Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Sara will be answering questions in November 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.

Hi Sara. So my big question for you is...when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

What's the hardest part of your job and what keeps you going?

Trudy wrote: "Did you base any of your characters on real life people that you know?"

I haven't ever consciously based a character on someone entirely on a real person...however, I have definitely taken bits and pieces of real people and put them into characters. And though I didn't base the sisters in SOSAL on my real sisters, the bond they share is very much inspired by my real life bond to my sisters.

Trudy wrote: "What’s your favorite genre of book to read and favorite genre to write?"

I love reading all sorts of genres -- as long as it's done well and is engaging, exciting, and romantic. I do enjoy some self-help books occasionally, too. I love writing fantasy! But I do think I may branch out and try other genres someday.

Colleen wrote: "Hi Sara. So my big question for you is...when did you know you wanted to be a writer?"

Hi Colleen - thank you for having me! So, I've written stories and books my whole life actually! I have notebooks from elementary school with hundreds of pages of stories and books I wrote. I always dreamed of being published, but didn't pursue it until I was an adult - mostly because I didn't know how until then!

Trudy wrote: "Would you want your books to be made into movies? Why or why not?"

I would love it! I think movies draw in new readers, even if they aren't done super well. (Though I'd obviously prefer they were done well if it happened!) And I'd love for new readers to find me books. Plus I love using original scores to write to, so I'd love to have one written for my own story!

Hi. I absolutely love your Defy books. I re-read them constantly:) Would you classify them as a retelling? Do you have plans for a new series?

If you could have any author co-write with you on a book who would you choose?

If you could go on a writing retreat anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?

Did any of those stories you wrote as a little girl morph into actual books as an adult?

Do you have a favorite book conference?

Shay wrote: "Hi. I absolutely love your Defy books. I re-read them constantly:) Would you classify them as a retelling? Do you have plans for a new series?"

Thank you so much!! That means a lot to me! <3 <3 I wouldn't...I actually didn't even have Mulan or any other story like it in mind when I wrote it. But some people drew those comparisons afterwards. :-) The first book of my newest series SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT just came out 2 weeks ago! There is also a completed duology, DARK BREAKS THE DAWN, which is a fantasy reimagining of Swan Lake!

Ashley wrote: "If you could have any author co-write with you on a book who would you choose?"

I actually am dabbling in co-writing a book and if you follow me online you might be able to figure out who it's with! :-)

Colleen wrote: "If you could go on a writing retreat anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?"

Probably somewhere tropical. I love the ocean! And I would love to take Kathryn Purdie, Erin Summerill, and some of my other writing friends with me!

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving pie or dessert?

What's your non-writing hobby?

Thanks so much to Sara B. Larson for being such an awesome guest and congrats to our chat winner Ashley! Join us in December when I'm featuring another amazing YA author.