Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, and USA Today bestseller, whose books are published all over the world.
If you'd like to know more, including info on her newest book, whether any of her books will be made into movies, how to get an autographed book, where she gets her ideas, please visit her web site. You can also see goofy vacation photos. register for her monthly contest, and chat with her on her Message Board. http://www.susanelizabethphillips.com
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I’m originally from Ohio, but currently reside in the Chicago area.
Tell us your latest news?
CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE, the story of Ted Beaudine, a book my readers
have been asking me to write for over ten years is now available in paperback
trade edition.
When and why did you begin writing?
It's a fairly long story, which I've posted on my web site, but here's the mini version. When my sons
were small, I began writing a historical romance with a friend. We were
doing it just for fun and couldn't have been more shocked when the first
publisher we sent the manuscript to bought it.
When did you first consider
yourself a writer?
Probably not until my friend and I received a phone call from Dell
Publishing saying they wanted to make a offer on our book.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I believe life’s too short to read
depressing books, and it’s definitely too short to write them. Oddly enough,
however, I don’t think of my work as writing romantic comedy. Too many books
with that label have met their downfall because the author has tried too hard
to be funny, so I do my best not to make that mistake. Although I’m always
delighted when my characters say and do funny things, I won’t sacrifice who
they are as people just to get a laugh.
Are experiences based on
someone you know, or events in your own life?
My characters are not based on real people, but I certainly draw on
real emotions. My heroines tend to be women with good hearts who’ve made some
mistakes, just like the rest of us. My heroes are intelligent and decent - although they don’t
always act that way because they tend to be very guarded emotionally.
What books have most influenced your life most?
I suppose I was most influenced by
Gertrude Chandler Warner’s THE BOXCAR CHILDREN. I was seven years old
when I opened those magical pages for the first time and discovered the power
of reading. Life has never been the same since. As a teen, I fell in love with
the rich historical romances of Anya Seton and Norah Lofts. Then on to Victoria
Holt.
What book are you reading now?
The new Jayne Castle, CANYONS OF NIGHT.
I love positive stories about family and
relationships, whether popular fiction or literary novels. I’m not much of a
suspense reader and I hate depressing books.
I want great characters and hope for the future.
What are your current projects?
It will be evident to everyone who’s read
Call Me Irresistible that the story of Lucy Jorik, the runaway bride, is next
up. It’s not done yet, and I don’t have a title or publication date, but I will
say I’m absolutely loving this story. For more info see www.susanelizabethphillips.com .
Do you see writing as a
career?
Most definitely. I try to write every day.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, I write and rewrite over and over again until I’m satisfied.
That’s one of the reasons it makes me so long to write a book.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Like most writers, I was
always a huge reader. Eventually, I wanted to tell my own story.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing
gets harder for me instead of easier, so it's taking me almost two years now. I
know I write slowly compared to other writers, but we're all wired differently.
It takes me a long time to get to really know my characters and understand
their behavior. Very frustrating, but that’s the way I’m made. I hope my readers feel as
though each book is worth the wait.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
As for favorite authors... Too many to
count. I love Kristin Hannah's work, Patricia Gaffney, Jayne Ann Krentz,
Jennifer Cruise, Sarah Bird, Ruth Reich, A.J. Jacobs, Rob Kurson. The Harry
Potter series. I don’t read thrillers or anything gory. That said, I loved
Suzanne Collins amazing Hunger Games trilogy. I'm thrilled that so many of today's
wonderful Y.A. novels are finding an adult audience.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I love to travel and have spent time in all of the locations I
write about. Yes, a trip to Tuscany was my inspiration for BREATHING ROOM. With
the internet and occasional help from my readers, I don’t have to always travel
to get answers to regional questions that come up. I’m so fortunate that my
publisher sends me on book tours. It gives me a chance to meet my readers
face-to-face. This past spring, for the first time, I toured in Germany. Alles
gut!
Who designed the covers?
The wonderfully talented Art Department at Harper Collins.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
My writing process is not in an organized,
efficient fashion. I get a glimmer of an idea, sit down, and write until I run
down, which tends to happen much too quickly. Then I pull out my yellow legal
pad, one of my special pens, and I start doodling away -- jotting down all kinds of
stuff until I jot down something that makes sense. I then run back to my
computer and write until I run down again. Then I start all over with the
yellow pad. It’s a creaky, painful process, but it’s my process and I’ve made
peace with it. Sort of.
Do you have any advice for
other writers?
Write!
Don’t just think about it. Don’t just talk about it. Do it! Sitting down and
performing the hard, sweaty, messy work of putting words on the page is all
that counts. I have some writing tips posted on my web site at www.susanelizabethphillips.com and I invite any aspiring writer to check it out.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
My readers. inspire me
and I love the way they share their stories with me. I love meeting fans in
person, but that doesn’t happen as often as I like. My primary contact with
readers is through FACEBOOK,
my website, and email. To my International Readers, I wish I could thank each one
of you personally! Knowing readers all over the world are responding to my
stories has been the single most incredible part of my career. Some days I have
to pinch myself to believe my good fortune.
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Thank you to Susan Elizabeth Phillips for doing this interview
and donating a copy of her book for a giveaway!
Deadline to enter is October 14, 2011 @ NOON California time...
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Thank you to Susan Elizabeth Phillips for doing this interview
and donating a copy of her book for a giveaway!
Simply leave a comment.HERE or on Facebook... and Tell a Friend about Reading is Fashionable!!!
Deadline to enter is October 14, 2011 @ NOON California time...
Winner will be announced on GIVEAWAY page...
Please leave your email address if you do not have a link to your site!
Bonne Chance - Good Luck!
Bonne Chance - Good Luck!
