Ask the Author: Colleen Houck
Answered Questions (419)
Colleen Houck
I'm always working on something. The answer to that question is a toughie. I've had books out on submission for a while but nobody is buying right now. I'm working with my agent to figure out our game plan. We might turn to a Kickstarter. We might go self-publishing in the US. We'll have to see but hopefully, we'll get something out to you soon.
Colleen Houck
Ah, that would be fun. I have written book quotes from different perspectives. They should be available on my website. If you go to the blog posts and type in quotes under the search bar you'll see the daily quotes I used to do for the different books. It's like reading the books again from a different perspective. Not exactly the same but kinda. ;) https://colleenhouck.com/blog/2017/03...
Colleen Houck
That's a great question. I was inspired to start writing after reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer but I'm inspired by everything I read. When my brother was visiting last summer he was complaining about an author he loved as he'd been busy reading their latest novel. I told him that I stopped that practice long ago, choosing instead to find something I liked in every book I picked up. I discovered as I looked for things I enjoyed that there was indeed something to be learned from authors at every level of development. Some are great at plot, others at writing brilliant prose or characters while another could describe a sunset with perfection. Doing that changed how I looked at writing and made me appreciate reading and the writer in a totally new way. It helped me to build up others and myself in the process. I think it's something we don't do enough of in these modern days of social media. It's far too easy to find fault with and criticize than it is to find beauty. But the beauty is always there too if you look for it. For that reason, I don't pick favorites any longer. I love the one I'm with. ;)
Colleen Houck
Hi Yana, This is, hands down, the number one question I get asked. There aren't any new updates as of March 2022. The books are still under option, however, which is a good thing.
Colleen Houck
Hi Sharon. That's a thoughtful question. I agree with you that too often movies leave out important scenes or don't do justice to the material found in books. My favorite films are those that expand on books and give you more. You can always tell when a director loves the source material because they delve deeper. A film series that comes to mind is The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Now I know there are those who will argue about details that were included or excluded or about actor choice, etc., and there will be many that will engage in a lively debate regarding if the Hobbit really needed to be expanded to three films, but I don't think anyone can argue with me when I say Peter Jackson cares a great deal about the source material and knows it intimately. Now, not all of these decisions are left up to the director. It takes a team to bring a movie or a book to an audience. There are always compromises. But when it comes to vision, you can see, on-screen, that Peter Jackson had one. In this case, I felt he did justice to the source material. So, my long answer is, yes, it can be done, and no, I'm not concerned. Why? The man who owns the rights has a vision.
Colleen Houck
Thank you so much for your kind words! I think everyone is given special gifts they can develop. I've always been jealous of artists. I always wanted to be able to draw. Someday I'd like to be able to at least sketch out bubble or stick figures well enough to convey what I'm envisioning. I'm sure you have gifts within you too. Sometimes they aren't obvious. Some people have a gift of listening or a gift of kindness or compassion for others. Those are even more rare and beautiful. What are yours?
Colleen Houck
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Colleen Houck
Hi McKenna, I'm doing a bit of both. COVID has thrown all of us for a bit I think. Poor everyone! I've had to hunker down and take care of my mom who had a very bad case of it. My hubby and I had it and I'm pretty sure my brain doesn't work the same anymore because of it. I feel like we're all finally starting to poke our heads up a little and peek around to see what the world looks like again. To answer your question, I'm definitely writing but not nearly as much as I would prefer. I am, however, throwing a lot of things against the wall and at my agent to see what's going to stick. Sometimes what I love isn't what sticks. Sometimes even what readers love isn't what editors buy. Such is the way of the world. I once asked Jude Deveraux at a Romance Conference why she wasn't writing Historical Romance any longer and she looked over at her twenty-something-year-old editor who answered the question saying, "Historicals are dead." Jude, my mom, my sisters, and I all looked each other in the eyes knowingly and nodded.
Colleen Houck
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for asking. The film and television rights are still under option. Everything is in flux right now in the film industry as you're probably aware. I can't tell you how many times the project has shifted hands but my main guy, Raffi Kryszek is still involved, and there's no one more passionate about making it happen, other than me and all of you, of course! ;) That's the long way of saying no news is still good news.
Thanks for asking. The film and television rights are still under option. Everything is in flux right now in the film industry as you're probably aware. I can't tell you how many times the project has shifted hands but my main guy, Raffi Kryszek is still involved, and there's no one more passionate about making it happen, other than me and all of you, of course! ;) That's the long way of saying no news is still good news.
Colleen Houck
The Tiger series is still under option so a movie is still a possibility as long as that is true.
Colleen Houck
It was an incredibly difficult and also a triumphant feeling to complete the Tiger's Curse series. I imagine it's a bit like watching your child walk down the aisle or toss a graduation cap in the air. Not being able to give birth myself, it's probably the closest I'll ever come to launching my babies into the world. When I go back and reread, it's like looking through a photo album. Each line is precious. Not perfect, but full of memories.
Colleen Houck
Thank you! That's always nice to hear. I am working on something new. It's a very special project that's currently out on submission. I'm hopeful I can discuss it soon.
Colleen Houck
Hi Cheshire, Terraformer was unfortunately released at the same time the pandemic hit and the pandemic impacted the book industry just as it did many others. My hope is that as the economy begins to stabilize and my international publishers recover, they will consider Terraformer for a translation and publishing project even though it was released in the US in 2020. It doesn't hurt to reach out to the publisher where you live and ask though.
Colleen Houck
The Tiger's Curse books are still under option as of spring 2021 which means a video production of some sort is still a possibility. Keep in mind it can take many, many, many years to develop though it can also go very quickly. It just all depends on the fervor associated with the project. Personally, I still hold out hope.
Colleen Houck
That's an easy one. Trees. Oregon is a lovely place to live and I'm proud to own nearly ten acres of lovely maples, oaks, and pines that host a multitude of fun creatures to watch. Sadly, we lost several of our beloved trees in a recent ice storm but we will replace them and look forward to watching them grow over the coming years.
Colleen Houck
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Colleen Houck
Hi Elizabeth. The submission/editing process isn't my favorite thing about writing. I am definitely not an expert on the subject and still lean heavily on my agent for counsel. As far as editing goes, at some point, you have to let go of a manuscript. Once I've finished a book, I do a final reread, adjusting as I go and then I stop. Fussing with it too much doesn't do anyone any good. I hand it over to someone else at that point and then when they tell me to edit again, I do. That may be an editor or my agent or someone else. I never go asking for other people to take a look though. I simply move on to my next project. If you dwell too long on one thing, it stops your momentum. You can always return to it at some point and shake off the dust but if you get hung up on one thing for years, you'll never know what else you could have done.
Colleen Houck
Hi Lucy. The books are still under option as of summer 2020. Will they become a movie? We'll have to wait and see. I think right now everything in Hollywood is on hold due to the virus.
Colleen Houck
Hi Marybeth. The part one and part two versions are the US edition hardbacks. They are the same as the paperback with the exception of two bonus pieces. In part one, there is a prelude to the series where I talk about how I got started, what inspired the characters, etc. Part two has a never before released bonus chapter that features all my main characters. It's very sweet and something my die-hard fans won't want to miss.
Colleen Houck
It would be some off-world planet with lots of ocean. I don't care much which one as long as it was pretty and not too deadly. The first thing I'd do is try the fruit. Or a fruity drink of some sort. Also a cheese plate. I'm crazy about those. With my luck, it would be brain cheese or something.
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Jul 31, 2023 03:29PM · flag