READER’S FORUM

April 11, 2026 at 03:17 pm Reply

N. J. Walejko

Hi again, Gordon Korman!

I've just finished reading HYPERGIFTED. It's so addictive to read! While I was reading, it got me thinking. How do you make the flow of your story so smooth and natural? I've been writing a book of my own, and have just finished the planning stage (as you previously told me works really well for you) and moved on to writing the first couple chapters, which made me realize how much choppier my writing seems than yours. How do you do it?

Thanks!

N. J. Walejko
April 11, 2026 at 06:08 pm Reply

Gordon

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Hi, NJ,

Sorry you're having so much trouble. The problem seems to be still in the planning. You may be overloading your chapters and trying to cram too many events, or too many people into each segment/chapter. Or you may be overexplaining events. Your best bet is to find someone whose literary credentials are good, who will read what you've written and give you feedback on it. It has to be someone you trust to give you an honest opinion, even if it includes, "Why don't you take up carpentry instead?"

Sorry, but it can't be me. I've had to make it my policy not to read other people's work -- I get too many requests.

Hang in there, NJ. It's a process. -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, NJ,

Sorry you're having so much trouble. The problem seems to be still in the planning. You may be overloading your chapters and trying to cram too many events, or too many people into each segment/chapter. Or you may be overexplaining events. Your best bet is to find someone whose literary credentials are good, who will read what you've written and give you feedback on it. It has to be someone you trust to give you an honest opinion, even if it includes, "Why don't you take up carpentry instead?"

Sorry, but it can't be me. I've had to make it my policy not to read other people's work -- I get too many requests.

Hang in there, NJ. It's a process. -----Gordon Korman-----