Ask Colleen

[Imasha]

Colleen wrote: "Imasha wrote: "Hi Colleen! What types of bands or artisits do you like? :)"

I'm big into boy bands. =) I love all types of music though I'm still partial to the 80's."

OMG no way me too!! That is so cool! I just want to ask, do you have any pets?

[Lizi]

Okay so I heard that you stopped writing Tiger's Dream... can you tell me if this is true or not? And if it is... why? By the way... I LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ANYTHING ELSE YOU WRITE!! You are so talented and beautiful <3

[Colleen]

Imasha wrote:That is so cool! I just want to ask, do you have any pets? "

I do. I have a standard dachshund named Murphy and a one year old toy poodle named Bitsy.

[Colleen]

Lizi wrote: "Okay so I heard that you stopped writing Tiger's Dream... can you tell me if this is true or not? And if it is... why? By the way... I LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ANYTHING ELSE YOU WRI..."

Thank you. The rumor is true. I have put Tiger's Dream on hold but that's only because I can't do two things at once. I'm currently writing an Egyptian series for my new publisher.

[Lizi]

Colleen wrote: "Lizi wrote: "Okay so I heard that you stopped writing Tiger's Dream... can you tell me if this is true or not? And if it is... why? By the way... I LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ANYTHING..."Oh that is so cool! I can't wait to read them! By the way... will you be helping with the casting of the characters if the movie is accepted to be produced?

[Colleen]

Lizi wrote: " By the way... will you be helping with the casting of the characters if the movie is accepted to be produced?."

That would be fun. I don't think authors have a lot of say in something like that but we'll see.

[Ashley]

Dear Mrs. Houck,
What is your favorite food?
And do you like cats?

[Colleen]

Alison wrote: "Dear Mrs. Houck,
What is your favorite food?
And do you like cats?"

Bacon Cheeseburgers and chocolate and I love cats but I hate shedding. That is why I have a poodle.

[Jess]

Hi I was wondering if the Tigers Dream book was planned or if after finishing Tigers Destiny that you felt that there needed to be another book?

[These Violent Delights]

I just want to say to you Mrs. Houck that you are amazing and bloody brilliant!

Now onto my question.. How long do you plan to make your Egyptian series? I will buy every book you will ever publish of course, but I'm just curious to see how long of an adventure awaits.

[Colleen]

Jesse wrote: "Hi I was wondering if the Tigers Dream book was planned or if after finishing Tigers Destiny that you felt that there needed to be another book?"

Dream has always been in the plans.

[Colleen]

Robin wrote: "I just want to say to you Mrs. Houck that you are amazing and bloody brilliant!

Now onto my question.. How long do you plan to make your Egyptian series? I will buy every book you will ever publis..."

Thank you! I'm thinking three books plus a novella or two.

[Vitória]

Colleen, I think you've probably been asked this many times, but do you have any idea of when is Tiger's Dream coming out?

[Isabelle]

If you read tiger's curse, tiger's quest, tiger's voyage and tiger's destiny you will enjoy the next

[Montse]

Hi miss houck i was wondering two things i hope you can answer please? Haha so first is tiger's dream in kishan or durga's pov or kelsey's as always or perhaps ren's? Well and also if it's after the events of tiger's destiny or before?

[Colleen]

Vitória wrote: "Colleen, I think you've probably been asked this many times, but do you have any idea of when is Tiger's Dream coming out?"

Not yet. We still don't have a pub date.

[Colleen]

Isabelle wrote: "If you read tiger's curse, tiger's quest, tiger's voyage and tiger's destiny you will enjoy the next"

Thank you

[Colleen]

Montse wrote: "Hi miss houck i was wondering two things i hope you can answer please? Haha so first is tiger's dream in kishan or durga's pov or kelsey's as always or perhaps ren's? Well and also if it's after th..."

Tiger's Dream is top secret so I am saying very little about it at this time including when it takes place and whose perspective it's in. =) Sorry.

[Simran]

Hi, I was wondering if you were planning to do any meet ups/signings or book promotions in Oregon in the near future? Also, is the Egyptian series going to mix different types of mythology like you did in the Tiger Saga?
By the way, I absolutely love all of your books and think you are incredible.

[Colleen]

Simran wrote: "Hi, I was wondering if you were planning to do any meet ups/signings or book promotions in Oregon in the near future? Also, is the Egyptian series going to mix different types of mythology like you..."

I'm doing one tomorrow night in fact with three other authors at the Book Bin East in Salem, OR at 7 pm!

[Emily]

Did you have a say in the cover art for your books? I think they're really unique and beautiful, kind of in a mysterious/haunting way. Also I was wondering if you have any advice for an aspiring author. I've just finished editing my first novel for the fourth time and am in the process of writing query letters, but I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. I love reading and writing, it's my passion, but some days I wonder if I'm actually good enough, or if I'm just wasting my time.

[Colleen]

If you self-publish you have a lot of say ;) It all depends on the publisher I think. I'm more aware now of how the machine works so I preemptively feed ideas to the publisher when I turn in the book. I use pinterest boards and invite the editors and artists to view the images that inspired the book. Ultimately it lies in their hands but they do want the author to love it as much as they do. My number one request is not to put a girl in a dress on the cover. I think its a bit overdone and it drives away male readers. Not to say those books don't sell because they do. For me the covers I gravitate towards are very artistic. I love pieces of art that say something that you want to stare at for a long time and figure out how the whole thing goes together. I like the US Harry Potter covers for that reason.

[Natalia]

Hi, Colleen! THANK YOU for your books, they are so amazing! And my question is why Kishan didn't ask permission to kiss Kelsey,like Ren. Me and my friends had lively conversation about that =)

[Colleen]

Natalia wrote: "Hi, Colleen! THANK YOU for your books, they are so amazing! And my question is why Kishan didn't ask permission to kiss Kelsey,like Ren. Me and my friends had lively conversation about that =)"

Ah remember that Kishan is a man of action. He goes after what he wants. He teases Ren about being a dreamer and a poet who pines away instead of doing something. They are very different in that way.

[Vitória]

I thought it was also because Kishan only tried to kiss Kelsey after living like a man for a while, so he understood better what were relationships like nowadays.

[Alana]

Hi collen, I wanna know something, I know that to get an autograph I need to write to contactme@colleenhouck.com, but was wondering if it is you who read these emails, and if possible, could send the autographs and these pictures https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/h... ? I loved these pictures only with "curse" "quest" "voyage" written, they are different, and I give everything to have them, but I just can't find on the internet, and I REALLY want it, can you please send to me? =)

[Imasha]

Dear Mrs Houck
You write about love so expertly you must have a wonderful husband who loves you :) Did he influence your amazing writing on love? And is he as wonderful as Ren? :D

[[deleted user]]

Hi Mrs. Houck,
I enjoyed your books so much I've read then dozens of times. Do you ever get ideas from your fans that you put into the Tiger Series? Also, how would you think Kelsey would react to meeting your new heroin in the Egyptian books (Lillian Young?)

[Colleen]

Imasha wrote: "Dear Mrs Houck
You write about love so expertly you must have a wonderful husband who loves you :) Did he influence your amazing writing on love? And is he as wonderful as Ren? :D"

I get asked this question a lot. My husband is wonderful. This year marks our 20th anniversary, in fact. He inspired the permission to kiss scene and Ren's massages. Sadly, my hubby isn't a romantic and gives horrible gifts but I think I'll keep him anyway. =)

[Colleen]

Allana wrote: "Hi Mrs. Houck,
I enjoyed your books so much I've read then dozens of times. Do you ever get ideas from your fans that you put into the Tiger Series? Also, how would you think Kelsey would react to..."

I think Kelsey and Lilliana would get along well. Though I think Kells would be a bit intimidated by her but they also have a lot in common. Sometimes I get ideas from fans who send me pictures or ask me certain questions about things I never thought of before.

[Shadé]

I was wondering , is your Egyptian book going to be very similar to Tiger's curse or will it be completely different ?

[Colleen]

Shadé wrote: "I was wondering , is your Egyptian book going to be very similar to Tiger's curse or will it be completely different ?"

There are definitely some similarities. In fact, it really wouldn't be too strange to attempt to bridge the worlds. Having said that, the characters are all very different as is the journey.

[Imasha]

Dear Mrs Houck.
Thank you for answering! Im so happy for you and ur husband. Sorry if ur a bit sick of me since I ask way too many questions. I just can't believe im talking to you. I always read ur books to escape into that world. I must say you do it absolutely expertly! I can't wait to read ur next series because I know it'll be as life changing as the Tiger Saga. My final question - do you think you will find ever visit Dubai! (I'd love to meet you) :D

[Colleen]

Imasha wrote: "Dear Mrs Houck.
Thank you for answering! Im so happy for you and ur husband. Sorry if ur a bit sick of me since I ask way too many questions. I just can't believe im talking to you. I always read ..."

I'd love to visit Dubai. There are so many beautiful places in the world and I've written about more of them than I've seen. =)

[Nitti]

Hi Mrs. Houck!! Thank you so much for inviting me into this group!!! I was just wondering when tiger's dream was going to come out!!! I can't wait!!!!!!

[Colleen]

Nitti wrote: "Hi Mrs. Houck!! Thank you so much for inviting me into this group!!! I was just wondering when tiger's dream was going to come out!!! I can't wait!!!!!!"

Glad to have you. Still not sure when Dream will be published.

[Makeit]

Mrs. Houck I have to give it to you *Bows deeply* this series is an extraordinary adventure. I totally love it and this is one of the series that deserves to be on "my favorite" list. Congratulation on writing such and amazing adventure.

As for my questions...
Is there another book after Tiger's Destiny? If so, when does it comes out?

[Anna]

Hello Mrs. Houck!

Like everyone else, I am super excited to be in this book club!

I really enjoy writing and have a few short stories I've written. I was wondering if you have any tips for writing conversation. I always feel like my conversation between characters is really dopey and kind of forced. It just feels too planned out, which it kind of is. Is that normal?

[Colleen]

Makeit wrote: "Mrs. Houck I have to give it to you *Bows deeply* this series is an extraordinary adventure. I totally love it and this is one of the series that deserves to be on "my favorite" list. Congratulatio..."

Thank you! And, yes, Tiger's Dream is on the back burner right now. I've written about a third of it so far.

[Colleen]

Anna wrote: "Hello Mrs. Houck!

Like everyone else, I am super excited to be in this book club!

I really enjoy writing and have a few short stories I've written. I was wondering if you have any tips for writin..."

Dialogue can be tricky. When I finish a chapter, my husband reads it out loud to me so I can hear what it sounds like. That way I can tell if the the dialogue sounds right.

[Anna]

Colleen wrote: "Anna wrote: "Hello Mrs. Houck!

Like everyone else, I am super excited to be in this book club!

I really enjoy writing and have a few short stories I've written. I was wondering if you have any ti..."

That's a fantastic idea! Thanks! I will give that a try!

[Makeit]

Hi Mrs. Houck! I was wondering, what was your inspiration for you to begin writing the Tiger's Curse Series?

[Christine]

Hey Colleen

[Maiara]

Hi Colleen!! We are so excited with the Tiger's Curse Movie and Hopefully 2015 will soon arrive....When we have news about the movie?

[Suman]

Hi Colleen, I'm a little new at this but I would like to nominate my new novel Shifting Faces for your book club. Is this forum only for your books or for other authors as well?

[Colleen]

Suman wrote: "Hi Colleen, I'm a little new at this but I would like to nominate my new novel Shifting Faces for your book club. Is this forum only for your books or for other authors as well?"

Hi Suman. This section is for any questions for me so asking here is fine. Thanks for bringing your book to my attention.

[Sabrina]

Hello dear Colleen! I'm a big fan, but I'm always in doubt: how do I pronunciate Ren and Kishan's names?

[Colleen]

Dhiren is di as in dip and ren should be fairly obvious but Kishan is key shawn.

[Colleen]

Injust Ampora wrote: "Do you know the webcomic Homestuck? if you not you should totally read it (mspadventures.com)"

Never heard of it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Tawney]

Your books are epic and I can't wait for the Egyptian one! Did you get to do any research pertaining to that book? Like maybe a cool trip to Egypt or museums?