Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Julie will be answering questions in December 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 research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research

What is your favorite drink for the month of December?

Can you tell us what you are working on now?

How did you get started writing?

Any must haves when you write?

What was your favorite book as a kid?

Who is your most influential author?

Milena wrote: "What research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research"

This is a great question, because, as you say, prehistory is not an easy period for modern science to understand. It helped that I narrowed the focus to the earliest Americans--the group that traversed the Bering Land Bridge to settle in North America. I read four text books used in college classrooms to teach the latest understanding of their culture, which is sometimes referred to as "Pre-Clovis." And though that sounds tedious, I loved every minute of it. I really geek out about prehistory. :)

Ali Kiki wrote: "What is your favorite drink for the month of December?"

I really love Irish coffee for warming up, as well as hot cocoa with lots of whipped cream if it's not an appropriate moment for alcohol haha. :) For special occasions like Christmas and New Years, there's a cocktail with St. Germain liqueur, champagne, and pomegranate juice that is to die for! My husband mixes those up when it's time to celebrate. :)

Milena wrote: "Can you tell us what you are working on now?"

I can! My next book, which comes out in the fall of 2019, is called Crown of Oblivion. It's a fantasy that's wholly different from Ivory and Bone and Obsidian and Stars, so I'm very excited to share it with readers! Crown of Oblivion is set in a dangerous world filled with magic. The MC, Astrid, is indentured to the royal family, but she enters a dangerous cross-country race--a race that begins with purged memories--to try to win her freedom. This is a book I've been working on for a long time, and I can't wait to share it!

What are your favorite movies to watch around the holidays?

Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing?"

Since I was in middle school I've been interested in writing, but I've pursued lots of different forms of writing over the years. I explored playwrighting and short stories in college. Then I wrote a novel for adults, and when it failed to land me an agent, I started writing and producing short films. That morphed into video production and a series on youtube. The youtube series was about middle school, and by the time it had run its course, I found myself thinking about novels again, but this time, YA novels. So it's been a circuitous journey, but I've loved all the places I stopped along the way. :)

Ashley wrote: "What are your favorite movies to watch around the holidays?"

Every year I make sure I see It's a Wonderful Life. I love Jimmy Stewart, and that movie is SO GOOD! On the other end of the spectrum, my whole family loves Elf, so we always get that one in, too! As far as animated Christmas movies, I love The Year Without a Santa Claus, and I am Team Heat Miser all the way. (The battle between Heat Miser and Snow Miser is taken very seriously in my family. I'm ashamed to admit that some of them are Team Snow Miser. Hopefully, they will one day see the error of their ways...)

Colleen wrote: "Any must haves when you write?"

I like to write at my desk in the house, which faces a big picture window that has a view of a bird feeder and a lot of lovely nature. But if I can't work at my desk, the one thing I really need is quiet. I'm not a coffee shop writer, for sure! When I'm editing/revising, I need a hard copy of my manuscript, a mechanical pencil, and a pink eraser. Those are definitely my must-have tools.

I love Elf too. Thanks for answering my question.

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Any must haves when you write?"

I like to write at my desk in the house, which faces a big picture window that has a view of a bird feeder and a lot of lovely nature. But if I can'..."

Whew! With my first editor I worked off a hard copy but now I much prefer to just work on the computer. I like just clicking accept. =)

Julie wrote: "Ashley wrote: "What are your favorite movies to watch around the holidays?"

Every year I make sure I see It's a Wonderful Life. I love Jimmy Stewart, and that movie is SO GOOD! On the other end of..."

Hee hee. I love the Heat Miser, Snow Miser song. That one sticks with you. I have to say I'm an old school Grinch fan. I like the Jim Carrey version too. Not sure I can handle a new one.

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing?"

Since I was in middle school I've been interested in writing, but I've pursued lots of different forms of writing over the years. I explored playw..."

That is so interesting. With so many turns you've got a lot of experience to draw from. I always think that makes a more robust storyteller. Those who've seen more and done more have more stories to tell.

Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "Can you tell us what you are working on now?"

I can! My next book, which comes out in the fall of 2019, is called Crown of Oblivion. It's a fantasy that's wholly different from Ivor..."
It sounds awesome!

Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "What research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research"

This is a great question, because, as you say, prehi..."

Wow! Did you, by chance, watch the movie about the Alpha dog? What did you think? I'm a huge dog lover so I had to watch it.

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Any must haves when you write?"

I like to write at my desk in the house, which faces a big picture window that has a view of a bird feeder and a lot of lovely nature...."

Ah, well yes, I like that too! But when I'm self-editing, I feel I need to see the hard copy to notice things I miss on the screen. But it can be a real pain to type in the changes later!

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "What research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research"

This is a great question, because, as ..."

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "What research if any did you do for Ivory and Bone books? I imagine the pre-historic time period would be difficult to research"

This is a great question, because, as ..."

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "Milena wrote: "Can you tell us what you are working on now?"

I can! My next book, which comes out in the fall of 2019, is called Crown of Oblivion. It's a fantasy that's wholly diffe..."

I haven't seen it! Several people sent me links to the trailer, and I definitely wanted to see it--I think I just missed it somehow. I think it looks a lot like the world of Ivory and Bone--I have a feeling I will love it when I finally catch it. And there's a dog in Obsidian and Stars! I also love dogs and was excited to bring one into the story.

Colleen wrote: "What was your favorite book as a kid?"

I had a lot of favorites, but one that I still have on my shelf beside me is From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. It has such a strong female lead, and I love the idea of sneaking off to live in a museum!

Have you had any book rejections? Do you have any advice for querying your first novel?

Justicereads wrote: "Have you had any book rejections? Do you have any advice for querying your first novel?"

Hi Irene! So glad to see you in this chat! The answer is yes, I had a lot of rejections. My first novel didn't get me an agent. My second novel got me an agent, but didn't sell. Then that agent and I parted ways, but my third novel got me a new agent. That book also didn't sell. (That one was the biggest heartbreak for me, because it was the first one I truly believed would sell.) I tell this story at signings and other events, because people should know that your first book sale sometimes comes after a lot of rejection. It's tough, but it's very common.

As for advice, I would say follow the agent's stated preferences for queries. Personalize each one. Tell the agent why you are querying them in particular: Who do they rep that you like to read, or see your book on the shelf beside? And if you're not sure about your pitch for the book, let other writers who have written queries read yours and get their thoughts. Not everyone is great at writing a query (I'm not!) so don't be afraid to ask for help. :)

Julie wrote: "I also love dogs and was excited to bring one into the story.."

Do you have a dog? Another pet? I love writing with my dogs sleeping nearby. When my first dog died, I didn't have another pet for three years. It didn't feel right with no one sitting next to me.

Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What was your favorite book as a kid?"

I had a lot of favorites, but one that I still have on my shelf beside me is From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Kon..."

I haven't heard of that one. I'll have to look for it.

Julie wrote: "Not everyone is great at writing a query (I'm not!) so don't be afraid to ask for help. :) "

I am also HORRIBLE at writing queries and summing up my books. I just can't do it. If you give me a formula to follow, I can plug in data since I love math, but otherwise, I go on for hours.

You guys are the greatest! Thank you for sharing and for your priceless advice!

I love all the drama in this series! Danger lurks around every corner. Not to mention I'm shivering to death just reading. What's the number one thing about living during this time period that would scare you the most?

If you had to try Mammoth or Seal which one would you go for?

One of your stories reminded me of Manny the Mammoth from Ice Age and it made me wonder if they actually did some real research for that movie. It was mostly regarding his name, Manny. Do you think there's a connection?

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "I also love dogs and was excited to bring one into the story.."

Do you have a dog? Another pet? I love writing with my dogs sleeping nearby. When my first dog died, I didn't have ano..."

I do have a dog, and I also have a cat. They are my writing buddies, and also my writing distractions! Fortunately, they are good friends and keep each other busy most of the time. :)

Colleen wrote: "Julie wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What was your favorite book as a kid?"

I had a lot of favorites, but one that I still have on my shelf beside me is From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweil..."

It's a great book about a girl who runs away from home with her little brother. They take up residence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and end up solving a mystery. I loved it!

Colleen wrote: "I love all the drama in this series! Danger lurks around every corner. Not to mention I'm shivering to death just reading. What's the number one thing about living during this time period that woul..."

I think I'd be most afraid of the predators! The idea of being stalked by a saber-toothed cat is pretty terrifying. Our early ancestors had to go out and hunt for all their food, but they weren't the only hunters out there!

Colleen wrote: "If you had to try Mammoth or Seal which one would you go for?"

That's a tough choice--I'm a vegetarian, so neither choice appeals to me--but I think I'd try seal before I'd try mammoth. Maybe because I know mammoths became extinct, the thought of eating one sounds heartless. It was hard to write the hunting scenes. I wanted to show that death is death, even when it's an animal that dies.

Colleen wrote: "One of your stories reminded me of Manny the Mammoth from Ice Age and it made me wonder if they actually did some real research for that movie. It was mostly regarding his name, Manny. Do you think..."

I love that movie! I definitely think they did some real research, but my guess would be that the name is a coincidence. :)

Hi. :D This is my first time joining a chat. I was wondering what is the best way to write about a place you want to use in a story if you can't travel there. I have always been interested in traveling, but I can't yet-though I am planning to go to different places when I can. Mostly I just use my imagination when I am writing about a fictional place, but I hope to use actual places when I first begin writing a book. And so, I wanted to ask if it's okay to do research on places one wants to use as the setting in their writing.

For both Colleen and Julie, what was your inspiration in wanting to first begin writing YA books?

Ana wrote: "For both Colleen and Julie, what was your inspiration in wanting to first begin writing YA books?"

I was first inspired by reading. I fell in love with a book series and wanted more books exactly like that and looked around and didn't find any. It made me wonder if I could write some. I gave it a try and ended up with Tiger's Curse.

Thank you all so much for joining the chat! Our winner this month is Justicereads! Don't forget to join us next month for another chance to win books from my amazing guest authors!

Mima wrote: "Hi :) Have you ever shared your stories on social platforms like wattpad? What do you think about those platforms?"

Hi Mima! I have never used Wattpad, but I used to share stories on Fictionpress! I really loved the community aspect of it, the giving and receiving of support with other writers. It also helped me begin to see myself as a writer, because other people (not just my family haha) were reading my words. :)

Ana wrote: "Hi. :D This is my first time joining a chat. I was wondering what is the best way to write about a place you want to use in a story if you can't travel there. I have always been interested in trave..."

Hello! I can tell you that I wrote about the area around the Bering Land Bridge in Ivory and Bone and Obsidian and Stars--which is a place that doesn't even exist anymore. However, I had lived in a place with similar terrain to the book (I lived in Utah, and had hiked through the mountains there extensively,) so I used what I knew of the snowy mountains of Utah when imagining the Ice Age world of my characters. I also would recommend Google Earth to see places you haven't yet visited. It's very helpful. That being said, there is no real substitute for a visit--the smells, the sounds, the pace of a place can't be understood by looking at a satellite photo. So I agree with your plan to travel as soon as you can!

Ana wrote: "For both Colleen and Julie, what was your inspiration in wanting to first begin writing YA books?"

My answer is very similar to Colleen's. I read a lot of YA--mostly fantasy--and fell so in love with what I read that I wanted to start creating my own books. I especially love YA heroes and heroines. There's a certain boldness to teen characters that I think makes them especially compelling.

Colleen wrote: "Thank you all so much for joining the chat! Our winner this month is Justicereads! Don't forget to join us next month for another chance to win books from my amazing guest authors!"

Thank you for having me Colleen! And thank you to all the readers who participated in the chat! I had a wonderful time answering your questions!