[Jade]

Dear Gord,

 

Life is hard, and that’s a fact you’re probably well aware of. My life is getting pretty difficult too. I look left and right and see things piling up. So many deadlines are chasing after me with sledgehammers in their grips. People are nattering like flies in my ears (or is that just my own anxiety?) and it’s like I’m running up a never-ending hill.

 

But it’s kinda cool. Mainly, because of you. And not just you, Gord, but everything you represent. Everything that conglomerates in the idea of the Reader’s Forum, of the Kormanverse, of the Korman Corpsemen/The FOG/Kormaniacs. 

 

It can be really hard to focus. Hard to focus on my dreams of crafting universes as cool as yours. Hard to focus on honing my humor. Hard to focus on writing, on reading, on dreaming when people are constantly telling me that I need to get a career. That I need to start to make a life for myself. That I need a living in something that pays, something that’s dreadfully boring, something that’s so… adult.

 

In school, I feel alone. I feel like I do too many things and someone even told me that Burnout is chasing after me. I’m in too many clubs, too many things. I’m too much of a leader and it’s hurting me. 

 

Time is passing, things are changing, many things are different but my dreams are staying. Apparently, junior year is the most important of them all. I know a lot is gonna happen and I don’t wanna trip and fall. Life is difficult, and life is good, but wanna know what’s best?

 

A couple of things, including this.

 

The Forum. Reader’s Forum. Wanna know what comes to mind?

 

Almost every second of every day of 8th grade looking, writing, stalking.

 

Every moment I sat and shelved books in my tiny elementary school’s library.

 

All those bookshelves I gave names, including Spark, Spork, King Peppa, Percy Jackson, and Gordon Korman to name a few.

 

All those times I had two tabs open: “Google Docs” and “READER’S FORUM” at the center of my view.

 

All the time I’d think I wasn’t good enough, or couldn’t be an author, or it’s just not feasible because I was “too young.” Then I remembered the awesome Gordon Korman who’s written 100+ books starting at the age of 12-years-old. Bring it on!

 

Ruchama finding my email somewhere. Her, Josey, Aiden, and Logan. Thinking Raymond was an admin or a robot. 

 

Answering your own mail.

 

Having some of my dreams come true, meeting my favorite author in D.C., and getting a hug (?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!)

 

The Book Clubs. So much activity. Raymond, Logan, J.R., Marlo, Ethan (or E.W.?) and so many more.

 

Jena. Asher. Shaleen. So many people!

 

Getting your autographs/book plates right before my birthday and being so stoked I put them on my vanity.

 

There are so many things, so many things that make me love this Forum so much! The Forum is basically a family. My third or fourth if you’ll let me say. It’s like we’re all in this… bubble? Of awesomeness. Coolness. Everything in-between.

 

Life can be rough. And lots of times, school drags me away from this Forum. I might go on adventures and hiatuses for a while, but just know that I’m coming back. ‘Coz despite being one tab, one section of a website, one fragment of the universe?

 

Writing. Reading. Comedy. Books. All of it, all right here?

 

This sliver of the universe is home, Gord. Where I belong. I’ll always come back here.

 

So let’s just say you’re my favorite author ever. And not just because you write the best books. 

 

I’m so glad I had the foresight to pick the best author as my favorite one, you know?

 

Be blessed,
Jade

 

P.S. I hope this letter didn't make you cringe. I really mean it. Forgive me for the rhymes...

Dear Jade,

I thought I was the only one who felt this way about The Forum and you and Raymond and all the people who drop in and make themselves known here. I'm so glad that you feel this way, especially you -- you're so involved with so many things in so many different directions. I'm thrilled to hear that this Forum is a place you like to come home to.

You're probably right in saying that you do too much. It can be hard to see where you're going when you're already scattering in several different directions at once. But that's just you, and it represents your zest for life, for experience, your worry that you might miss something along the way. You have the kind of energy I don't think I ever had. (I don't think I can look for it at this stage of the game!)

BTW, are you still wanting a separate section for Book Clubs, or will "Talking About Books" serve the purpose? I'm asking because it's a big hassle, but I'd do it for the group. Hey, I'd do anything for this group! And I'm always going to think of you and Raymond as the leaders of the Forum Irregulars.

Your letter was a little sad, and I don't want you to feel sad, you who have enough joie de vivre for all of us. For example, I asked my Mom, who is 87 years old, and she told me that she is not old enough to remember Harry Houdini. (He was an escape artist and illusionist who has been dead since 1926.) No, really, cheer up and slow down and smell the roses.

And when you have time, The Forum will be here, and will be crazy-happy to hear from you.

                                                                                                                                                                                   --G--

P.S. I can be as wordy as you! I'm not finished.

Whatever you become -- a teacher, a stockbroker, a doctor, whatever -- you can always write. Yes, it worked out for me. I didn't have to become anything because I was already a writer. But that doesn't happen for everyone. If you work as a clerk in a store, or a street sweeper, or a model, you can write when you're not working. That's the beauty of writing -- nothing can stop you!

There. Now I'm finished.                                                                --G--