Help us Interview Dean Koontz!

The only thing that I want to say to Dean Koontz is, keep up the good work. I love to read your books and can't get enough of them. You are one of my favorite authors and I thank you for writing the books you do.

I'd be curious to know Mr. Koontz's writing process. Does he write inside at a desk? outside? Does he handwrite first then edit? Does he present ideas/chapters to trusted beta readers as he goes along, or does he write an entire first draft first?

Additionally, I'd be curious (based on his article which talked about throwing away a novel idea halfway through), how much of a percentage of what he writes, does he throw away vs keep?

Dean Koontz is one of my absolute fave authors. My question is: when did he develop his obvious love for Golden Retrievers and does he own any ? Goldens are in so many of his books and it's obvious he adores them.

He seems to write a lot of trickery in his writing style...

Be careful you might get caught...

I have to read more of his works to be able make a good conversation

I like both Stephen and Julie's questions...it's interesting to hear from authors about their process. I'd be curious to hear who he thinks is a great writer, who he would aspire to write like?

What kind of child grows up to write the scary books Dean Koontz has?

(I meant that in a good way!)

I'd like to know if his writing process has changed over the years.

I'd like to ask how Mr. Koontz first got published in novel length fiction? How did he get his first agent? ie, How did he go from someone no one had heard of to the fantastic best seller he is?

I'd also like to know what job he had while he was writing his first published novel and what difference, if any, getting published had in his life?

Do you ever get most of the way through a novel and then just get sick of it? Wishing it would end?

I haven't found you guilty of this offense yet, but I have noticed that some of my longtime favorite authors seem to be getting lazy. Their work seems to suffer as they get older.
Can you offer any insight into this phenomenon, or do you think is is some aberration of mine?

Of all his books, does he have a personal favorite and why? I love reading his books and my personal favorite is Watchers.

I'm in the middle of The Good Guy,it's great.How did you come up with this awful killer?..I love Odd Thomas.I am also waiting for the next Frankenstein.The book that got me hooked was Lightning.Now I have my husband,daughter and oldest grand reading your books..Keep up the good work and thank you.

I would like to ask Mr. Koontz when his third book in his Frankenstein series is going to be released? I have been waiting for it. My parents are not horror fans, but they loved his first two books after I told them to give the books a chance. Now they are buggin me to find out. Tammy

How do YOU rewrite and polish to get a story to that ready-for-submission stage?

Can you offer advise as to the best method of approaching a publishing house if one does not have an agent?

What process did you use to find, and then to select an agent?

I would like to know What's his biggest challenge as a writer and how he deals with it.

My question is two-fold. First, Junior Cain is quite possibly the most enjoyable villain I've ever read. What combindation of fellows did you use to come up with him, if any?
Second, in almost every story you've written, at least one protagonist is a child or young adult. What drives you to give such a strength and center-stage to the innocent? (I applaud it, probably one of a hundred reasons I love your stories.)

Oh, I've got an interesting question. Since he is now a points-earning member of Gather.com, if he earned enough for a Border's book card, which book would he get with it and why?

I'd like to know who has influenced Koontz the most in his writing. Does he have favorite authors from the past that were role models or someone in his family who really inspired him?

I would just like to say that I have read many, many of your books and enjoyed them all. But I too, would have to say that "Watchers" was my favorite. Oh, oh and the one....I can't think of the name of it. The one where people kept killing themselves when they heard a certain haiku?? Oh, my memory is so gone!

Mr. Koontz,

Do you plot out your books from beginning to end, or do you write "by the seat of your pants"? Have you ever been blindsided--midbook--by a plot twist you didn't see coming yourself?

Do your friends and family read your books? I'm plagued with a slew of friends and family who don't like to read, much less read romance. So I'm pretty much stuck talking to people online. Do you have a "real life" support group you can "talk shop" with?

~~Becka

If I may I'd like to submit a few questions, hopefully at least one them will get chosen to be posed to Mr Koontz.

I started his novels about 25 years ago and believe I have read most if not all of them. Early on it seemed that a new book was coming out about every 4-6 months. I always assumed that he had more than a few manuscripts that had perhaps been previously turned down or put aside for another reason before he was first published and then once his books began selling he just released them over the next several years. My question is , was that the case, and if so how many novels did he have rejected before he got his first mainstream publishing?

I also am curious as to his process. Does he have his storyline plotted out from beginnning to conclusion and then fleshes it out as he writes, or do his stories start out as an idea and then take on their own life and he just guides it more or less?

How much time does he spend writing a day now as compared to early in his career?

Lastly who are Mr Koontz's favorite writers? Does have any authors who he considers a "must read" every time the publish?

Thank you for your art.

I love Koontz!!!!!
He is one of my favorite authors. And, he gave me the courage to write my novel. The reason being...is that I don't quite know what genre it falls into. It is a dark novel. I found that Mr. Koontz has the same type of writing. I would like to know how he was able to sell his first novel? And, like others have asked, I want to know also does he "write by the seat of his pants?"

Thank you so much for your art, Mr. Koontz!!!!!

I would love to find out where his ideas come from. I have some pretty interesting dreams and know they would make good stories if I could just remember them long enough. How do you go from what you see in your mind, to what you put on paper?

I'd like to ask if he ever loses his place or if he's ever continued on with the wrong character. He has so many characters going on at once. I know at times that I do... :)

Hi,

I would like to comment on your writing as a best seller author... This is truly a gift from God! I would like to ask; Do you have any comments that will help guide other beginner's authors? And some that are already published authors! I'm a publishe author of my first poetry book " By The Servant's Hand" This poetry book carries a varietry of poetry.
From Christiantiy , Rationships, Friendship, Family, etc. This book is somewhat different than most poetry books I've read. I can't tell you everything at this point. But I think you have the idea... You can find this book online- www.barnes&nobles.com , www.amazon.com , www.borders.com, www.publishamerica.com, www.google.com etc.
I hope you will have time to review my book and I would love to know what you think. Right now, I'm working on vol#2. I just finished writing a Children's Book.
It's not published as of yet. When I read someone elses books, I really get into them, where I imagine and feel at times, I'm there.
I wish you the very best and success in your new book " The Good Guy"
I will be purchasing it soon. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

writerlover

i loved this book can't wait for others

I would be interested also in What was his favorite book and why? He is an interesting author.

Love the book.