Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Brendan will be answering questions in March in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for the author or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

What was one of your favorite parts about writing the Virals series and/or Nemesis? (I have been a fan since Code came out and I am SO EXCITED for Genesis!!)

How did you get started writing? Was it something you always wanted to do?

What authors inspired you as a teen?

Hannah wrote: "What was one of your favorite parts about writing the Virals series and/or Nemesis? (I have been a fan since Code came out and I am SO EXCITED for Genesis!!)" It's funny you mentioned Code, because that was easily my favorite Virals book to write. I loved making up all the games and puzzles. I loved impersonating a psychopath. Nemesis is all the things I like to read jammed into the book I wanted to write. Genesis continues that line into darker, but deeper place. In my opinion! I hope you t like it!

Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing? Was it something you always wanted to do?" I spent three terrible years as a lawyer before realizing I wanted to write. Sometimes having the worst job possible helps clarify what it its you really enjoy doing.

Colleen wrote: "What authors inspired you as a teen?" I loved thrillers like Congo and Sphere, The Relic, and things like that. But I was also a huge fantasy geek and read everything by Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, and Raymond Feist. The longer and more epic the better. I still read all that stuff, and a lot young adult (obviously!).

I'm touring for the next two weeks but I'll try to check in when can!

Do you have a favorite series of all time or at least one you do several rereads of?

What would you say helped you most in getting sales of your books? What helped catapult sales, getting readers?

Who is your favorite superhero?

Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing? Was it something you always wanted to do?" I spent three terrible years as a lawyer before realizing I wanted to write. Sometimes having the worst j..."

So then are you a fan of Grisham? Have you read theTheodore Boone: Kid Lawyer books?

Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What authors inspired you as a teen?" I loved thrillers like Congo and Sphere, The Relic, and things like that. But I was also a huge fantasy geek and read everything by Terry Brook..."

Me too! I love Michael Crichton! I finally got to meet Terry Brooks at a comic con convention. I set up all his books for the bookstore to sell. =)

Coke or Pepsi?
Cake or cookies?
Cabin in the Woods or Desert Island?
Sky diving or deep sea diving?
Country or Rock and Roll?

I lived in Charlotte for 6 years and have since relocated to Oregon. So here's what I miss. Sonny's BBQ, Concord Mills Mall, Sundrop and Cheerwine soda, Bojangles, and dogwood trees wrapped at the base in pine needles.

Have you visited the Biltmore Estate?

What made you want to set your series in Idaho? Also, have you been there?

Ashley wrote: "Do you have a favorite series of all time or at least one you do several rereads of?" I loved The Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams growing up. Like, ADORED it. I reread it every few years, and he recently wrote more. Yahoo!

Ellen wrote: "What would you say helped you most in getting sales of your books? What helped catapult sales, getting readers?" Honestly, content. I don't think there's any magical marketing strategy except to write good books. If there was one, I'd sell more lol

Ali Kiki wrote: "Who is your favorite superhero?" I like Thor a lot after the last movie. He's a god, and funny, and has great hair.

Colleen wrote: "Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing? Was it something you always wanted to do?" I spent three terrible years as a lawyer before realizing I wanted to write. Sometimes ha..." I believe I gave him the idea for that series at a dinner. Seriously. I know I did!

Colleen wrote: "Coke or Pepsi?
Cake or cookies?
Cabin in the Woods or Desert Island?
Sky diving or deep sea diving?
Country or Rock and Roll?" Diet Coke by a mile, Woods, always, scuba is wonderful, and I like grunge mainly.

Colleen wrote: "Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What authors inspired you as a teen?" I loved thrillers like Congo and Sphere, The Relic, and things like that. But I was also a huge fantasy geek and read everythin..." Coke by a mile (Diet Coke)

Colleen wrote: "Have you visited the Biltmore Estate?"

I went several times in college and took my kids recently. It's such a thrilling, weird, amazing place. I want to buy it and liver there. Think it's pricey?

Colleen wrote: "What made you want to set your series in Idaho? Also, have you been there?"

I need somewhere remote and "containable" but I also wanted some place pretty. I'm going this May!

I'll check back in soon!

Brendan wrote: "Ali Kiki wrote: "Who is your favorite superhero?" I like Thor a lot after the last movie. He's a god, and funny, and has great hair."

He does have great hair. =)

Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Have you visited the Biltmore Estate?"

I went several times in college and took my kids recently. It's such a thrilling, weird, amazing place. I want to buy it and liver there. Thi..."
I think they have an amazing restaurant there now. Not sure. It's been 12 years for me. I set a short story there. Love that place.

Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What made you want to set your series in Idaho? Also, have you been there?"

I need somewhere remote and "containable" but I also wanted some place pretty. I'm going this May!"

I lived there while I was going to college. The winters are brutal so you really hit the mark with Genesis!

Did you pitch this series as a duology? Is there a chance for a trilogy to see what happens in the, you know, after?

Do you have other books you want to write?

Hi! I’ve been a fan of Colleen’s books for many years and I’m looking forward to reading Brendan’s books! Were you always an aspiring author, or did you pick it up later? Thanks!

Colleen wrote: "Did you pitch this series as a duology? Is there a chance for a trilogy to see what happens in the, you know, after?"
I pitched it as trilogy, sold it as duology, and now we're going back to a trilogy. SO THERE WILL BE A THIRD BOOK IN 2019!

Jill wrote: "Hi! I’ve been a fan of Colleen’s books for many years and I’m looking forward to reading Brendan’s books! Were you always an aspiring author, or did you pick it up later? Thanks!"

I started out as a lawyer, if you can believe it. But I hated it so much I searched for my true calling, and it turned out to be writing. Needless to say I'm a much happier person these days!

Melissa wrote: "Do you have other books you want to write?"
SO MANY BOOKS. I write YA and middle grade -- my first MG comes out this fall, called the The Dark Deep, with Ally Condie-- and I also want to write adult fantasy and young adult historical fiction. So yes, I have IDEAS :)

Brendan wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Did you pitch this series as a duology? Is there a chance for a trilogy to see what happens in the, you know, after?"
I pitched it as trilogy, sold it as duology, and now we're goin..."

YAY!

Thanks so much to Brendan for being an awesome author guest! The winner of this chat is Jill! Don't forget to join me next month when my featured guest will be Suzanne Young!