Colleen’s Comments (group member since Apr 03, 2014)

Colleen’s comments from the Ask Colleen Houck - Friday, May 2nd! group.

If I didn't get to your question. Please ask me again on my new Book Club Group here. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Macy wrote: "Oh! Colleen! (Macy again.) I almost forgot to ask you: What advice do you have to give to a young writer? I've been pre-writing a book for about a year but I'm afraid to start actually typing it in fear of it ending up like all of my other books: Unfinished. As a successful (and excellent) author, what do you do when you get stuck and don't know what to do with the plot? "

When it comes to writing and getting stuck most of the time you need to work that rock until you remove it or plow around it. The most important thing is not to give up. Go for a walk and think about or research online. You may find a way to unstick yourself. =)

Macy wrote: "Hi, Colleen, I'm Macy. I absolutely adore this series and can't wait for the prequel! I understand what Tiger's Promise is about, but I'm not certain what's going on with Tiger's Dream. I thought the fourth book concluded magnificently with no unanswered questions (great job making me cry, by the way), so I was just curious as to what Tiger's Dream will be about...And if I'm not mistaken, THERE'S GOING TO BE A MOVIE! (GASP!) I would like to know when it will be out and if you are carrying the book around and smacking the director and all the other people contributing when they say "but what if...?"
"

Nobody understands what's going on with Dream except me =) That's the way I'm keeping it right now. There are many unanswered questions that you might not exactly be aware of at this time but if you read carefully there are clues hidden throughout the series.

A movie is in the works but there isn't a director or cast yet.

Supriya wrote: "Hiya! I'm Supriya and I am in love with this series! I love that you chose to write about Indian mythology. Was there any motivation or reason for it?

All of the fans are excited about the news o..."

India came along because of the tiger. I originally thought I'd set the series in Russia.

Varnika wrote: "Hi, I'm Varnika. In your video, which was the bonus material from the YA Scavenger Hunt, you said that there weren't any books about Ren and Kelsey at this time. Does this mean that Tiger's Dream won't be about them? If it isn't, I'm guessing it will be about Kishan and Anamika? When do you think Tiger's Dream will be coming out?
Also, have you thought of any names for your Egyptian book? "

Ren and Kelsey will be a part of Tiger's Dream but the book is not the story of their married lives. I'm not writing a book about that. Dream doesn't have a pub date and I'm still debating the title of the Egyptian book with my editor.

Vin wrote: "Hey! I'm Vin! I was wondering what Tiger's Dream will be about. I mean, WHAT ELSE CAN HAPPEN! But I'm sure you'll figure it out!:) Also, protect your books by helping with the movie. DON'T LET THEM..."

Authors don't have as much power as you might think when it comes to the movie making process. Unless it's written into the contract we aren't allowed to do too much especially when it comes to making changes. Holly Black, the author of the Spiderwick Chronicles said that when it comes to Hollywood you pick the hill you want to die on. That means you figure out which thing is the most important to you and go to battle for that because there are too many battles to win them all.

Verna wrote: "I absolutely love The Tiger's Curse series. I'm so excited for this next book. Is there anything we can look forward to in this one, without giving away to much of course? :)"

I think the thing you'll look forward to the most is how Yesubai and Kishan meet.

Efstathia wrote: "HELLO!I'm Efstathia and I adore the Tiger's Curse Books!!!So excited about the Tiger's Promise Book and I hope to get it soon in my hands as the Tiger's Dream!
Do you know when it comes out??I mean..."

There is no pub date for Tiger's Dream but it won't be out in 2015 at all. Absolutely sure about that.

Jessie wrote: "Hi I'm Jessie! I am in love with this series! My question is, if you had the chance to turn the books into movies, who would you like to play Kelsey, Ren, Mr. Kadam, and Kishan?"

I don't really have anyone in mind except for Mr. Kadam. I like Amitabh Bachchan for him.

Tatiana wrote: "Hey it's me again, I have to agree with Iris with the whole "Mr. Kadam" thing, will we see him again? (Hopeful face) also will we get to find out what those tiger bones were about? And if not in this novella maybe Tigers Dream?."

You will definitely find out what the bones are all about in the next book.

Iris wrote: "My question is about Mr.Kadam. Like what about him i mean i know he died but he said that they might meet eachother again or see eachother again something like that, and just i was wondering since the fourth book really kinda had a ending ending and not a cliff hanger or something like that, would something magical happen in which he was brought back or had something to do with i dont know something? I know this is a very weird confusing question with the way i typed it out im sorry bout that but i guess what im really asking is will we see Mr. Kadam again and will he play a part in the next book? "

I love Mr. Kadam too. I miss him terribly. You will get to see him in Tiger's Promise though. ;)

Something_personal wrote: "I THOUGHT THE MOST TALENTED WRITER IN WRITING MYTH IS RICK RIORDAN, BUT I SALUTE YOU CAUSE YOU'RE AS TALENTED AS HIM XD
DO YOU LIKE INDIA OR SOMETHING? HOW COULD YOU GET THAT AMAZING IDEA WHEN YOU FIRST WROTE TIGER'S SAGA?
P.S I'VE READ BOOK 1-2 AND I'M GOING TO READ BOOK 3, JUST SO YOU KNOW, YOU'RE KILLING ME CAUSE I LOVE KISHAN TOO AND I LOVE REN FOR SURE, I WANT BOTH TO BE HAPPY. I CAN'T CHOOSE :/ "

Thank you. That's a big compliment since I'm a Rick Riordan fan. I've never been to India but I'd love to visit someday. The idea came from the tiger. I'd have a hard time choosing between the brothers too. ;)

Peyton wrote: "Hi I'm Peyton and the Tiger's Curse Saga are some of my favourite books ever! I was wondering two things: 1) Who's perspective will Tiger's Promise take place in? Ren's, Kishan's, Yesubai's? 2) Is Tiger's Dream still in the making or was it just a rumor? "

Thank you! Promise is in Yesubai's perspective. Dream is a reality. I just need to find the time to get back to it.

Fasiha wrote: "Hey,first of all,I LOVE the Tiger Series and am really excited for Tigers's Promise. I read it has a chapter from Ren's point of view,and that's what I've been wanting from the beginning. Will it include Kelsey? And do we have a chapter from Kishan's point of view?
I love you Colleen. Believe me,you're my first most favourite writer. I think you're AMAZING. May you have Much Success in your Writing career :) "

Yes there is bonus chapter from Ren's perspective and another one written from the POV of Yesubai's mother, Yuvakshi. Kelsey will not be making an appearance in Tiger's Promise.

Imasha wrote: "May i just state that it is an absolute honour to be messaging you in hope that you will read this i would just like to say that you are the only author that truly changed my life. Your series truly opened my heart and made me a better person. I have many touching books but yours is the only one that i've always read whenever i'm feeling down or sad because it always motivates me to do everything in my power to succeed. Proof is found from the 30 or more times i've read it! i have no words to tell you how thankful i am for your books and i'm overjoyed imagining you working on your new one!

The only other thing that would make me happy is to have a movie made of your series which is currently in session! If you can could you please update me on any news about the movie?

Furthermore, if you decide to visit other countries it would be amazing if you could come to Dubai as i would be sure to be the first fan you meet. It is my dream to meet you - because you are my hero.

Kindest regards, Imasha xx."

Thank you! That's a lot of reading ;) A movie will make me happy too. Keep your fingers crossed! I'd love to come to Dubai someday.

Janikasp wrote: "Hey, I'm Jana. I love every single second when I was reading The Tiger saga. But I'm little bit confused, there's really another book? Tiger's dream? I'm very curious. And I want to know, if it will be as perfect as other books in the series? And one question about Tiger's Promise- I hope Yesubai will be another good heroine, will she be (please be...)?
(And also: Greetings from Czech Republic!)"

There will be another book but there's no release date at this time. I think you'll like Yesubai. =) Hello back to the Czech Republic!

And (drum roll please) the five lucky winners of the signed copy of TIGER'S PROMISE are . . .

- Tigerscurselover101 (Message #167)
- Maddie (Message #170)
- Nathalia (Message #175)
- Lindsay (Message #212)
- Zoe (Message #214

If this is you, please send me your mailing address in a private message to me and my assistant will mail your prize!

Again, CONGRATS!

Saraha19 wrote: "Hellooo! My name is Sarah and i absolutly loved the ending of your fourth book, its was perfect. Then I hear you were going to write a fifth book! I have total faith in you but after such a strong ending i dont know what to expect in the fifth book. I was just wondering, what is it that you wanted improve and why did you write a fifth book? I adore your series."

Thank you! There isn't any improving that needs to happen, there's just some more story going on there that you all don't know about.

Danika wrote: "Hey! I'm Danika and I really love this series. I fell in love with the white tiger since the beginning of Tiger's Curse, and fell even deeper with it when the tiger turned to Ren. Kelsey and Ren is the cutest couple ever i just can't. can't believe it took them forever just to be together. and kishan. I love him, but Kelsey belongs to Ren. And Im happy Kishan get to be with Durga. I hope you make a novella about Sunil (Anamika's brother) and Nilima (Mr.Kadam's great-great-great-granddaughter). They look so cute together! Also I'm wondering when Tiger's Dream is out? What will it about? I hope its gonna be Kelsey and Ren's day to day life. I can't wait to read Tiger''s Dream! Wanna see more about Ren and Kishan's days back before they were tigers. "

Thank you! Tiger's Dream is my most carefully guarded project, so I'm not sharing any details until I have to. If you preorder Promise, however, you actually get the prologue which had to be pried from my clutching fingertips.

Malachi wrote: "I remember reading the tiger's curse series a while ago. My sister and I are crazy about the series an I'd like to ask a few questions if that's okay.

1. Why Indian mythology?

2. What is the source of your information?

3. Do you like to read other author's works? If so, which ones?

4. Who/what inspired you to start writing?

5. What is your favorite genre?

6. Do you plan to write an entirely different series about an entirely different mythology?

7. Do you want to make a movie out of Tiger's Curse? If so, what would your ideal cast be?

8. Why do you want to write Tiger's Dream when you already have a perfect ending in Tiger's Destiny? "

I did not set out with the intention to write about India. I wanted to write a Beauty and the Beast themed book then settled on a white tiger for the beast. India only happened when I came upon stories of the white tiger in India.

I have a whole shelf full of mythology books and I use the internet a lot for research. I can't imagine having to research old school in a library with card catalogs.

I read a lot. You can follow me on Goodreads to see what I'm reading and you can join my Colleen Houck Book Club to read along with me.

I was inspired to start writing after reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. I wanted to read more romantic books like that and the idea just popped into my head to try it for myself.

I love sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. Mystery and murder are not my favorites and it feels like a lot of work to read non-fiction or biography.

My next series is based on Egyptian mythology.

I have no ideal cast for a film. A movie is in the works.

It's not a perfect ending. Not yet. ;)