Breeana’s Comments (group member since Jun 05, 2019)

Breeana’s comments from the Colleen Houck Book Club group.

Great questions! I actually keep a Pinterest Board of covers I love, and you can find it here: https://www.pinterest.com/breeana98/c...

Some of my very favorites are THE LAST NAMSARA (the book is also fabulous) and SNOW LIKE ASHES.

I almost always write in Times New Roman, but sometimes if I'm editing and I need a fresh look at the manuscript, I'll change the font to something random and it has a way of making typos jump out at me.

This is more an autocorrect thing than a typo, but whenever I write the phrase "bare arms", my computer wants to change it to "bear arms" which gives me a visual that always makes me laugh.

Miranda ❤️ wrote: "Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Also, if you were to write a book in a completely different genre, which genre would it be?"

Ohhh, so many! I love Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Mary Pearson, Sara Zarr, J.K. Rolling, Jenny Han, and of course, Colleen. As for a different genre, I'd love to be able to write a contemporary novel as compelling as Sara Zarr's work. She's so brilliant at characterization.

Colleen wrote: "What's one fantasy or magical creature you want to write about but haven't included in a book yet?"

It's probably totally cliche, but I'd love to write a dragon book.

Colleen wrote: "If you could go anywhere on a dream vacation as a writing retreat excuse, where would it be?"

Paris!!! I visited for the first time last summer and it was even more magical than I imagined. I only had three days there, but I'd love to go for a month and spend my days strolling down the streets and writing in the cafes. So beautiful!

Miranda ❤️ wrote: "Are you a plotter or a pantser? Also, please explain what an average writing day looks like for you, do you need a certain setting, music, etc?"

I'm a bit of both. I usually have enough plotted to serve as kind of a road map--a beginning, an ending, and a few major turning points--and then I pants it from there.

My average writing day starts around 8 a.m. and ends about 3:00 p.m. I often have music in the background, but it can't be anything with lyrics or I can't focus. Something about other people's words in my ear make it impossible to write my own.

I usually write in my office at home, though occasionally I'll meet friends in a cafe for a writing date, or mix it up and write somewhere else, but most days you can find me at my writing desk. Same time, same place.

Trudy wrote: "What is the most amount of books you’ve read in a week? When I was younger, I used to read like two a day"

I was the same way! I used to bring home stacks of books during school breaks and tear through them one after another. I don't think I ever finished two in a day--you have me beat there--but it wasn't unusual for me to read one every day. What I wouldn't give now for a whole week or two to do nothing but read. Magical! :)

Ashley wrote: "What has been your favorite book to read this year so far?"

I was completely sucked in by Holly Black's THE WICKED KING. So good!

Trudy wrote: "Have you ever thought about trying to write a novel in a genre you’ve never attempted to write in before?"

Yes, I have. But every time I think I might write in a different genre--contemporary, for example--fantasy elements end up creeping in, and I'm right back to writing speculative fiction. Magic is sneaky that way. But maybe someday I'll pull it off! :)

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

I've been writing as long as I can remember. Before I even started school, I used to write little stories and then pay my sister t..."

Maybe it was just because writing was literally the only thing I was good at. I don't have an athletic or musical bone in my body. It was writing or bust. ;)

Colleen wrote: "What's the best advice you've ever been given? (It doesn't have to be about writing) Mine was during my bridal shower. A very old lady told me, "A well-fed man is a happy man." I have since learned..."

Ohhh, what a great question! And a hard one to answer! My uncle once told me never to pass up the opportunity for a nap. He said one day I'd long for all the naps I'd never taken as a kid. At the time, I didn't pay much attention, but once I became a mother, he suddenly seemed very wise.

Colleen wrote: "How did you first get published?"

My story is pretty boring. :) I got my agent through good old fashioned querying and she sold the first book we submitted. (Which I'm so grateful for.). I had plenty of rejections along the way, though!

Colleen wrote: "Breeana wrote: "Colleen wrote: "What's up next for you?"

I'm frantically working on finishing up edits for the sequel to The Bone Charmer before taking on a big cross country move. We're leaving W..."

We're moving for my husband's job. We've lived in the D.C. area before and really loved it, but we'll definitely miss the PNW.

Colleen wrote: "Breeana wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Chocolate or caramel?
Both!

Ice cream flavor?
Butter Pecan

Cake or Pie?
Pie

Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi. But Diet Dr Pepper is even better!

Cocoa or Tea?
Cocoa!

Fav sa..."

So many favorite pies! I love banana cream, strawberry, pecan...But sadly, I haven't had sugar in over a year (it aggravates migraines for me) so I haven't baked anything in a long time!

Colleen wrote: "What's up next for you?"

I'm frantically working on finishing up edits for the sequel to The Bone Charmer before taking on a big cross country move. We're leaving Washington State and headed to the Washington D.C. area. Exciting, but exhausting!

Colleen wrote: "Chocolate or caramel?
Both!

Ice cream flavor?
Butter Pecan

Cake or Pie?
Pie

Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi. But Diet Dr Pepper is even better!

Cocoa or Tea?
Cocoa!

Fav sandwich?"
Turkey on sourdough with tomato and avocado

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

Diet Dr. Pepper. :)

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

I've been writing as long as I can remember. Before I even started school, I used to write little stories and then pay my sister to illustrate them. (Sadly, I'm a terrible artist.) But when I was in fourth grade, a teacher complimented me on a story I'd written for a class assignment and I was hooked. All through high school I worked on the school newspaper, but in college I really fell in love with creative writing and knew that's what I wanted to do. So, I switched my major from journalism to English. Still, it took me many more years to get up the courage to pursue publication.