Colleen’s Comments (group member since Apr 21, 2014)

Colleen’s comments from the Colleen Houck Book Club group.

Milena wrote: "I just finished ARC af Recreated and what a roller coaster ride it was! This maybe a spoilerish question so I hope you can answer it. The first book is called Reawakened- we have Amon and his broth..."

Yep Recreated refers to Lily. The lion and the unicorn was supposed to be in the middle of the book but we compromised and instead of cutting it, but it in the back. I made it up but it is based on an image I found on Pinterest of a lion fighting a unicorn. I loved the idea of it.

Louise wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Kylie wrote: "What are your biggest tips for a new writer?
What do you want the cover of Tiger's Dream to look like?
What is it like living in Oregon? (I have lived in WA, TX, NE, ..."

Those are very beautiful covers! I was first inspired by the pyramids, the triangles, and the number three. That's why you'll find three villains, three princes, three mummies, etc.

Makeit wrote: "What was your inspiration to write the Tiger's Quest series and the Reawakened series? What introduced you into writing or what was your inspiration to start writing? How many books will be the Reawakened series?(if you ever mentioned it I missed that.) Have you ever visited any of the places that you've written about? Which destination would you choose next if you decided to do, yet, another series? Which literary genres are you most likely to find yourself reading most of the time? Which book was your first read? (If you remember) Is it that books your all time favorite or you have others? Also, tea or coffee? "

For Tiger's Curse I was inspired by Beauty and the Beast. For Reawakened it was the number three based on the pyramids. I started writing after reading the Twilight series. I read up on Stephanie Meyer and discovered she was a woman my age. She inspired me to give writing a try. I haven't been to any of the places I write about except New York and Oregon. The Reawakened series has three books and a novella. I think the first book I remember reading is Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard. Love stories about animals. My current project is book five in the tiger series and then I'll start a new book in January or so. It's top secret so I can't give out anything about that right now. Definitely tea.

Kate wrote: "I just got ahold of a copy of Recreated via a friend who had an ARC. I am only about 20 pages in-- but how did you come up with the idea for where Amon is at in the beginning of this book? Did it c..."

At the end of Reawakened Amon disappears. I spent a few weeks thinking about where he went. Believe it or not, sometimes I don't even know what happens next. I knew I wanted a villainess and when I saw pictures of the Devourer in the Afterlife, I knew that was where I'd be headed.

Milena wrote: "I loved Reawakened and cannot wait for Recreated! My question is would you ever consider writing a book in a different genre? What other genres, other than YA, do you like to read?"

I read YA almost exclusively now. If I was to go in a new genre, I probably wouldn't go far. Most likely paranormal romance or sci-fi or fantasy.

Cally wrote: "So, I've read Rick Riordan's books and they are to die for. (Yours too of course!) And I just gotta ask, are we gonna see any of the minor gods/goddesses? Like Bast or Bes? We so saw Anubis and I j..."

You will see Isis, Anubis, Nephthys, Seth (a bit), the Devourer, Ma'at, Osiris, Amun-Ra, and Horus. If you pick up Reignited you'll get to see the origin story of the gods.

Trudy wrote: "How many pages do you think Recreated will be? Will it be on the longer side, or be shorter to leave us wanting more?"

My books are typically around the same size with the exception of the novellas. I write much more than my publisher wants to print. ;) I often have to negotiate to keep chapters in the books. I think you'll be pleased by the size.

Tyler wrote: "If you could live in either Kelsey's world or Lily's world, which would you pick? Would you ever be open to writing about Greek or Norse mythology? What are your favorite and least favorite parts about getting to write stories based on mythology? Do you think that, if they ever met, Kelsey and Lily could become close friends? "

I think I'd rather live in Kelsey's world. I love Oregon and since she practically lives down the street, I'd be very comfortable. ;) I have a Greek story in mind already. We'll see when I get to that one. I love being able to draw from myths and explore different stories. The downfall is when I get feedback that the story didn't happen that way. Part of writing fiction is reimagining how something might have happened. I definitely think Lily and Kelsey could be friends. They have a lot in common.

Trisha wrote: "Are you already thinking of a new series, or do you want to finish these two first? Also, why India and Egypt? Don't get me wrong, I love them both, even more so now thanks to you, but what made yo..."

Egypt was what my publisher chose next. I'd love to write something with China and Japan. I'm fascinated by a lot of different myths and cultures. My next project is something I've had in mind for a while and it goes in a different direction so I might leave off mythology for a bit.

Shaylee wrote: "Hey Colleen, are the Tiger's Curse or Reawakened books something that you started in high school/college? If they are, were they for research or something else?"

Nope. I didn't start writing until I was in my 40's. My first career was an American Sign Language interpreter.

Trudy wrote: "Have you ever been to Egypt and seen everything you describe in your books? Do you like writing Indian or Egyptian mythology better?"

I would love to go but I haven't yet. I really enjoy writing both. I didn't delve into Indian mythology nearly as much as the Egyptian. Because of that, Egypt was way more complicated.

Shaelynn wrote: "Are you planning on doing a BIG love triangle? Just like you did in tigers curse? Like Lilly and Amon have a fight and she falls in love with one of the other brothers?"

Yes and no. This love story is a VERY complicated one, though Lily is very certain of her own heart.

Cyci wrote: "Did Amon flee from the judgement because he didn´t have his heart or he had planned it? How will it affect his brothers? Will his brothers appear in this book?"

His brothers are definitely in the next book. He did flee from judgement. This is partially a misunderstanding and partially because he's missing Lily and tired of the constant sacrificing he is asked to make.

Louise wrote: "will lily still be a main character, or do you have another one for this particular book and also, will any major gods like Amun-Ra be appearing, or even Seth."

Lily is still the main character. However, in Recreated, there are a lot of new characters added in, including Amun-Ra! I think you'll love the addition of the new gods and goddesses.

Nikita wrote: "What will we be expecting to see in Recreated? Will Amon's brothers be in it more compared to Reawakened? Will Lily gain any special abilities like Kelsey did in the Tiger Saga? What do you have in..."

You will definitely see more of the other two boys in the next books. In fact, Recreated is a book I consider to be Asten's and Reunited is more Ahmose's book. Lily does get some super powers. You'll have to read the book to find out what she can do though. =)

Johanna wrote: "Hi. Mrs. Houck!! How did you find out so much about Egypt??? Through research or visiting or friends?? Sorry I'm just naturally curious. Also where in the world did Amon even go?? Is he connected t..."

Thank you! Mostly research. I'd love to go to Egypt on tour. I was planning one but it fell through. Someday I will go though. You should be able to pick up Recreated now and figure out where Amon has gone. Yes, he is connected to the heart scarab. You'll learn a lot more about that in book three.

Thanks so much to Josie for being an excellent sport and answering all my questions! The winner of the Josephine Angelini chat is Yara! Congrats! Join me next month when my featured author will be Lori M. Lee!

Natalie wrote: "when you were working on Tiger's Destiny, did you get the idea of Kelsey being abducted by Lokesh and rescued by two brothers from the story of Lord Rama and his wife Sita who was abducted by Ravan..."

I did! Good catch.

Johanna wrote: "What inspires you to write? Who are your main supporters? What's your favorite color?"

Favorite color to wear is red. Favorite overall color is blue. I'm inspired by all the things I love, fantasy, sci-fi, dragons, pinterest, lots of things. My main supporters are my family. I have a big one.

David wrote: "I just joined. It seems like a great book club!"

Awesome! Welcome.