Ask the Author: Colleen Helme
Answered Questions (21)
Colleen Helme
Hi Stacey! Yes! I am planning a third book in the series and have already started on it! It will be called Twisted Fate, and I can't wait to share the next twist in Ella's story. Thanks for reading!! I'm almost done with the next Shelby Nichols adventure as well. Take care! - Colleen
Colleen Helme
Hi Stacey! Thanks for your question! Yes, I am writing the next book right after I finish #18 in the Shelby series. It will be called Twisted Fate and I can't wait to share it with you!! Thanks so much for reading!!
Colleen Helme
Julie - YES!! I'm so excited about her story and can't wait to share it. I'm happy that it's a story you want to read. Thanks for asking!!
Best - C
Best - C
Colleen Helme
Hi Millie! Thanks so much! Yes - my producer, Wendy Tremont King is working on it right now. Her schedule was full, so she was delayed, then she got sick, (not covid-19 - thankfully) But she is almost finished with the book! Once she is done it goes through a vetting process with audible (about 10 days) before it is ready for release. So - realistically we're looking at end of March - first of April. I wish it was sooner! But look for it then! Thanks for reading!! Best, Colleen
Colleen Helme
Thanks Millie! Yes - it should be out this week! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Wednesday (July 4th) - but if not then at least by Friday! Thanks for your patience! Wendy did a fantastic job on the audio book - I hope you love it!!
Colleen Helme
Thanks Arlene! I hope you love it! Most of the time my ideas come after I've gone to bed, and I'm trying to get some sleep! I'm always thinking, "what if this or that happened?" How would I react? What would I do? My idea for Shelby came while I was in a grocery store shopping for some carrots. I wondered what I'd do if someone tried to rob it. That's how the story began in my head. I had no idea where it would go from there - I mean - who would have thought someone could read minds? Since then, it's been quite the adventure with Shelby, and I've enjoyed every minute. I'm glad you have too!
Colleen Helme
They are called Chameleon Pens and they're really cool!
Colleen Helme
Hi Leah! Haha! In the next book it's looking iffy for him, but I don't know if I could ever kill him off!
Colleen Helme
Thanks Sally!! I'm so happy you are enjoying them! I am hard at work on #11, but I don't have a release date yet! It won't be for a few months as I am just getting started. Thanks for reading! You keep me going! For monthly updates, sign up for my newsletter at colleenhelme.com! Shelby also has her own blog at shelbynicholsconsulting.com if you want to keep up with her everyday life! Enjoy! Best, Colleen
Colleen Helme
Hi Javall! Yes! I am working on it right now. I'm looking at an April 2017 release... if all goes well! It's called LACED IN LIES... and I'm so excited about what's happening with Shelby and the gang. Thanks! Colleen
Colleen Helme
Hi Tanesha! Thanks so much! I thought they were tied together! I will look into it - thanks for letting me know!
Colleen Helme
To be honest, I don't know! I do know that I'm not ready to stop writing about Shelby, so until then, I'll probably keep going! I just finished book #8, and I already have some plot ideas for the next one... and maybe a few more after that! lol Thanks!
Colleen Helme
Hi Jessica! The next book is called Devious Minds and I'm hoping for an end-of-the-year release, but I never know since Shelby gets into so much trouble. So... I'd better get back to work!
Colleen Helme
Hi Linda! The next book is called Devious Minds and I'm hoping for an end of the year release!!
Colleen Helme
Thanks Jessica! Throughout this series, Shelby is learning and growing as a character and in her abilities. I honestly don't know what lies ahead for her, but if it has anything to do with thoughts... it's fair game. All I know for sure is that Shelby is always up to her eyeballs in trouble!! Thanks for the question! I'll have to think about that one... LOL
Colleen Helme
Thanks Katt! Yes! I'm hard at work on book #7!! Get ready for another adventure!
Colleen Helme
Hi Traci!
No...I didn't have any faces in mind when I first wrote Carrots, but people have asked me what actors I would pick to play their parts. Seriously, their isn't an actor around who looks as hot and tough as Ramos does in my mind...although there was this guy on CASTLE who was Beckett's boyfriend (I think season 3 or 4) who was totally to-die-for - and he wore black leather and rode a motorcycle!!! WOWZa. Now that guy was definitely a candidate. I also saw someone at the grocery store that I could have pictured as Ramos...he sent my heart racing for sure...but I haven't seen the guy since. (not that I've been looking or anything LOL) There was this show on TV called "Pepper Dennis" a few years ago... based on that show, the actor who played the main character could easily be Shelby! But to answer your question...I don't see any faces that belong to anyone I know when I write...but I do imagine what they look like in my head. Thanks for the question!
Best,
Colleen
No...I didn't have any faces in mind when I first wrote Carrots, but people have asked me what actors I would pick to play their parts. Seriously, their isn't an actor around who looks as hot and tough as Ramos does in my mind...although there was this guy on CASTLE who was Beckett's boyfriend (I think season 3 or 4) who was totally to-die-for - and he wore black leather and rode a motorcycle!!! WOWZa. Now that guy was definitely a candidate. I also saw someone at the grocery store that I could have pictured as Ramos...he sent my heart racing for sure...but I haven't seen the guy since. (not that I've been looking or anything LOL) There was this show on TV called "Pepper Dennis" a few years ago... based on that show, the actor who played the main character could easily be Shelby! But to answer your question...I don't see any faces that belong to anyone I know when I write...but I do imagine what they look like in my head. Thanks for the question!
Best,
Colleen
Colleen Helme
First of all read! The more you read, the better writer you'll be. Also, learn everything you can about writing, take a class, learn POV and tense, share your work, get feedback. I had a wonderful writing teacher who took an interest in me and the feedback I got from her was invaluable.
Colleen Helme
The best thing for me is being creative. Writing is hard work, but coming up with something that other people enjoy reading is what keeps me writing. I love living in my head!
Colleen Helme
I keep a notepad by my computer and when I get stuck, I will ask "What if" questions and just write down a whole bunch of different scenarios. Usually, something will click and I'll go with it. Other times, I just keep writing. Even if I have to take it out, at least I'm making progress. I've often found that some of my best plot ideas come about by pushing through it without knowing what's going to happen beforehand. Those times are very rewarding.
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