Ask Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison discussion

Welcome to the group! Catherine and J.T. will be answering questions on October 28th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for them, or just want to introduce yourself, feel free to do so in this thread.

Did either of you find it difficult to work with a co-author? Also, how did you decide who would write what?

HI Ladies, wow it's so great to be able to chat with you.
My question is:
The Nicholas Drummond novels are so smooth I really can't tell that there are two voices telling the tales.
How do you manage to sync so beautifully together?

Hi, how did you decide to write this series together? I love the fact that it bounces off the Savich and Sherlock series and integrates them at times in both series.

Please tell me more books will be coming! I have fallen in love with Nicholas & Mike but I do love Savich and Sherlock being involved. I ask if there are more books planned.

Can you talk a bit about your writing process, please? Also, how do you make your characters so multifaceted?

What made you gals decide to collaborate and how did you decide who was responsible for what character?

I just have to say that I absolutely love the fbi series by Catherin Coulter. I'm sad to say that I haven't read anything by J.T. Nelson yet, but she is on my to read list. I currently have The Final Cut and will soon have The Lost Key. My question is, will there be more books to this series? I love reading series books, especially one that keeps me mesmerized.

I'm interested in knowing where you ladies come up with your plot ideas? Is your mind just full of topics waiting to be put in print, are you influenced by things happening in the world or is it mostly imagination? Where are you physically when you discover your "ah hah" ideas? Bed? Exercising? Reading?

Please keep writing insomniacs can never have enough words to reach the sun.

I love Catherine Coulter's books. I have not YET read any by J.T. Ellison and I have not yet gotten the books you've written together (boy, am I behind on my reading list!), but I'll be getting them as soon as possible! I'm so glad to read that Savich & Sherlock will be somewhat involved with the new series. What brought the two of you together, and how did you decide to collaborate on a new series?

Just starting The Lost Key. A new book from the library and only have until 11/10 to finish. Don't think it will be a problem! Enjoyed so many of Ms. Coulters' books. Will Drummond and Caine travel across the pond in any upcoming books?

I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savich are not the main characters, I like the idea that they are pulled in as resources.

I did note that at the ending of The Lost Key, the storyline gives the impression that the next adventure, for Nicholas and Mike, will be back in the US solving a big case for Savich and Mike. Any hints on what that will entail?

Also, which book will come out first? The next FBI series with the main characters of Sherlock and Savich or the next book in the Brit in the FBI series, with the team of Nicholas and Mike. Down the road will there be a book that combines all 4 characters in the main storyline?

Gail wrote: "Did either of you find it difficult to work with a co-author? Also, how did you decide who would write what?"

Hi Gail - I found it to be incredibly rewarding. Two brains are definitely better than one. Once Catherine and I found the common ground we needed, namely, a picture of Nicholas Drummond, things went smoothly from there. And we work very closely together on the story and plot and character development, so it's pretty seamless.

Trish wrote: "Just starting The Lost Key. A new book from the library and only have until 11/10 to finish. Don't think it will be a problem! Enjoyed so many of Ms. Coulters' books. Will Drummond and Caine travel..."

I would have to vote yes, there. It's so much fun to visit new countries and cities, and since Nicholas is international himself, it's fitting for them to go overseas when his contacts will be of use.

Vivian wrote: "I love Catherine Coulter's books. I have not YET read any by J.T. Ellison and I have not yet gotten the books you've written together (boy, am I behind on my reading list!), but I'll be getting the..."

Catherine was looking for a cowriter, and I was the lucky one who got picked. She tells the story better than I, so I'll wait for her to pop on here and fill in the blanks, but we've been together now for 2 1/2 years, which is hard to believe.

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

Hi Kathy - JT here - I'm pretty sure the next Savich and Sherlock (NEMESIS) will be out in July, and Nicholas and Mike will be out in September. As for the new book, we're writing it right now. Think Carlos the Jackal...

Barbara wrote: "I'm interested in knowing where you ladies come up with your plot ideas? Is your mind just full of topics waiting to be put in print, are you influenced by things happening in the world or is it mo..."

The beautiful thing about being a writer, we get our ideas everywhere. From the latest headlines to the clouds in the sky to music that triggers a memory - there is an unending source of plots to be pulled from the well. I have at least 10 book ideas sitting on my computer at any given time.

Tracy wrote: "I just have to say that I absolutely love the fbi series by Catherin Coulter. I'm sad to say that I haven't read anything by J.T. Nelson yet, but she is on my to read list. I currently have The Fin..."

Tracy, there will be. We're working on the 3rd book right now. Nicholas and Mike facing down a Carlos the Jackal-esque assassin. Fun stuff!

Patti wrote: "What made you gals decide to collaborate and how did you decide who was responsible for what character?"

Patti, we work on them jointly, but Catherine handles Savich and Sherlock, since she knows them so intimately. It's funny how characters speak to you.

Darlene wrote: "Can you talk a bit about your writing process, please? Also, how do you make your characters so multifaceted?"

Darlene - the characters, well, they're just like people, with problems and dreams and hopes and aspirations and job issues - they're just fighting crime. So basically, they're just like us! And the process - we communicate daily on the story, plot it all out, then I work on the pages, filling Catherine in as we go. She edits them, I edit that, she edits it again and we're done!

Debby wrote: "Please tell me more books will be coming! I have fallen in love with Nicholas & Mike but I do love Savich and Sherlock being involved. I ask if there are more books planned."

Hi Debby, yes, there will be more books. We're working on the new Nicholas and Mike book right now. And of course S&S make an appearance.

Jenn wrote: "Hi, how did you decide to write this series together? I love the fact that it bounces off the Savich and Sherlock series and integrates them at times in both series."

Catherine had a brilliant idea for a new series featuring Nicholas Drummond, and didn't have the time to write it, so it was suggested she try a co-writer. I was lucky enough to be the one she picked, and here we are!

Debbie wrote: "HI Ladies, wow it's so great to be able to chat with you.
My question is:
The Nicholas Drummond novels are so smooth I really can't tell that there are two voices telling the tales.
How do you mana..."

Debbie, it's interesting, CC and I are very much on the same wave length. We're both Type A, which helps, we both take our work seriously, there's no ennui about getting the pages done daily, and we share a love of cats, football and Harry Potter. It's a match made in heaven, really.

Gail wrote: "Did either of you find it difficult to work with a co-author? Also, how did you decide who would write what?"

Gail, it's both harder and easier than writing alone. The thing is, two writers will never come up with the same story. So we communicate, a lot, to make sure we're on the same page. But it's fabulous to have two brains working on a lot, because we can really twist it up.

Lorraine wrote: "Catherine lately there have been a lot of book series made into mivies or television shows, do you think or want your FBI series made into a show or movie? If so, which would you prefer movie or ..."

Lorraine, As a matter of fact, they were going back and forth in L.A. for about two years, a TV series, until I simply told my agent, don't check in with me any more about these bozos, if it actually gets green lighted, then call me.

Gail wrote: "Did either of you find it difficult to work with a co-author? Also, how did you decide who would write what?"

It ain't like eating butter pecan ice cream, that's for sure, but fun, so much fun to see what's going to come spinning out of our writers' brains, one building on the other, changing, adjusting, saying, Hey, Wow! How about this?

Debbie wrote: "HI Ladies, wow it's so great to be able to chat with you.
My question is:
The Nicholas Drummond novels are so smooth I really can't tell that there are two voices telling the tales.
How do you mana..."
/
Thank you for saying that. J.T. writes very well in my voice, which is why I guess you'd have to say I'm the smartest writer in the universe because I picked her!

Jenn wrote: "Hi, how did you decide to write this series together? I love the fact that it bounces off the Savich and Sherlock series and integrates them at times in both series."

Short answer: About two and a half years ago, I decided I wanted to try this, called Clive Cussler, asked him how he did it, then read, read, read, and without knowing who J.T. Ellison was, without knowing she has this sexy husband and loves cats, we got ourselves together -- Isn't it great how some things were simply meant to be?

Debby wrote: "Please tell me more books will be coming! I have fallen in love with Nicholas & Mike but I do love Savich and Sherlock being involved. I ask if there are more books planned."

The Last Hour (if we can't come up with a better title) is the 3rd Nicholas Drummond book, out next fall. I love it too when S&S are front and center, like they were in The Final Cut.

Darlene wrote: "Can you talk a bit about your writing process, please? Also, how do you make your characters so multifaceted?"

How about I'm just a multi-faceted sort of gal? No, that sucks? Hmm, I'm a pantser, sit down and write, then I have something to work on, and come back the next day with lots more ideas and changes -- These people are very real to me, I mean, they do live with me, inside me, actually, deep in my brain -

Patti wrote: "What made you gals decide to collaborate and how did you decide who was responsible for what character?"

J.T., if you're not already aware, is brilliant. She develops the "personalities" of most the characters -- when S&S show up, I do them -- did you see the photo of Nicholas Drummond on my Facebook page? That's Facebook.com/catherinecoulterbooks --

Tracy wrote: "I just have to say that I absolutely love the fbi series by Catherin Coulter. I'm sad to say that I haven't read anything by J.T. Nelson yet, but she is on my to read list. I currently have The Fin..."

I'm with you, I love to find a series I love and so I'm delighted you're enjoying the FBI series. As for A BRIT in the FBI series, we're now working on book #3. Do have fun with The Final Cut and The Lost Key -- and let both of us know what you think -

Barbara wrote: "I'm interested in knowing where you ladies come up with your plot ideas? Is your mind just full of topics waiting to be put in print, are you influenced by things happening in the world or is it mo..."

I try to come up with a plot and then J.T. and I are together to brainstorm what is really going to happen, if the ideas are doable, if there's a future, you get the idea. Both J.T. and I are pantsersk, in other words, neither of us know where a book's going -- imagine doing this together -- what joy, what an exercise -- and when we succeed, it's Eureka!

Vivian wrote: "I love Catherine Coulter's books. I have not YET read any by J.T. Ellison and I have not yet gotten the books you've written together (boy, am I behind on my reading list!), but I'll be getting the..."

I've already spent five lines explaining how we got together, so see above response to this question, okay? I'm delighted you're enjoying the FBI series, and believe me, S&S are front and center in The Final Cut -- give it a try and let us know what you think -

Trish wrote: "Just starting The Lost Key. A new book from the library and only have until 11/10 to finish. Don't think it will be a problem! Enjoyed so many of Ms. Coulters' books. Will Drummond and Caine travel..."

Are you in luck -- keep reading, see where Mick and Nicholas end up -- turns out this series is international, and that is lots of fun -- remember in that TV series, Alias, they'd fly to Russia, do some exciting stuff, escape, and in the next scene they're back in L.A. looking bright and shiny, no jet lag, actually no time lag either --

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

We try to keep you guessing --

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

The Final Cut is the first one, The Lost Key the second -- who knows what's going to happen next, but we will leave the U.S. More S&S involvement in this one as well --

Kathy wrote: "I really enjoy the FBI series written by you (Catherine Coulter). The new series, Brit in the FBI (Catherine Coulter & J.T. Ellison) combines the characters smoothly. Even though Sherlock and Savic..."

As J.R. says, think of Carlos the Jackel --

I find it fascinating that you're both Harry Potter fans (Go Gryffindor!) yet both of you write in the gritty here and now. Is your recreational reading always completely removed from your genre, or do you skip around? Love The Lost Key, you two, keep up the good work!

How do you know when the book is finished? Do you have a set number of pages? I personally would love them to keep going. I don't want them to end.

Paula wrote: "I find it fascinating that you're both Harry Potter fans (Go Gryffindor!) yet both of you write in the gritty here and now. Is your recreational reading always completely removed from your genre,..."

Paula, I read a little bit of everything. Love good YA, epic fantasy, historicals, crime fiction. I'm currently reading A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, and loving it!

Teresa wrote: "How do you know when the book is finished? Do you have a set number of pages? I personally would love them to keep going. I don't want them to end."

Teresa, that's an excellent question. The flip answer is it's over when it's over. Writers do have an uncanny sense for timing and pace, so it's easy to see the end coming, and we know it's time to wrap up all the loose threads. That said, the book I just finished, I couldn't get it to end. Every day for a week I sat down thinking this was it, and it never managed to happen. It did, finally, but it was very late in the game when the end revealed itself. As Catherine said, we're pantsers, which means we write by the seat of our pants rather than extensively outlining.

How did you determine to use the historical aspect in The Lost Key? Did you have to do a lot of research before writing the book? It threw me off initially when I started the book. I loved the book though.

Anna wrote: "How did you determine to use the historical aspect in The Lost Key? Did you have to do a lot of research before writing the book? It threw me off initially when I started the book. I loved the bo..."

Lots and lots and lots of research for me. WWI isn't as popular a topic as WW2, so I really had to dig to find the right research. But it was so much fun! And oddly enough, the story just lent itself to the historical aspect. Will they all? I don't know, probably not. But that was perfect for the storyline.

Just a brief heads up - my parents are flying in and I have to run to the airport to get them. So I'll be gone for a couple of hours, but will hop back in as soon as I get back! Keep these excellent questions coming!

Catherine,I love all your FBI books and Brit in FBI. Just wondering who does your fact finding in England. It threw me when you mentioned Lady Wentworth in The Lost Key---- she of Crabbet Park, my school was next to Crabbet Park, in Sussex

Gillian wrote: "I guess my post was lost! I had asked who did your research in England for the Brit in FBI series. It threw me when Lady Wentworth was mentioned, my school was next to Crabbet Park....in Sussex"

Paula wrote: "I find it fascinating that you're both Harry Potter fans (Go Gryffindor!) yet both of you write in the gritty here and now. Is your recreational reading always completely removed from your genre,..."

What an interesting question. Now, Harry Potter was gritty, bad stuff happened, people were evil, but it was also -- more. Actually, I love a good thriller as much as the next reader, but the fact is, there isn't usually --- more. (Well, see some of my FBI thrillers). So in answer to your question, I really like --- more.

J.T. wrote: "Teresa wrote: "How do you know when the book is finished? Do you have a set number of pages? I personally would love them to keep going. I don't want them to end."

Teresa, that's an excellent ques..."

Sometimes I feel like they'll never end, but no, the story tells itself and then it folds up its tend and take a nap -

Anna wrote: "How did you determine to use the historical aspect in The Lost Key? Did you have to do a lot of research before writing the book? It threw me off initially when I started the book. I loved the bo..."
What threw you off? The prologue in 1917? Disconcerting? It could easily -- but you stuck with it, glad you liked the book -- I decided that there England need a Higher Order and so I created it -- in 1714 to keep James Second from fighting for the throne and to bring George First from Hanover -- it went from there to WW One and from there J.T.'s magnificent brain leaped in and WOW --