[Silas S.]

Hello Gordon! I am requesting some tips for writing and stuff but first; backstory:

1. I read "No More Dead Dogs!" in 2nd grade, and absolutely fell in love with your writing, but I had no library card access then, so I couldn't read more.
2. I recently read "Restart", for a part of 7th grade English, and figured out you wrote "No More Dead Dogs".
3. I started following and reading more of your books (Just read "Swindle", "Mixed Up", and "Schooled".

Now for the rest:
I've been trying to write for SO long, 3rd grade I started writing. I've written poems, both short and long, I've created lyrics for music I made, and I write; writing is so so SO fun but it's difficult.
My first time writing I wrote something very similar to "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan, it was a fun write, but it was unoriginal, so the draft was deleted. The second thing I tried was something very very smally based on the plot of an Amplify Science lesson, from 5th grade. I enjoyed it, but it's not what I wanted.

What I'm trying to get to is:
I've tried so many times now to write something good, something that will bring a smile to kids, and adults faces. Something like your books do, something powerful.

Any writing tips, and anything about your writing style you could help with would be AMAZING.

Thank you so much,
Silas S., a 7th grader who wants to be an Author.

Hi, Silas,

Thanks for posting. I'm glad you enjoy my work. I'll try to help you enjoy yours.

First of all, it sounds to me like you're probably being too critical of the work you've been doing. And you're probably trying to be someone other than yourself. You also seem to be bypassing the most important stage, and that's planning. I can't speak for you, but I would never start writing anything until it was well-planned first -- I have to be writing toward something, a punch line or a big finish or even just a smartass remark.

I can't know the extent of your imagination, but it's probably excellent -- except that you're expecting too much too soon. Give yourself a break. Do some plotting, not based on what someone else has written, but based entirely on what you want to say.

And I'm afraid I haven't been much help except for a little cheerleading and a "Go get 'em" attitude. But I wish you every bit of luck there is. Take your time. Do it right. And like what you're doing.

                                      Very best wishes!                                                      -----Gordon Korman-----

[Silas S.]

Thank you for the reply, Gordon!

I will be trying more on my writings, and using your advice.

How do you come up with ideas for your books though? Every single thing you have wrote has amazed me. The plot is smooth, the characters are 3D, and it feels so real.

 

Thanks again,

Silas S.

Hi again, Silas,

My ideas come from a lot of thinking and plotting. No big mystery. It really is just work. If you find my plots smooth and the characters believable and real, it's the result of advance planning. I know these people before I write about them. I'm very glad to know that the attention to detail comes through in the books!

 Thanks again. Good luck! Remember -- IOU one fan letter!                                                          -----Gordon Korman-----

[Marlo]

Yeah. On the flip side, don’t try to force the story in an unnatural direction. Like, if I’m making a Wild West story, I’m not going to be like “And then, suddenly, a time machine appeared and took (protagonist) and (antagonist) into Gotham City!” Of course, if the theme is time travel, then that’s different.