Ask Lauren DeStefano - Tuesday, February 19th! discussion

Welcome to the group! Lauren will be answering questions on Tuesday, February 19th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Lauren or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Hi Lauren! Thank you for creating such a lovely world and being an overall fantastic and inspirational individual.

When you wrote The Chemical Garden Trilogy, did you use any songs to put you into the mood to write certain scenes? If so, will you give an example or two?

Do you have anyone you aspire to be like? Who? Why?

So far, are you enjoying writing The Internment Chronicles more than The Chemical Garden Trilogy, or vice versa?

Thanks!

Wow thanks for the invite Margo.
Can we ask more than one question and then you choose which how many go to Lauren?

All my questions would be spoilers for the next book I'm afraid! I can't wait to read it!

I thought of one!

Do you personally relate to any of your characters, and if so, which ones?
And, if you could be any character in your books, which one would you pick?

Thanks for your time!

Are there any Authors who have influenced your writing, and how?

What Authors did you read and love as a child,and why?

Are there any new "upcoming" Authors you would recommend to us as lover and fans of The Chemical Garden Series?

Sandra "Jeanz" wrote: "Are there any Authors who have influenced your writing, and how?

What Authors did you read and love as a child,and why?

Are there any new "upcoming" Authors you would recommend to us as lover and..."

Entwined was a good book :)

Do you have a favorite character from your book?

You're a great writer!

Lots of love from Belgium.

When will Sever be published in Dutch?

Thank you for your wonderful book!! It inspired me to start writing again myself :)

H Lauren!
Lauren here xD
My question is: Do you think that a world like in the Chemical Garden Trilogy could happen some day? Do you think we've all become so obsessed with perfection that it could all end in disaster?

Hi Lauren,

What was your inspiration behind Rhine and Gabriel's names? Rhine itself is a very interesting name for such a strong individual, and Gabriel is a name usually associated with angels. I was wondering if there were any back stories behind their names?

Hi!!! My friend and I are great fans of your books!

Q1: How did you get your book published?
Q2: Are Gabriel and Rhine together?
Q3: At what age did you find your passion for writing?
Q4: Do you ever re-read your books?

Okay, that's all I could think of right now:)

Hi!!! How is Sever set apart from the other books? Is it special in some way? Which book in the trilogy is you favorite?

wow what an honor I am a BIG fan of your books and I would love to know where you got your inspiration to write them?

the books are so amazing and I wonder how you come up with a lot of the stuff that you write?

I would also like to know if you base your characters off of real people in some way or not? and if so who?

who is your favorite characters? and why?

If you could be one of the characters in her book which one would you choose?

If your own life was a subject of a book what type of fiction would it be: humor, horror, love story?

blessings to you and yours
Wiccawiitch4

Hi, Lauren! I absolutely love your books. I'm trying to start writing real length books (I'm fourteen). Do you have any tips and tricks to help me while I'm writing?

Hi Lauren! Im also starting to write and i have to ask how do you come with your characters and the setting them? Big fan by the way cant wait for Sever!!!

Hi! First of all I love your books. I wanted to know where you got your inspiration for writing the Chemical Garden Trilogy? And also, how early did you start having a passion for writing?

How did you come up with such an awesome idea for a plot??? It sucks you into the story and doesn't want to let you go until you stay up half the night to finish the book!! Love it!!

Thanks for the invite Margo! It's funny that one of you asked about music. Every time I hear Imagine Dragons song Radioactive I instantly think of these books lol.

Question for Laurene: First of let me say how much I have loved these books! I'm a big dystopian fan but these are so unique compared to others in the genre. The virus and circumstances are pretty believable and plausible to me. My question is when you were writing and developing Rhine's father in law what sparked the idea to make him so horrible? He truly is evil and super creepy.

Hello! I love your books. :) And I was just wondering what you do to keep your mind on your writing? For me its hard to write without music that goes with the story I am writing. :)I am almost fifteen,and I really need some tips. And how long do you write before you take a break??

Hi Lauren ! I love dystopian books, but yours are especially unique in their idea. I was wondering how you come up with such great dystopian worlds ?

Hello Lauren, I really LOVE your books, every day i was in the library just to find your book. First I could never find your book Wither, when i found it i was dancing in the library. I was really happy. I am really obsessed, i have read it like 4 times. My friend read it too and we become fan of you Lauren (:

My questions:
How do you get inspiration? i also write story's, but sometimes i just can't find inspirition. Have you some tips?
Why do you wrote about this, that nobody can live when they are 20, 25. Do you think it is gonna happen in the future?
When did you realize that you want to be a writer?
How did you come up with the characters like Gabriël, Rhine and Linden?
How was it when you wrote your first book?

That were my questions (:
I will just say it again, I LOVE YOUR BOOKS (:

Love, afifa

Dear Miss DeStefano:

May I ask a simple question here? I only want to ask about one single detail in the books. And I hope it's allowed.

In your series, women die at the age 20 and men at age 25. So I want to ask, is it caused by some 'plague' or 'virus'; or is it caused by a genetic flaw? I truly got confused when in the book 2 Fever, Rhine kept calling the cause of death 'plague' and 'virus', but I wonder what sort of 'plague' or 'virus' kills people only when they reach a certain age? I'm left really puzzled.

Your reader: Miz

Hello! I'm French and I'm 11 years old! I loved Wither, I found it wonderful! This is one of my favorite books!
I have some questions to ask yourself:
1. How did you imagine Wither?
2. Do you plan to write more books?
3. At what age did you start writing?
4. Would you like your book to be adapted into a film?

Thank you so much Lauren!
With love,
Naima

Hi! This is such an amazing oppurtunity to ask a great author a question!

My question is: Is Rhine a character that was inspired by a real person in your life?

Hi Lauren,
Once you have completed the chemical garden trilogy do you have plans to write any other books for young adults ( other than perfect ruin [; )?

Hi Lauren thank you so much for giving us goodreaders your time.
I'm very glad I stumbled upon your books because I loved them literally nothing to criticize in your books.
My question is what made you want to write about genetics and what inspired you for the plot.
Thank you and I'm about to buy sever can't wait!!

Hi Lauren
Your books are truly amazing!

Therefore, I just wanted to know...

What's your favourite book/s?
And are you planning on writing other young adult books in the future?
Thanx

Hi Lauren,
I am an older reader. My theory of what a good book is one you have a hard time putting down. My theory of a great book is one you just cannot put down. The first two Chemical Romance books were great books. (To me anyways.) I actually read Fever in two sittings. I have read them twice now. Last year and last week to get ready for Fever.( My memory is not what it used to be so had to refresh what was going on.)
My question is more about writing in general.
When you are writing a story how do you keep up with the characters and what is going on?
Thank you
Deb

hey lauren!

What's NEXT for you in the bookish world? Do you have something else in the works?
I'll buy anything you write. even if it's about dinosaurs.

-lindsay

Hello, Lauren,
I absolutely love your Chemical Garden Trilogy, and I am so excited for Sever to come out!

I was wondering--
When you're writing, do you ever get stuck on a section (and can't figure out how to fit it into the book well, or can't think of what to write next)? What do you do to when you just need a small break from writing?

Thanks for the great books!
-Noella

Before I ask my question I'd just like to say that I love your books.

My Question is how did you go about publishing your work? I want to be an Author one day as well. So, I was just curious as to how it all worked.

~Kayla

Hi Lauren
Thank you for writing the Chemical Garden trilogy :) I absolutely love books which handle distopian worlds.

Now of course I still need to ask my question:
Where did you get your ideas for your distopian world? Why these exact ages? How do you see mankind evolve in this world?
I could ask more of these questions, but I think you know what I mean ;)

Grtz Ingeborg

Hi Lauren! I love your work! It's so unique and captivating!
How long does it usually take you too write a book? And do you ever get confused between reality and your books?
Thank you :')<3

Hi! Thanks so much for doing this. I love your books! My questions are:

Who is your favorite author?
Why did you start writing?
What is your favorite book?

How are you able to figure out the filler text??

As a beginner writer, I have the plot and ending in my head, but it is hard for me to fill in dialogue and important information the readers need to know.

Did you have any music that inspired your writing?

Hello! :)
Both me and my sister are fans of your trilogy! ♥
I'm an aspiring writer and you've become one of my inspirations :')

What advice can you give to a pessimistic girl like me in writing a story/novel? :)) I'm currently writing a story and oftentimes, I just feel like it's leading to nowhere and it's just full of nonsense. :'(

Thank you! ♥
Hana from the Philippines ;)

Hi Lauren! I am a HUGE fan and I adore the Chemical Garden trilogy! You are extremely talented. Few authors can create characters that I actually relate to and have feelings about. I found myself really feeling Rhine's sadness and the hopelessness of her situation. I felt genuine emotions while reading your books, especially Fever. Few books do that to me. A question I have for you is do you plan on writing more books? Plus, I'm an aspiring writer myself. Any tips? Again thanks so much for a really memorable series! All the best! :-)

I absolutely loved your series, but I had one question. *SPOLIER ALERT* What was your motivation behind your decision to kill off Linden? Because honestly, it seemed superflous and just a way for Rhine's love triangle/square to be resolved without her actually making a decision, I know it might sound weird to say this but its almost as if his death allowed things to be wrapped up too neatly. It was so out of the blue and didn't make much sense to me that I really didn't believe he was dead. Even when Cecily and Rhine were watching his funeral I thought he was alive. I'm not trying to question your decision, I just want to understand your motivation. Thanks for your time!

Hi Lauren! I LOVE the Chemical Garden trilogy! But the only bad thing is....THERE IS ONLY THREE. Haha:) I cannot wait until I read the 3rd book. I cannot wait to see what Rhine and Gabriel have it in for! I bet it will be awesome.
A couple of questions....Are you going to write more series or trilogies? I want to be an author, any tips of getting there? How long did it take you to write Wither and Fever? How did you come up with the idea for the Chemical Garden Series?

Sorry for the many questions. :3 But thanks for writing this awesome trilogy and I hope you make more amazing books. :)

Hello Lauren, first i want to say i love The Chemical Garden trilogy and i hope that the third book arrive to spain soon. My questions are:
How did you choose the physical and psicological caracteristics of your characters? Did you get inspiration of someone who know? And how did you choose the names?

Hi Lauren,

Just wondering what was it that made all girls die at twenty and men at twent-five? And also are these books based on anything in true life or are they entirely fictional? if so what were they based on? Thank you for writing some of my favourite books ever!!!

Hello Lauren, I really enjoyed reading your books Wither and Fever! I cannot wait to read Sever.

Here are my questions:
What gave you the idea to write this series or who gave you the idea?
Do you relate to any of the characters personally?
How did you pick the names and ages of the characters?
Have you written any other series? If not will you?
Do you ever want your book(s) to become a movie?

Sorry I have so many questions! : ) Thank you for your amazing books!! : ) You have an amazing tallent!

i really adore reading and your books are so creative what made you write about this world there in
and do you have any advise for people who may want to start writing

If you ever re-read your books, do you ever wish you could change something or edit it more?

I don't have a question. Just wanted to say I love your books! Thanks for sharing the wonderful stories in your head! Can't wait to read Server!!! And all the wonderful other books you will be writing for us! Much love! Aimee

I've only read the first of the series so far and it STILL lingers in my mind and we're talking about 6 months later. You are an amazing writer and I'd be honored if you'd do a guest post on my blog (if you ever have time). I'd LOVE to share your works with my followers :)
ROCK ON!!!!
~Ava~

How did you come up with the idea for the book?

How did you come up with names for the characters?

Why did you make the characters like you did?

Did you think that your books would be this popular?

Did you ever think about writing the books out of another characters view, like Rowan's or Linden's or Cecily, or Vaughn's or even Gabriel's or later in life Bowen?

Also do you think people could survive living like this the way we are now so dependent on technology?

Also do you plan on writing anymore books?

Lastly I just wanted to say that you are an amazing writer and I love your books.

Also how did you come up with the ages at which the people die at, and what would you do with your life that would be different if you knew that you could only live to be the age of 20? Also would you want to know f you were going to die so young or would you have wanted to be in the first group who died like that when nobody knew yet?

What gave you the idea that inspired you to write the Chemical Gardens?

Hi Lauren,

Your books are amazing and your prose is so beautiful. I look forward to reading more by you in the future. I have three questions -
1. Which character in your books is most like you? or if you could be one of your characters, which one would it be?
2. I love your books so much, but not many authors come down here to Australia, is there a bookshop where I can purchase your books signed?
Anyway, you really are an amazing author to give some of your time for your readers!

Thank-you.