Ask Colleen Houck - Friday, May 2nd! discussion
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Featured Chat - 2014
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Ask Colleen!
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I'm glad you liked the ending of the series...so far. There is another book to go and I have to say, you ain't seen nothing yet. ;) I think you will be surprised at what motivated Yesubai. Getting to know what was going on in her head is something no one knows. Not even Kishan.
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Thank you! I'm excited for this book too.
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I'm excited for you to read Tiger's Dream too. I have some big plans for that book. Plans that, sadly, have been put on hold, but it's always there in the back of my mind.
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Because I honestly can't imagine adding anything more to the perfection that was Kelsey's and Ren's story. o_o I just don't see it bcuz I was so happy with the last one! lol. "
I'm glad you were happy with Destiny. That was my intention. Even though you got a bit of a HEA ending in Destiny there is more story to tell. Dream is top secret and I won't share any details about it until I have to because to tell you anything about will spoil the surprise.
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Yes. I'm currently writing book two in the Egypt series. I do use mythology in a similar way to the tiger series. Book one is still untitled and is due out in the fall of 2015. It's in copy edits now and I'm on chapter 6 of book two. I love Celtic mythology too. Really I'm on board with pretty much any mythology. I love them all.
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The Egypt book will be released in Brazil the same time it is in the US. Fall 2015. They have acquired book two as well.
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Thank you! Writing a book for me is a very methodical process. I studied the format of other books similar to what I wanted to write. Usually I think of too many things. I don't normally have a problem with having nothing to write about. My imagination is pretty active.
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I have also contemplated Rae's and Imani's thoughts on the 5th book Tigers Dream and how Tigers Destiny had su..."
Thank you! I think you'll all be shocked by Tiger's Dream. If you read the other four books carefully, you might be able to catch some things that were not explained. Those things are foreshadows for Dream. That's all I'm going to say.
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Was there a moment in the process where you considered Kelsey really falling in love with Kishan and choosing him in the end instead of Ren? "
It was hard for me to move on to a new series too but I think you'll fall for my Egyptian mummies, I know that sounds weird but trust me, they are all swoonworthy. In plotting I get the big picture pretty set in my mind before I begin but a lot of the details come along the way. This makes me terrible at pitching books. I never have enough info to please the publisher. Ren was always the one meant for Kelsey but that doesn't mean I don't love Kishan. I wanted him to be an equally wonderful choice, he just wasn't her choice. Now, personally, I would have a hard time saying farewell to such a man. I still cry every time I read the end of Destiny.
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Also, would you ever consider writing more books, but in Ren or Kishan's perspective? "
Thank you! Yes Kishan sees Ren and Kelsey again. If you look on my website under bonus material you will find some alternate endings to Destiny. I don't consider them wrong versions of the book, just pieces you didn't get to see. The movie has not been cast at this time. The only actor I feel strongly about is Amitahb Bachchann. Did I spell that right? Oh well. He IS Mr. Kadam for me. Otherwise, I've never found a perfect fit. I am always considering writing more books. Check out the bonus material section of my blog to find several pieces written in the perspective of Ren or Kishan.
Colleen you are an amazing author I heard of a movie is that true.i would love to know how you came upon Kelsey.im Iliana by the way and I love your books it's my fourth time reading the series.
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Thank you! Me too. =)
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=) I'm in love with the tigers too. Can you tell?
Hi Colleen!! My name is Maddie and I'm a huge fan of your books. My favorite book of yours is probably Tiger's Destiny, but the first one was also really good. I have two questions: 1) which character do you feel is most like you, 2)Which character was your favorite to write, and 3) Who was your least favorite character to write?
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No spoilers for Tiger's Dream, the prequel is all in Yesubai's perspective except for the prologue. It will give you new insights into the characters especially Yesubai. My favorite part of writing it was exploring India during that time period and getting to see Mr. Kadam again. ;)
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Wow. There's too many things I could say and none of them would be helpful enough. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to read. Read every day. Take notes while you do. Keep a notebook by your bed and write down any ideas that pop into your head.
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Thank you =) Kelsey is not a part of Tiger's Promise.
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Yesubai's story is a sad one and it remains sad. But, knowing how it will end doesn't mean there isn't a lot to discover. I think you'll learn a lot about her.
Heey Dear Colleen!! First of all, i would like to say thank you again for the badages ;D i got it in my home! Can't believe you sent a letter to Brasil! haha Today I want to ask you something. How did you decide to become a writer? I mean, to do that job, you must refresh your mind and take some inspirations, which is too hard for me. I always wanted to write, but my mind is a really mess. :( And about your career, have you always wanted to be a writer or you tried to do another thing first?
I Hope to continue to talk to u on facebook :) bye and hugs for u and your family.
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Aw thank you! I think in creating my heroes I wanted someone I could admire. I've always been a Superman fan, old school Superman, anyway. Kinda leaning toward Captain America now. I've always love the guys who are gentlemen and noble and sacrifice themselves for others. The prequel actually isn't a history of Ren or Kishan at all. It's the story of Yesubai. It's told in first person except for the prologue. There are always twists and surprises in my stories and this one is no exception.
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I'm excited for it too. Hi, Lucy. ;)
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Thanks! Tiger's Promise took about a month to write and the bonus material included took an extra week or so. I was inspired to write it after the scene in Tiger's Quest when Kishan "sees" Yesubai clearly for the first time with the help of Odin's ravens. That's when I began really thinking about her and what kind of a person she was.
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Thank you! Laying in details is one of my specialties ;) The main ideas come after researching. Usually I research for a week, take tons of notes and then type them all in a blank document. Other ideas come along the way. Sometimes I just write down a term like "Sand" and then figure out how sand can become a theme. Lotus flowers was one of the main recurring ideas in the tiger series and they are important in Promise as well.
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Thank you so much! Kelsey is not a part of Tiger's Promise.
Omg HIIIIIIIIIII :)
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Aw you hate romance? Well, to each his own. Fortunately for you my brothers feel the same way and every time the romance got too steamy, they whine about adding a fight scene or a motorcycle race. =) The tiger came first. I chose a Beauty and the Beast theme and I knew I didn't want a vampire or a werewolf, so I settled on an animal. Bears were stinky. Birds couldn't fight very well. Then I thought of a tiger. The rest came from that.
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Thank you! The book will not be sold in Barnes and Noble stores. Only online.
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The Egyptian novel is coming along fine. Book one is in copy edits. Book two is being written now. Promise is the story of Yesubai, how she met Ren and Kishan, and what really happened between her and her father.
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I'm glad you like the little nicknames. It's tricky to do that when I don't know the language. Luckily I had my editor from India, Sudha's help. When I told her I wanted to know the word for peach so Ren could call Kelsey a his peach, she said, "Indian men don't call women peaches." I did it anyway. The inspiration was originally Beauty and the Beast, then I found the story of Durga riding a tiger into battle and the rest is history. =)
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This is symbolic. Read the blog post about the cover art to learn more about it.http://colleenhouck.com/blog/2014/04/...
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Exactly.
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It's true and yes, you'll get to see a little bit of Ren ;)
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There will be another book called Tiger's Dream. It doesn't have a pub date yet.
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Book five is top secret ;) I do at least a week's worth of research before I begin and then I research as I go too. Several hours a week sometimes. I consider research a place to get ideas, not to be accurate except when I'm describing something real like India. Then I try to be as accurate as possible. If you visited any of the temples or cities I describe they are all there down to the statues.
Hi! My name is Isabel & I have read (and love) all the tigers curse books till my dying day! My friends and I were so excited when we found out of a new Tiger's Curse book! Although, one question has kept us at the edge of our seats: what would it be about? Thank you so much!
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2. Being an aspiring author myself, the thing I both fear and appreciate most is criticism. What is the most common type of criticism you get, and how do you learn from/deal with it?
3. My friend and I cannot wait for Tiger's Promise to be released. Do you plan to write any more novellas to fill in any possible blanks in the stories of Ren, Kishan, and Kesley?"
1) It takes me between 6-9 months typically to write a book. Destiny took longer but I was editing the other books at the same time. Characters come pretty easily to me. I have a large family so I've always been surrounded by many diverse characters. I started writing after reading the Twilight series. I wanted more books like that with adventure mixed with romance.
2)Criticism comes at you from every corner. It's hard to ignore at first and then it gets easier. We are a world that exists online and there are so many avenues where people can say whatever they feel like with very little backlash, so when it comes, and it will, no one is exempt, try to remember that if Michelangelo was working in today's world he would be surrounded by naysayers. If it get's you down, go look up someone you really admire and read some of the negative comments people write about him or her. Then you can realize you're not alone and you'll feel more comfortable about it.
3) Me too! There are lots of stories I could tell. I've played with the idea of a Wes book (have a whole story plotted out for him) as well as some other novella ideas. Lady Silkworm is interesting to me as is the phoenix, the rakshasa, and the Lords of the Flame.
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Thank you! Kelsey is not a part of Tiger's Promise.
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I haven't really found a celebrity look alike for either brother. At least not one who is the appropriate age. The best writing advice I can give is to read. Read and attend writing conferences. I cannot over stress the benefits of networking. Tiger's Dream will be the 5th and final book in the series.
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Quite a bit of research actually. I knew nothing about India when I started. I hadn't even been to an Indian restaurant but I learned so much and would love to visit the country someday.
Colleen! When will we be getting a cover reveal of Tigers Dream!!!
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Nilima is an interesting person and I haven't fully done her justice in the series. There is a piece I wrote in her perspective called "A New Boss". You can find it in the bonus material section of my website. I am currently writing a new series based on Egyptian mythology.
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Yesubai's story was one that needed to be told I think. She's an interesting character who shaped the tiger's lives in more ways than we realized.
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Tiger's Dream is a top secret project but all the characters you know and love will be in the book.
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Ah then in that case, it is more about the history. Kelsey does not appear in this book.
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That is a future question. I'm keeping the details locked up tight.
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I was also thinking about the love plot. Ren and Kelsey are together, as is Kishan and Anamika. Will Kelsey be pregnant? And will Kishan be sent to help Ren and Kelsey on their next quest? Will Kishan again fall in love with Kelsey?
As a side note I would like to add that all of my friends who have read your series has also loved it, and are anticipating Tigers Promise and Destiny. Thanks!"
Hmm some interesting ideas there. You'll have to wait and see. ;)
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Promise will release June 1st. I have no specific date for the Egypt book yet. All I know is fall 2015.
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I research a week prior to beginning and then a little bit at least every few days as I write.
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The answer is yes. =)The main goal for Tiger's Promise is to give the reader some insight in the events leading up to the curse. There have been a lot of questions about Yesubai. Did she love Ren? Did she love Kishan? Was she a conspirator with her father? Did she plan their downfall? This book will answer those questions. It's also nice to see a sneak peek into the lives of the Rajaram family and get a glimpse of Ren and Kishan pre-curse.