[Benjamin Werner]

Hi, Mr. Korman,

Yeah, it feels like I ask you something every day. But, was it true your track coach taught you the year you got interested in making your amazing novels? (novelette in his words) If so, why did he have to? It's interesting that the track and field coach out of everyone would have to teach language arts.

Thanks

Benjamin

Hi again, Benjamn,

Mr. Hamilton, our track and field coach, was a class teacher because they ran out of regular teachers but they had extra phys ed people. See how that worked? And it probably worked in my favor, because a track guy probably didn't realize that no 7th grader can write a "novelette!"                                                                                                                        --GK--

[Kormaniac Daniel]

Hi Mr. Korman,

But where do you get inspiration because right now in school I am (Well during school because now we're on break) writing a story but I always get stuck with what I should add. What inspires you?

Kormaniac Daniel

K-Daniel,

Most writers don't require what you call "inspiration." We write because we have something to say, a story to tell. That's all it takes to start us scribbling.

Seriously, K.D., I think the step you're missing is planning. I never write a single word until my story is completely planned. I have the climax of my book all ready so that I'm writing toward something all the time. Planning is everything. You can't get stuck if you know from the start what you need to say to complete the telling of your tale.

OK? I'm not saying it's the only way, but that's what works for me.                                                            --GK--

[Darren]

Gord, I think what some people are interested in (perhaps I'm speaking for myself) when talking about inspiration is how the stories come to you. Is it an idea that pops into your head out of whole cloth or is it something that germinates from something someone said or a take-off gleaned from other media? That kind of thing.

Thanks!

Good point, Darren. It's all of the above. For example, part of the idea for SNOOP came from a movie called REAR WINDOW. A lot of my stuff comes straight out of my imagination, perhaps from experience, or even part of a news story. Sometimes a simple phrase can trigger a whole scenario. It can be anything. I try not to question it too much because I don't want it to stop coming!                                                                         -Gord-

[Darren]

Gord, if you ever write another Hitchcock-inspired novel, it would be interesting if you could figure out a way to give yourself a cameo in the book à la old Alfred himself.

Sorry, haven't got the profile for it.                         --G--