Ask the Author: Colleen Oakes
Answered Questions (58)
Colleen Oakes
I stumbled across this name when looking for the perfect name for the character, and I believe that it was listed as a very old, very English name. I loved the way it looked and sounded - like a sad, hymn. There's a desperation to that name.
Colleen Oakes
I have worked in a house that I thoroughly believe was actually, actively haunted.
Colleen Oakes
Hi Eli! Thank you for the kind words. I have another trilogy called Wendy Darling that's available now, and I am currently shopping a new fairytale retelling. Thank you for reading!
Colleen Oakes
I took a lot of inspiration from the original text of Peter Pan, which when read as an adult, is full of dark, twisted things. Studying Peter Pan syndrome also helped create this character, who is at once a love interest and a villain. I fell in love with him as well, and as a society we love to hold up bad boys as objects of lust, and I wanted to play with that.
Colleen Oakes
Narnia! Give me a lampost, a sword and a Kingdom under the care of Aslan and I would be a very happy girl.
Colleen Oakes
This summer I read The Silent Patient, Searching for Sunday, The Near Witch, When the Crawdads Sing, The Poppy War, Set the Fire on High, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Spinning Silver.
This fall I'm loading up with a bunch more.
This fall I'm loading up with a bunch more.
Colleen Oakes
I do not! The origins of the name come mostly from German ancestry centering around the Midwest states.
Colleen Oakes
There is not, and if you do find a website that lets you read it for free, that is plagiarism and the website is illegal. I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble.
However, if you order the book into your local library, it will be free and ordering books to libraries actually helps authors in a big way!
However, if you order the book into your local library, it will be free and ordering books to libraries actually helps authors in a big way!
Colleen Oakes
Hi Lauren! I'm almost finished with my first book in the new series, and while I'm not ready to reveal it yet, if you find my Instagram, you will see a bunch of clues on there that should hint pretty clearly at what I'm working on. (I'm bad at keeping secrets.) Thanks for asking!
Colleen Oakes
No is the short answer to this, but the long answer is this: after finishing book two of the Elly in Bloom series, I decided to take a break to write Queen of Hearts Series and the Wendy Darling Saga. When I went to return to Elly's world, I found myself writing a story that didn't feel quite right for Elly and her friends. I realized, about halfway through it that this was because Elly's story had wrapped up in Elly in Love and there was no need to continue it without doing damage.
Elly's story was complete, and it would been the wrong decision for me as a creator to continue it past that healthy point. While I can understand the disappointment that may cause, I was secure in the fact that the Elly books all contain a singular story that is wrapped up within themselves.
Thank you for asking!
Elly's story was complete, and it would been the wrong decision for me as a creator to continue it past that healthy point. While I can understand the disappointment that may cause, I was secure in the fact that the Elly books all contain a singular story that is wrapped up within themselves.
Thank you for asking!
Colleen Oakes
Hi Alexis! As of right now, The Black Coats is a standalone. I would not be opposed to revisiting the Black Coats in either a prequel or a sequel form should the publisher want it. And to answer your other questions all of Team Banner kept their coats. Wouldn't you?
Colleen Oakes
I'm happy to tell you that the third Wendy Darling is out in Mexico now!
Colleen Oakes
This is because the series was changed when it went to Harper Collins. The whole set is available underneath them, from Queen of Hearts to Blood of Wonderland to War of the Cards.
Colleen Oakes
Great question! Dinah was very inspired by my own heart; I struggle with rage and anger, and I created her character to help me process those feelings in my own life. Other than that, most of the characters weren't inspired m=by family members. In terms of how they appear, I can tell you that Cheshire is inspired by Tom Hiddleston, and Sir Gorrann is inspired by Kevin Costner. Fortunately no one I know really appears in Queen of Hearts.
Colleen Oakes
Thank you Dylann! I am very happy with where I left Wendy, John, Michael and Booth (and Peter too), and while I know their story continues in the imagination of readers, I don't think I will be returning to Neverland.
Then again, they say never say never....
Then again, they say never say never....
Colleen Oakes
Hi Cintia,
I know this feeling well. There is a lot of competition in the writer world, and it can be intimidating. The good thing is that no one in the world can write the book you can. The best ideas come from people writing what they want to read, so while looking at the industry can be discouraging, know that you alone can tell your story. Also, know that published writers get rejected too. We are all pushing forward together. It's a long slog, but when you finally get through the gates it's a lot easier. I hope that helps!
I know this feeling well. There is a lot of competition in the writer world, and it can be intimidating. The good thing is that no one in the world can write the book you can. The best ideas come from people writing what they want to read, so while looking at the industry can be discouraging, know that you alone can tell your story. Also, know that published writers get rejected too. We are all pushing forward together. It's a long slog, but when you finally get through the gates it's a lot easier. I hope that helps!
Colleen Oakes
While I think Peter likes to spy on those he can, I think something special - dare call it destiny - led him that specific nursery window.
Colleen Oakes
Since we only hear things from Peter's perspective, he wouldn't know, but I think it's safe to say that his Father was devastated.
Colleen Oakes
Hi Megan,
I'm so glad you loved the series. There is no recording of the Song of the Shadow, but I'm actually going to ask a friend of mine to sing and play it for my Instagram account this month. Thanks for the idea!
I'm so glad you loved the series. There is no recording of the Song of the Shadow, but I'm actually going to ask a friend of mine to sing and play it for my Instagram account this month. Thanks for the idea!
Colleen Oakes
I'm so glad to hear that. Vittiore's name is pronounced "Vitt-TOR-ee", similar to the word "victory." I hope you love the rest of the series!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more