READER’S FORUM
Reader's Forum » General Topics » Writing a book
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June 18, 2025 at 01:16 pm Reply
AllysonHi,
My name is Allyson and I am going into 9th grade. I started writing a book in 6th grade but it’s still a work in progress. Do you have any advice for young writers? I also really want to publish my book so, I would like it to be good. Also, how do you figure out titles for your books? That’s something that I find difficult. Oh, also, how do you know if you should make it a series or not?
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Allyson
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June 19, 2025 at 11:37 am Reply
object(stdClass)#822 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "29909" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-06-19 11:37:36" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-06-19 11:37:36" ["post_content"]=> string(650) "Hi,Allyson,
Welcome, fellow-writer! Advice: always plan your story completely before you start to write.That's so you never get lost while writing, and so you know what you're trying to say at all times. The title should occur to you during the writing process. If it doesn't, publishers and editors are great at that sort of thing. As for making it a series, my advice is make it a book first. If it should become a series, you'll know when it's done.
And good luck! -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10483" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-06-19 11:37:36" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-06-19 11:37:36" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(33) "https://gordonkorman.com/?p=29909" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi,Allyson,
Welcome, fellow-writer! Advice: always plan your story completely before you start to write.That's so you never get lost while writing, and so you know what you're trying to say at all times. The title should occur to you during the writing process. If it doesn't, publishers and editors are great at that sort of thing. As for making it a series, my advice is make it a book first. If it should become a series, you'll know when it's done.
And good luck! -----Gordon Korman-----
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August 19, 2025 at 01:51 am Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#821 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30277" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:51:47" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:51:47" ["post_content"]=> string(396) "Hello Gordan Korman I love your books. I am currently reading your book slacker. Can you please edit my book to your style I will share my doc for you to edit it. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D-jKCm80wAdBUN-8v4_TqjuqInGW1zarZtTpIZj5vc/edit?usp=sharing. Can you please tell me how to get it into your style. Good luck on your future book.
Yours sincerely Timothy
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10708" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:51:47" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:51:47" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10708" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hello Gordan Korman I love your books. I am currently reading your book slacker. Can you please edit my book to your style I will share my doc for you to edit it. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D-jKCm80wAdBUN-8v4_TqjuqInGW1zarZtTpIZj5vc/edit?usp=sharing. Can you please tell me how to get it into your style. Good luck on your future book.
Yours sincerely Timothy
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August 19, 2025 at 01:58 am Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#818 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30279" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:58:34" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:58:34" ["post_content"]=> string(407) "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D-jKCm80wAdBUN-8v4_TqjuqInGW1zarZtTpIZj5vc/edit?usp=sharing. Here is the link to my doc of my book. Can you please edit my book. Also give your honest reviews on it. Hope you like it. I love you slacker book that I am currently reading. My name is Timothy Kurien and I am going into grade 5. Good luck on future books.
Sincerly Timothy Kurien
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10710" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:58:34" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 01:58:34" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10710" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_D-jKCm80wAdBUN-8v4_TqjuqInGW1zarZtTpIZj5vc/edit?usp=sharing. Here is the link to my doc of my book. Can you please edit my book. Also give your honest reviews on it. Hope you like it. I love you slacker book that I am currently reading. My name is Timothy Kurien and I am going into grade 5. Good luck on future books.
Sincerly Timothy Kurien
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August 19, 2025 at 02:30 am Reply
object(stdClass)#803 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30280" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 02:30:07" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 02:30:07" ["post_content"]=> string(959) "Hi, Timothy,
Thanks for posting. And congratulations on your book! Will I edit it? Sorry, no. For one thing, I'm not an editor. And for another, I've had to make it my policy not to read other people's work. I get so many requests that I would be working on other books, and neglecting my own.
My advice: take your book to someone you really like and trust -- a sibling, a parent, an aunt or uncle, or perhaps a favorite teacher. There you'll get an honest opinion on your work. And polish your book until you're satisfied with it! At the beginning of a writing career, it's the writer's opinion that matters most.
Good luck, Timothy. I hope this first effort is the start of something great!
Regards. -----Gordon Korman-----
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10711" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 02:30:07" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 02:30:07" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10711" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi, Timothy,
Thanks for posting. And congratulations on your book! Will I edit it? Sorry, no. For one thing, I'm not an editor. And for another, I've had to make it my policy not to read other people's work. I get so many requests that I would be working on other books, and neglecting my own.
My advice: take your book to someone you really like and trust -- a sibling, a parent, an aunt or uncle, or perhaps a favorite teacher. There you'll get an honest opinion on your work. And polish your book until you're satisfied with it! At the beginning of a writing career, it's the writer's opinion that matters most.
Good luck, Timothy. I hope this first effort is the start of something great!
Regards. -----Gordon Korman-----
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August 19, 2025 at 12:06 pm Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#811 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30285" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:06:11" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:06:11" ["post_content"]=> string(86) "do you like my book can I have some tips to make it better
do you like my book can I have some tips to make it better
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August 19, 2025 at 12:06 pm Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#798 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30286" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:06:56" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:06:56" ["post_content"]=> string(106) "do you like my book can I have some tips to make it better . like your style
do you like my book can I have some tips to make it better . like your style
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August 19, 2025 at 12:12 pm Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#819 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30287" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:12:50" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:12:50" ["post_content"]=> string(34) "Can you please rate my book
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10716" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:12:50" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 12:12:50" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10716" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Can you please rate my book
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August 19, 2025 at 03:44 pm Reply
object(stdClass)#793 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30289" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 15:44:37" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 15:44:37" ["post_content"]=> string(40) "Previously answered. Please read.
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10718" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 15:44:37" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-19 15:44:37" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10718" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Previously answered. Please read.
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August 20, 2025 at 01:18 am Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#796 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30294" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:18:58" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:18:58" ["post_content"]=> string(46) "gordan korman do you want to be friends
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10723" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:18:58" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:18:58" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10723" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }gordan korman do you want to be friends
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August 20, 2025 at 01:53 am Reply
object(stdClass)#805 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30295" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:53:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:53:00" ["post_content"]=> string(545) "Hi again, Timothy,
Absolutely yes! On this website I have a lot of penpal friends -- we write letters and we chat. I even like to give some of the jopeful authors some tips about writing if they ask. But I've had to make it my policy not to read anybody's work, because I get too many requests and there is no time for me to do that and do my own work.
Hey, I thought we were friends already! ---GK---
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10724" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:53:00" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 01:53:00" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10724" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi again, Timothy,
Absolutely yes! On this website I have a lot of penpal friends -- we write letters and we chat. I even like to give some of the jopeful authors some tips about writing if they ask. But I've had to make it my policy not to read anybody's work, because I get too many requests and there is no time for me to do that and do my own work.
Hey, I thought we were friends already! ---GK---
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August 20, 2025 at 12:07 pm Reply
Timothy Kurienobject(stdClass)#795 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30298" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 12:07:43" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-20 12:07:43" ["post_content"]=> string(44) "can I have a tip
can I have a tip
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August 21, 2025 at 02:38 am Reply
object(stdClass)#815 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30306" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-21 02:38:25" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-21 02:38:25" ["post_content"]=> string(845) "Tip: To me, planning is everything. You can't say anything properly unless you kow EXACTLY what you're trying to say. And you can't know that unless you plan it first. I plan my book completely before I put a single word down on paper. Yes, you can make changes, even add events and characters. But your story has to be there before you start. Nobody ever wrote anything worthwhile without first planning it out.
When you start to write, make sure you're writing towards your planned ending.That's what works for me. My plan is set, I know what the end of the book is going to be, and my writing is always moving towards that ending.
There -- that's TWO tips! ---GK---
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10734" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-21 02:38:25" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-21 02:38:25" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10734" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Tip: To me, planning is everything. You can't say anything properly unless you kow EXACTLY what you're trying to say. And you can't know that unless you plan it first. I plan my book completely before I put a single word down on paper. Yes, you can make changes, even add events and characters. But your story has to be there before you start. Nobody ever wrote anything worthwhile without first planning it out.
When you start to write, make sure you're writing towards your planned ending.That's what works for me. My plan is set, I know what the end of the book is going to be, and my writing is always moving towards that ending.
There -- that's TWO tips! ---GK---
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August 23, 2025 at 01:37 am Reply
Timothyobject(stdClass)#802 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30325" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:37:30" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:37:30" ["post_content"]=> string(41) "GK is it ok if my book is 40 pages
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10750" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:37:30" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:37:30" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10750" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }GK is it ok if my book is 40 pages
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August 23, 2025 at 01:41 am Reply
object(stdClass)#816 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30326" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:41:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:41:14" ["post_content"]=> string(312) "Hi,Timothy,
Because you're asking that question, I'm sure you know that 40 pages is too short to be a book if it's Middle Grade. If it's a picture book, that's probably fine. Otherwise, it's a short story, and I think you realize that. --GK--
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10751" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:41:14" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 01:41:14" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10751" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }Hi,Timothy,
Because you're asking that question, I'm sure you know that 40 pages is too short to be a book if it's Middle Grade. If it's a picture book, that's probably fine. Otherwise, it's a short story, and I think you realize that. --GK--
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August 23, 2025 at 01:15 pm Reply
timothyobject(stdClass)#812 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30328" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 13:15:48" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 13:15:48" ["post_content"]=> string(132) "gordan korman what rage of pages for a book is good.
By the way you are the best author
timothy
" ["post_title"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(11) "reply-10749" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 13:15:48" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 13:15:48" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> string(5) "29893" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://gordonkorman.com/reply/reply-10749" ["menu_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_type"]=> string(5) "reply" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" }gordan korman what rage of pages for a book is good.
By the way you are the best author
timothy
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August 23, 2025 at 06:30 pm Reply
Gordonobject(stdClass)#799 (23) { ["ID"]=> string(5) "30334" ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 18:30:49" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-08-23 18:30:49" ["post_content"]=> string(593) "Thanks, Timothy. Book length. Hmmm. A book isn't over until the story has been told. So your story plan has to be long enough and interesting enough to last well over 100 pages. My last few books have been :
OPERATION DO-OVER 234 pages
SNOOP: 195 pages
THE FORT: 230 pages
As you can see, it varies. --GK--
Thanks, Timothy. Book length. Hmmm. A book isn't over until the story has been told. So your story plan has to be long enough and interesting enough to last well over 100 pages. My last few books have been :
OPERATION DO-OVER 234 pages
SNOOP: 195 pages
THE FORT: 230 pages
As you can see, it varies. --GK--