Colleen’s Comments (group member since Apr 03, 2014)

Colleen’s comments from the Ask Colleen Houck - Friday, May 2nd! group.

Jobina wrote: "Hi! I'm Jobina and I absolutely and positively LOVE this series!! I love your descriptions (especially the way you describe food and fashion)! Anyways, I just wanted to ask what is the main reason that made you want to write the book about Yesubai (was it something you always wanted to do or did you feel like you needed to after writing the Tiger's Curse series)? For Tiger's Dream I just want to know if Kishan will be in it? Because I can't fathom a Tiger's Curse book that doesn't have Kishan in it!! He is just too good! So that's all, can't wait to read these two books!!!!!!! Counting down the days... "

All the characters you know and love will be a part of Tiger's Dream. Promise was inspired by Kishan's vision of Yesubai in Tiger's Quest while climbing the world tree.

~RininTa~ wrote: "Hi! I'm Rininta. I've read all Tiger's Saga and I really love the books so much! I love how you make Indian Culture as the part of the story. I'm so happy when know that you make Tiger's Dreams and Tiger's Promise and really excited that Tiger's Promise will publish soon! I've questions for you by the way:
1. What inspire you to make Tiger's Promise? and also,
2. Is there any particular reason that you then decide to continue the series by making Tiger's Dreams since everybody thought Tiger's Destiny is the final book?
That's all my questions. Thank you :) "

Tiger's Promise was inspired by birds. Two birds specifically, Hugin and Munin. When they gave Kishan a new perspective of Yesubai in Tiger's Quest, I began thinking more about Yesubai and her story.

I never thought Destiny was the final book. I've known Dream was coming all along. For a while I thought I could cram everything that happened in Dream and Destiny into one book but it became quickly apparent to me that that wasn't going to happen.

Wow! I only got through the first page of questions. I'll stop back and answer more during the weekend. We're choosing five people who asked questions to give books to so check back on this page for an announcement on that a bit later. Thanks everyone for being a part of my chat!

Love you all!
Colleen

Cloe wrote: "Hi! I'm Cloe and I absolutely love this series!! I can't wait for Tiger's Dream to come out!! Any spoilers? ;) The series is written beautifully and I love all the characters! Especially Kelsey, Ren and Kishan :)
Who is your favourite character?"

Sorry Cloe, no spoilers. Thank you! I love the characters too. My favorite is actually Mr. Kadam.

Dénys wrote: "Hey! I'm Den. I read Tiger's Curse and loved it and I'm very curious about Tiger's Promise.

I have to read the 2th, 3th and 4th book! :D"

Yay! I think you'll love it!

Paddu wrote: "heyy! i am jahnavi and a i loved the tiger's curse series. i cant wait for the tiger's dream but i have absolutely no idea what it's about. so can u tell me a little bit about it?? also i would love to read yesubai's story. when are these two books coming out?? and what's happening with the movie??"

Promise comes out June 1st and Dream still doesn't have a pub date. No movie news at this time. :(

Queenie wrote: "Hey!!!!! I'm Queenie, and I absolutely loved this series. As mentioned above, I am really curious as to what tiger's promise and dream is about. I CANNOT WAIT FOR TIGER'S DREAM......but I will be patient. :D
Also, I would like to know what's going on with the movie. Is it gonna make it to the big screen? Cast? I hope that the producers will not give up on this project, it is a big/unique change form the usual YA book-to-movie adaptions."

We'll have to see regarding the movie. It's never a for sure thing until you see the trailer. There isn't a cast yet. Most of the YA adaptations you are seeing are fairly cheap to make. This one wouldn't be so they will be looking very closely at book sales and fan comments and tweets.

Cinder wrote: "Hiya! I'm Cinder. :p I noticed that you are writing a 5th book to the Tiger's Curse series, Tiger's Dream. Can't wait! It's just, WHAT exactly is going to happen? Honestly, after the ending to the 4th, I can't think of any possible problems. Maybe give us some spoilers? Pretty please? ."

Sorry Cinder, no spoilers ;)

Danielle wrote: "Hi, I'm Danielle. I seriously love this series. It is my favorite series of all time. I am super excited for the upcoming books in this series, also. I would just like to know, how much time and research did it take for you to write this story and was inspired you to write this story? "

I research a week prior to beginning and then a little bit at least every few days as I write.

Meow_wow123 wrote: "Hi I'm Cab! I stumbled upon this series a few years ago and I absolutely loved it! I was at the stage where I couldn't put down the books and started to finish them in a day. I am really excited about the two upcoming books and was wondering if you had more specific release dates, and I would like to know personally what you hope to achieve upon releasing these books. Thanks! "

Promise will release June 1st. I have no specific date for the Egypt book yet. All I know is fall 2015.

Zoë wrote: "Hi, my name is Zoë. I was wondering what the next quest was for Tigers Destiny. If the last one took four books to complete, will there be a sixth, seventh, or eighth?
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. ;)

Laura wrote: "Hi, I'm Laura and I was introduced to this amazing series by a friend who couldn't loan the books to me fast enough! What I would really want to know is: what happens in Tiger's Dream? I'm excited about Tiger's Promise, but I really want to know about Tiger's Dream."

That is a future question. I'm keeping the details locked up tight.

Lovely Luna wrote: "oops my question is about Tiger's promise"

Ah then in that case, it is more about the history. Kelsey does not appear in this book.

Lovely Luna wrote: "Hi, I'm Kirsten and I am very excited about the release of this book! I have read the entire Tiger's Curse series and I love it! My question is what is Tiger's dream going to be about and well Kelsey and the brothers be in it on another adventure or will it look more into the history of the curse and the brothers? "

Tiger's Dream is a top secret project but all the characters you know and love will be in the book.

Rhiana wrote: "Hi, I'm Rhiana. This series was my life for quite a while, so I'm super excited for Tiger's Promise and Tiger's Dream. I was really surprised when I found out you were going to write another book, what inspired you to continue the series?"

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.

Alisha wrote: "I was also wondering if you would give any more information about Nilima in the upcoming books and if you were in process of writing a new series? "

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.

Emily wrote: "Hi, I'm Emily. I've read the first book and still working on the 2nd book and the rest of the series. I absolutlely feel in love with it. I just want to know how much research you had to do in writ..."

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.

Bookwurrm wrote: "First, which celebrity would you describe as looking very similar to Ren/Kishan?? Also, what advice would you have for aspiring writers who are looking to be published?? You're an amazing author, and I'm a huge fan. How many books after Tiger's Destiny will there be?? "
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.

Kylee wrote: "Hi I'm Kylee! I am so excited about the prequal! I love all your books and just can't wait for more! (As you see on my profile pic) Is Kelsey going to be involved in anyway?!?! I got to know! When ..."

Thank you! Kelsey is not a part of Tiger's Promise.

Hollynn wrote: "1. How long does it usually take you to write, and what is the general process you go through for character building/writing in general? Also, what experiences/books/etc. inspired you to start writing?

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.