[Silas S]

Hi Gordon! This post isn't meant for you as much as the other young authors here, but it would be awesome if you read this too!

How do you write a story? It sounds so simple, so easy, but then you take out a laptop, typewriter, or paper out and can't press a single key, or write a single letter.

Why is this? To write a story you have to have a meaning to your writing. Take these questions into thought before writing:

Do I know my main character(s)? Do I know their goals, names, features, and flaws?

Do I have a plot readied in my brain? Is it more than just a few words quickly jotted?
Will I like writing this? 

Can I commit myself to writing? Can I commit myself to reading more, understanding styles of writing and how it's done?

And your answers to the questions will vary but I'll give an example:

I do know my main character. His name is Jesse Ashworth. Jesse just lost his parents in a car crash, and is stuck in a loop. He wants to see them again, he wants to be happy, not relieving the moment he figured they were gone. Jesse has always been an over thinker, and is diagnosed with PTSD. 

I have a plot ready in my brain. It consists of a What if question (What if a young teen loses his parents and has to deal with the trauma and stress of it all?), I also have this written down (in my phone notes, on paper, just somewhere you can reference it). It also has a B(eginning), M(iddle) & E(nd). In the beginning Jesse is struck with the news that his parents have passed. He has to move in with his grandparents, who are also still in an early stage of mourning. In the middle Jesse is going back to school from summer break, trying not to break down during every hour, of everyday, never pulling his mind away from his parents. In the end Jesse is diagnosed with PTSD and receives the help he needs from his grandparents, his friends, medical professionals, and many others.

I can commit myself to writing everyday, practicing and getting better, learning, and smiling the whole time. I also commit myself to reading everyday to extend my knowledge of creative writing as a whole. I will continue both of these things even after I am finished writing.

I am ready to write this book, I love the idea dearly, and think I won't give it up.

If you don't have a part of this answered positively then you probably don't like the idea much, or you are having trouble with details. There is a site called wheelofnames.com. Use it. You can write a few names, see what wins, a few traits, what group wins, a few plot points or What if's and see what wins. If you are not satisfied it's definitely OK to scrap your idea, and restart. 

Thank you for reading and good luck,

Silas S.

[Silas S]

By the way, the plot and character here I made up on the spot, you can do it too, with practice.

Good luck, again!

Words to live by, Silas!                                                                   -----Gordon Korman-----

[J.R.]

I just come up with a cool character and then write a story basing it around them, slowly but surely shaping and developing them. After that, the plot comes faster than Domino's Pizza.

-J.R., or Sir William Penn (current pen name I'm trying out)-

Also words to live by, J.R.                                                                       -----Gordon Korman-----