Catherine’s Comments (group member since Oct 24, 2014)

Catherine’s comments from the Ask Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison group.

Ami wrote: "Welcome to the group! Catherine and J.T. will be answering questions on October 28th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for them, or just want to introduce yourself, feel f..."

Dear Ami: It's 6:45 p.m. and I see 12 new posts. However, I don't actually see them. If they're really only a mirage, let me thank you for setting all this up -- Catherine Coulter

I'm coming back in a couple of hours -- off to work --

Gillian wrote: "Catherine,I love all your FBI books and Brit in FBI. Just wondering who does your fact finding in England. It threw me when you mentioned Lady Wentworth in The Lost Key---- she of Crabbet Park, my ..."

Well, actually I use Queen Elizabeth's assistant, the third assistant, I believe -- no, just kidding. Why a problem with Lady Wentworth (I really don't remember her, why is she memorable?)

Anna wrote: "How did you determine to use the historical aspect in The Lost Key? Did you have to do a lot of research before writing the book? It threw me off initially when I started the book. I loved the bo..."
What threw you off? The prologue in 1917? Disconcerting? It could easily -- but you stuck with it, glad you liked the book -- I decided that there England need a Higher Order and so I created it -- in 1714 to keep James Second from fighting for the throne and to bring George First from Hanover -- it went from there to WW One and from there J.T.'s magnificent brain leaped in and WOW --

J.T. wrote: "Teresa wrote: "How do you know when the book is finished? Do you have a set number of pages? I personally would love them to keep going. I don't want them to end."

Teresa, that's an excellent ques..."

Sometimes I feel like they'll never end, but no, the story tells itself and then it folds up its tend and take a nap -

Paula wrote: "I find it fascinating that you're both Harry Potter fans (Go Gryffindor!) yet both of you write in the gritty here and now. Is your recreational reading always completely removed from your genre,..."

What an interesting question. Now, Harry Potter was gritty, bad stuff happened, people were evil, but it was also -- more. Actually, I love a good thriller as much as the next reader, but the fact is, there isn't usually --- more. (Well, see some of my FBI thrillers). So in answer to your question, I really like --- more.

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

As J.R. says, think of Carlos the Jackel --

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

The Final Cut is the first one, The Lost Key the second -- who knows what's going to happen next, but we will leave the U.S. More S&S involvement in this one as well --

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

We try to keep you guessing --

Trish wrote: "Just starting The Lost Key. A new book from the library and only have until 11/10 to finish. Don't think it will be a problem! Enjoyed so many of Ms. Coulters' books. Will Drummond and Caine travel..."

Are you in luck -- keep reading, see where Mick and Nicholas end up -- turns out this series is international, and that is lots of fun -- remember in that TV series, Alias, they'd fly to Russia, do some exciting stuff, escape, and in the next scene they're back in L.A. looking bright and shiny, no jet lag, actually no time lag either --

Vivian wrote: "I love Catherine Coulter's books. I have not YET read any by J.T. Ellison and I have not yet gotten the books you've written together (boy, am I behind on my reading list!), but I'll be getting the..."

I've already spent five lines explaining how we got together, so see above response to this question, okay? I'm delighted you're enjoying the FBI series, and believe me, S&S are front and center in The Final Cut -- give it a try and let us know what you think -

Barbara wrote: "I'm interested in knowing where you ladies come up with your plot ideas? Is your mind just full of topics waiting to be put in print, are you influenced by things happening in the world or is it mo..."

I try to come up with a plot and then J.T. and I are together to brainstorm what is really going to happen, if the ideas are doable, if there's a future, you get the idea. Both J.T. and I are pantsersk, in other words, neither of us know where a book's going -- imagine doing this together -- what joy, what an exercise -- and when we succeed, it's Eureka!

Tracy wrote: "I just have to say that I absolutely love the fbi series by Catherin Coulter. I'm sad to say that I haven't read anything by J.T. Nelson yet, but she is on my to read list. I currently have The Fin..."

I'm with you, I love to find a series I love and so I'm delighted you're enjoying the FBI series. As for A BRIT in the FBI series, we're now working on book #3. Do have fun with The Final Cut and The Lost Key -- and let both of us know what you think -

Patti wrote: "What made you gals decide to collaborate and how did you decide who was responsible for what character?"

J.T., if you're not already aware, is brilliant. She develops the "personalities" of most the characters -- when S&S show up, I do them -- did you see the photo of Nicholas Drummond on my Facebook page? That's Facebook.com/catherinecoulterbooks --

Darlene wrote: "Can you talk a bit about your writing process, please? Also, how do you make your characters so multifaceted?"

How about I'm just a multi-faceted sort of gal? No, that sucks? Hmm, I'm a pantser, sit down and write, then I have something to work on, and come back the next day with lots more ideas and changes -- These people are very real to me, I mean, they do live with me, inside me, actually, deep in my brain -

Debby wrote: "Please tell me more books will be coming! I have fallen in love with Nicholas & Mike but I do love Savich and Sherlock being involved. I ask if there are more books planned."

The Last Hour (if we can't come up with a better title) is the 3rd Nicholas Drummond book, out next fall. I love it too when S&S are front and center, like they were in The Final Cut.

Jenn wrote: "Hi, how did you decide to write this series together? I love the fact that it bounces off the Savich and Sherlock series and integrates them at times in both series."

Short answer: About two and a half years ago, I decided I wanted to try this, called Clive Cussler, asked him how he did it, then read, read, read, and without knowing who J.T. Ellison was, without knowing she has this sexy husband and loves cats, we got ourselves together -- Isn't it great how some things were simply meant to be?

Debbie wrote: "HI Ladies, wow it's so great to be able to chat with you.
My question is:
The Nicholas Drummond novels are so smooth I really can't tell that there are two voices telling the tales.
How do you mana..."
/
Thank you for saying that. J.T. writes very well in my voice, which is why I guess you'd have to say I'm the smartest writer in the universe because I picked her!

Gail wrote: "Did either of you find it difficult to work with a co-author? Also, how did you decide who would write what?"

It ain't like eating butter pecan ice cream, that's for sure, but fun, so much fun to see what's going to come spinning out of our writers' brains, one building on the other, changing, adjusting, saying, Hey, Wow! How about this?

Lorraine wrote: "Catherine lately there have been a lot of book series made into mivies or television shows, do you think or want your FBI series made into a show or movie? If so, which would you prefer movie or ..."

Lorraine, As a matter of fact, they were going back and forth in L.A. for about two years, a TV series, until I simply told my agent, don't check in with me any more about these bozos, if it actually gets green lighted, then call me.