed, why not, really? It's not part of my experience.

I would not share your private thoughts (also known as your stream of consciousness!) with anyone. And they're not awful; they're just a little -- unsettled. Part of being 16, as I recall back in the dawn of history.

How did I hit the jackpot on making writing my career? Easy. I was 12, and due to spend the next 8 or 9 years in my parents' house and home. With free room and board and food. I didn't have to have a job. And when I finally had to go out on my own, I'd been at the writing thing for years, and I was a professional.

As for Tolkien, I consider him someone who went airily through the gates of Faerie and never found his way out again. Sorry, but he wouldn't get a party from me. Not even a ceremonial cupcake.                      --G--

 

[Jade]

This is your daily letter from me: not my response! I’ll respond soon, I just am on my phone right now.

 

01/06/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

How would you feel if I called you dude? I never would, you’ll always be a “sir” to me, but still. Would that make you mad?

 

This letter is about… SLUGFEST! Yeah! Can you believe it comes out in three days? I mean, you’re probably bored to death of it and know it like the back of your hand, but still, it comes out so soon! So freaking soon, Gord! And I say “soon” as I write this letter on December 31st. Imagine how actually more excited I’ll feel when it really is January 6th and I’m waiting for your reply.

 

Gord, does it bother you when I make a trillion new threads? I can put all of these in one thread called “Letters For Gord”, or I can make a new one every day. I’m probably just going to do the first one. But yeah, let’s get back to SLUGFEST.

 

First of all, Yash is a cool name. I can imagine he’s a cool person because he’s like some of my classmates who played JV in 8th grade. I would be SO mad if being so good at my sport made me have to go to summer school. Summer school, can you believe that? Summer PE school! PEE! Like… well, you know! PEE!

I really hope Yash rocks. Sometimes, characters can be super annoying (but I still love them). But even worse, they can be boring (I DON’T love them). I hope Yash is awesome. I doubt you can tell me anything about him since the book hasn’t come out yet, but still.

 

I wonder what’s wrong with Cleo. Why did she swear off sports? (I know it’s answered in the book.) Why am I so obsessed over a book meant for 3rd to 7th graders? Better yet, who cares? I’m SO excited for SLUGFEST. Well,  I hope that the other people have said yes to my proposition of having another Book Club. That would be wonderful.

 

Oh my gosh, book clubs! I nearly forgot. The PAGGERS are allowed to have a Book Club in the after school care of my school. I am excited but I have to make some tough decisions because it’s beginning to look like it’s gonna be Book Club or Track. And I need to do Track. But I care about books more. Whatever.

 

I need to talk with the lady more about having the Book Club, but you know for sure that we’re going to go over some of YOUR books first. If I pick, I’d say Restart. But maybe it’d be better if we let them pick? Whatever, we’ll figure it out. Gord, what book of yours do you think is the most readable for a Book Club? 

 

I think that BC will meet up twice a month. Weekly would be awesome but honestly not feasible. My mom thinks the “BookVenture” idea that a Mom on your Forum said would be awesome but we just need to see. I will be bringing up these issues with the lady (a very kind woman) soon.

 

Welp, looks like it’s the end of the letter. And I accidentally went over my one-page limit, oops! But it’s okay because I’m not wasting any paper since this isn’t real.

 

So, thanks Gord.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

 

(P.S. Happy Kings Day!)

Book Club or Track. Hmmm.

Re: choosing a book. RESTART is a little young for your group, no? THE FORT might be better, or LINKED. But what do I know? Love your letters for Gord.                                  ---Gord---

P.S. Pretty sure I'm too old to be "Dude."                                          --G--

[Jade]

Well, the kids in the book club are elementary school, like 4th and 5th grade, back when Sarah and I read Restart we were in 4th-5th grade too. THE FORT or LINKED could be good choices for them too. I’m really glad you like these letters!!

Also, here’s that response I said I’d say from what you said yesterday:

 

Yeah, an editor, but she’s not like a $200 one she’s a cheap one. I didn’t figure you’d know a lot about Wattpad because it’s mainly used by tweenage to teenage girls. “Unsettled”. That’s a great way to describe the way I talk and think, I’d say. Thanks! And LOL about Tolkien. Do you feel the same way about C.S. Lewis? If you did, that’d be funny, because the sponsor of poetry club at my school is obsessed with Lewis. Oh, and to answer your question about my allowance; let’s just say that it’s very fortunate my birthday is only 20 days from Christmas. ;) Yippee!

 

Sorry this letter is in a billion different formats.

01/07/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

I think that I am kind of crazy. Crazy in the “I do fun and very random and kind of scary things” way, not in the mean way. 

 

I’m already on my seventh letter. I literally said that I couldn’t do daily letters and that’s not feasible. But I’m on the seventh one. Wow, I really do things when I put my mind to it. If only I could write actual content this much. Like, guess how many words I’ve written already? Guess!

 

If you guessed 2,657 words you’d be right on. Now that I look at it, these letters aren’t that long. But I do hope I’ve brought a smile to your face at least once. And I do hope you’re actually reading these. I’m actually going to test you to see if you’ve read these.

 

So, anyways, SLUGFEST COMES OUT IN TWO DAYS, and also, I feel like this day is important for some reason but I don’t know why. Seventh of January? Oh wait! That means Kings Day was yesterday! You certainly don’t celebrate that but it’s a big thing in Catholicism (and I’m not Catholic… but still!) Yeah, so, happy that.

 

Here’s your test now. If you respond to this, please say the word “pink” in your letter at least once. Then I will know that you have read this far. Well, I now want to celebrate the first seven days, the first week of me sending a message every day to you. I am pretty sure that I am going to do that since all I have to do is literally copy and paste from Google Docs, because at this point, I have written seven letters. A B C D E F G.

 

That was actually really funny.

 

Anyways, I kind of don’t know what to talk about. Maybe The Bookout? I’m so glad I started uploading on there because I actually got 61 subscribers as of 12/31/23. Can you believe that? It’s so many! In so short a time! You’re awesome, Gord. Thanks for the idea. I wouldn’t have made that channel if I didn’t want to make a video for your 100th book so badly.

 

Well, that’s the end of this letter. And that’s also the end of me writing letters for right now since I just wrote seven or eight! Bye, Gord!

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

01/08/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

I just got a cover from someone, for an entirely different project, and it is pretty cool. It doesn’t really match my style but that’s okay, it looks great. But guess what? SLUGFEST comes out tomorrow! Tomorrow as in manyana, sir! mañana… LOL.

 

Who is your favorite character in SLUGFEST? Can you even say that yet? Well, when you can, please tell me… that would be awesome.

 

By the way, I never responded to your reply on Christmas, but I wanted to say that I’m glad you spent time with all of your kids. That’s great!

 

Gord, do you work on multiple projects at a time?

 

Also, did you know, running is HARD? The things you feel when you run though, that certainly helps with my writing. 

 

Well, that’s all for this letter. Bye, Gord!

 

Be blessed,

Jade

 

(P.S. Do any of your book characters have New Year’s Resolutions? If Mr. Aidact did, what would his be?)

Hey, Jade,

Random replies:

I would have thought you'd get slightly less, being so close to Christmas. Superb family, obviously.

Fav. characters in SLUGFEST - Stuart & Sarah. They don't have a big part, but it's memorable. And I have a soft spot for Mrs. Finnerty.

Multiple projects? Not if I can help it!  It's usually just 2 -- the current project, and maybe a rewrite from something semi-new. There can be 2 re-writes, but that means putting Current Project on hold. 

I used to be a runner. Now I'm a walker.

                                         Regards,                                                     ---G---

 

[Jade]

That would be true if I were any closer to Christmas. But I'm in the sweet spot--too far from Christmas for them to combine presents/have my Christmas presents on their mind. Plus, my big brother's bday is close to mine so they never forget that my birthday is coming up. They are so superb.

I can't wait to read about who these awesome characters are TOMORROW! Can you believe it? I sure can't. And I can't wait, either.

I wouldn't like to work on a ton of projects at a time either. I'd lose my love for some and totally forget about others, and by the time I came back, I'd have no inspiration for 'em.

Welp, I'm a runner now. And I'm lovin' it!

Be blessed,
Jade

[Jade]

01/09/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Guess what today is! Guess it! Yeah, you’re spot on–SLUGFEST DAY!!!! YIPPEE!!! This means that I can binge read the entire book as soon as it delivers and sit it on my bookshelf, the one I show in videos. This will be GREAT. What’s even better, I can even tell people to come do the book club on the 20th, so it will hopefully not just be Raymond and I. 

 

You know, I find a lot of joy in writing these letters. It’s cool to know all of this random information that’s kind of useless about me will be on the internet for a long time, maybe forever. And that’s a long time.

 

Oh, and what’s funny, there’s actually a PAGGERS meeting today! That’s awesome, I think we are just going to plan when and what the party materials will be. I really need other members to step it up and help pay because my fam can’t cover everything. I mean, we could, but you know? Kind of lame. At some point, we’ll have to do a fundraiser of money.

 

Anyways, back to SLUGFEST. Can’t wait to read about Yash and all of the other characters whose names I’ve forgotten about except for Cleor. Oops. Cleo. You know, a lot of good things are going to happen on this day that I’m writing this which is not actually the 9th. I hope the actual 9th will be even better, tho.

 

You know, I’d maybe apologize for keeping this letter short, but honestly, quality is better than quantity. I wouldn’t have to be forced to read a bunch of nonsense from myself every day, or at least a lot of times a year. I won’t burn out.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

[Olivia O.]

Hi Gord,

I love your writing style, it is so suspenseful and you are my favorite author! I'm always telling my mom how much I enjoy your books.

My class just read Restart together and we loved it. My reading teacher would always say "okay that's all we have for today" and we would all respond with "noooooooooo!" begging her to read more. Anyway, I've always loved your books especially Restart, so we were thinking if you could make a prequel or a sequel. For example as a prequel it could be called Rewind and could be about Chase's life before the fall. It could be him being a bully in the beginning, with Arron, and Bare. Shoshona still hating his guts, and Kimberly still liking him. Also in the end it could end with his accident.

Sincerely,

Olivia

Fairfield, Connecticut

 

Hi, Olivia,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoy my books, and especially honored that the class seems to have liked RESTART so much.

As to a prequel or a sequel, I haven't planned either one, but I would never rule it out. But I have moved on to other projects. So I'll just have to give you an indefinite "maybe." Sorry I can't be more definite than that.

I should remind you, though, that you have good taste. I'm VERY happy to report that RESTART has been on the New York Times Bestseller List for OVER THREE YEARS!!!

Thanks again, Olivia.                                                                          -----Gordon Korman-----

[Jade]

01/10/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Woohoo, tenth of the month, we’re finally getting somewhere! Still in the SLUGFEST season. Honestly, I would say a lot more about these characters if I’d read the book by now but I actually haven’t yet.

 

How do you pick the times and settings of the books? Do they align with real life when you write them, or something else crazy? 

Which character was the hardest to write? 

 

I could make my guesses but I probably wouldn’t be right, so it’d be cool if you would answer those.

 

You know, it’s really nice when I wake up in the day (well, not today… lol) but when i get up and go to Docs and Ctrl C&V a message on there, because it’s like you’re a pen pal. Well, you literally are, but it’s really cool because I get a sense of accomplishment for actually writing the letter, a sense of accomplishment for actually sending the letter, a little excitement because a basic celebrity is (hopefully) gonna read my letter, and then I get happy about consistency. Oh, and then, hopefully, in the school day you’ve maybe responded if you do. It’s perfectly fine when you don’t respond (I know you see it) but it’s cool when you do because I have something to look forward to.

 

Wow, that was a super long paragraph. Happy Wednesday, I’d say (it is Wednesday, right?) Bye, Gord!

 

Be blessed,

Jade

Hi again,

It's Wednesday, and I'm off to tour a little -- St. Louis for 2 days and Cinci for 1 and then home onlyto take off again Sunday night for a promo tour for SLUGFEST for Harper Collins.

They're ALL the hardest characters to write. The trick is to make them people, real people, with likes, dislikes, quirks, problems, etc. Then, if they're people to you, chances are your reader will find them people too. (A little trick of the trade.) Times are usually the present, and sometimes I pick a couple of years into the future because that's how long it will be before the book comes out.

And if reading my dull talk when you get home from school is the big thrill, you need a hobby! Hee hee.                    --G--

[Darren]

Gord,

Are you going to stop for a five-way chili while in Cincinnati?

I can't hear the name of that city without the WKRP theme going through my head.

[Jade]

01/11/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Short message alert! Short message alert! It’s already 111 day, can you believe it? The New Year was just yesterday!

 

Ugh, I’m so excited for the Book Club to start! It’s going to be so awesome though I might have to stop doing these momentarily because I may or may not have the time to write two different letters with all of that brainpower. Plus, my classes are getting harder (or easier, in some cases) so I really have to buckle up for that. It’s cool to do something consistently though, like write these letters!

 

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I just realized that I sent a letter (though not necessarily to you) every day last week. Well, I certainly hope so. That’s what it’s looking like in the Google Docs right now. 

 

Heads Up: The next letter is going to be about writing. But for right now, I have a question: Am I allowed to talk about random stuff on the Forum, or is it a waste of your space? I certainly enjoy sending these and “talking” to you, because you’re awesome, but am I spamming too much, too often? Is it bad for you? ‘Cuz I can just put all 7 of the week in one message, or 14 in one, or, well, you get the gist. Or I could put it in a Google Drive, but that’s kind of a lot, you know?

 

Anyways, that’s the end of this message because I want to save up for Friday for that message to be extra good, so I can’t use all of my brain juices on this one. Sorry. Hope I could make your Thursday a bit brighter.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

 

(P.S. Stay tuned for the writing message tomorrow!)

 

I think it’s really cool that you’re on tour for Slugfest right now! And this is my greatest hobby. The rest of my time is spent with school (yuck) and sports. And ofc reading.

Hi, Jade,

Use all the space you want. There's infinite room. And you don't buckle up for harder work; you buckle down.

As for the tour, the weather is threatening to kill it. You guys in Atlanta don't really know what weather is! I have to go to Cincinnati via Chicago, and if I get snowed in there, it could be days! Touring in the winter is not such hot stuff.

I'm excited about Book Club too. Yours and Raymond's are the opinions I value most!                                      --G--

Hey, Darren,

Another Les Nesman fan. I should have known!                                                               ---Gord---

[Jade]

Ha, it’s not just you with the storms. My school got cancelled for the day (along with a bunch of other counties.) But I SEVERELY hope that your tour doesn’t get cancelled. I’m rooting for the weather to work in your favor because that would be a pain in the pampis. Also, I started reading Linked.

 

01/12/2024

 

Dear Gord, 

 

Guess what? Yeah, it’s tomorrow! Friday! And I’m writing the writing message now! But the thing is, I totally forgot what I was going to say. But uh, scary news: this document is already 29 pages long and I’ve only written 13 messages on here. Nope, that’s wrong. 20. But still, you know?

 

Anyways, writing. I wanted to give you a huge thanks for telling me that advice on plotting. I used to really hate it and never want to do it before I wrote but it really transformed my writing. For one, I actually had a basis and a plan to go with so that the words weren’t a waste of space, which was great. I was previously writing chapters that were like 7k-8k words long with nothing going on except maybe two scenes, unnecessary vocabulary, unfunny jokes, and a WHOLE lot of angst. I’m glad I’ve moved on.

 

But now, I actually enjoy the process. It’s a bit difficult but necessary if I want the WIP to go anywhere or for the plot to work. Somesimtes, I am really glad I take advice for experienced individuals such as you on writing stuff and then my mom on life stuff, but that’s irrelevant. But yes, thank you for your writing help!

 

Gord, we are so close to the Book Club starting up! Isn’t that awesome? Well, I know it’s just a small discussion, but I find it wonderful to talk to other people (Raymond) about your books. It’s actually so cool to talk to someone who is so knowledgeable in the Kormanverse. Well, is that what’s its called? You know, the Riordanverse… with everything of all his books? Nevermind, it’s confusing. Doesn’t matter.

 

Question: What’s the oldest character you’ve ever written as a main character? Not counting Roddy, he’s like 500 years old. Kind of… he died.

 

Well, that was all of the writing stuff I had to say. Thanks! Tune in for more messages, coming up next… tomorrow!

Be blessed,

Jade

 

Hi, Jade,

Glad to be of service re: plotting. It works.

Oldest character? Probably Mr. Julius Solway from RESTART. He was an old-time vet living in a nursing home.

Re: Book Club. You'll enjoy the insights from Asher, who is someone I know. He's interesting and smart.

I'm home, with the tour on hold because of the weather.                                                 ---G---                                                                                               

[Jade]

Thank you, and that's cool! I remember that guy. The RESTART story is really interesting. So excited for the Book Club, too.

I'm sorry that your tour is on hold, but I'm so happy that its not cancelled. Now you have even more time to plan and stuff. Also, I just finished LINKED--and if you're wondering why I read LINKED first, rather than SLUGFEST, it's because LINKED is a library book that I figured I should read ASAP while I own SLUGFEST. Linked was really good. I'll make another thread for it.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

Glad you enjoyed LINKED, Jade.

Forgot 2 oldsters, probably older than Mr. Solway. There's G.G., which is what the kid calls Great Grandfather from WAR STORIES. He was a WWII veteran, which puts him well into his 90's, I think. And there's a character coming up in a book with no definite title yet. He's 99.                                                                                --GK--

[Jade]

1/13/24

Dear Gord,

You must have been wondering, where in the hummingbirds is my letter? Well, here it is. And guess when I wrote it? RIGHT NOW! I’ve been at a tournament (speech and debate) all day, so that’s why I hadn’t sent any yet. But I did read what you wrote in response to my ESSAY on Linked and I will tota respond to that once I find a computer to type on. 

It’s so amazing how many characters you remember. You’ve probably written hundreds. All IN DEPTH. To be you must be very hard and very awarding. I still can’t get over your hundreds of three dimensional characters.

I know I said I didn’t have a favorite character in LINKED, and I think that is because I was so somber. I was almost somber with THE FORT because of C.J. () but honestly, if you hadn’t added comedic parts it would have been like, sad. It was sombering how big 6 million is. That’s… so many people. Broke my heart when Link wrote Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma. And that so many of them went without names… wow. Man, that was such a great project. And it amazes me what those kids in Tennessee did. I wanna be like them!

I’ll respond to the rest of what you said over in Talking ‘bout Books (read that in a southern REDNECK accent) because I’ll totally get lost if I write it here. So excited for SLUGFEST. Will probably start (and finish) reading it tomorrow.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

1/14/24

Dear Gord,

This isn't a real letter. It's kind of just words because I don't want to skip out on a day. I already wrote you like, two things already. I also need to save my brainpower for writing the next week's letters. I hope you enjoyed getting letters written the day of.

Also, I have a four day weekend? It's literally so nice. I definitely needed the break. I have to go back to running once school starts but I actually enjoy that so that's okay.

You know, SLUGFEST really brought back my love for reading. How hype it is. How fun it is. I also almost lost this letter to the ravages of the internet, but I didn't, so YIPPEE! I don't usually read books anymore. Middle grade books (not the biggest fan of YA.) But SLUGFEST made me realize that reading these crafted books is a lot better than reading fanfiction. 

Be blessed,

Jade

Hi, Jade,

REALLY pleased to hear that SLUGFEST went over so well with you. As you can probably imagine, it was fun to write, too.

                                                                                                                                                              --G--

[Jade]

1/15/24

Hey Gord. I think I realized something yesterday. That only the top 1% of the 2% of some other crazy statistics of authors actually get published. And only so many few can make it their job. Their life. Their everything. And that me, sitting around and ignoring my not-so-great WIP without putting the work in will never reach that unless I put the work in. 

So I'm serious about writing now. I've done a lot of research (cough, watching YouTube videos, cough) today and I'm reading articles now about stuff to just... be awesome at writing. To get constantly better and better at writing. To improve. I certainly wasn't born with the ability to write well so it's not just gonna pop up out of thin air. I've realized that I've got to work to make this work. Maybe I don't have time, but honestly, when do you ever? You've got to make time for what's important.

So yeah, I'm super serious about writing now. Middle grade, of course. But I'm starting to look at is more as a business with rejections rather than something that's fair. I bet the industry would make Bella mad (not that I know anything about it.) I'm excited, though. Excited for the long haul.

Be blessed,

Jade

Hi, Jade,

An interesting point of view. Of course you're right about all of it, except the 1% or 2%. I'm sure it's more than that. Not everyone is going to be Hemingway or Stephen King. But there are a lot of people making it to some degree in this business. And there are plenty of doctors and accountants etc. who are doing some writing on the side.

But I get it. You want the whole enchillada. And you're willing to work for it. You may not have been born spouting excellence, but you have a seriously good grounding in language and the use of imagery. And the ability to express yourself to your own satisfaction is the first step to success. Really. Plus that streak of stubborn determination! Wow!

But please don't let it interfere with your enjoyment of running, of the PAG, of being 16, or of communicating on a friendly basis with a lot of people. You do it so well.

P.S. I forgot to wish you a Happy MLK Day. Now, THAT was a remarkable person!                                         --G--

[Jade]

1/16/24

Dear Gord,

Thanks! And I sure hope you're right about that percentage. It's a lot more inspiring. I think it's cool how people write even if it's not their main job. I'm not even sure I want it to be my main job, if that makes sense.

See, I love writing. And I also love service. I like working for myself and also for other people. I think I'd like to do part-time as well, but honestly, I'm not gonna worry about any of that. GWP. And yes, I do want the whole enchilada! Thanks for the encouragement. My writing was BAD bad when I first started. I really am determined, now. 

I thought of that too. I don't want to forget about anything else while pursuing my writing career. Speaking of, great reminder for me to email the church people--I want to serve there. Also. Writing is important, but relationships are more important.

And up until today I didn't know you could wish people a happy MLK day. But yeah, happy belated--also, I got another day of school off! This is five days in a row now. I basically got a January break. Crazy, right?

Be blessed,
Jade

[Jade]

1/17/24

Dear Gord,

I have good news. One: You're getting a letter today, from me! It's this, not a piece of paper. Sorry. Two: I think my writing is getting better. I only watched a couple YouTube videos for a few hours in the past days and I can see my writing coming together a bit more and more. I wrote random stuff on a piece of paper today in class and I dare say that it was not half bad. I mean, my writing usually isn't half bad, but I can tell it's improving. 

All of this research has only gotten me more and more excited to write Realistic Fiction for Middle Grade. I could talk about writing for ages, but you know… it’s just so me.

I have a few authors whose writing I really like. You’re my favorite, and I really appreciate their styles. Gordon Korman (sound familiar?), Shannon Messenger, Chris Colfer, Alan Gratz. All writers who have talents and skills that I want to mimic. Not mimic as in form a style copying theirs, but mimic as in write like them. Same impact.

I really enjoy writing. I hope it can be my profession one day. But right now, I need to work and work and work to get my first novel out, which will probably be the hardest.

Speaking of. I decided I want a new pen name. My current one is my first and middle initials and then my last name. I want to change that and get a cool, memorable last name that won't slip from someone’s mind immediately. Just like how I want my characters to have interesting (enough) names.

Did you ever consider a pen name, when you first came out with your books?

Be blessed,

 

Jade

Hi,

Your plans and enthusiasm are exhausting!  I can't remember ever being so enthusiastic about so much.

I never considered a pen name. I was 12. I didn't even know there was such a thing. Why do you want one? Would you be upset if I told you I don't remember your surname? But I love the name Jade. I think it's very writer-ish. 

It's late. Goodnight.                                                                                      --G--

[Jade]

1/18/24

Dear Gord,

Yeah! Yay! Because writing is just THAT awesome. Well, okay, yeah, being 12 and not making a pen name makes sense. I can’t guess that you were planning to be this awesome of a writer. Would 12 year old you guess that you’d write 100+ books and be a celeb? Only if you were super ambitious! I want a pen name because I don’t want people to forget my last name! And no, I wouldn’t be upset, the only time you’d probably ever see my last name would be at the national book festival like in one of my books or something because I have tried not to write it on the Forum. But thank you! I quite like Jade too, but I want to be a memorable name. Like “Jade (cool pen last name) or “J.C. (cool pen last name)” My grandma’s maiden name is super hard to pronounce though. You know Shannon Messenger? Sarah J. Maas? Any of the Colfers? I want something catchy. Don’t know though. I need to get my hands on a computer so I can write today.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

Hey, Gord, you’ll get your letter eventually today. Not right now though. My day started at 5:00 and it’s gonna end around 7:00, 7:30. I’ll try and get it to you once I get home though. Thanks. Got good news for you! Small news, but good news.

BRB. Gotta freeze to death in running practice.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

1/19/24

Dear Gord,

I wanted to say that at school, the librarians said that a lot of middle and high schoolers said you were their favorite author. Also, they said that they are going to buy SLUGFEST for the library! Also, a great thanks for LINKED. I am using lessons I learned today.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

1/20/24

Dear Gord,

I’ve got four minutes to write a letter. Well, okay then. No real updates for today. I did some work and I started writing a fanfic. Who knew it was so much work to write something when you’re not making up stuff? So much research I have to do. I even watched a video of a scene to get some descriptions on it. It’s rather funny right now, though. It’ll take forever to get to the point. This is going to be a bit of a short story fanfic. I’m happy so far. 1.8k words, a lot of words that I worked for. It’s also British (Harreh Pottah) so it’s pretty funny. Mum instead of mom and whatnot. I really hope the SLUGFEST book thingy will start soon. I guess we can start it tomorrow? I thtought we were gonna wait for the others (Sorry Raymond, if you’re seeing this) so I didn’t have any kickoff message supplied yet. Welp. It’s happening though.

 

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

1/21/24

Dear Gord,

January is almost over. Kind of. Ten more days, roughly a week and a half. And I STILL have two thousand books sitting in the garage! Way to go, book drive. [ >:( and :) ] Now that I'm back into writing, it's actually extremely difficult. I'm probably going to do a lot of worldbuilding today because I have to rewrite literally everything. I'm not giving up on VD though. I'm writing this book and I'm making it good. You know, if I were to ever become a 7th grade english teacher, I would make my students' big project of the year to be to write a book in the hopes they start their career. Or something else. Or just learn how to write well. It'd be really cool, but I'm a little too busy being a 10th grader to be a 7th grade english teacher. I'm scared that I won't have anything to show for this year, though. In 9th grade, I wrote a WIP. That was my accomplishment. But 10th grade? I've done so much of NOTHING! I mean, joined two sports, but what in the world does that mean for my writing portfolio? AAAH!!!! I have to get something down, start something, BE something! 'Cuz I have a lot to say.

Welp, that's all for this letter. Gonna go write my fanfic now.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

Oh my goodness! I'm in this creative writing course that sends email lessons and guess what! Look what they wrote when talking about a hook/high concept!

"For example: Restart by Middle Grade author extraordinaire, Gordon Korman, is about a kid who’s struck with amnesia. When he returns to school all his classmates seem frightened by him and he infers that before he got sick, he was the class bully.

 

Brilliant. Made me want to read it right away and wonder why no one came up with it sooner. As if the concept were a fruit hanging from a tree but, for no reason at all, no one picked it until Gordon Korman came along."

Isn't that awesome?!

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

Oh yeah! Also, I was talking to my cousin from Kansas and you’re her favorite author too! She loves RESTART. You’re so famous!

Be blessed,

Jade

Love your letters, especially when they're about a superfan I have in Kansas. RESTART seems to have been the book that did the trick for a lot of people. Did I tell you that it's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for THREE YEARS??? I must have told you. I'm telling everyone who will listen.

Loving the comments about SLUGFEST! It's almost a little scary to read the posts, but I'm being brave and keeping up with them. After all, I write for an audience, and that's you guys. So I need to have your input, right? But I admit I hold my breath before I start reading.                                                  --G--

[Jade]

Why is it scary? Nah, that makes sense. But we only have good things to say! We love your work! You're the best author ever. 

Also, (to the first paragraph) THANK YOU! Do you want more? I kind of just stopped so your letters could be the SLUGFEST letters. When my cousin told me you were here favorite author too I was STOKED! Yes, you have said that about RESTART and it makes me super happy about it because you deserve the recognition. I think most of your books are equally good. IDK why RESTART blew up, since you have a buck ton of books that are good and better (cough cough SUPERGIFTED) but I'm so glad you blew up with that one. Whenever I hear someone talk about you, it's about RESTART. Well, one time it was 'bout SCHOOLED.

Gord, how come Raymond and that other guy have an image, but you don't? I thought Raymond was just like, a special robot admin guy. Why don't YOU have an image? Now that I think about it, WHERE'S YOUR NAME?

How did it take me two years to realize that you don't have a name on your letters... wow, I'm so inobservant.

I also can't believe I've been on this Forum this long. Wow. I've never been this consistent before (which isn't really consistent at all, but still!)

I'm so proud of RESTART. That probably sounds weird, coming from a kid, but for all the stories to blow up I'm glad it's about a kid realizing his mistakes and being better. #ChaseAmbroseFTW

Be blessed,

Jade

I won't hold you to a daily letter AND book club entries, Jade. That would be cruel. So you just write in either Letters or Book Club when the mood strikes you, OK? I especially enjoy your conversations with Raymond. You can learn a lot about language and sentence structure and reading a plot point from him. He's really smart, and I don't think that just because he's a fan of my work! Look how you, with his active encouragement, have such an amazing dialogue going over SLUGFEST.

I'm in the middle,of trying to come up with a new plot, and I'm so busy with the SLUGFEST Book Club that my head is in the clouds! It's all good.                                                                                      --G--

[Jade]

LOL! I had a dream your daughter hopped on here to say hi. It was so weird (why would she say hi on here? exactly.)

[Jade]

Hi! Fifteen days ago--can you believe that? Prob. But, hi!

In case you forgot who I am I'm Jade

Mazel tov

IDK I'm just saying stuff because I don't like that it says 15 days ago.

Fifteen days is not so long in the scheme of things.

I'm completely blown away by the material from everyone who took part in the SLUGFEST Book Club. I hope you'll all gear up again when FAKER comes out in July. I guarantee you that it will create a stir!

Thanks for leading the commentary. I can't tell you how grateful I am that the group was so supportive and so insightful and just so wise and funny!

Blessings!                                                                                              ---Gord---

[Jade]

Since the MIXED UP one was so awesome, I really wanted to do it again. I’m so glad everyone else was just so active! All the times I forgot or was late or something, Raymond, Shaleen, of Asher were there! It was wonderful! I just read the blurb of FAKER. Wow. Now I’m super excited.

Thanks thanks thanks! I’m super grateful for the group too.

Thanks for the blessings.

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

They're selling your books at the book fair! I think six of them. I've read all of them, but I want to buy LINKED (I checked it out last time) and UNPLUGGED (I bought it, but Kindle version.) They're affordable too!
Awesome! Actually, update, wrong. I do have UNPLUGGED. I bought the Kindle version two years back and I bought the physical version at the National Book Festival. Just LINKED then! Wish they had SLACKER, because right now I just have LEVEL 13. Read both.

Be blessed,

Jade

Glad some of my stuff made it to the Book Fair.

Missing the Book Club. It was a great one.

Feeling dull, and working hard. Very boring person tonight. Sorrrrrry.                                                                 -G-

[Jade]

Gord, every single year your stuff comes to the Book Fair! And since we use Bedford Falls now, even more of your books (paperback) come! I miss the Book Club too. Maybe you should write more books so we can do it more (just kidding!)! I actually think you're massively impressive how lightning-fast you have to write and revise to get a book out every 6 months or so. Like, that's insane. You have all of my kudos good sir. Once I learned a bit of the processing and publishing process for a novel, I began to realize the amount of skill, expertise, and familiarity with the craft that authors have to have to get one out a year! So two? You're awesome!

I wish we could do Book Clubs on old books but most of the people in the Book Clubs are adults with jobs and lives.

Woah, just came back a DAY later and I can't believe the Forum saved this. Wonderful Forum or Wonderful Computer.

But guess what? PAG just served at the school library again! We're really doing a lot. I know you probably don't care but we also sent out a newsletter and made you the author of the month, obviously.

 

Be blessed,
Jade

Don't care? DON'T CARE??? I'm author of the month for the Paggers! You probably don't believe it when I say I DO care. A whole lot. When you're old and doing what I do, you'll understand that every fan is precious, and so is every honor!      ---G---

[Jade]

That makes me super happy! Because we appreciate you too, a LOT! I came on here to say that at the Book Fair, I decided to buy RESTART and LINKED because my copy of RESTART has been absolutely mauled by my dog! The collection is now at thirty-nine! I know it isn't the most but I'm at a good 37.8% way there!

Be blessed,

Jade

[Jade]

7/24/24 (Yikes... it's been a while)

Hi! I suppose it is life update time. Simply because I want to update you on my progress to beat you at publishing 100+ books!
So, Gord. I was wondering. Is the challenge to write more books than you, or to publish more books than you? I'm working on both of them but there are quite a few kinks I'll have to iron out for the publishing part.

So, here's the update. Over spring break, I decided to write a book. TLDR; I found a Christian guy on Discord who wanted to write a Christian fantasy and we are doing it. 

So, I wrote it! I finished the first draft and I've gotten an editor to look at it. Both of my parents have read it. Really liked it. (My mom went nuts!) And now I'm on the second draft. 

It's a trilogy and we're (self-*)publishing the first book this year, hopefully. So, be ready to write that fan letter! You know, I was seriously thinking of keeping it a secret from you and being like "oh, surprise! look what I did!" when it comes out. But I just... couldn't. Gord, you've been my inspiration and an encouragement for many more times than you realize. The amount of times I have kept the Forum tab open beside Google docs as I wrote at school! Insane! But I wanted to let you be a part of this journey since you have been in spirit for the past forever.

Anyways. Back to yapping.

I'm also telling you this because it's a 57,300 word long first draft that I wrote in 11 days. Yes. 11 days. 

Do you know what that means?

That means I'll beat you. At least for the writing portion of the challenge. This may be my first (unless you count that old first draft from almost two years ago) of many. Right now my goal is just how many books you've written + 1.

My mom also said that she fully, 100% supports me in my writing career which made me tear up a bit. It's scary, but she is letting me (double-) major in Creative Writing for college!

So, writing life update over. Thanks!

 

Now, unrelated. PAG. I'm taking it really seriously this year and I will tell you about the ideas I have for it when I get them. We're thinking of making those "free library" box things and putting them around more lower-class apartment complexes and neighborhoods because those are the places where the literacy rate is the lowest. Plus, since the kids' parents are working so hard they probably don't have the time to take the kids to the library. They also, unfortunately, probably have less expendable income for books, especially with how inflation is looking nowadays. (PAG thinks these boxes would help a lot!)

 

Okay, that's all. I'll tell you if I remember more.

Be blessed,

Jade

(*It's not entirely self-publishing, he has this small studio where they publish entertainment stuff and a lot of it is Christian which I really appreciate. I'm really excited.)

YOU'RE excited? YOU!!!!!

I'm blown away!You did it! And at 16! And you did it exactly the way you wanted to do it!

Your idea of a "Take one, Leave one" box is a very good thing, I think. 

The next step is to go to the library and get a book on writers' markets. It will list a whole lot of literary agents. Once you have something to show that could well be something to sell, it may be time to hire an agent and go into business. (Forgive me, but writing as a career is a business -- I still have 2 kids in college!)

11 days, huh? I guess that's the way you do everything -- in a big rush, mucho excitement, and  at top volume. So you may very well beat me! Of course ... dare I say it? ... I was 12 ...

This is wonderful! Just don't tell me you have no time for me any more, OK?                                           ---Gord---

[Jade]

Yea, I know! Me being excited, that's so crazy. Like, it never happens. Not ever. Especially since I am an extremely stoic and emotionless young lady...

*cough cough* anyways. YAY!!!!!!

Thanks! And also, thanks! I've done a bit more research and we've found that they're called "Little Free Libraries". Here's how you apply to register one. It's relatively simple.

Since I sent that message, we did begin to make moves for PAG. I emailed the leader of the Woodworking Club at my school and he said that they would totally do it/help us/whatever we wanted. I already have paint. Fortunately, a sheet of plywood (enough to make one, maybe two) costs only $80. But unfortunately, it also costs eighty dollars, if you know what I mean. It's worth it anyways; it's such a fun project! So that's great, we'll start it when school starts.

I also emailed the leader of the afterschool care at my school to see if she wanted us to host a book club this year. Good news, she was like absolutely yes! So that's another thing that's going great for the paggers.

And also, it's not my idea. I want to give the credit to my friend Geronimina* came up with the idea last year but we didn't do it because I was scared. Now, we are doing it! Awesome!

Thanks for the library advice. I will definitely try and check that out. It's pretty smart, too, to find the list of all the agents in one place. I was thinking of looking at QueryTracker and ManuscriptWishlist but I need a bit more information too, since apparently you're supposed to keep agents for life.

And I want to be clear that I'm not being overly confident about it. Some 0.01% of people get agents? Whatever it is, it's extremely, extremely low. So no, I will probably not be querying for a long, long time as I absolutely perfect my manuscript. I'm not sure what book I want to be the manuscript I query, but I need to hone my skills a lot before I get to that point. It must be stellar and a bag of chips. (By the way, what is your favorite kind of chips? Mine's the Chili Cheese Fritos.) Anyways, querying is not something to be fumbled!

And I think that was a wonderful way of explaining how I do things. I may want to change that up a bit for later in life, but that's basically the process of an ADHD teenager. Procrastination queen over here. But yeah, you were 12. And you didn't really have an 11 day deadline. But as times change, the processes must change. Being a 12-year-old was massively impressive back then, especially when the book was good, good enough to get published by Scholastic! You also happened to have an innate talent for writing and good work ethic (evidence provided by your 100+ books). You were unicorn boy jumped on that opportunity and capitalized on it. Smart, funny, and good at writing? You had it in the bag. Unfortunately, I don't have anything in the bag. Actually, I don't have a bag. So I have to write super quick and super good to get ahead of my competition, the other thousands of authors trying to make a name for themselves! You hit the JACKPOT! (pun intended) But I can't bank on hitting it too, since it is a jackpot. 

TLDR; You were awesome and you hit the jackpot. Market also wasn't super overly-saturated by superstar teens. Now, market is oversaturated. Also AI. Also, I can't bank on hitting the jackpot, so I must be a lot better and a lot faster than my competition because you're write! It is a business. (Pun intended)

And thanks for your support. Yes, it is great. But despite everything going on, there are few things I prioritize more than the Forum. Especially since you're my inspo for like, everything! If you can't remember your roots, you'll fly away! (What? Anyways...)

 

Be blessed,

Jade

P.S. *Her name is not Geronimina. Who names their child Geronimina.

[Marlo]

A book? I hope it gets popular so I can read it. I say that because if it doesn’t get popular, it probably won’t go anywhere but a few towns away.

[Marlo]

Oh, and a good way to get people to notice your book is to put them in the little free libraries.

[Jade]

That's a great idea Marlo! Also, Gord, Gord! I made a website! It took forever... like, a couple of hours! I even bought a domain name. Thankfully not too expensive $10 a year, but still!

https://www.jcharriswrites.com

 

Be blessed,

Jade

Well, jcharris, I'm impressed right up the wazoo! It's a work of art, and I intend to check in regularly. Congratulations! I wouldn't have had the sense or the wit to do this! I'm impressed!                                             --Gord--