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

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

Romina wrote: "Trudy wrote: "How old were you when you discovered your love of writing?"

I was 9 years old when I discovered nothing in this world could touch me as deeply as a well-placed word.

My family immi..."

WOW! Have your books been translated into Spanish? Do you like the translations? I'm fluent in American Sign Language but I'd love to be able to speak Spanish.

Romina wrote: "Trudy wrote: "Has there ever been any movie based on a book that you thought was better?"

Hmm, I love Lord of the Rings, & I'd probably have to say I'm a bigger fan of the films than the books, bu..."

I am a HUGE fan of the old school Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Also, I love Mary Poppins. I'm also a sucker for pretty much any adaptation of Anne of Green Gables.

Romina wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What are your favorite types of books to read?"

I've always loved the Victorian genre, but these days I'm a sucker for a compelling & all-absorbing YA fantasy series. I'm a TV bing..."

What's funny for me about TV binge-watching is that I have a really hard time watching YA anything. It feels too much like I'm working. My mom loves Hallmark but the storylines feel too predictable. Love the romance though. I hate cop shows normally but I really need to escape what I do so I end up watching Law and Order: SVU. Not sure why that one doesn't bother me. Lately, I've really been getting into PBS shows. They don't give you enough shows in a season but they are fantastic if you like historicals. Poldark is yummy!

Romina wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What's the best piece of advice you ever received? It could be about writing or about anything, really."

The BEST advice I ever received was from one of my CPs (critique partners),..."

That's some great advice. Love it!

Romina wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What is your favorite book conference?"

My favorite book conference has to be Ontario Teen Book Fest in Ontario, California, run by the incomparable Courtney Saldana. So much love ..."

I love speed dating workshops! They're so fun. I've never been to Ontario. I'll have to look up that conference.

What are you working on right now?

What are your favorite types of books to read?

What's the best piece of advice you ever received? It could be about writing or about anything, really.

What is your favorite book conference?

Thank you so much Breeana for the awesome book chat this month! Our chat winner is...Miranda! Congrats! Don't forget to join me in July when I'm featuring a new book by another amazing author!

What's one fantasy or magical creature you want to write about but haven't included in a book yet?

If you could go anywhere on a dream vacation as a writing retreat excuse, where would it be?

Breeana wrote: "I'm a bit of both. I usually have enough plotted to serve as kind of a road map--a beginning, an ending, and a few major turning points--and then I pants it from there.."

I'm a bit like that. I plot the main points and then makeup all the in-between parts.

Breeana wrote: "My uncle once told me never to pass up the opportunity for a nap.."

I love that one! I'm writing that one down.

Louise wrote: "How do you approach a publishing house? The mere thought of it just seems daunting."

Ah, well, here's the thing. You don't. That's your agent's job. Mostly. ;) Your job is to write the best possible book you can and then find yourself an agent to represent you. Hopefully, one who really believes in you and your book. If all goes well, they will be finding you a publishing house that loves your book just as much as you do. Sharing your book with other people is definitely daunting but it's also very rewarding. Good luck!

Rita wrote: "Hi there! I’m a big fan of yours and I was rereading Tiger’s Curse when the weirdest question popped into my head:
If Ren were in tiger form, then changed to human form, took off his shirt and set..."

That's a good question. I never wrote this into a book that I can remember but let's suppose that he gave his shirt to Kelsey to wear and then he changed to a tiger. His shirt would remain behind. It's possible it could be reabsorbed and disappear if he wanted to leave no trace but he could also leave it there without a second thought. This is due to the magic of the scarf that got woven into the curse and was amplified over the centuries. I hope that makes sense.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? (It doesn't have to be about writing) Mine was during my bridal shower. A very old lady told me, "A well-fed man is a happy man." I have since learned that a truer statement has never been made in the history of the world. ;)

How did you first get published?

Breeana wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What's up next for you?"

I'm frantically working on finishing up edits for the sequel to The Bone Charmer before taking on a big cross country move. We're leaving Washington State ..."

I had no idea you were a neighbor! I'm an Oregonian myself. I'd be terribly heartbroken to leave the northwest. Is it for a job? School?

Breeana wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Chocolate or caramel?
Both!

Ice cream flavor?
Butter Pecan

Cake or Pie?
Pie

Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi. But Diet Dr Pepper is even better!

Cocoa or Tea?
Cocoa!

Fav sandwich?"
Turkey ..."

OOOH favorite pie? Are you a baker?