[Jake H]

Dear Gordon Korman,                                                      10/22/2024

 

Hi, I am Jake.  I am in 5th grade at the Long Ridge School in Stamford, CT.  I am a big fan of your books.  In third grade my teacher read aloud your book, Restart, and I loved it!  For the past two years I have been enjoying your books.

I have had the opportunity of reading Restart, The Fort, and Linked.  I can't choose my favorite because I love them all.  I admire how all of your books I've read are mysteries because they are my favorite genre.  I am curious to know how you came up with your amazing story plots and ideas?

I was hoping that you could visit our school this Spring for a book signing and a presentation. While checking out your website, I learned you live in Long Island and you did book signings near Stamford, CT this past Fall.  So cool!  Your books have inspired me to write a mystery someday. Thank you for writing these awesome books! I look forward to reading Snoop. Thank you for your time.

Your fan,

 

Jake

 

Hi, Jake,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to welcome you as one of my readers. I'm glad my books have been making a hit with you. If it's my stuff you enjoy, you won't be running out of reading material any time soon! The next one to come out, on Jan. 14th, is OLD SCHOOL, and it's Book # 105!

My speaking engagements are booked through my office:  Info@gordonkorman.com . The invitation has to be official, though, through a Principal, teacher, or librarian, because there are expenses involved,

As for my story plots, writing stories is what I do for a living, Jake. I should be able to come up with interesting and amusing story ideas -- I'm very glad you find them interesting and amusing!

Thanks again for your friendly message. 

                                           Best regards,                                                           -----Gordon Korman-----

[Scott]

Good evening Gordon Korman, I am a high schooler and started to write a fiction book. I also wrote you in fall 2024 and have come back for more tips and inspiration. Can you please give me some tips 

like 

1.) how long to make the book (I use google docs)

2.) what makes you keep going on a book (that ends up being popular) that you want to give up on?

3.) any other tips you have for someone for me who is just starting. 

Thank You

Scott

Hi,Scott,

I can try, but each writer has to go on his own "journey."

Your questions:

1) The book goes from the beginning to the end, Scott, and when the story is told and everything is wrapped up, then it's finished. There is absolutely no rule about how long it has to be. (Unless it's 45 pages, in which case it's a short story, not a book.) So nobody can tell you the right length, because there is none.

2) I have never given up on a book, Scott. I plan very thoroughly before I ever start to write, so I never get sick of what I'm writing, and I don't need incentive to keep going. My philosophy has always been, "If I was a kid, would I want to read this book?" My advice to you is to plan your work VERY carefully so you're always writing toward something -- the punch line, the big finale, the conclusion. You always have to know where you're going with the story.

3)  The best advice is to stop looking at this writing profession as a gimmick you have to master and start enjoying what you write. When you've got something you're enjoying, it will read better -- trust me! There is honestly no trick to this job. You have to like what you're doing in the hope that other people will like it too. But planning before you write is EVERYTHING!

Good luck!                                                                                                -----Gordon Korman-----