This week, New York Times bestselling author, Carly Phillips has stopped by to answer a few questions and give away one of her books to a lucky reader. She is the author of many romances and you can visit her website here to find a list. She also has a blog with three other romance authors called Plotmonkeys that is fun and runs weekly giveaweays, you can visit it here.
Read her interview and then enter the giveaway by leaving a comment.
1. I first saw one of your books on Regis & Kelly and love your Cinderella Story about the whirlwind experience (read about it here), but you wrote ten manuscripts before being published. Can you tell us a little about your writing life during that time? I really admire your perseverance!
Thank you! During the time I was trying to sell, my daughter was a baby and also during that time I became pregnant with my second child. My writing was in between my daughter’s schedule, but I was pretty determined and motivated to sell. I lived to check the post office each day … for rejections usually, but as long as the rejection letterasked for something else or mentioned something positive in the story, I held onto hope and kept writing a new book and moving forward. RWA was also a huge part of my life at this point too, going to monthly chapter meetings. I think everyone has to find their own “normal” and schedule, especially when trying to sell and fighting the perception of others that this is a hobby and not a real job. If you want to sell, you have to incorporate the writing into your life as if it IS real. Force everyone around you to respect it as much as you do!
2. You are a lawyer turned roamce writer. Are there similarities between these two professions or are they polar opposites?
In my opinion and experience lawyer and romance writer are polar opposites. I think the only similarity is that the dedication you need to go to law school, tough it out, study for and pass the bar is like trying to sell a book. You must keep at it and keep going. But the similarities end there. I make my own hours, I answer to myself (mostly) and I love what I do. For me, that’s it in a nutshell. The ability to be creative versus put together a brief based on fact … very different. I never loved law. I love writing Romance!
3. I love a great romance and feel they often get a bad rap. What are some of your favorite reactions when people find out you write those books?
Well the shock value is always fun because I believe I am thought of as a very “good girl” and I think the perception is naughty girls write about sex. Of course it’s not just about sex it’s about LOVE and relationships and the people who are shocked by it are the ones who don’t get what Romance is.
4. What’s the best advantage of working from home? For me it might be wearing pajamas to work.
Wearing pajamas to work is a good one. Working from bed is another. Being able to watch television while I write, playing on the Internet, making my own hours … you name it! I’m very very lucky to do what I do!
5. Do you use a Kindle or other electronic reader?
When the first Kindle came out I tried it and hated it. I thought it was because I missed the feel of a book in my hands and couldn’t see what actual page number I was on. When Kindle 2 came out, I didn’t bite. But I had foot surgery a few weeks ago and bought the Kindle and all I can say is I am in LOVE. I don’t like the fact that I don’t go into bookstores, and that concerns me about e-readers, but I have to say I enjoy having whatever I want in my hand when I want it. Kindle’s Whispernet that auto-connects to Amazon is amazing.
6. I love quotes. Do you have a favorite?
I have a very short term memory on these things. Not really 😦
7. What are you currently reading?
Roxanne St Claire’s Hunt Me Down. Hooked me from the get go!
8. If you were trapped in the life of one fictional character who would you choose?
Wow. Good question! Maybe a heroine in a good romantic sports hero book!
9. And finally, what are you working on now?
Next year I have two new releases out – the start of a new series. Right now I don’t have titles so I haven’t promoted them yet – but the premise will be the idea of the most eligible bachelorspotlighted by a Blog in a major NYC newspaper. The heroes are your every day guy who gets caught in a heroic situation and gets into the Bachelor Blog. Then the women turn out for him … it’s fun and the first story is one of the favorites of my books so far! More at www.carlyphillips.com when I have titles! I promise. 🙂 And of course LUCKY BREAK is in stores September 29, 2009 so I’m working on promotion for that book!
Thanks so much for stopping by Carly!
Carly has graciously agreed to send one lucky commenter either Lucky Charm or Lucky Streak.
or 
To enter, just leave a comment!
To earn one extra entry you can post about it on your blog and/or Twitter.
How easy is that? I’ll draw a winner on Sept 25th.
Hi Carly!
I love your books! They’re all amazing, and the series you’re working on sounds yummy lol…can’t wait for them to be released 🙂
Carly is one of my verrry fav authors!!! I have loved all of her books!! Have not started the Lucky series so this would be a good start. I try to wait if the series follows fairly close and read them together. Sue
Great interview! I always love reading about authors. New series sounds so good.
Can’t wait to read Lucky Break.
I only found out about Carly because of all the authors I follow on Twitter and so I’m now following Carly as well. I’m currently trying to figure out which of Carly’s books I should download from Amazon… 😉 I loved Carly’s interview and especially the fact that she’s writing around her little ones’ schedules. Makes me think I can find something to work on from home while taking care of a little one as well. 🙂 Thanks for the great interview and contest!
Thank you, Stacy and Carly, for a wonderful interview! Carly, I can never remember a good quote when I want one, either! I finally memorized one–
“She who laughs, lasts,” which I’ve heard attributed to Lucille Ball. Anyway, thank you for writing your wonderful books! I’m excited to hear about your upcoming series!
Carly, you are one of my fav authors keep ’em coming
Donna
Great interview! My husband’s tried my Kindle and he didn’t enjoy the e-reading experience much.
I like being able to “go” to work in my pyjamas too!
I’m looking forward to being in touch about the BBAW interview swap, Stacy 🙂
Hi Stacy, this was a great interview with Carly. I love the Lucky series, and I can’t wait to get Lucky Break in my hands. Carly, I can’t wait to see what your next series is going to be. You don’t have to count me in for the contest. Just wanted to drop in and show Carly some love.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview! I’ve never read any of your books, but they sound great and I’m deffinitely going to pick one up!
Carly, I love your books! I would love to enter your contest and thanks for the chance to win one of your great books. Keep’m coming!:-)
Talina Perkins
Well you learn something new everyday. Carly I ‘ve been reading your books for a while and following you on the internet and just now found out your a lawyer. I’m glad you like writing better.
Stacy,
Wonderful interview of Carly! Please enter my name in your contest. Have a great weekend!
I would love to be in your contest.
God Bless America.
Awesome interview!! Love those book giveaways!!! Enjoy those nice specimens on your book covers too!!!!
That was a cool interview- I love reading Carly’s books and it was interesting to hear how she got into writing. Thanks for the great giveaway :)!
I’m not into ebooks at all. I’ve got to have it in my hands. Plus, I need to go to a book store so I can find new authors! Don’t know what I’ll do if they all go e-style in a few years
I do enjoy Carly’s books! I’d love to win “Lucky Streak”!
I love Carly’s books and would love to win either book.
i love carly phillips’s books!
I have read a different book of Carly’s, neither of those, would love to win either. Thanks so much for including me in the draw!
I do wish I had a kindle, but because I need a laptop with me whenever I travel, I’m going to get a netbook and try to do both with one machine. I hope it works out.
🙂 Great interview. Such a fan of Carly and I completely didn’t know she was a lawyer before a writer. CONGRATULATIONS!! Glad she changed but I’m sure she was a kick butt attorney too!
I want a Kindle!! But I know that I would get into serious trouble with spending so much $$$$ on books!!! I love her #4…I’m afraid if I worked from home I would probably not get much accomplished!! 🙂
COMPLETELY AGREE ON THE PJ’S IN BED. I think if I were to work from home, that would absolutely be the best thing about it.
Love Carly Phillips…I’ve been a fan from the beginning.
I would love to play please! Thanks.
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
A wonderful interview. Thanks so much. What’s Carly reading Rocki St. Claire’s book……well it’s incredible.
Carly, your new series sounds incredible but all of your books are spectacular!
Great interview!! Please enter me..
lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com
wow, a lawyer and a romance writer? Thats some jump, but I’m glad she did it. I really enjoyed the interview.
Please enter me if international.
Blogged:
http://trishasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaways-of-day-914.html
lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com
I have enjoyed many of Carly Phillips’ books but this is the first time I’ve known anything about her personally. Thanks for the interview that let me do that.
Carly is a new author to me. The books look really good.
After reading the interview with Carly, I am rethinking a Kindle.
Hi, Stacy! Thanks for having me. And thanks to everyone who stopped by. Wow great turnout! Those who mentioned the Kindle … it’s just addicting. I read two books on Sunday. TWO long books!
My website is loaded with info about me especially on The Scoop page 😉
I have to thank Soap Operas for showing me the way to Carly! I read that she liked my couple from GH and so I decided to see what she’s about.. Let me tell ya!! I am oh so glad!! The pace, the dialoge, the characters and the all around fun!! I have gone thru three of Carly’s books (Lucky Charm, Simply Sensual and Sealed with a Kiss) So far SWaK has been my fave (and has quickly joined my list of fave books to re-read) but I cant wait to find out what else she has instored for me!!
As a reader and now as a fan, I thank you!!!!
A great interview with Carly. I am really into the Lucky series and the series due out next year sounds like another winner also! My favorite Carly book is Hot Number.
Thanks for the interesting interview, and for the chance to win! 🙂
I also tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/hafelina/status/3994802021
Enter me in win either book looks good
Long-timer reader, first-time poster. You make a good point about the Kindle and how you don’t visit bookstores as much. I have an iPod touch and the impulse to download more books is almost uncontrollable. It will be interesting to see how e-readers change the industry. I feel like the romance market is prime for e-books and we’ve seen Harlequin lead the charge with their ebooks. Bottom line, keep writing great books and readers will obtain them, at the bookstore, library, online, etc.!
great interview and the books look wonderful thanks
Great interview.
Please enter my name in the draw.
I love her books and writing style.. While I can not say I have read every one of her books; I have enjoyed quite a few of them..
Loved learning more about Carly – can’t wait to read these – please count me in
I love Carly Phillips. I’ve read each book she’s wrote except for the Lucky series! Count me in! Thanks for the chance to win one of her books!
I would like to be entered!
Love Carly Phillips! Looking forward to a new series
I’d love to read either one of these.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Great interview, ladies! I’ll be watching for the new book – great idea : )
I’d love to win Lucky Streak.
Blogged in my giveaways (sidebar)
http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.com
meah56 at gmail dot com
a great interview/review…please count me in.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I enjoyed the interview and Carly’s books are wonderful fun.
I’d love to be entered! Thank you.
Thanks for the great interview. Count me in, please. Thanks!