Reignited Q & A with Colleen Houck

[Colleen]

Welcome to the chat! Colleen will be answering questions during the month of March 2017. One lucky person who asks a question anytime between now and then will win a Reawakened prize pack!

[Natalie]

what does the cover of the new book Reignited tell us of what's going on in the story? Love the colors, by the way

[Shay]

Extra(0.5) books are written later, after book 1 or 2. Why is that? (The cover is absolutely lovely)

[Ashley]

Do you know if this book will ever be available as an audiobook? Love the series :D

[Joanne]

I've noticed that the covers for reawakened and recreated look more similar: more detailed and sophisticated; reignited and reunited being more simplistic. Is there a reason for that?

[Joanne]

What inspired you to decide on writing Seths story?

[Alyssa]

Did you do any research when you were writing this book?

[Daisy]

Is Lily ever just going to be Lily ever again? I loved Recreated, but I just want Lily and Amon and Asten and Tia to end up together and it worries me that Lily's awesome new position as a sphinx might ruin that.

[Ashley]

Did you get inspired by any authors who write Egyptian Mythology?

[Veray]

I can't imagine living with more than one person in my body. Especially such different and strong characters. What gave you the idea to do that?

[Megan]

When you were writing Reawakened, did you pull inspiration from Tigers Curse knowing that the readers would want another story like Tigers Curse? (I love Tigers Curse and Reawakened by the way and when I heard you were writing another series, I was hoping it would be like Tigers Curse!)

[Sophia]

What inspired the characters and personalities of Amon, Asten, and Ahmose?
(I love your books by the way and I'm eager to rest of the series!!!)

[Jenny]

Your last books were based in India and now these are based in Egypt... do you have any plans for future novels that are based in other countries (i.e. Ireland, France, Etc?)

[Mary]

When I write it feels like a purge. I have to write to feel centered. I feel like the stories are inside me, and I just have to get them out. Do you experience this in your creative process?

Mary Clare Emerine
The Stone Keeper's Realm

[Milena]

What inspired you to write books based on Egyptian Mythology? And have you visited Egypt?

[Natalie]

when you're writing Reignited, did you feel stuck at one passage? Or anytime during the writing process? I get writer's block sometimes, but other times, the words just come flowing from my mind to my fingertips like the story itself was taking control, not me

[Milena]

How many books can we expect in Reawakened series?

[Izzy]

What inspired the character of mr kadam in Tiger's Curse

[Frida]

Will there ever be a movie for this book? Or, are you thinking of making a movie for it? I mean, you were planning on creating a movie for tigers course but, we never heard news of the movie afterwards. (Also, if u can, if there any news for the Tigers course movie?)

[Nora]

I can't wait for this book!

[Natalie]

why did you title your book "Reignited"?

[Jaden]

Is there going to be a bit more? I'm too addicted to the series, please consider making more!

[Colleen]

Natalie wrote: "what does the cover of the new book Reignited tell us of what's going on in the story? Love the colors, by the way" Thanks Natalie! Yes, the cover does give you a sneak peek into the story and the series in general. The golden eye which, you might notice, is different from the other eyes, represents the all seeing eye of a goddess. In this case, that goddess is Nephthys. Bet you didn't see that one coming. Also, the two winged goddesses are Isis and Nephthys as they try to bring Osiris back from the dead. In the background, you'll see the outline of a feather. Both goddesses have wings in this book and the feather is a symbol of great power that can be stripped away. Isis can use her feathers to heal and gifts one to Lily if you remember. Whew. That was a lot of information and probably not very clear.

[Colleen]

Shaylee*cheeky* wrote: "Extra(0.5) books are written later, after book 1 or 2. Why is that? (The cover is absolutely lovely)"

Thank you! In this case, the reason Reignited was written after book two was because it was in the contract. =) This book is absolutely essential to understand what happens in book three. It was originally supposed to be released between books one and two but I'm glad it came later so you can meet the gods and goddesses first before hearing their backstory.

[Colleen]

Ashley wrote: "Do you know if this book will ever be available as an audiobook? Love the series :D"

Hi Ashley. Yes! They are recording it as we speak. This is going to be my first all male narrator! I'm very excited to listen. You can preorder the cd now. It's not up on Audible yet but the CD will be out April 25th so I imagine it will be on Audible by then as well. https://www.amazon.com/Reignited-Comp...

[Colleen]

Louise wrote: "I noticed that the eyes on the cover are different, is there a special connection between a cover and a character?"

That's a great question! I didn't really get to pick the eyes. Reawakened is Amon's book though and I imagine that eye is his. Recreated is all about Asten and that jaunty eyebrow fits him pretty well. Though Reunited is Ahmose's book, my publisher went with a very feminine eye which is cool too since my girls are very prominent in the book. With Reignited you get the eye of a goddess. That's where the gold comes into play.

[Colleen]

Joanne wrote: "I've noticed that the covers for reawakened and recreated look more similar: more detailed and sophisticated; reignited and reunited being more simplistic. Is there a reason for that?"

Hi Joanne, To me they are similarly detailed so I'm not sure what you're missing on the other two. Maybe the glyphs? Speaking about covers in general, there is a trend toward simplicity right now. Personally, I'm like you. The more detail the better. I love examining art on book covers and linking the images I see to what's inside.

[Colleen]

Joanne wrote: "What inspired you to decide on writing Seths story?"

This one was easy. I knew I wanted to break away and write a villain's story. Of course, I still had to add the romance with Isis and Osiris but I very much wanted to challenge myself to write the villain. This was also my first attempt to write a full story in third person so it was a stretch in more ways than one. It was so interesting to see what made him the way he was and watch his transformation from adolescence to the dark god he became.

[Colleen]

Alyssa wrote: "Did you do any research when you were writing this book?"

Absolutely. I studied multiple editions of the Isis and Osiris relationship as well as the murder and reconstruction of Osiris. Egyptian mythology is very...graphic in ways that I tend to shy away from as a writer so this story is very much my own interpretation but the basic story is the same. I've just added my own twists.

[Colleen]

Daisy wrote: "Is Lily ever just going to be Lily ever again? I loved Recreated, but I just want Lily and Amon and Asten and Tia to end up together and it worries me that Lily's awesome new position as a sphinx m..."

Ah. Yes. I want you worry. Every author does. This story is a very complicated one, especially when you have a situation like Lily's! Being a sphinx is very hard on both Lily and Tia though writing the two of them together in one body is certainly fun for me. You'll have to wait for Reunited to find out what happens!

[Shay]

Are you going to stick with stories of mythology in future?

[Colleen]

Ashley wrote: "Did you get inspired by any authors who write Egyptian Mythology?"

Hi Ashley. Yes! I've read a lot of Egyptian mythology books. I don't see many fiction YA books about Egypt but there's Rick Riordan and his The Red Pyramid series. I haven't read this one yet though I have read the The Lightning Thief and then a YA book I read recently was The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White.

[Colleen]

Veray wrote: "I can't imagine living with more than one person in my body. Especially such different and strong characters. What gave you the idea to do that?"

Hi Veray! This was a concept I wanted to try with a series at some point. When I started playing with the idea of Lily becoming a sphinx , I wanted to stay far away from tiger transformations. =) I didn't plan from the beginning to give my lioness a voice, but, once she was there, it just appeared. Tia is one of my favorite characters and her voice was loud and clear in my mind. She had a lot to say and even when she's saying nothing, she's definitely thinking something.

[Colleen]

Megan wrote: "When you were writing Reawakened, did you pull inspiration from Tigers Curse knowing that the readers would want another story like Tigers Curse? (I love Tigers Curse and Reawakened by the way and ..."

Hi Megan. I definitely wanted to go in a different direction with my next series and pitched several different ideas to my new editor. I even wrote the first three chapters to a futuristic sci-fi (one I'm very excited to head back to someday) but they ultimately wanted me to stay in the same wheelhouse for my next book. The thing I learned about writing my second series is that I definitely have a certain style when it comes to themes and story. I think no matter the subject, I'll end up gravitating towards fantasy and worldbuilding and I've got to have romance. Without romance, a book is boring to me. I'm hoping the Reawakened series is an easy transition for my readers. I know everyone loves the tigers but I'm proud of this one too. =)

[Colleen]

Trudy wrote: "How did you know that you wanted a love triangle in this series?"

Ah. But is it a love triangle? I'll admit. Triangles are a thing in this series and I've written in a lot, and I mean a LOT of triangles and threes. There are three villains, three mummies, three pyramids. It takes three gods to raise Osiris. There are even three books for Lily's story. You're going to have to read Reunited to determine for yourselves if this series is actually a love triangle. It could be a square. Then again, it could be a pentagon. Is that the right term? A hexagon. You get the idea.

[Colleen]

Sophia wrote: "What inspired the characters and personalities of Amon, Asten, and Ahmose?
(I love your books by the way and I'm eager to rest of the series!!!)"

My three handsome princes, though their names all start with 'A' (another triangle by the way) are very different. All are very swoonworthy of course, because why not. Amon is the most adaptable one. He's the one who steps forward and takes action. He's the leader. Asten holds back. He's shrewd. Happy for others to lead. He doubts himself but hides it with machismo. Ahmose is a thinker. He's loyal to a fault and he's the one who ties the three of them together. He's steady.

For me, character develops as I write. Half the things I know now about Asten and Ahmose were never even conceived of in Reawakened. Once they have voices and a general look in my mind, they start telling me their stories. I'm usually as surprised as my readers.

[Colleen]

Jenny wrote: "Your last books were based in India and now these are based in Egypt... do you have any plans for future novels that are based in other countries (i.e. Ireland, France, Etc?)"

I'd love to do something in Norse mythology. My heart is very much draw to all things Asia. My fans in Brazil want something for them which, you never know. I've also picked up a mythology book on Hawaii and Polynesia. I also want to write sci-fi and maybe even dabble in the historical.

[Colleen]

Mary wrote: "When I write it feels like a purge. I have to write to feel centered. I feel like the stories are inside me, and I just have to get them out. Do you experience this in your creative process?

Mary ..."

Hi Mary. For me, when I started out, I just wanted to see if I could do it. Then I caught the bug and realized that I enjoyed building worlds and shaping characters. I'm a very goal oriented person, so for me, the thrill is in the finishing, rereading, and realizing I've created something all my own that I love.

[Colleen]

Milena wrote: "What inspired you to write books based on Egyptian Mythology? And have you visited Egypt?"

I wish! I still haven't been to India. I've always loved Egyptian mythology. Every time there's an archaeological dig or a made for tv movie, I set the DVR. One of these days I'll travel to the different places I write about. I'd really like to see the wedded rocks where Kelsey and Ren married. Unfortunately, some of my favorite places, like Shangri-La and Heliopolis are inaccessible. =)

[Colleen]

Natalie wrote: "when you're writing Reignited, did you feel stuck at one passage? Or anytime during the writing process? I get writer's block sometimes, but other times, the words just come flowing from my mind to..."

Oh yeah. I get stuck on parts all the time. When that happens, I scroll back and reread. If that doesn't get me going then I scan through my list of notes. I keep a lot of notes, phrases, and key words that want to use. Most of the time, something catches my eye and I can move on within a minute or two.

[Colleen]

Milena wrote: "How many books can we expect in Reawakened series?"

Three and one novella. =)

[Colleen]

Izzy wrote: "What inspired the character of mr kadam in Tiger's Curse"

Mr. Kadam is an amalgamation of Mr. Spock and Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island. I loved both of those characters and sort of fashioned an Indian version to help Kelsey in her quest. I have a very tender heart when it comes to Kadam.

[Colleen]

Fdavi2 wrote: "Will there ever be a movie for this book? Or, are you thinking of making a movie for it? I mean, you were planning on creating a movie for tigers course but, we never heard news of the movie afterw..."

The Tiger's Curse movie is still a possibility. It won't be a cheap film to make so that's a bit scary for Hollywood, but I have a great producer who is working very hard to make it happen. As for Reawakened, this series has not been optioned yet, but I think it would make an awesome but still probably expensive film. =)

[Colleen]

Nora wrote: "I can't wait for this book!"

Thanks Nora!

[Colleen]

Natalie wrote: "why did you title your book "Reignited"?"

Well, I scrolled through all the four syllable words starting with RE and ending with ED and thought Reignited could work. There was a bit of a scuffle over Reunited. My working title was Realigned, but I've since come to accept Reunited and think it suits the book fine. Since the story of Reignited is centered on Isis and Nephthys putting the spark of life back into Osiris, Reignited fits.

[Colleen]

Jaden wrote: "Is there going to be a bit more? I'm too addicted to the series, please consider making more!"

Hi Jaden. Reunited comes out this summer so watch for that one. I think you'll be satisfied with the end of this series. I'm so happy you love it! If you haven't tried my tiger series yet, get started, because Tiger's Dream is next up =)

[Colleen]

Thanks everyone for your awesome questions! The winner of the Reawakened series prize pack is Megan! Congrats and don't forget to join me for the Reunited chat coming up around the end of Sept or so. Love to all!

[Colleen]

Oh and if you missed this chat but have Reignited questions, you can ask me on the discussion board called 'ASK COLLEEN' which is at the top of the list of discussion topics.