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Monday, January 7, 2013

Interview of Author Carly Phillips


Please Welcome NYT Best Selling Author Carly Phillips



Q. We’d love a chance to get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to your writing career? 
A. I’m a stay at home mom who used to be a lawyer, who turned into a romance writer and never looked back! I have 2 daughters, age (almost) 21 and 16, a husband, and two dogs (Wheaten Terrier and Havanese).  I love love love to read, I’m always online, I occasionally knit, and enjoy shopping and being with close friends!  I didn’t plan to write romance novels, or to be a writer at all but I was always a huge reader.  Once I found the Romance genre as a reader, I knew what was missing from my life, somehow I decided to try my hand at writing, and from that day forward, I KNEW that was what I was meant to do! Looking back, I did make up stories in my head when I was younger, so the tendencies were there all along.  I just didn’t know it!

Q. Perfect Fit just released. How excited do you get for each release? Do you have a special ‘thing’ you do with family to celebrate? 
A. I always get excited with each new release. Every new book feels like a fresh chance, a new start … I don’t know.  It’s very exciting for me personally.  I don’t do anything special at home or with my family.  I’m too busy online promoting the new book, talking to readers on Twitter and Facebook … and writing whatever story I am currently working on.

Q. Are there any ice breaker games you play when getting into the skin of your characters?
A. No and I wish there were! Maybe I should make up some. J I have a tendency to let my characters grow and develop as I write them which makes for a lot of going back, adding in and rewriting but I prefer the organic approach I guess! Every time I’ve tried to do too much in advance it backfires on me.

Q. Do you storyboard? How do you create these memorable characters that keep us on the edge and waiting anxiously for your next release?
A. No but I’ve tried, believe me. I love the idea but it turns out my brain doesn’t work that way.  As I mentioned above, it’s an organic process and I just hang on for the ride and hope my characters (or my critique partner) knows what they’re doing to keep me on track!

Q. Do you keep any special health smart foods on hand to snack on when you’re plotting the next best-selling novel? 
A. No to that one too! I’m always thinking about my health and cholesterol (heredity) so it’s an ongoing battle for me anyway.

Q. How do you keep fit and in shape while pounding out your story?
A. I’ve always been a slacker when it comes to exercise but lately the treadmill has been my friend.  Now that the New Year is over and vacations and holidays behind me, I need to get back to routine! 30 minutes of walking a few times a week.

Q. Who is your favorite author or do you have someone who inspired you to write?
A. LaVyrle Spencer was my inspiration long, long ago.  She’s been retired for awhile.  Her book, Separate Beds, was the one that got me hooked on real contemporary romance at the time.

Q. Have you ever wanted to change or switch up your chosen genre? If so what would you love to write?
A. Not really … maybe more erotic romance … but I just let my characters take over … and leave that to my reading.  I love what I write and I’m so lucky to be able to do it every day J

Q. If you weren’t a writer or a lawyer…what other career path might you have taken? Or what might you choose to pick up later on in life?
A. I would like to think I’m exactly where I’m meant to be!

Q. How important is it for an author to have support of family and friends in this ever evolving craft/profession?
A. Beyond important.  Crucial.  This can be a very debilitating sort of career if you let rejections get you down.  Writing is solitary by nature.  I believe the Internet has helped writers as a whole, not be so depressed all day because they can reach out much quicker.  At the same time, the Internet doesn’t substitute for real people.  You need those around you to support your dreams and love you through them! Friends and family.

Q. Can you tell us what inspired Perfect Fit?
A.  I loved what I did in the original Serendipity trilogy, the brothers and their mixed/ongoing story.  I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if I stayed in Serendipity, but moved on at the same time? Families within the town, connected people and stories, but letting readers have stand alone type books too.  These three have ongoing characters/family but not a story thread the way Serendipity, Destiny and Karma did. I wanted readers to be able to pick up a book and read if they’d like – or feel like they’re following a family in order if they prefer … while remaining in a familiar place. Luckily for me, readers really seemed to like the town of Serendipity, where I set the first three books about the Barron, so I got to write Mike and Cara's story!

Q. Is there a fifth book we can look forward to reading in this series?
A. Yes! Fifth and Sixth. Next we’ll get Mike and Sam’s sister Erin in Perfect Fling (8/2013) and then Sam himself in Perfect Together (2/2014).


BLURB:
In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?

Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn’t known. But Michael’s independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he’s as lost and restless as ever, until he’s challenged by someone he never anticipated.

Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara’s boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore – and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara’s a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer’s blood in his veins.

Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike’s real father’s secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.


Serendipity Books 1, 2 and 3 Buy Link






Carly’s Social Media Links






CONTEST
One Lucky winner will receive their choice of one of the previous three releases shown above. Please comment by midnight EST 10 January with your email address. Winner must reside in the US to win.
Don't forget to check Carly's author page at http://www.romancebooks4us.com for more information!

I want to thank Carly for being here with us today. It was a pleasure getting to know more about her!

Note: Interview conducted by Mahalia Levey.

62 comments:

Tarot By Arwen said...

I love love love me some Carly Phillips! And her books are great too! :D readings AT tarotbyarwen DOT com

Unknown said...

Congrats on the release of your latest novel, Carly.

I'm with you on the 'organic' approach to writing. I'm looking forward to reading more work from another writer like me - those that write but have to keep bouncing backwards to re-write because of character growth and voice. :)

All the best and BREAK A PEN!
-BC Brown
bcbrownbooks AT gmail DOT com

Vicky CK said...

I love stand alone but inter-connected stories! If it is a good/well-written story, it will get me involved enough that I love to read more about the characters in the follow book(s). I'm so glad to see that you have done so with this series ;)

vickykerr(at)sbcglobal.ner

Debby said...

Congrats on the new novel. I read the first book and have the others on my list. So little time.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Tina Donahue said...

Congrats on your latest release! Great interview. :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your newest release! Sounds like a great series I'll be sure to follow!
lsbookcrazy(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Molly Daniels said...

Lavyrl Spencer was also an inspiration to me! LOVE Separate Beds, and when she retired I cried.

It's so nice to get to know you Carly, and your books sound wonderful! In fact, Hot Stuff has been on my TBB list for a while, and has finally risen to the top of that list. I'll be getting it the next time I'm at the bookstore:)

Monica said...

I'm new to Carly Phillips books but I can't wait to read more.

monnie777 AT gmail DOT com

Molly Daniels said...

Gah....forgot to leave my email addy:

storimom2@aol.com

Norma said...

Carly, your books are always loved at my house, and even my husband will read yours! Love them and you!

Norma

snostorm55 AT yahoo DOT com

Norma said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Paris said...

Congratulations on the new release. "Perfect Fit" is definitely on my TBR list!

Harlie Williams said...

Carly is one of my auto buy authors. I started reading her under a different name and I've never stopped. :)

Great interview ladies.

Marika/Harlie

Renee Vincent said...

Great to meet you, Carly. (Nice interview Mahalia) *waving*

I'm also one to let me characters develop and evolve on their own without plotting or outlining them to death. I've tried to "plan" my stories, premises, and characters and get them all "ready" for the big write of their lives. But for me, the act of plotting hinders my creativity. I like to just let things happen. Don't get me wrong, I have a beginning and an ending in mind...but I like to let things come naturally in between.

I like your word for it: an organic approach.

Thanks for being with us at RB4U!

Sandy said...

Your story sounds wonderful, Carly. You would be a new author for me to read.

Carrie Ann Ryan said...

I loved Perfect Fit, Carly! Congrats on your release.

I can't wait to read about the other two siblings, plus of course, the doctor in that anthology of yours!

Anonymous said...

First of all, I totally enjoyed meeting you at Lori Foster's last year. Hope to see you there again. I love, love, love the Serendipity series and just this minute bought and downloaded Perfect Fit. I know what I'll be doing tonight. Oh, and Separate Beds is also a longtime favorite of mine. I reread it just the other day, as a matter of fact. It's a great story to read at Christmas. And your stories? Great all year long, Thanks for being here today.

jean hart stewart said...

Congratulations on your newest release. I've followed almost the same career path as you except my career was realestate. Like you, I've never looked back except with thankfulness I quit. I'm also on book 31....

Carin said...

Carly, long time fan I loved the Hot Zone series! I am excited to check out this series! Congrats on the latest release. Carin
mawmom at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love reading books set in fictional towns with a hodgepodge of characters, especially when a new someone is introduced and you hope the author writes a story about that one! Congratulations on the new release, Carly.

Bebe said...

I LOVE YOUR BOOKS, cant get them fast enough. the interview was great.
vera28546 at yahoo (dot) com

Margie said...

I just discovered Carly Phillips' books last year. Boy! I sure am glad I did!

margie.hager@yahoo.com

Julie O said...

Thank you for being what you were meant to be!! You're books have brought countless hours of fun and romance to my life. Not that Hubby is slacking ...lol

Congratulations on your new release.

jo1963jo at gmail dot com

Marianne said...

Have just started this series and LOVE it!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Paula R said...

Hi Carly *waves madly* :) just stopping by to say hello. I love this series! I'm reading Perfect Fit now and I don't want it to end. I'm pacing myself with one chapter a day...BUT I can't get Mike and Cara out my head so I can't really read anything else. This just might be my favorite Carly Phillips book. I love the town and I am so glad that you are sticking around there. Have fun today. Please don't enter me in the contest.

Peace and love,
Paula R.

EmilyHemmer said...

Carly, your book, The Bachelor, was the first contemporary romance I ever read. I kid you not when I still tell people to this day that a line from that book concerning crochet panties, and Roman's favorite color of blue, is what launched me into wanting to be a romance writer. I think I may have slept with that book for a few nights ;)

Reading your books opened me up to other contemporary romance writers such as Jenny Crusie and Kristin Higgins. This past April I had a moment of revelation while standing in B&N, reading the back covers of my favorite romance authors (including you). I wanted to put my own stamp on this delicious genre. I recently completed my first book and it is largely thanks to works like yours. The humor, sensuality, and real-life characters of your books were living so vividly in my memory – I had to start getting some of my own imaginings down on paper.

So thank you for being an inspiration and for giving me such a great escape over the years. Oh, and if we ever meet at a conference, I’ll be the one squealing. ;)

Kim said...

I love Carly's books! I can't wait to start reading this series.

peki0101@hotmail.com

Marlie Bridges said...

So good to know an accomplished writer doesn't plan those books! Gives me hope. LOL

marlie at marliebridges dot con

Chrisbails said...

I love Carly's books and am dying to read this series. I love series and I also like stand-alone, but do prefer the series. I love to be able to follow along with the characters and their stories.
congrats on the new release and keep on writing the great books and we will keep writing them.
christinebails at yahoo dot com

Marianne Stephens said...

Thanks for doing an interview and for all the wonderful information about you and your books!

Unknown said...

I really loved this interview and loearning more about Carly!! I love her books!!
crystalnewman51@gmail.com

Chelsea B. said...

This series sounds so amazing! Ahhh! :-) Wonderful interview, all!

justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Hales said...

I have always loved your books Carly. I can't even pick a favorite! Thanks for interviewing with me!

Cynthia Arsuaga said...

Great interview Mahalia and Carly. I too like the word organic in the way you write. Looking forward to reading more. Congrats on the new release!

LKF said...

Thank you Mahalia for doing this amazing interview. I love Carly's books. I started reading the Costas Sisters Series and was hooked. Oh, wait, she is probably reading this. Now I'm nervous. Carly, I think your writing is amazing. I've never read a story you've written that I didn't like. I also started writing after getting hooked on reading romance stories. Thanks for sharing a little piece of your life. It was great getting to know you better.
Lynda

donnas said...

Great interview. I have been wanting to start this series. Thanks for sharing!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

bn100 said...

Very nice interview.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

erin said...

Thanks for the fun interview and congrats to Carly on her newest release ;)

VampedChik said...

I LOVE Carly's books! Congrats on the new release! Thanks so much!
-Amber
amberlynn1231@yahoo.com

Carol L. said...

Always enjoy and love Carly's books. Congrats to Carly on this latest Serendipity story. Loved the town of Serendipity. Looking forward to reading Perfect Fit. I'd lo0ve to finish up the first trilogy with Kismet as well. Thanks Carly and a belated Happy new Year.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Terri C. said...

You are on my list of favorite authors that I'm constantly checking for new books. Can't wait to read you next!

tlcmom582(at)aol(dot)com

Crystal said...

Nice Interview! The book sounds awesome but of course all Carly Phillips books are awesome!

Please enter me in the contest

MinDaf @ AOL.com

Unknown said...

Looking forward to the new book Congrats Melodygoodwin2412atgmaildotcom

Hales said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments!

The winner of the randomorg draw is

Julie O! jo1963jo at gmail dot com

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