Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Rosalyn 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.

How did you get started writing?

Any must haves at your desk when you write?

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Do you ever listen to music while you write and if so what genre?

What were your favorite types of books to read when you were a teen?

Please block me

Colleen wrote: "What were your favorite types of books to read when you were a teen?"

I liked reading books about fairy-tales, romance, supernatural, adventure. I read a lot of different genres of books and still do. I got into your books when I was in high school and loved them.

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

I started telling stories (and drawing pictures of them) as soon as I could talk and hold a pencil. I was 11 when I decided I wanted to be an author--my teacher suggested I share some of my in-class writing with people I cared about and that was the first time I realized that *anyone* could write for other people to read. It seems silly in retrospect, but that was a big revelation at the time.

I wrote a lot in middle school and high school and then life happened. I went to college, then graduate school, then got married and had kids. My middle child was a baby when I looked at my life and realized that the book I'd always wanted to write and publish wouldn't happen unless I started writing again. That was about 9 years ago.

Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group! Rosalyn 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 ..."

Colleen wrote: "Any must haves at your desk when you write?"

My desk is mostly my laptop, so no, not really! A comfortable place to sit helps. :)

Colleen wrote: "When did you know you wanted to be a writer?"

I talked about this a little above--I had a teacher who really encouraged my writing and that made me want to keep writing. I'd always liked making up stories, but my teacher's encouragement helped me realize I could *share* those stories too.

Ashley wrote: "Do you ever listen to music while you write and if so what genre?"

I can't listen to music while I write--it's too distracting to me! I end up just focusing on the music and not the writing. But I do like music--I love musicals (especially newer ones like Hamilton), pop music with a folk leaning, and moody instrumental pieces.

Colleen wrote: "What were your favorite types of books to read when you were a teen?"

I adored fantasy. Robin McKinley and Patricia McKillip were my two favorite authors--I read everything they put out when I was younger. McKinley's The Hero and the Crown is a big reason why I write fantasy: Aerin was the first strong female hero I encountered in a story (also, she was a red-head, like me, which made me feel that much more connected to her). Before that, I didn't really realize teen girls could star in their own stories, and I loved her books for that.

What has your favorite book been to read so far this year?

Oof, that's always a hard question! I read so many different kinds of books that it's hard to compare them sometimes. There have been two that stayed with me a long time after finishing them: Jason Reynold's and Brandon Kiely's All American Boys, and Madeleine Miller's Circe. Both were brilliant, in very different ways!

Who are your top five book boyfriends?

What's your perfect place/snack while reading?

Colleen wrote: "Who are your top five book boyfriends?"

Oh, this is a tough one! I love Nikolai, from Bardugo's Grisha series, and Sarkan from Uprooted (apparently I have a thing for slightly grumpy men?). Dimple from When Dimple Met Rishi is adorable (and, alas, way too young for me!). Also, Eugenides from Megan Whalen Turner's the Thief. As a teenager, I had huge crushes on Vidal from Georgette Heyer's The Devil's Cub.

Colleen wrote: "What's your perfect place/snack while reading?"

Anything chocolate is acceptable--I'm not picky about solid or liquid forms!

When you started to write your stories was there an author you wanted to collaborate with?

Sarah wrote: "When you started to write your stories was there an author you wanted to collaborate with?"

I'm always amazed at authors that collaborate well on projects--I kind of like to control my projects and I think I'd have to know someone quite well to work with them on a collaboration. (That said, if the universe sent someone like Laini Taylor or Leigh Bardugo my way, I would not say no!)

Rosalyn wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Who are your top five book boyfriends?"

Oh, this is a tough one! I love Nikolai, from Bardugo's Grisha series, and Sarkan from Uprooted (apparently I have a thing for slightly grum..."

ooh I'm going to have to investigate some of those. I only know Nikolai and Eugenides. ;) Good choices.

Thanks to Rosalyn for an excellent chat! The winner this month is Lizzie! Don't forget to join us next month when my featured author is Jessica Day George!