CARLY PHILLIPS ON THE BLOG!

Today my guest is NYT bestselling author Carly Phillips!

N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy.  After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly made the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price.  She also hopes to rediscover the pure joy of writing without expectations.  Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website.  She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. 

R:  Welcome Carly! Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in writing.

I’m a mom of two almost adult girls (17 and 21), married for almost 25 years, and we have 2 dogs, a Havanese and a Wheaten Terrier.  Apologies, Rocco. J I was always a huge reader, but I didn’t start writing until I was already a stay at home mom with my oldest daughter.  There was never a question that I wanted to try writing what I loved to read: Romance.

R: Tell us about your latest release

DARE TO LOVE is the name of my newest series as well as the name of the first book.  The premise is what happens when a father has two families who don’t know about the other – how does each sibling react? How does it shape them? We start with Ian, the oldest in the “legitimate” family. Ian stepped up as the parent his father never was – and swore off relationships.  Until he laid eyes on Riley Taylor.  He will do anything to possess her.  Their chemistry is hot and they complete each other in many ways.  But when her past reappears, everything they are trying to build is threatened.

R: What drew you to the romance genre? Is there any other genre you would like to try?

Growing up, I’d read anything and everything but often I wouldn’t be satisfied with the ending of the story.  When I realized there was an entire genre catering to happily ever after endings … I was hooked! There is no genre I want to try.  I love what I do!

R: What writers in your genre would you say have made the greatest influence on your writing?

The answer to that has evolved over time, but from the earliest – LaVyrle Spencer, Lori Foster, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  More recently, I would say the “Indie Revolution” in romance has heavily influenced my writing and my way of thinking.

R: Which of (your character)  adventures was the most fun for you to write? Were any of them the least amount of fun?

Oh definitely Kiss Me If You Can was up there with the most fun to write.  There was so much humor in that story.  Every book has its share of painful moments in the writing. Perfect Together, my February 2014 release, is an example.  Every day of writing felt like torture but in the end I am very proud of the story.  There’s never a real reason why a book is more difficult than another to write.  But when one is easy to write, it’s a gift!

R:  Do you have an “how I got my agent” story you’d like to share?  How did you feel when you got the call your first novel had sold?

I really don’t have an agent story.  I had one agent, then left for another agent, … it just sort of happened over time.  First sale was amazing. I’d been working for six or seven years towards publication and I just couldn’t believe I’d FINALLY sold. It was to Harlequin Temptation, Blaze line … and I was beyond excited.

R: What’s a must have for you when you are writing? What aids the creative process?

The creative process is always a painful one, LOL. I must have a private space.  Not alone space, but a corner.  I have a recliner chair in my office, and even my bed works for me.  I just need to be comfortable and have a TV.

R: If you had access to a time machine, which historical moment would you travel to and why?

Oh.  That’s hard.  I honestly don’t know!

R:  If a movie were to be made of one of your books, which one would you want it to be and who would you pick for the lead roles?

Another difficult question! Let’s say … my current book:

DARE TO LOVE – I’d like (being a huge soap opera junkie) to have James Scott, who plays EJ Dimera on Days of Our Lives play Ian.  Yum.  And I honestly don't have anyone in mind for Riley ...I’d  love to hear thoughts once readers have read the story!  As for Alex - A younger Josh Holloway - as he looked when he was Sawyer on Lost.

R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?

Even though I’m really outgoing online and on social media, I’m really shy.  It’s hard for me to be out in crowds of people and be “on.”

R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done? 

I actually went parasailing with my daughter in my arms once when we were in Aruba years ago.  It was nuts and I’d never do it again!

R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?

A sense of Romance, love, and that happily ever after feeling that leaves them knowing all is right with the world.  I want them to want to come back to the characters again and again because they loved how they made them feel.

R: Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Pantser and my process is ugly, ugly, ugly.  Sigh. (LOL).

R: Where can we find out more about you and your work?

I’m all over the Internet.

Website: www.carlyphillips.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage

Twitter: www.twitter.com/carlyphillips

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips

Amazon Page : http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1385007044&sr=8-2-ent

R: What book is on your TBR shelf you can’t wait to get to?

Currently I can’t wait to read Violet Duke’s Finding the Right Girl. I am really enjoying her work!

Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  Day

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully)  Dog ::ducking::

Beach or Pool?   Beach

Steak or salad?  Steak

Favorite Drink?  Coke

Favorite Book?  Whatever I’m reading at the moment

Favorite TV Series?  Alias (still in withdrawal)

Favorite Movie?  Overboard, Saving Silverman (good comedies)

Favorite Actor:  George Clooney

Favorite Actress:  Jennifer Lawrence

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada?  Pina Colada

Hawaii or Alaska? Hawaii

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be: I’M STUCK on this one. Sorry!

If I had just one wish, it would be: THAT my dad was still alive.

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be: I’M happy being me (most times!).

Thank you, Carly for a great interview. Folks, Carly will be giving away a copy of DARE TO LOVE, winner’s choice of format (eBook or paperback). To enter, just leave your name and address in our Comments section. Winner will be chosen at random using random.org. for extra entries, you can:

Friend Carly on Facebook or follow her onTwitter

Friend the human, Toni Lotempio on Facebook

Follow moi, ROCCO on Twitter #RoccoBlogger

Tweet or FB about this giveaway & interview! (3 extra entries)

Be sure to list all you do in your comment.  Contest ends midnight, December 1. Good luck!