READER’S FORUM

July 11, 2025 at 06:31 pm Reply

Jade

Hiya! Forum's been kind of dead recently... not much for me to respond to. Oh well! I do have a question; how do you write? Like when you write your books do you write them on the computer first, or do you write them by hand first? I've been experimenting with writing by hand (on paper, of course) first and then typing it up. I've really been enjoying it!

I also looked at a bunch of small literary magazines and I've been submitting to them. I hope my work can get published! But honestly, it's just a lot of fun. :D
July 11, 2025 at 09:02 pm Reply

Gordon

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Hi,

It's always quietest when school ends and vacation begins. Great news, though. SNOOP made the NYT Bestseller List, and is my third book in a row to do that! I'm feeling pretty good right now.

I used to write in longhand and then transcribe -- onto typewriter at first, and then computer. It's an excellent way to work because you get a chance to edit and improve during the typing part. But now I work only on computer. I guess you tend to get cocky after almost 50 years' practice! Plus I have a Mom who usually edits my daily output, and she can be completely merciless!

Glad you're having fun. -G--
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Hi,

It's always quietest when school ends and vacation begins. Great news, though. SNOOP made the NYT Bestseller List, and is my third book in a row to do that! I'm feeling pretty good right now.

I used to write in longhand and then transcribe -- onto typewriter at first, and then computer. It's an excellent way to work because you get a chance to edit and improve during the typing part. But now I work only on computer. I guess you tend to get cocky after almost 50 years' practice! Plus I have a Mom who usually edits my daily output, and she can be completely merciless!

Glad you're having fun. -G--
July 11, 2025 at 09:34 pm Reply

Jade

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That's amazing! Congratulations! You definitely deserve it!!

And that's so cool! You and your mom are so GOALS! I want me and my mom to be like that!! And yes, I can see you getting a little bit cocky... and maybe it's a bit deserved. Since. Ya know. Half a century of experience
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That's amazing! Congratulations! You definitely deserve it!!

And that's so cool! You and your mom are so GOALS! I want me and my mom to be like that!! And yes, I can see you getting a little bit cocky... and maybe it's a bit deserved. Since. Ya know. Half a century of experience
August 12, 2025 at 11:52 pm Reply

Ryland C

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Hello Mr. Korman! So, I happen to be a huge fan of yours and a young aspiring author, and am inspired by the fact that you were able to get a book published as a high school student. I have some questions about the craft of writing itself, and with over 100 books, and many critically acclaimed titles, I am sure that you can help. Firstly: How are you able to create compelling and believable teenage characters who grow so much? Secondly, I am working on a mystery, and I want to know: How are you able to introduce clues and make them all tie together at the climax or big reveal?

One last note: Why did The Fort end the way it did? I realize that not all stories can have happy endings, but still, WHY.

A well-wisher. Excited for Book 200! You've already done amazing work, can't wait to see what\'s next
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Hello Mr. Korman! So, I happen to be a huge fan of yours and a young aspiring author, and am inspired by the fact that you were able to get a book published as a high school student. I have some questions about the craft of writing itself, and with over 100 books, and many critically acclaimed titles, I am sure that you can help. Firstly: How are you able to create compelling and believable teenage characters who grow so much? Secondly, I am working on a mystery, and I want to know: How are you able to introduce clues and make them all tie together at the climax or big reveal?

One last note: Why did The Fort end the way it did? I realize that not all stories can have happy endings, but still, WHY.

A well-wisher. Excited for Book 200! You've already done amazing work, can't wait to see what\'s next
August 12, 2025 at 11:54 pm Reply

Ryland C

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And I apologize for this. I realize that I had to post and repost this on two different forum pages. I am sorry if it was frustrating.
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And I apologize for this. I realize that I had to post and repost this on two different forum pages. I am sorry if it was frustrating.
August 13, 2025 at 03:10 am Reply

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Hi, Ryland C.,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoy my books. Check out SNOOP, brand-new this week.

I'm glad you find my Middle School and teen chaacters real-life and compelling. I'm not sure how it works -- I guess I just happen to have a good memory for what it feels like to be that age and in those situations. And introducing clues and tying things and events together takes a lot of advance planning. I never write a single word until my story is very well-planned. You can't say anything well uless you know exactly what you're trying to say. And you simply do NOT know that unless you plan. The big reveal, as you call it, is very important to me. I plan it well ahead and, right from the beginning, I'm writing towards it.

Did you really think THE FORT ended badly? I disagree. The underground bunker was gone which, from a safety standpoint, was a good thing. The boy who had been mistreated by his stepfather was safe from then on. Mitchell was still Mitchell, but he would at least be seeing his doctor again (and no longer watering his plants.) And the older brother was free of the evil influence of the other boy. The friendships were basically intact. I thought the flowering of the cactus on the trash heap was a positive sign for all of the characters.

Good luck with your own work. Writing can be a wonderful job! Take it from someone who's been at it for almost 50 years!

Best regards, -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Ryland C.,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoy my books. Check out SNOOP, brand-new this week.

I'm glad you find my Middle School and teen chaacters real-life and compelling. I'm not sure how it works -- I guess I just happen to have a good memory for what it feels like to be that age and in those situations. And introducing clues and tying things and events together takes a lot of advance planning. I never write a single word until my story is very well-planned. You can't say anything well uless you know exactly what you're trying to say. And you simply do NOT know that unless you plan. The big reveal, as you call it, is very important to me. I plan it well ahead and, right from the beginning, I'm writing towards it.

Did you really think THE FORT ended badly? I disagree. The underground bunker was gone which, from a safety standpoint, was a good thing. The boy who had been mistreated by his stepfather was safe from then on. Mitchell was still Mitchell, but he would at least be seeing his doctor again (and no longer watering his plants.) And the older brother was free of the evil influence of the other boy. The friendships were basically intact. I thought the flowering of the cactus on the trash heap was a positive sign for all of the characters.

Good luck with your own work. Writing can be a wonderful job! Take it from someone who's been at it for almost 50 years!

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