Biographical Information I grew up in Iowa and after graduating from the University of Iowa I began teaching at a middle school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I started writing in the mid-eighties when I married a writer named Ed Gorman. (He writes mystery and suspense novels for adults.) He read some of my letters to friends and relatives in which I described things that happened to me. I have a tendency to juice up real-life anecdotes, and Ed suggested that I might apply my flair for elaboration (we won't call this "lying") to novels for young readers. I tried it, and it was fun. I didn't sell my first book or second. Well, okay, I sold my second book, but it took five years and several rewrites for that to happen. In the meantime, I decided I must have some things to learn about writing.

Stumptown Kid Games

I went to the library and bookstore and brought home armloads of books. I studied them and learned some very important things, such as:

- when the main characters are introduced,


- when the problems are introduced that the main characters have to solve (because that's what books are about: characters solving problems),


- when the obstacles to solving the problems are introduced.

I learned about how to develop stories: using the five senses to make a scene come to life; creating a strong, appealing voice that tells the story; and fleshing out characters so they come to life on the page for the reader.

I applied what I learned to my own writing, and I started selling books. I still read a lot to learn about writing, about two hours most nights. I hope every book I write is better written than my last.

I'm glad you stopped by! I hope you'll take a few minutes to look around. And I hope you'll continue reading, not just my books, but lots of books by lots of different authors. Books that will fascinate and entertain you and take you to places you've never been before.

Thanks for coming! Stop back from time to time for updates on new books and projects.

• For more biographical information about Carol -- Go to Answers.com
• Synopsis of Carol's  early career with a complete list of her writings up to and  through the Dork series go to Carol Gorman Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights
• Carol often speaks to parents and to professional groups.  In April 2010 she participated in an SCWBI conference and spoke with her HarperCollins editor Laura Arnold.  A few bits and pieces were included on fellow writer Peg Finley's blog "Peg366's Blog."