READER’S FORUM

March 31, 2026 at 02:08 pm Reply

Jack Nemett

Dear Mr. Korman,

Hi! I am a GINORMOUS fan of your work, and at my school we have a nonfiction research paper about a famous author, and I immediately wanted you! I was wondering if you have any information about your writing process, and what it would look like to see you write your masterpieces. It would be awesome if you could write back, but I get it if you can't.

Thanks!
March 31, 2026 at 05:47 pm Reply

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Hi, Jack,

Thanks for posting and for being a fan!

My writing process involves planning before anything. I never write a word until my book is well-planned. Yes, you can make changes, even add and subtract people and events if you get a great idea for an person or event. But the basic story must be there in its entirety before I ever put down a single word. That way, right from the start I'm always writing TOWARD something -- the climax/ending/payoff. It's always in sight, if only at a distance. I have to know where I'm going. It's the only way I know I'm going to get there -- knowing exactly where "there" is.

As for what the writing process might physically look like, I don't guarantee that I will be respectably attired at all times, or even clean and combed - well not combed, actually. But I generally try to put in a workday that matches the hours of the people in my life who are not writers. It's a 9 to 5 process, and so far it's worked well.

And I hope that's helpful. Thanks for your interest. -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Jack,

Thanks for posting and for being a fan!

My writing process involves planning before anything. I never write a word until my book is well-planned. Yes, you can make changes, even add and subtract people and events if you get a great idea for an person or event. But the basic story must be there in its entirety before I ever put down a single word. That way, right from the start I'm always writing TOWARD something -- the climax/ending/payoff. It's always in sight, if only at a distance. I have to know where I'm going. It's the only way I know I'm going to get there -- knowing exactly where "there" is.

As for what the writing process might physically look like, I don't guarantee that I will be respectably attired at all times, or even clean and combed - well not combed, actually. But I generally try to put in a workday that matches the hours of the people in my life who are not writers. It's a 9 to 5 process, and so far it's worked well.

And I hope that's helpful. Thanks for your interest. -----Gordon Korman-----