READER’S FORUM

July 8, 2026 at 01:35 pm Reply

Pat

Hello Mr. Korman! I noticed in previous posts that you would give some insights on how characters are supposed to look, which made me curious about what you imagined characters to look like when writing your books, because usually their appearances are given minimal descriptions.

Specifically I was interested in your interpretation for the main characters of some of your books, particularly Chase (Restart), Yash (Slugfest), Donovan (Ungifted), Cooper (WhatsHisFace), and Jett (Unplugged)
July 9, 2026 at 03:19 am Reply

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Hi, Pat,

Thanks for posting. I just now finished answering a post that was almost the same as yours -- which means I haven't been too strict about describing my characters lately. Ouch.

When I write, I know somewhere in my mind what they look like, even though I don't usually think of details like eye color. It's true that I always used to read and supply my own descriptions, and I think that attitude has spilled over into my writing.

BUT -- I see Chase as fair, nice-looking, broad-shouldered and approaching 5' 10" tall even though he's pretty young. Same with Yash, both of them being athletes. Donovan Curtis would be dark-haired with lively pale gray eyes, not very tall, and slender. Cooper Vega would also be on the smaller side, sandy-haired, blue-eyed. And Jett? Jett is Mr. Perfect. Your choice.

I don't guarantee that I would see them the same way twice, but that's what they look like as I type this.

Thanks for your interest, Pat. -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Pat,

Thanks for posting. I just now finished answering a post that was almost the same as yours -- which means I haven't been too strict about describing my characters lately. Ouch.

When I write, I know somewhere in my mind what they look like, even though I don't usually think of details like eye color. It's true that I always used to read and supply my own descriptions, and I think that attitude has spilled over into my writing.

BUT -- I see Chase as fair, nice-looking, broad-shouldered and approaching 5' 10" tall even though he's pretty young. Same with Yash, both of them being athletes. Donovan Curtis would be dark-haired with lively pale gray eyes, not very tall, and slender. Cooper Vega would also be on the smaller side, sandy-haired, blue-eyed. And Jett? Jett is Mr. Perfect. Your choice.

I don't guarantee that I would see them the same way twice, but that's what they look like as I type this.

Thanks for your interest, Pat. -----Gordon Korman-----
August 26, 2026 at 02:22 am Reply

Divya

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Hello!

I also have trouble picturing the charecters in my mind specifically those from ungifted. An idea would be for you to do a drawing of some charecters and try to get them just the way you want it. Just a suggestion though! It would be really cool to see.
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Hello!

I also have trouble picturing the charecters in my mind specifically those from ungifted. An idea would be for you to do a drawing of some charecters and try to get them just the way you want it. Just a suggestion though! It would be really cool to see.
August 26, 2026 at 02:44 am Reply

Gordon

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Hi, Divya,

Man, have you got the wrong guy! If I drew my characters, believe me, they would be stick people! Not sure what my best feature is, but I know drawing pictures isn't it! --GK--
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Hi, Divya,

Man, have you got the wrong guy! If I drew my characters, believe me, they would be stick people! Not sure what my best feature is, but I know drawing pictures isn't it! --GK--
August 26, 2026 at 02:59 am Reply

Div

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Hi!

I tried to reply earlier but it glitched really badly so don't be surprised if there's two of my replies. Anyways I also have trouble picturing the charecters and thought it would be a fun idea for you to try to draw them the way you picture it. It think it would be really awesome to see especially cause I'm horrible at picturing charecters. Just a fun suggestion though!

Keep writing!

From Div
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Hi!

I tried to reply earlier but it glitched really badly so don't be surprised if there's two of my replies. Anyways I also have trouble picturing the charecters and thought it would be a fun idea for you to try to draw them the way you picture it. It think it would be really awesome to see especially cause I'm horrible at picturing charecters. Just a fun suggestion though!

Keep writing!

From Div