Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Nicole will be answering questions in June 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.

Why did you want to write a book about Blackbeard?

Do you have a certain music playlist to get you inspired to write?

How did you get started writing?

Do you have a favorite pirate movie?

Are you a panster or a plotter?

Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group! Nicole will be answering questions in June 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 ..."

Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of this, Colleen!! It was very sweet of you!

Milena wrote: "Why did you want to write a book about Blackbeard?"

As I planned a family trip to Charleston, SC, I discovered that Blackbeard the pirate had held the entire city of Charleston hostage. I did more research on Blackbeard and discovered that only the last two years of his life are documented. Voila! I decided to write about Blackbeard BEFORE he became a pirate.

Ashley wrote: "Do you have a certain music playlist to get you inspired to write?"

I have to have quiet when I write. BUT Anne and Teach do have a "theme" song. My son played this for me one night in the early days of drafting and I thought THAT'S IT! That reminds me of Anne and Teach's relationship. If you're curious, look up Secret Garden "Adagio"

That, for me, is perfect for Anne and Teach. It's haunting and beautiful and I love it. :)

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

My mother always told me I should write, but I didn't start writing seriously until 2008. That was when I decided I wanted to get published. My first book, BLACKHEARTS, didn't sell until 2014, so you can see it took me a while. BUT, I always like to tell people to never give up! If you love doing something, keep doing it if you hope to achieve something.

Colleen wrote: "Do you have a favorite pirate movie?"

I love the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie the most. I still enjoyed the others, but the first one is definitely my favorite. Even though they are somewhat problematic.

Colleen wrote: "Are you a panster or a plotter?"

I used to be a panster, but I have since learned that plotting is my friend. If you have an idea of where you want the story to go, it helps a lot during the drafting process.

What about you? Which do you prefer?

How hard was it to research Blackbeard? And what are some of interesting tidbits you found that didn't make into books?

Nicole wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Are you a panster or a plotter?"

I used to be a panster, but I have since learned that plotting is my friend. If you have an idea of where you want the story to go, it helps a lot ..."

I'm more of a panster. I usually have a vague idea of where I want to end up but I follow a winding path to get there. By the end I'm usually very surprised at how it turned out.

Nicole wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Do you have a favorite pirate movie?"

I love the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie the most. I still enjoyed the others, but the first one is definitely my favorite. Even though..."

Ah...then follow up question. Do your prefer Jack or Will Turner?

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

My mother always told me I should write, but I didn't start writing seriously until 2008. That was when I decided I wanted to get published. My fi..."

Wow! I didn't realize it was your first book. Did you know this was YA when you were writing it? In my case, I thought I was just writing clean romance for women.

What do you do when you choose a new book to read/write, what kind of mood are you in when you get the "gotta read/write that" feeling.

Has there ever been a series or book you couldn’t finish reading?

Can you tell us what are you working on now? When is your next book comes out?

Milena wrote: "How hard was to research Blackbeard? An what are some of interesting tidbits you found that didn't make into books?"

I researched as much as I could, but there really wasn't much available. It's believed he came from a wealthy family, because he could read and write. There is no evidence of him ever killing anyone. He built up his fearsome persona himself, and people usually capitulated. I'm not saying he was a good person. He just wasn't as bad as the British Crown wanted people to believe at the time. Some of the rumors are believed to have been started by the Crown themselves.

Milena wrote: "Can you tell is what are you working on now? When is your next book comes out?"

I'm working on a contemporary story at the moment. I will share more news as soon as I can!!! :)

Colleen wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Do you have a favorite pirate movie?"

I love the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie the most. I still enjoyed the others, but the first one is definitely my favori..."

Will Turner. Definitely Will. :)

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

My mother always told me I should write, but I didn't start writing seriously until 2008. That was when I decided I wanted to get p..."

It wasn't my first manuscript. But it was my first manuscript to get published. :)

Sarah wrote: "What do you do when you choose a new book to read/write, what kind of mood are you in when you get the "gotta read/write that" feeling."

Music helps me get in the right mood. Also, reading another great book in the genre. It inspires me.

Ashley wrote: "Has there ever been a series or book you couldn’t finish reading?"

There have been. I don't waste time on something if I'm not engaged.

Are you planning on writing any more books for the Blackhearts series?

What would be Teach and Anne's song?

Thanks Nicole for the great chat this month! I love this series and learning more about Blackbeard. The winner of the chat is Maggie!

Don't forget to check back next month when I'll be showcasing another awesome author!