READER’S FORUM

September 23, 2025 at 03:04 pm Reply

Zara

Hi Mr. Korman,

I know that it's your policy not to read other peoples' essays and books, but I was just wondering if you had any advice for naming characters, or coming up with ideas. I'm trying to write a book with some other people, (It probably won't get published since we're really young) and we love your books. (My personal favorite is Masterminds) You came to my elementary school, and that's when you became my favorite author!

Your biggest fans,

Zara, Aria, Alicia, and Claire
September 23, 2025 at 03:37 pm Reply

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Hi, Zara plus Aria,Alicia, & Claire,

Writing in committee! Wow! Are there arguments?

Naming characters is a very personal business. For me, the name has to be "right" or I can't write about the person. And I honestly can't tell you what's "right." I just know it when I come up with it. I suppose you guys will too. Just make sure it isn't something too ordinary. e.g. John or Steven are ordinary, and Dexter and Griffin stand out for me.

And good luck! I was 12 when I sold my first book, so you are NOT too young!

Regards! -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Zara plus Aria,Alicia, & Claire,

Writing in committee! Wow! Are there arguments?

Naming characters is a very personal business. For me, the name has to be "right" or I can't write about the person. And I honestly can't tell you what's "right." I just know it when I come up with it. I suppose you guys will too. Just make sure it isn't something too ordinary. e.g. John or Steven are ordinary, and Dexter and Griffin stand out for me.

And good luck! I was 12 when I sold my first book, so you are NOT too young!

Regards! -----Gordon Korman-----
September 23, 2025 at 04:22 pm Reply

Zara

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There are a lot of arguments.

some of them are even what we should be naming the characters!

we originally got the idea for the book when we were reading a book for school in english class, and we took one glance at the cover and thought that the guy on the cover looked like a ghost, which was really random. we then ended up spinning out a really long story about a boy being a ghost and only being able to talk to one person that's alive. it was a kind of random topic, and we're not that far into the book. We are arguing about if the sister should be named Tata or Jackie!

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There are a lot of arguments.

some of them are even what we should be naming the characters!

we originally got the idea for the book when we were reading a book for school in english class, and we took one glance at the cover and thought that the guy on the cover looked like a ghost, which was really random. we then ended up spinning out a really long story about a boy being a ghost and only being able to talk to one person that's alive. it was a kind of random topic, and we're not that far into the book. We are arguing about if the sister should be named Tata or Jackie!
September 23, 2025 at 06:11 pm Reply

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If she's going to be Jacke, let her be Jacqui, so you'll know she's a female. --GK--
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If she's going to be Jacke, let her be Jacqui, so you'll know she's a female. --GK--
September 23, 2025 at 08:16 pm Reply

Zara

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ok, we'll probably name her Jacqui or Tata
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ok, we'll probably name her Jacqui or Tata
November 15, 2025 at 04:44 pm Reply

Timothy

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Hello gk i really need help with editing my writing for school can you help me
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Hello gk i really need help with editing my writing for school can you help me
November 16, 2025 at 02:07 am Reply

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Hi. Timothy,

Thanks for posting. I'm not sure what you expect from me. I wouldn't be able to do your editing for you. That's something you have to do on your own. Read your material out loud -- that's often a help in knowing what should be in it, and what doesn't belong. And just do it over and over again until you've got what you consider the best material to hand in. Don't be afraid to add material and cut what doesn't seem to belong in the piece.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes. -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi. Timothy,

Thanks for posting. I'm not sure what you expect from me. I wouldn't be able to do your editing for you. That's something you have to do on your own. Read your material out loud -- that's often a help in knowing what should be in it, and what doesn't belong. And just do it over and over again until you've got what you consider the best material to hand in. Don't be afraid to add material and cut what doesn't seem to belong in the piece.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes. -----Gordon Korman-----