Dean Koontz's World Over 2012 Interview

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

http://youtu.be/GyVAddoJByU
In this rare in-depth interview, Dean touches on several writing elements. Koontz explains how his writing is influenced by his Catholic beliefs and that each of the Odd Thomas books represent a virtue.

Some titles mentioned in the interview include (but are not limited to): Odd Apocalypse, Odd Thomas, Brother Odd, Life Expectancy, One Door Away From Heaven, From the Corner of His Eye, Strangers and A Big Little Life

Feel welcome to discuss in this thread any topics brought up in this interview :-)

[J.S.]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

As a fellow Catholic, I agree with much of what he says. I can remember reading a couple of his books before I knew much about him, and I was thinking, "He has to be Catholic. HAS to be!" I then squealed with immense delight when I learned that I was correct (I forget where I found out, though). Okay, maybe I didn't really squeal, but you get the idea.

I enjoy how his books make the reader feel as though there is much more to reality than meets the eye. I get the same feeling from the works of Ted Dekker and Stephen King. As a (sometimes) novelist myself, I end up doing this unintentionally. I suppose that's the lens through which we Catholic/Christian writers view the world. I've read novels that do not portray the world as such and they seem quite bland in comparison.

[J.S.]

I'm curious about his comments regarding the Vatican II council. Since I'm a wee youngster of 23, I have no idea what the church was like before then. I don't know if I would like having everything in Latin. I mean, I know what the basics mean (Veni sancte spiritus, Kyrie eleison, etc.), but would it really make the Mass better to bring the Latin back?

I know I'm the oddball Catholic in this neck of the woods, so I don't expect anyone to respond to this comment. lol :)

[Marina]

I'm not a Catholic so I don't know all the details, but I think he has a point that applies to most religions. When you change the rituals to make everything easier and more accessible, you take away the mysterious and uplifting effect of faith. So all you're left with is essentially a social club, a place to hang out with members of your own religion once a week, which is not bad, but not the same.

My favorite part of the interview is when he talks about culture. Just like with politics, if you don't participate, you can't complain. Sitting around complaining that modern art stinks is useless. If you're an artist, create something that fits your worldview; if you're a consumer, seek it out and support it. I don't agree with every single thing Dean says in each of his books, but I respect what he's doing.

[Gail]

Hi J.S. You are not an OddBall Catholic! I am a Convert of 23 years. I have never attended a Latin Mass but would love to. I love the tradition of the Catholic Church and feel like we have gone too far when it comes to relaxing our Traditions. The good news is, you can choose. There are Parishes that offer the Latin for those that wish to attend them. I have been a Koontz fan for over 25 years, and finding out he was Catholic showed me why!


J.S. wrote: "I'm curious about his comments regarding the Vatican II council. Since I'm a wee youngster of 23, I have no idea what the church was like before then. I don't know if I would like having everything..."

[J.S.]

Gail wrote: "Hi J.S. You are not an OddBall Catholic! I am a Convert of 23 years. I have never attended a Latin Mass but would love to. I love the tradition of the Catholic Church and feel like we have gone..."

Yay! I'm not an oddball! Funny how we've been Catholic for the same length of time. :]

[Aundria]

Masha wrote: "I'm not a Catholic so I don't know all the details, but I think he has a point that applies to most religions. When you change the rituals to make everything easier and more accessible, you take aw..."

I stated this a bit earlier, but I am always glad that Dean showcases the triumph of the human spirit, the triumph over evil, without ever once having to beat the reader over the head with religion. He introduces us to God, to morality, to the human condition and struggle, and does this is such a away as to never offend and he never feels "preachy," and it's seamless. I'm Protestant, but I get it. And I thank him for his handling of what COULD be a delicate matter. He does it beautifully...and one of the VERY FEW authors who have EVER had the talent to do such a thing.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-) Some people have been turned off by the writing of Dean Koontz saying he pushes his views too heavy. Everyone has their critics and Dean has plenty of them, but I think the criticism shows the impact a writer can have. I love the way Dean thinks.

[Aundria]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: ":-) Some people have been turned off by the writing of Dean Koontz saying he pushes his views too heavy. Everyone has their critics and Dean has plenty of them, but I think the criticism shows the ..."

I don't feel as though Dean pushes any one view. Quite the contrary. He leaves spirituality on the table for the reader to make of it what he or she will. I never feel preached to, but I always feel that the care and love of a Creator is present all around these characters. It's the perfect balance of Creation/destiny and human free-will. Perfect :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Mostly I hear people feel he is preaching his new age philosophy. I'm currently reading The Darkest Evening of the year and his view of dogs as angels is very prominent :-)

[Aundria]

Well, yes. I love that. And there is a precedent for animals being the vessel of choice for angels here on earth:)