Ask Colleen

[Sherry]

message by Sherry: Hello. Awesome. Thanks for inviting me to your group.

[JD 📚]

Do you have any new reads that will be published soon??

[Colleen]

Louise wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Natalie wrote: "If there was 1 thing you could change about the characters or the story, what would it be and why??"

I'd feature more Nilima. I just love her and I don't showcase h..."

I'd love to do something more with Nilima. You get a little glimpse of her life in Tiger's Dream.

[Colleen]

Jessi wrote: "Do you have any new reads that will be published soon??"

Yes. Next up is The Lantern's Ember!

[[deleted user]]

Have you ever thought about turning the Tiger's Curse saga into coloring books? :)

[Sarah]

When you write your books you always seem to add an animal as a main focus in some way shape or form do animals inspire you when you write?

[Colleen]

Allana wrote: "Have you ever thought about turning the Tiger's Curse saga into coloring books? :)"

That would be cool. A company approached us once about turning them into comic books but it never worked out.

[Colleen]

Sarah wrote: "When you write your books you always seem to add an animal as a main focus in some way shape or form do animals inspire you when you write?"

Yes, I think they do. I love animals of all kinds, even those that don't exist. I've been a dog mom for years and I wouldn't mind owning more.

[Karina]

Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group! The thought occurred to me that you all might need a place to ask me questions since the other threads are specific to other authors. Leave any comments or questions you might..."

Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group! The thought occurred to me that you all might need a place to ask me questions since the other threads are specific to other authors. Leave any comments or questions you might..."

Hello Colleen. Thank you for inviting me to your group. I am new at this. I am an avid reader, and also a writer. I have two questions.
1. Am I allowed to apprise you of my books and ask for reviews? 2. Someone was talking about your Egyptian book - that interests me, Can you tell me more about it?

MANY THANKS, Karina

[Colleen]

All formal review/reading requests need to go through my agent, Robert Gottlieb at Trident Media Group, though if you just want to tell me about it, I might pick it up on my own for personal reading. The Egyptian series has three novels and one novella. I consider it fantasy/romance. Sort of like The Mummy meets Twilight with a lioness and a fairy thrown in. Oh and a giant spider, crocodiles, hippos...etc. ;)

[Ink_spill_archivist]

I'm with Trudy Dalton, I would love to read that.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Would you ever write a book, or even a novella, about Nilima and Sunil?"

That would be fun. I love both of those characters so it might be nice to explore their relationship.

[Ashley]

Will the Lantern’s Ember and Tiger’s Dream be available on audible soon?

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Do you have a favorite candle to light when you’re reading? Or if not candles, some other form of calming sensation that helps you focus?"

When I'm reading? Not really. I usually read in bed so that's already pretty calming. If I'm not reading that way, then I'm dual tasking and listening to audiobooks on my phone. I LOVE audiobooks. Have you tried those yet?

[Colleen]

Ashley wrote: "Will the Lantern’s Ember and Tiger’s Dream be available on audible soon?"

The Lantern's Ember was just sold a few weeks ago (January 2019) so it should be coming out sometime this year. Tiger's Dream isn't on audible, it's on Tantor Audio. I hope they will distribute on Audible at some point but as of now, it's just on that platform.

[Ashley]

Thank you and I actually just found Tiger’s Dream on audible!!! Excited to read it :D.

[Colleen]

Ashley wrote: "Thank you and I actually just found Tiger’s Dream on audible!!! Excited to read it :D."

Yay! Thank you for telling me. I didn't even know myself =) Just bought it.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "How many books do you read in an average month? Do you read one at a time or multitask?"

I've always got more than one going at a time. I have a physical book by my bed and then an audiobook on my phone and sometimes I have a different one in my car or my purse.

[Sarah]

I have fallen in love with the stories you have written colleen I was wondering if when you started writing did you have a set path for your tigers curse series of did it go from book to book (listening to the characters and following their lead)?

[Colleen]

Sarah wrote: "I have fallen in love with the stories you have written colleen I was wondering if when you started writing did you have a set path for your tigers curse series of did it go from book to book (list..."

I had the main points planned out but many parts of the journey surprised me. I had no idea the part Kishan or Mr. Kadam would play and I never envisioned a brother for Anamika.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Who is your favorite side character in your books/any books? Are there any that surprised you or made you want to read or write only about them?"

Hi Trudy. Good question. I think the character who surprised me the most was Kishan. I didn't expect to love him as much as I did. By the time I finished Tiger's Dream I understood his character in a way I didn't think I understood everyone else and I came to appreciate him immensely. I miss him a lot.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Are there any ways in which you think your main characters over your different series have a common thread? Like a trait that they all possess or their personality?"

That's a good question. They probably all have a bit of my personality. All my girls would likely get on well. I think the main thread with each of them is bravery. They're all tough in their own way and stand up for what they believe in.

[Miranda -]

Thank you for the writing advice section on your website. I've always wanted to write a book. Before you were an author, did you know beforehand that you'd be good at writing?

Also, how long does it usually take you to come up with an idea and plot? I love creative characters, worlds/settings but I'm having trouble coming up with an exact plot. Any advice?

[Colleen]

Miranda ❤️ wrote: "Thank you for the writing advice section on your website. I've always wanted to write a book. Before you were an author, did you know beforehand that you'd be good at writing?

Also, how long does..."

Hi Miranda. I had absolutely no idea I could write before I gave it a go. I mean, I knew I could write papers and essays but an entire book? No way. I was so proud when I finished Tiger's Curse, I can't even tell you. Then, to get it published, was amazing. Ideas come pretty easy for me. Creativity is my strong suit. Plotting not so much. I basically spend most of my time writing myself out of corners. Good plotters don't have to do that. If you want to figure out some good plotting methods, I'd invest in the Save the Cat! Writes a Novel book by my friend Jessica Brody or maybe take a plotting workshop from my other writer friend Beth Revis. They are both really talented in this particular area. Good luck! There's nothing more fulfilling than seeing your ideas come alive on the pages of a book =)

[Rita]

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 in on the ground aside, then changed back into tiger and back into human again, would the shirt he took off still be there where he placed it or would it disappear? What would happen to it?
Sorry for the weirdness! :)

[Colleen]

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.

[Colleen]

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!

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "What is your revision process like?"

Good question. I usually reread and revise the entire book on my own before sending it off to my agent. Then he takes a stab at it. Sometimes he wants to edit it. Sometimes he just sends it to my editor. After he or they go through it, we go back and forth at least three times until we all agree. Then it goes to copyediting. That's fairly easy. Maybe two rounds of that. After that the book is mostly done. Just a tweak or two here or there to fix things that might need slight revision.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned from researching for your books?"

Oh, that there is an actual body farm where people study how bodies decay in nature or trapped in the trunk of a car and left in the sun or buried in mud, etc. Fascinating. When you donate your body to science, this is one of the interesting possibilities I guess.

[Colleen]

Louise wrote: "Any news on the movie? or will you be waiting to change production companies once the lease hold has run out."

Hi Louise. We've actually re-upped the contract several times now so the tigers getting some screen time is still a possibility. Keep wishing on those birthday candles. I know I do. ;)

[Lizzie]

What inspired you to write a story around a curse that turned the main characters into tigers? And why tigers specifically? I love your work and I love tigers.

[Colleen]

Lizzie wrote: "What inspired you to write a story around a curse that turned the main characters into tigers? And why tigers specifically? I love your work and I love tigers."

I was looking for a beast since I was basing my story on the beauty and the beast tale and first thought about a bear and then a bird. I didn't want my hero to be too slow when running and a bird couldn't fight the villain properly (though for those of you who've read my Egyptian series you'll notice I did use birds there). I thought a lion would work but the male lion spends most of his day sleeping. When I moved on to tiger, I couldn't find anything to list as a con so I decided to keep a tiger as the beast side of my hero.

[Sarah]

When i read your books I see the happiness and anticipation going on inside the story. I was wondering how you decide what to write about next,like do you have a checklist of how each character will work toward their inevitable happily ever after or are you one of those wait to see where the story leads you and wait for it......im interested how your writing process works.

[Lauryn]

What are you currently writing?

[Colleen]

Sarah wrote: "When i read your books I see the happiness and anticipation going on inside the story. I was wondering how you decide what to write about next,like do you have a checklist of how each character wil..."

Hi Sarah, I think I just like Happily Ever After endings. I want them to be happy. They go through a lot to get there but in the end, I want everything to work out. Life doesn't always do that so I think you should at least get that in a book once in a while. ;) I usually let the story take me where it goes but I do know how my characters are going to end up as I write.

[Colleen]

Lauryn wrote: "What are you currently writing?"

I have four projects I'm juggling at the moment. One is a children's/Martha Stewart entertaining type mash up about my fairy gardens at my new home. Then I have a YA novel about the Bermuda Triangle. I'm turning Tiger's Dream into a hardback with bonus features, and I have a sci-fi book we've been shopping around in the US for over a year that's finally going to print in the spring of 2020.

[Lauryn]

Colleen wrote: "Lauryn wrote: "What are you currently writing?"

I have four projects I'm juggling at the moment. One is a children's/Martha Stewart entertaining type mash up about my fairy gardens at my new home...."


Colleen,
I can NOT wait to purchase your upcoming books! You're writing is phenomenal. How did you think of the Bermuda Triangle idea? Can you say what your sci-fi book will be about, just yet? Also, have you ever considered making stickers similar to the patches you have on your website? My computer would love some ;)

[Rita]

Have you ever tried mapping out Kelsey’s journey throughout India (and Asia)? Like, on an actual map?

[Colleen]

Lauryn wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Lauryn wrote: "What are you currently writing?"

I have four projects I'm juggling at the moment. One is a children's/Martha Stewart entertaining type mash up about my fairy gardens..."

I've had stickers in the past. They go in my swag bags when I do book signings. If you write me and send me an SASE I can send you some.

[Colleen]

Louise wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Lauryn wrote: "What are you currently writing?"

I have four projects I'm juggling at the moment. One is a children's/Martha Stewart entertaining type mash up about my fairy gardens..."

Of a sort. It's a bit early for a ten year formally, though I did start writing the Tiger series in 2008. I'll be officially announcing the project during the YA Scavenger Hunt this fall.

[Colleen]

Rita wrote: "Have you ever tried mapping out Kelsey’s journey throughout India (and Asia)? Like, on an actual map?"

Yep. I have an actual map I've used for my own reference. It's been tons of fun following Kelsey on her journey. Maybe someday I'll get to go visit some of those places. An amulet or a Rope of Fire would come in handy though.

[Cheshire]

Will the hardbacks of Tigers Dream be available through any other stores, or are they Barnes and Noble exclusives.

[Rita]

Hi Colleen!
What’s A Dream Forgotten in Tiger’s Voyage? Is it a bonus chapter? How do I get it? Is it in a special edition of the book? If so which one and how do I get it given that I am from Europe?
Thank you so much!!

[Rita]

Hi Colleen!
What’s A Dream Forgotten in Tiger’s Voyage? Is it a bonus chapter? How do I get it? Is it in a special edition of the book? If so which one and how do I get it given that I am from Europe?
Thank you so much!!

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Are there any updates to a Tiger’s Curse movie?"Hi Trudy, Nothing new at this time, though the books are still under option so there is still hope.

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "Have you always known you wanted to be a writer? Have you held any jobs that weren’t related to writing? If so, how did or didn’t it influence you to pursue a career in writing?"

Good question. No, I didn't always want to be a writer though I did always like creative writing in school and definitely always loved books. My jobs included working in a bakery (still love baking and eating baked goods). I worked at both McDonald's and Wendys. I worked in a group home caring for severely developmentally disabled men. I loved that job too and ended up being an advocate for one of the men who couldn't speak at all. I worked in a deli mostly on the salad bar. Managed a Chinese kitchen at a grocery store. Then most of my adult career I worked as an American Sign Language interpreter working as a freelancer, in the public school system, and then as a video relay interpreter. Writing is only my most recent job. I fell into it by accident when I wrote a book as a New Year's resolution.

[Colleen]

Cheshire wrote: "Will the hardbacks of Tigers Dream be available through any other stores, or are they Barnes and Noble exclusives."

The hardbacks are self-published and because the only store that offers that option is Barnes & Noble, the answer is yes, they are Barnes & Noble exclusives. :)

[Ashley]

Do you have any idea when The Lanterns Ember will be available on audible?

[Colleen]

Rita wrote: "Hi Colleen!
What’s A Dream Forgotten in Tiger’s Voyage? Is it a bonus chapter? How do I get it? Is it in a special edition of the book? If so which one and how do I get it given that I am from Euro..."

Hi Rita,

Excellent question. Yes, A Dream Forgotten is an exclusive bonus chapter added to the back of the US version of Tiger's Quest. Since it's exclusive to the US edition of the book and the book is still in print, I can't share it online but you can get your hands on a copy through The Book Depository which ships books internationally and usually carries all international book editions. Just make sure you get the right edition. If you've read Tiger's Dream the same information is in that book but this very short chapter is in Ren's perspective.

[Cheshire]

Colleen wrote: "Cheshire wrote: "Will the hardbacks of Tigers Dream be available through any other stores, or are they Barnes and Noble exclusives."

The hardbacks are self-published and because the only store tha..."

Thanks for that. I'm upgrading my collection. my paperbacks have been a little over read.