r/books • u/Dennis_Stein AMA Author • Apr 29 '16
ama 1pm Hi, I’m Dennis Stein, YA author who wrote my new book The Gecko’s Gate entirely with my right thumb on an old iPod touch – AMA
Hi, I’m Dennis Stein, author of new YA fantasy book The Gecko’s Gate. All of my writing is done during my spare time on an old Apple iPod Touch, which I carry with me wherever I go. So naturally, my books take a while to write – The Gecko’s Gate was in production for over 9 years. Why do I use this method to write? Ask me and find out!
Here is proof of my identity from my publisher, Sands Press:
https://twitter.com/SandsPressPub/status/726026409123151881
I will be here answering your questions until 4 pm EST on my writing process, my novels, and anything else that relates to fantasy or The Gecko’s Gate.
So, Ask Me Anything!
EDIT: Thank you so much for the insightful questions! I've had a great time discussing The Gecko's Gate, and I hope to hear more from you. Thanks, Dennis
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u/amaar221 Apr 29 '16
Dennis, why do you use that method to write
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u/partyinmyshoes Apr 29 '16
He's actually a pretty famous author in the disabled circles. He lost his left arm in a car accident
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
Lol, not really, but I did suffer a brain Anyeurism when I was 28, so I tend to push myself beyond mental limits to prove to myself that I am still as with it as before it happened...
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u/mehbitch Apr 29 '16
Where did your fascination with lizards begin? Or rather why follow that evolutionary trail in your book
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
I used to keep many of the creatures in the story as pets, from a 5ft. Male Iguana called Otis, to a Veiled Chameleon named Jack. I thought it would be cool to create a different world where all of the inhabitants were reptile and amphibian...
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u/mehbitch Apr 29 '16
That's awesome, my cousin had an iguana named Bob growing up and Bob is definitely what I thought of when I was reading the description of your story. Thanks for responding!
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u/Alice_In_Wonderland2 Apr 29 '16
How do you come up with the titles for your novels? "The Gecko's Gate" sounds fascinating!
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
The name actually comes from the artifact in the story, I thought it was appropriate for the title as well, because the story is centered around this magical artifact...
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u/PerryPrete Apr 29 '16
Dennis. Considering the genre of your new book, have you ever written or are you planning on writing something more geared towards adults?
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
Yes, I have a horror in the works called The Blood Post, and a historical fiction called False Pharaoh...
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u/JR_Stewart Apr 29 '16
Dennis, considering that you can write seemingly anywhere, do you have a favourite place to write?
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u/marklovesbb Apr 29 '16
Do you keep the Hero's Journey in mind when writing? I always wonder if it happens naturally or if authors think about the various stages.
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
I made each of the stories up as I went. I had major plot ideas, but mostly they were written on the fly, over time. The Gecko's Gate took 9 years to complete, but it was because it was begun before I really got serious about writing. The sequel to it is already over 40000 words and was begun Last spring. It should be finished by end of June...
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u/Chtorrr Apr 29 '16
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
If writing is something you want to do, then do it. Don't spend all of your time trying to think up something to write, because inspiration might strike you at the most unusual times. When it does, make the most of it!
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u/thenewsroom99 Apr 29 '16
Hi Dennis,
Wow, that's impressive that you wrote an entire book an an iPod Touch! In your opinion, would you now say that you have "thumbs of steel?"
Thanks for doing this!
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u/MattBaster Apr 29 '16
What is the generation model and iOS of your iPod?
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
The original one I wrote with was an old 2nd Gen, which also had a problem where the screen would not flip. The Heart Of The Raven was 36,000 words, all written with ONE thumb. My wife got me a new one for Christmas 2 years ago, which is fifth Gen, and it works very well for me...
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u/MattBaster Apr 29 '16
Awesome! I love iPod Touch. I still have my early Gen 1 (iOS 3.2) that works very well. My Gen 2 was stolen; my Gen 4 (iOS 5.1) finally got too unstable to rely on, and I love the Gen 6 (current iOS) I got late last year.
Can't imagine writing a book on it, though! :-)
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u/Chtorrr Apr 29 '16
What books made you love reading as a child? Have they influenced your writing now?
Your book looks like exactly the kind of thing I would have enjoyed as a kid :)
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u/Dennis_Stein Apr 29 '16
For anyone who wants to know, there are at least two more books coming in the Gecko's Gate series. The next book is 2/3 done, I am hoping it will be in editing by the end of June. It is called Assassins. A third book is also just being started, called The Empress...
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u/Talia_17 Apr 29 '16
Hi Dennis, I am interested in the editorial side of your writing. In your opinion, what qualities contribute to an ideal editor? Thanks for answering our questions!