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

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

I love all the drama in this series! Danger lurks around every corner. Not to mention I'm shivering to death just reading. What's the number one thing about living during this time period that would scare you the most?

Julie wrote: "Not everyone is great at writing a query (I'm not!) so don't be afraid to ask for help. :) "

I am also HORRIBLE at writing queries and summing up my books. I just can't do it. If you give me a formula to follow, I can plug in data since I love math, but otherwise, I go on for hours.

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What was your favorite book as a kid?"

I had a lot of favorites, but one that I still have on my shelf beside me is From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Kon..."

I haven't heard of that one. I'll have to look for it.

Julie wrote: "I also love dogs and was excited to bring one into the story.."

Do you have a dog? Another pet? I love writing with my dogs sleeping nearby. When my first dog died, I didn't have another pet for three years. It didn't feel right with no one sitting next to me.

Welcome to the group! Betsy will be answering questions in December 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.

Welcome to the group! Romina will be answering questions in July 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.

Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "What research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research"

This is a great question, because, as you say, prehi..."

Wow! Did you, by chance, watch the movie about the Alpha dog? What did you think? I'm a huge dog lover so I had to watch it.

Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "Can you tell us what you are working on now?"

I can! My next book, which comes out in the fall of 2019, is called Crown of Oblivion. It's a fantasy that's wholly different from Ivor..."
It sounds awesome!

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing?"

Since I was in middle school I've been interested in writing, but I've pursued lots of different forms of writing over the years. I explored playw..."

That is so interesting. With so many turns you've got a lot of experience to draw from. I always think that makes a more robust storyteller. Those who've seen more and done more have more stories to tell.

Julie wrote: "Ashley wrote: "What are your favorite movies to watch around the holidays?"

Every year I make sure I see It's a Wonderful Life. I love Jimmy Stewart, and that movie is SO GOOD! On the other end of..."

Hee hee. I love the Heat Miser, Snow Miser song. That one sticks with you. I have to say I'm an old school Grinch fan. I like the Jim Carrey version too. Not sure I can handle a new one.

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Any must haves when you write?"

I like to write at my desk in the house, which faces a big picture window that has a view of a bird feeder and a lot of lovely nature. But if I can'..."

Whew! With my first editor I worked off a hard copy but now I much prefer to just work on the computer. I like just clicking accept. =)

Thank you so much for all the wonderful questions! The winner of The Lantern's Ember chat is Hannah! Congrats and thanks so much to everyone who participated and for all the great questions and support. You guys are all awesome. =)

Natalie wrote: "How was the cover design for the book decided? Were there other ideas in mind before choosing the skull and bugs??"

This one was totally the brainchild of my publisher. I was envisioning Jack seated atop his covered bridge, his hand on his pumpkin. I really like the lightning bugs addition.

Natalie wrote: "When writing The Lantern's Ember, was it different when it comes to describing the characters, the scenery compared to the Tiger's and Reawakened series? Like for me, I felt different when writing ..."

It's definitely a different world. With the tigers, it was mostly magic based in the real world. In Egypt I was able to take you out of the world and literally into space and the afterlife. This one was on a completely different plane of existence. World building is one of my favorite parts of writing.

Natalie wrote: "When creating thoughts and ideas for The Lantern's Ember, were there any particular ghost stories you liked or discovered that some of the fans may not know about?"

I didn't spend any time on ghost stories. I'm saving up my ghost stories for a western when I revisit Wes in Texas. ;)

Natalie wrote: "Love your Indian and Egyptian series. Love, love, LOVE THEM!!! Has it been one of your goals to write a book, or a series, with a Halloween theme?"

Yes. I've always loved Halloween and I've always wanted to write a book tied to it somehow. I finally got my chance. Maybe I can tackle leprechans someday. ;)

Yara wrote: "You tied everything up nicely at the end, but will you write any stories to say what happens to the side characters? I’m mostly interested in the vampire :)"

I am interested in that vampire too, hubba hubba. Er...just dated myself. Anyhoo yes I love the side characters. I wouldn't mind doing a romance story between Delia and her werewolf captain and Dev and a future love either.

Ashley wrote: "Do you decorate for Halloween or dress up? If you do dress up what’s your favorite costume?"

Mostly I decorate. I hate being hot. I dress up for my book events more than I do for Halloween. My favorite book event costume so far has been for The Lantern's Ember. You can check out that one on my Lantern's Ember tour report. It's a steampunk witch mashup. The bustle lights up, with pumpkin lights, FYI.

Skydust wrote: "In The Lantern's Ember, I was confused at the end. Was Ember the daughter of the boogieman?"

Spoiler******Look away look away









She was! She was the daughter of the boogeyman and the high witch so she has vast untapped power.

Louise wrote: "How do you pick up the courage to follow through with your ideas? Is there a way to block out those inner voices and just keep writing."

Some days it's easier than others. Usually, when I'm in the middle of a story, it goes fine. If it was just me writing stories and there wasn't any worry about contracts or selling or money, I'd be happy every single day. I love writing as most writers do. We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it. It's the pressure to be successful to not fail that makes us fearful. This is what we struggle to let go of every day. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we write for the love of the craft. Having said that, there is the very real fact that we have to pay bills. It's a tricky balance.