[Amelia]

Hi! It's me again! As you have probably guessed by now, I love your books and the concepts that you come up with. Would you say that when coming up for plots or characters, it just comes naturally to you, or do you have to work for a while to get an idea? I've been tasked to write a novel for my english class, and I'm scared that I won't come up with any interesting and or original ideas. Thought I might reach out to one of my favourite authors to maybe get some advice? Thanks! 

Hi, Amelia,

Thanks for posting. I was given the same assignment almost 50 years ago, and I'm not sure how I came up with the story I called THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING AT MACDONALD HALL. One important rule: write about things you know about. Like school, kids who go off searching for something, playing a sport that gets to mean a lot to you, or even getting to know a new kid who isn't that friendly at first. Helping elderly people and finding out how kind (or not!) they can be. Solving a mystery that may have been in your family for generations.

Just don't be scared of what you're doing. You don't want that to show in your work. There is no doubt that you CAN do it!

                                              Good luck!                                                                -----Gordon Korman-----

[Charlie]

Hi! My name is Charlie! I am so inspired by you! I wan't to be a writer when I grow up! You are so cool! I love all of your books, and I wan't to buy them all! (Probably not possible!) I wan't to meet you in salt lake Utah next year at Story Con. but I might not make it. That is why I am writing this. I have started writing a book about a girl who lives to lives. Thoughts?

Hi, Charlie,

Does that mean "lives TWO lives?" If it does, it's an interesting idea with a lot of possibilities. Have fun with it.

Thanks for writing, Charlie. Story Con sounds like a lot of fun! Work hard!               -----Gordon Korman-----