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

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

Beth wrote: "A lot of people don't get the little details (like when I have a character note that "That is mahogany!" just like Ellie Trinket did in The Hunger Games movie), but there are lots that people do get--such as Ella Shepherd's name being a reference to Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? "

Yes! There are always so many little things that most readers don't notice. This is why I always like to pick the brains of the authors and get all the details. I didn't catch the Mahogany reference at all!

Do you have any go to snacks you like to have around while you work? (Looking around right now for a snack) =)

Beth wrote: "There's that hollow, drop-in-my-stomach feeling that I've failed in some way, and that I'm not good enough, and there's a fear that I can't make the work good enough, that it's hopeless. That feeling fades the more I work, but that moment is still the worst. "

Editing is like so...so painful to me. I hate having the work ripped apart. I will say it's much easier now than it was the first or even the second time. Not sure if my skin got tougher or if I just learned how to work with it. Still a heart dropping moment when the critique comes in though.

Beth wrote: "Tonnie wrote: "What is your favorite thing about being an author? The worst?"

Favorite thing...that's so hard to define. I love the very first idea of a book, when it's fresh and new and exciting...."

This is like...EXACTLY!

Imasha wrote: "Dear Mrs Houck

I am still anxiously awaiting for your book to arrive to my house! I was just wondering, will you continue to write more books after this current Egyptian-themed series?
Also, when ..."

The July contest winners were announced. If you missed out on that and want to check in, email contests@colleenhouck.com. Yes! I will absolutely be writing more after Egypt.

Welcome to the group! Renee will be answering questions in August 2016 in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for the author or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

What authors inspired you as a teen?

Can you talk a little about the special glass?

I love, love the setting! You've been there and added some things from the culture and landscape into your book. Did you actually ride in one of those boats?

I love the bee imagery! Can you tell us a little more about it?

Timeline wise, when is this book set in comparison to the Across the Universe series?

Where did the idea for The Body Electric come from?

Louise wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Who's hotter, Ren or Amon?
And on behalf of many of us, i apologize for our incessant, repetitive questions about Tiger's Dream and the TC movie. News about these ..."

They are. It's pretty standard. I have a recommended reads list on my Goodreads page if you're looking for something new. =)

Alison wrote: "Any updates on the movie?"

Just that we're in the casting phase which is a very cool time.

Shelby wrote: "Hey there! I'm just reading some of these comments and seeing that you might have to find another publisher for the fifth book. How come you can't use Sterling? After all, you use Sterling for yo..."

That kind of thing happens sometimes. Publishers switch up gears and focus on new things or other projects.

Trudy wrote: "When do we find out what August's book is?"

If you look on the upcoming book selections you'll see all the books I'm planning on through next year. August is Beth Revis' book The Body Electric.

Brittany wrote: "Who's hotter, Ren or Amon?
And on behalf of many of us, i apologize for our incessant, repetitive questions about Tiger's Dream and the TC movie. News about these two is rare and we seem to crave ..."

Three books in Reawakened plus a novella. Technically Amon is hotter since he channels the power of the sun ;)

Yay! Hand claps all around for the fabulous J.A. Souders! Thanks so much for joining us. If she didn't get to your question yet, check back, I'll leave the chat open for another day or two.

J.A. wrote: "Tonnie wrote: "What made you want to write? Any inspiration from your childhood?"

Christopher Pike made me want to write. He was just an amazing writer and I wanted to be just like him when I grew..."

See when I hear Christopher Pike I automatically go to Star Trek. What does he write?

J.A. wrote: "I did draw on my military and medical backgrounds for some of it, especially the survival aspects of REVELATIONS. I also drew on my time on the ship to try and figure out how Elysium could be self-sustaining for RENEGADE. And I have a lot of friends in law enforcement and military who have been kind enough to let me "play" with different weapons to get a feel for them, but that's about it. "

That is so cool. I'd love to take a class about that kind of thing. I'm always too afraid I'd get it all wrong.