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.