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Join us on June 8, 2016, for a special discussion with Dennis Stein, author of the newly released YA fantasy novel The Gecko's Gate!

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If you have a question for Dennis, please post it in this thread where he will be discussing his writing, which he completes with one thumb on an old iPod touch - impressive!

Remember: you can post questions here throughout the duration of the Featured Author Discussion at any time.

We are looking forward to the insightful questions and answers!

Thanks so much for being our Featured Author, Dennis! We are looking forward to a great discussion on June 8.

We would like to know, when writing your YA novels, do you find yourself writing to a specific word count or does the story itself dictate the length? What do you consider the ideal length for a YA novel?

The DigiWriting Team

Hi Dennis! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!!

Can you give us a little more insight into your main character. What makes him so special??

On a side note, if you could have your choice of celebrity to voice the main character, who would choose to voice the main character and why?

Hi Dennis!

We are wondering: do you have a specific writing routine? Do you plan your writing time, or write when you are able / when inspiration strikes?

Hello Dennis,

How do you select the titles for your books and stories? Do they grow from your writing, or do you have the title in mind before you start to write? Does the title ever change in the process?

Thanks for answering our questions!

HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Adam

DigiWriting wrote: "Thanks so much for being our Featured Author, Dennis! We are looking forward to a great discussion on June 8.

We would like to know, when writing your YA novels, do you find yourself writing to a ..."

I used to be obsessed with word count, but but now I think I just feel out the story as I go. It's like driving home from Toronto, I can calculate exactly what time I will be home on the fly. That's how I write these days. It's about the story, and when it's done, it's done...

Kevin wrote: "Hi Dennis! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!!

Can you give us a little more insight into your main character. What makes him so special??

On a side note, if you could have yo..."

Chase is a character I created when I began The Gecko's Gate ten years ago, and I had a specific personality in mind for him. Not complicated, at least at first glance, but as you delve further into the story, his emotions and thoughts draw you into his psyche further. He is really developing even more in the sequel...

Blue Moon wrote: "Hi Dennis!

We are wondering: do you have a specific writing routine? Do you plan your writing time, or write when you are able / when inspiration strikes?"

With a full time job, writing time is at a premium, but I usually try to spend some time each night writing something at least. Some days I will be at work doing other things, but will have some new thought on where the story is going, and come home and write until my hands are exhausted...

Talia wrote: "Hello Dennis,

How do you select the titles for your books and stories? Do they grow from your writing, or do you have the title in mind before you start to write? Does the title ever change in th..."

With The Gecko's Gate, the title didn't really come to me until I got into the world I had created, whereas with other works, I had the title even as I began to write. And I have changed titles in the middle of writing, to better suit the story...

Adam wrote: "HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Adam"

I'm not sure where exactly I would set it, but I have always been fascinated with ancient civilizations, so it would be in Egypt, or the Amazon most likely...

Hi Dennis,

Great point. Do you prefer to write short excerpts, such as those on your website, or grand novels of epic proportion, like your new YA title The Gecko's Gate?

Do you have any writing quirks or habits? A favourite snack, or music playlist?

Hey Dennis!

I know you like to write on your iPod touch, as opposed to with pen and paper. Do you prefer to read electronic books or physical copies? Why?

Dennis, I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your life revolve around your writing?

Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Adam"

I'm not sure where exactly I would se..."

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for addressing my question! Egypt would be a fantastic place to set a book. I find the majority of people have an interest in Ancient History and like to read about it whether its fictitious or not.

Have you ever thought about writing in another genre? Or is there a style or writing you'd like to try your hand at?

Cheers,
Adam

DigiWriting wrote: "Hi Dennis,

Great point. Do you prefer to write short excerpts, such as those on your website, or grand novels of epic proportion, like your new YA title The Gecko's Gate?"

I like both really. I love The Gecko's Gate series, but have lots of ideas for smaller projects as well. I like to challenge myself every now and then with short story contests, it is like a workout for my mind, and forces me to try new ideas and approaches...

Adam wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Adam"

I'm not sure where exa..."

I have always loved the idea of thrillers or horror, and have such a project in the works, called The Blood Post.

Blue Moon wrote: "Do you have any writing quirks or habits? A favourite snack, or music playlist?"

It depends on what I am writing, I guess. I don't usually eat while writing, but I do have a few favourite pieces of music that tend to fire me up during writing. I listened to U2's Elevation a lot while writing The Lost channel.

Talia wrote: "Hey Dennis!

I know you like to write on your iPod touch, as opposed to with pen and paper. Do you prefer to read electronic books or physical copies? Why?"

I need the feel of a book in my hands, preferably a hard cover...

Amanda wrote: "Dennis, I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your li..."

I definitely have to fit my writing into my life. I still work a full time job, and we have many renovation projects going on around the house. I write whenever I can, typically before and after dinner...

Dennis, As a fellow author, I often like to ask other authors if you find the writing process (first draft to finished manuscript) engaging or frustrating? I recently published my first book and it was not an easy process. How have you incorporated what you've learned so far into the development of upcoming titles? If you do get frustrated, how do you overcome this?

Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Adam"

I'm not s..."

Do you have any horror or thriller authors that you look up to? Any recommended reads from them?

J.R. wrote: "Dennis, As a fellow author, I often like to ask other authors if you find the writing process (first draft to finished manuscript) engaging or frustrating? I recently published my first book and it..."

I have always enjoyed writing my books, from beginning to end, (especially when I am closing in on the end), if you are finding writing to not be an easy and enjoyable experience, try loosening up some of the constraints or demands you are putting on yourself. Remember, that art should not be a forced endeavor. If i get blocked or become frustrated trying to work through part of a story, I put it down for a while. it might be a day, it might be three weeks. And suddenly one day inspiration will strike, and I can push onward...

Dennis wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Dennis, I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life ..."

But I rarely plan my writing. The only exception to that is if I am on a day off, and alone in the house...

Adam wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Adam wrote: "HI Dennis,

Thanks for doing this. If you could write a story taking place anywhere in the world, where would you set it and why?

Cheers,
Ad..."

I have always enjoyed Stephen King's writing, the way he can describe something seemingly mundane, and turn it into something that will scare the crap out of you...

Big thank you to Dennis Stein for answering all of our questions today and over the last week! We hope everyone enjoyed the discussion, and encourage all to check out Dennis' work.

Thank all of you for having me in this discussion, I hope that you enjoy the Gecko's Gate, and the upcoming sequels...