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Hi, Silas,

Thanks for posting. I’m glad you enjoy my work. I’ll try to help you enjoy yours.

First of all, it sounds to me like you’re probably being too critical of the work you’ve been doing. And you’re probably trying to be someone other than yourself. You also seem to be bypassing the most important stage, and that’s planning. I can’t speak for you, but I would never start writing anything until it was well-planned first — I have to be writing toward something, a punch line or a big finish or even just a smartass remark.

I can’t know the extent of your imagination, but it’s probably excellent — except that you’re expecting too much too soon. Give yourself a break. Do some plotting, not based on what someone else has written, but based entirely on what you want to say.

And I’m afraid I haven’t been much help except for a little cheerleading and a “Go get ’em” attitude. But I wish you every bit of luck there is. Take your time. Do it right. And like what you’re doing.

                                      Very best wishes!                                                      —–Gordon Korman—–