Below is the Q&A session that occured during Daniel Kraus's April 2011 visit to Random Buzzers to discuss his hauntingly good book, ROTTERS!
Last Modified Jan 18, 2012, 12:52:13 PM
Boards
Topic : 2011 Q&A with Daniel Kraus
Forum Search Tips Close
Basics
- Search syntax is similar to Google searches.
- Words shorter than 4 characters are ignored.
- Searches are NOT case-sensitive.
- Automatic 'and' queries: The search will only return pages that include all of your search terms.
- Only the body of the post is searched by default. Use the Advanced search to also search by subject.
- Word variation/stemming is currently not supported. For example, if you search for acting or acted, the search will not return results for act.
Phrase Searches
Sometimes you'll only want results that include an exact phrase. In this case, simply put quotation marks around your search terms. E.g. "cool video games"
Negative Terms
If your search term has more than one meaning (bass, for example, could refer to fishing or music) you can focus your search by putting a minus sign ("-") in front of words related to the meaning you want to avoid. For example, here's how you'd find pages about bass-heavy lakes, but not bass-heavy music: bass -music
-
HeadBuzzer
- "Buzz buzz buzzin' away!"
- New York, NY, US
- Member since: 04/17/06
- 914 Posts, 148 comments
-
HeadBuzzerHeadBuzzer
- "Buzz buzz buzzin' away!"
- New York, NY, US
- Member since: 04/17/06
- 914 Posts, 148 comments
-
-
SusieBookworm
- "So it goes."
- F / Spindale, NC, US
- Member since: 12/18/10
- 42 Posts, 480 comments
-
SusieBookwormSusieBookworm
- "So it goes."
- F / Spindale, NC, US
- Member since: 12/18/10
- 42 Posts, 480 comments
-
Welcome to Random Buzzers! I'm wondering, what prompted you to write a book about grave robbing?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 11:34:09 AM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
It's sort of explained here, but the short answer is that I wanted to look at something that everyone is afraid to look at. Grave digging, embalming, mortuary work--these are unpleasant arts, but they're still arts. People can become masters at anything and be proud of that. So why not a secret underworld of masterful grave robbers? The main character of ROTTERS is an outcast in high school, but in this other world he's a star.Last Modified Mar 28, 2011, 05:26:22 PM
-
fredamans
- "Book Friendly Book Worm"
- F / Hamilton, ON, CA
- Member since: 12/04/10
- 14 Posts, 107 comments
Did the character's relationship with his family stem from something real and from personal experience?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 12:03:04 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
Only very loosely. My mother was from Chicago (where I currently live) and my father lives in rural Iowa, so they are both settings I'm very familiar with. My dad is a hunter--deer, pheasant, quail, elk, bear, you name it--and no matter how you feel about hunting, there's no doubt that it takes a lot of skill to hit something from far away with a bow and arrow. So I suppose it's possible that some of that leaked into the story, the idea of there being a world my character doesn't understand (grave robbing, not hunting) and his process of initiation into that world.Posted Mar 28, 2011, 04:58:57 PM
-
stephnii
- "let's change the world"
- F / State College, PA, US
- Member since: 04/28/10
- 54 Posts, 498 comments
-
How much of your real life gets written into your fictional stories?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 12:25:47 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
All of it. I rob graves several times a week. Keeps me on my toes.
Joking aside, it's mostly the little things that make the transition from real life. Observations about people, turns of phrases, minor daily events -- the kind of stuff that builds realism in the characters in my books, not plot. If my books were anything like my real life, I'd be in serious trouble.
Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:02:06 PM
-
danielle93
- ""We came to see Jace". Is he alright?" "I don't know," Magnus said. "Does he normally just lie on the floor like that without moving?" "
- F / Frankfort, KY, US
- Member since: 10/08/08
- 89 Posts, 165 comments
-
danielle93danielle93
- ""We came to see Jace". Is he alright?" "I don't know," Magnus said. "Does he normally just lie on the floor like that without moving?" "
- F / Frankfort, KY, US
- Member since: 10/08/08
- 89 Posts, 165 comments
-
Hi welcome to Random Buzzers! What genre would you say fits your novel Rotters? And what would you say is your favorite genre of books to read? And did you struggle to choose a name for Rotters or did the name Rotters just come to you easily?
Thanks for answering my questions!
Andrea
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 12:37:35 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I'd say it blends the following:
-Horror: If you read a more unsettling book this year, tell me about it, because I want to read it, too.
-Action: There's definitely an Indiana Jones element to second half of the book.
-Drama: More than anything, this is a book about fathers and sons, and what is passed between them.
The title has a double meaning, which becomes clear if you read the book. I like how blunt and short "Rotters" is -- it makes it have more of an impact, I think.
Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:05:28 PM
-
courtneyc15
- F / Greenacres, FL, US
- Member since: 07/21/09
- 71 Posts, 24 comments
-
courtneyc15courtneyc15
- F / Greenacres, FL, US
- Member since: 07/21/09
- 71 Posts, 24 comments
-
why did you decide to write about grave robbing?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 03:13:45 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
See my reply to SusieBookworm above!Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:06:15 PM
-
EmeraldSun
- "Ebullience & Eloquence "
- F / Quincy, MA, US
- Member since: 01/01/11
- 44 Posts, 491 comments
EmeraldSunEmeraldSun
- "Ebullience & Eloquence "
- F / Quincy, MA, US
- Member since: 01/01/11
- 44 Posts, 491 comments
The first thing I hear about when I see grave-robbing is Mark Zusak's The Book Thief, with that book that the heroine reads a manual on grave digging? Haha, just wanted to say that!
Well, here's my question! Both your books Rotters and The Monster Variations, seem more dark and macabre books, a bit different from the typical YA fare, does your story reflect you as a person, your interests, your influences or are they something else? Like, how do your novels represent you as a writer and as a person?
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 03:23:52 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
There's no question that I have a dark sensibility. When I was really little, my mom used to get me to stay up late with her and watch old episodes of Twilight Zone. And let me tell you, those things were creepy. When I was in fifth grade, I became obsessed with Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies. And in middle school, I was a Stephen King fanatic.
But I also had periods where I didn't like scary things at all, and I think that has a lot to do with the way I write, too -- because I know how traumatizing horror can be, I'm able to do things that work for both audiences: horror fans and just regular readers. I'm also able to scare myself, which is usually a good sign.
Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:10:03 PM
-
suprbee
- "Blaidd Drwg"
- F / Hesperia, CA, US
- Member since: 08/17/09
- 142 Posts, 183 comments
-
Hello Daniel!!
I like the sound of your book!! Of course anything with "macabre" in the description has got to be epic right?!
Anyways, I was wondering, if you could rob any grave who's would it be and why??
Thank you for visiting with us!!!
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 03:28:04 PM
Support Invisible Children as they seek to bring how the child soldiers of the LRA. http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/ic?fcid=143852
Rose: Doctor, they've got guns.
The Doctor: And I haven't. Which makes me the better person, don't you think? They can shoot me dead, but the moral high ground is mine!Look at these people. These human beings. Consider their potential! From the day they arrive on the planet, and blinking, step into the sun. There is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than - No, hold on. Sorry, that's the 'Lion King.' - The Doctor
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
Well, I want to make this clear: I do not want to rob anyone's grave. Just in case this board is being monitored by police or something.
But if someone was forcing me to rob a grave... Maybe Elvis? You just know Elvis's burial had to be weird. Who knows what someone like that is buried with? Plus, his grave is a tourist attraction -- talk about a challenging score.
Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:14:25 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I began writing when I was very little -- maybe first or second grade. My friend Ben and I drew pictures of monsters and then wrote stories for those monsters to appear in. Around fifth or six grade, I began writing longer stories, long enough to fill up a spiral notebook or two. That continued through high school, and I wrote my first real "novel" when I was a senior. I reread it recently; it's not half bad.
Rotters probably took about a year to write, though it took longer if you count all of the research.
Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:17:02 PM
-
blacksnake
- "So many books, such little time"
- F / Cedar Rapids, IA, US
- Member since: 12/13/07
- 60 Posts, 28 comments
-
blacksnakeblacksnake
- "So many books, such little time"
- F / Cedar Rapids, IA, US
- Member since: 12/13/07
- 60 Posts, 28 comments
-
What a fascinating and unique topic! As an Iowan, I am curious why you chose rural Iowa, if you have ties to the area?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 05:18:49 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I grew up in Iowa and went to college there, too. So I lived there from age 4 to 22. All of my books (so far) are set in Iowa.Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:18:14 PM
-
AmazonWarrioress
- "Alice: "No one will dare to call you plain when I'm through with you.""
- F / Milliken, CO, US
- Member since: 05/22/09
- 31 Posts, 10 comments
AmazonWarrioressAmazonWarrioress
- "Alice: "No one will dare to call you plain when I'm through with you.""
- F / Milliken, CO, US
- Member since: 05/22/09
- 31 Posts, 10 comments
Where did you get the idea for this story? How did you get interested in the subject of grave robbery? How long did it take you to come up with this book? I can't wait to read it, it sounds so interesting!!Posted Mar 07, 2011, 05:23:11 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I answered the question about where the idea came from earlier on this board. But I can tell you that it took quite a bit of time to come up with the plot. I knew early on how the story would begin and I knew how I wanted it to end. But what happened in the middle was a giant mystery. One of the most helpful things ended up being research. The more I read about grave robbing and death rituals, the more ideas I came up with for my characters. Then I made all sorts of charts so that I could understand the timeline of my book. It was pretty complicated, actually.Posted Mar 28, 2011, 05:24:16 PM
-
episkey
- "I'm a Muggle!"
- F / Hackensack, NJ, US
- Member since: 07/17/10
- 25 Posts, 56 comments
What are some of your must-haves during your writing process? Any special snacks, drinks, or rituals?
What were some of your favorite books growing up and did they ever inspire your writing?
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 05:57:41 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I tend to write in the morning, so that means caffeine and breakfast foods mostly. As luck would have it, my wife is something of a gourmet, so eat and drink splendidly as I write. I almost always listen to music, and for Rotters I listened almost exclusively to "black metal," which is a sub-genre of metal. If you've read the book, you know why I did this.
By the time I was out of middle school, I'd read everything Stephen King had put out, so I'm sure he still impacts my writing. I could go on and on, but here are three books that I know influenced me: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, and Sanctuary by Joseph P. DeSario.
Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:17:32 AM
-
elmtree2
- "Don't surprise me with crap. "
- F / Rosenberg, TX, US
- Member since: 01/20/10
- 2 Posts, 2 comments
Hello. Welcome to Random Buzzers!
I would like to ask how you came up with your lead character Joey. Did He spring out fully formed or did he grow as the story progressed? This may sound odd, but did you do a lot of research on grave robing as you were writing this book?
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 06:06:16 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I knew Joey's basic characteristics before I began: I knew he should start the book relatively happy but quickly become ostracized, which would allow for him to rebuild himself as the book progressed. What I did not know at all was his voice, how he would think and speak, his sense of humor. That's the kind of thing that I never figure out until I'm typing the words onto the page. Then, one day, suddenly I know what Joey would do in a given situation without having to think about it, and that's when I know I've got it.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:20:26 AM
-
DanaW
- "What are you reading today?"
- F / Tomball, TX, US
- Member since: 10/04/10
- 1 Posts, 0 comments
Hi. Glad you are here. I am interested in your reading history, actually. Which authors inspired you to write the macabre story you have written in Rotters? I like the idea of the grave robbing-very interesting.
What are some of your favorite authors today?
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 06:14:00 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
Stephen King is the most obvious influence on Rotters. What would surprise people is how much of the book was influenced by Herman Wouk. (Look him up.)
I could go on and on about my favorite modern authors. Here are just a few: Ray Bradbury, Jonathan Franzen, Joe Hill, Joshua Ferris, Adam Rapp, Rick Yancey, Joseph D'Lacey, Dan Simmons, and Donna Tartt.
Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:26:59 AM
-
kissesofrain
- F / Copperas Cove, TX, US
- Member since: 03/04/11
- 4 Posts, 17 comments
kissesofrainkissesofrain
- F / Copperas Cove, TX, US
- Member since: 03/04/11
- 4 Posts, 17 comments
How did you come up with the idea for this story? Or how did you come up with the idea of writing about grave robbing? Have you ever actually grave robbed before? How long did it take you to write it? About how many hours did you spend on writing your story per day?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 07:04:11 PM
Kisses_of_Rain
Loving Life! ^_^
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I'll take your last question. How many hours I spend depends on the day. If I'm home all day, then I might write from 8am to 1pm, give or take an hour or two. If I'm writing at night, it's probably just for a couple hours. I have a job, so some days I don't have much time, but even on those days I try to write for a half hour, just so my head stays in the book.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:29:54 AM
-
SurferGirl
- "Hi, I'm Kristen~"
- F / Agoura Hills, CA, US
- Member since: 04/27/10
- 6 Posts, 2 comments
SurferGirlSurferGirl
- "Hi, I'm Kristen~"
- F / Agoura Hills, CA, US
- Member since: 04/27/10
- 6 Posts, 2 comments
Hi! Robbers looks like a cool book, and I can't wait to check it out! OK, my question is: when your reading a book, what's you favorite part? Since you actually write books, I was wondering if its like the ending... or the intro to charecters, or something like that. Thanks! :)
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 07:15:09 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
The beginning is probably the most enjoyable part to write because there's not as much pressure. You can do anything you want and it doesn't have any immediate effects. The further in you get, the more precarious it becomes. Once you're 200 pages into a book, you have an entire world created that you can't mess up, and any decision you make is going to have ramifications both backwards and forwards into the story. It's like making a house of cards--the higher it goes, the more chances you have to accidentally knock it down.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:33:20 AM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
Popular question! See my answer above.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:33:54 AM
-
revolution93
- F / Midlothian, TX, US
- Member since: 07/26/10
- 26 Posts, 17 comments
-
revolution93revolution93
- F / Midlothian, TX, US
- Member since: 07/26/10
- 26 Posts, 17 comments
-
Whats your favorite Shakespeare play? :) I'm currently reading HamletPosted Mar 07, 2011, 07:38:43 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I'm not a master of Shakespeare by any means, but my favorite is probably Hamlet. So much tragedy! I also have a soft spot for Othello, mostly because of Iago.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:36:02 AM
-
hellohannah
- "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."
- F / Allendale, MI, US
- Member since: 01/06/11
- 32 Posts, 749 comments
hellohannahhellohannah
- "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."
- F / Allendale, MI, US
- Member since: 01/06/11
- 32 Posts, 749 comments
Hello Daniel!
I'm quite interested that this story is about grave robbing. How did you first start writing stories? Did you always want to be a writer or did it just happen? I hope to get to read this book, it seems to be quite different compared to the other books out there.
Thanks and welcome to Random Buzzers. :)
Posted Mar 07, 2011, 07:46:38 PM
-
DanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
DanielKrausDanielKraus
- Chicago, IL, US
- Member since: 03/28/11
- 99 Posts, 1 comments
I always wanted to be a writer, and was writing long stories (the length of one or two or more notebooks) from about grades five through twelve. When I got to college, though, I took a detour into filmmaking, and I directed movies throughout my 20s. It was only a few years ago that I decided to return to my first love, and I've never regretted it.Posted Mar 29, 2011, 09:38:21 AM
-
Galaxy_Chic
- "What can't kill me, will only make me stronger."
- F / Savanna, IL, US
- Member since: 08/27/10
- 16 Posts, 10 comments
-
Galaxy_ChicGalaxy_Chic
- "What can't kill me, will only make me stronger."
- F / Savanna, IL, US
- Member since: 08/27/10
- 16 Posts, 10 comments
-
How long did it take you to write this book?Posted Mar 07, 2011, 08:33:31 PM
