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Author Dean Koontz on Odd Thomas, rough childhood, California home
http://www.cbsnews.com ^ | January 14, 2015 | CBS NEWS

Posted on 01/15/2015 9:00:21 AM PST by Maelstorm

Dean Koontz is one of the best-selling authors of all time. He just released "Saint Odd," the final book in one of his most popular series -- a series filled with stories inspired in part by troubles in his own life, CBS News' Ben Tracy reports.

"I'm just the guy who lives down the street, and I do books instead of sell cars," Koontz said.

If that's true, then Koontz is the Henry Ford of authors. He's written around 100 different books from sci-fi and suspense to horror with a touch of satire.

"When I write a novel, I don't move from page one to page two until I've written 20 or 30 drafts. I have to polish it until I think it can't be any better. Then I can move on," Koontz said. "This comes out of a very deep self-doubt. And that comes out of my childhood."

Right now, Koontz is mourning a loss. He's just released the eighth and final installment in his series about his everyday hero, Odd Thomas, a fry cook who sees dead people. The books have sold 20 million copies.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; conservative; deankoontz; koontz; oddthomas
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Koontz is a conservative Catholic and I've always enjoyed his books.
1 posted on 01/15/2015 9:00:21 AM PST by Maelstorm
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To: Maelstorm

A friend in the service back in the 90s turned me on to his books and generally liked all the ones I read of his.

Lightning is a big favorite.


2 posted on 01/15/2015 9:03:39 AM PST by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
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To: Maelstorm

He is a conservative.

As an author, he is hit and miss. But when he hits, he really hits.


3 posted on 01/15/2015 9:07:16 AM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I enjoy his stuff. I’ve read or listened on audio books to most of what he has written. His style tends to draw me in and even if the plot isn’t so great I still enjoy the ride.


4 posted on 01/15/2015 9:10:18 AM PST by Maelstorm ("I would rather die standing than to live on my knees" Stephane Charbonnier cartoonist Charlie Hedbo)
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To: wally_bert

Most recently I’ve enjoyed the Odd Thomas series and even the Frankenstein series. I thought I’d read Lightening but on looking at a synopsis I don’t remember it so I’ll definitely read it. One book that stood out for me was Midnight.


5 posted on 01/15/2015 9:14:48 AM PST by Maelstorm ("I would rather die standing than to live on my knees" Stephane Charbonnier cartoonist Charlie Hedbo)
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To: Maelstorm

I will plead guilty to one count of literary snobbery, but I really liked at least a dozen of his books. Even the lesser ones are fun. I also support his conservatism, which is almost nonexistent in popular authors these days.


6 posted on 01/15/2015 9:15:57 AM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: stephenjohnbanker

favorite author think ive read everything he wrote.


7 posted on 01/15/2015 9:24:22 AM PST by therapsida (i)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I had went on a hiatus from his stuff till a couple of years ago and then I started listening to his Odd Thomas books and then when I ran out I decided to try the Frankenstein books which I honestly didn’t expect much from but I thoroughly enjoyed and found surprisingly unique. I’d not been used to him writing series of books but instead more iconic fair like Phantoms, Midnight, The Bad Place, etc. I agree and while its not a requirement that an author align with my politics its nice when one does and he happens to be solidly accomplished as well. Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and Tom Clancy are a few others.


8 posted on 01/15/2015 9:34:22 AM PST by Maelstorm ("I would rather die standing than to live on my knees" Stephane Charbonnier cartoonist Charlie Hedbo)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I’m glad he’s a conservative, but I must have picked up the wrong books. I have not enjoyed anything he’s written.


9 posted on 01/15/2015 9:34:25 AM PST by Thorliveshere (Minnesota Survivor)
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To: Maelstorm

I enjoy Koontz very much.

I suspected that he is a conservative.

Not all of his book are great.

My favorite above all is Watchers.

I know Mr. Koontz is a dog lover.


10 posted on 01/15/2015 9:41:26 AM PST by chris37 (heartless)
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To: chris37; Maelstorm

” My favorite above all is Watchers.”

IMHO, the best.


11 posted on 01/15/2015 9:45:09 AM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I’ve read that one long time ago when I was in High school. I may pick it up again to refresh my memory.


12 posted on 01/15/2015 9:51:21 AM PST by Maelstorm ("I would rather die standing than to live on my knees" Stephane Charbonnier cartoonist Charlie Hedbo)
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To: chris37
One of my favorites is Intensity. There are no reasons for human evil. Only excuses. That line hit me like a ton of bricks and sums up the progressive sociopaths.
13 posted on 01/15/2015 10:00:51 AM PST by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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To: Maelstorm
I think the greatest invention of Dean Koontz is his "Book of Counted Sorrows." Just the title alone is sheer brilliance.

As a writer, he's entertaining, but hardly a great novelist. Then again, he IS entertaining.

14 posted on 01/15/2015 10:16:12 AM PST by IronJack
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To: 7thson

Intensity is fantastic, and I believe that may have been the first Koontz book that I read, and I did read that one twice.

They had made a TV movie of it too, which I thought was pretty good.


15 posted on 01/15/2015 10:26:15 AM PST by chris37 (heartless)
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To: wally_bert

It is a tossup between that and Watchers as my favorite.


16 posted on 01/15/2015 10:28:36 AM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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To: Maelstorm
I love the Odd Thomas series. I tried to read some of his other stuff, though, it was not for me. Funhouse was absolutely horrendous!

The Odd Thomas books are great though. He's a great character with fun mysteries.

17 posted on 01/15/2015 10:31:54 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I agree. I either love his books or can’t get through them.


18 posted on 01/15/2015 10:33:47 AM PST by JustaCowgirl (Arguing with a liberal is like arguing with a rat about whether he eats people scraps.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

The clintons have made more money selling far fewer books.
Dean Koontz only sold 450 million copies.
Kinda odd isn’t it...?


19 posted on 01/15/2015 12:57:31 PM PST by minnesota_bound
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To: minnesota_bound

Unlike the Clintons, Koontz isn’t a criminal.


20 posted on 01/15/2015 12:59:50 PM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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