Photo credits: Screenshots captured from Gordon Korman’s Instagram feed.

For my community connections project I chose to interview one of my favorite authors from when I was little, Gordon Korman. When I was younger I looked up to him because he got his first book published when he was in middle school. Knowing it was possible made me more passionate about my writing and helped me devote the time necessary to write a book. I chose to interview this person because his books are a big reason that I still want to be an author. I love writing but I felt like it was almost impossible to get a book published but seeing a positive example of being able to accomplish whatever you want at any age is really encouraging. From this interview I think much of what I learned I already knew but I feel like this interview reaffirmed my passion for writing. Because it is such a tough profession to make a living off of it seems like an unrealistic career choice and I  am a person who likes to feel secure but this interview reminded me that it is possible I just have to keep working hard.

Photo credits: Craig Pennington

Here is my interview with Mr.Korman:

Hello Mr.Korman thank you for your time. Why are you passionate about your job?

I’m passionate about my work because I love what I do. It’s important to me that each book I publish has to be up to the standard my readers have come to expect. My passion is to achieve that level.

What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today?

The obstacles I faced were probably standard. It’s true that anyone intelligent can write intelligently. The trick is to write something that someone else will want to read. Biggest obstacle: building a reputation. There’s a lot of good competition out there!

What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?

Advice to aspiring writers: read a lot and write a lot. And ALWAYS plan well before you start to write. You can’t say anything properly unless you know exactly what you want to say. And you can’t know that unless you plan.

Would you be open to further contact from Riverside students and if so, how can someone contact you?

Anyone can contact me through my readers forum.

What is the most important quality an author should have?

The most important quality of an author: having something to say that’s important to you — if you don’t feel that, your reader won’t either.

What does an average day at work look like for you?

My average workday: I try to make it as routine as any office job. It takes place in my work room at my computer. It’s writing, of course, but it’s also the details of running a business. I do SKYPE visits with classes; I plan a tour itinerary, arrange plane tickets, etc.; I communicate, when necessary, with agents and editors. And there’s always a book I’m working on. The latest: THE UNTEACHABLES, laughs guaranteed!

Thank you so much!

I hope that’s helpful, Sophia. Thanks for your interest in me and my work.

 

You can check out Gordon Kormans’s website: Click her

You can get in contact with Gordon Korman through his readers forum: Click her

Photo Credits: Screenshot captured from Gordon Korman’s Instagram page