Carly Phillips, welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews!

In October, Carly’s newest book, Stroke of Midnight, written with Janelle Denison and Jacquie D’Alessandro was released. Carly has a great website with a wealth of information about her and all her books www.carlyphillips.com.

I had the pleasure of reviewing, Stroke of Midnight (thanks for that :-) ). Is it harder to write a story for an anthology? What was writing a book with friends like?

Hi and thanks for the great interview! An anthology is a nice break … a shorter story than usual and a chance to visit characters in a brief span of time. On the other hand, it’s hard to jump from one book to another set of characters and back again to something brand new. Either way, it’s a fun challenge. Writing with friends is always a bonus! Stroke of Midnight was extra special because of Janelle and Jacquie’s participation.

You have several new books coming up; tell us a little about them.

BRAZEN, my very first Harlequin Temptation is being reissued in April 2005. I am thrilled that people will be able to find this book again with a sensational new cover (although of all my covers, BRAZEN was my favorite Temptation!). In July is the mass market release of last year’s hardcover UNDER THE BOARDWALK, the beginning of The Costas Sisters books. It’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets The Addams Family meets Carly Phillips, LOL. Then, you can pick up the sister story/sequel in hardcover called SUMMER LOVIN’ in August. Finally, there is the second book in the “HOT” series called HOT NUMBER. Lots of sexy fun coming your way this summer!

How does the book evolve for you? Do you write start to finish or skip from scene to scene until the story is complete?

I always write from start to finish, but that’s not to say I don’t write, then go back, add to the beginning, build character and go forward. I pretty much am a character driven writer which means the plot comes harder. I also fly by the seat of my pants. Always.

You are a wife, mother and author. How do you balance everything? Describe a day in the life of Carly Phillips.

Sometimes I wonder if I am balancing at all! I can’t possibly describe a day in my life b/c no two days are the same. Even with my kids getting older, it doesn’t mean I have full time to write. They’re in school, there’s errands, someone gets sick, someone has a sport, a game, a car pool, etc. Then there’s writing, promoting, my husband, my dog, my friends, LOL!

Is there a shrine to Kelly Ripa anywhere in your house? LOL

Pretty darn close!!!!! There’s a framed autographed picture on the wall in my office!

If you could pick any man to be the leading man in one of your books…who would it be and would you want to be leading lady?

Oh too funny! Do I have to name the character they’d play or just my fantasy hero and heroine actor/actress? Hmmm … I haven’t gotten past my Michael Vartan phase, I’ll probably always be in my George Clooney phase < g > … Sara Michele Gellar is pretty amazing … It’s funny but this question is one people love to ask but also one I rarely think about, so it’s always tough to come up with names!

Inquiring minds want to know…. If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you would take with you?

My husband. (Is he a thing? < g > )

When you write, how do you determine what to name your books or the characters?

One of my favorite questions – I don’t use baby books for characters, I use soap opera names. Soap Opera Weekly (magazine) has a periodic listing of characters/actors names, and you can mix and match both their on screen and off screen names. It’s fantastic.

As for the titles, I brainstorm with my publisher and editor usually.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising? What’s your favorite comfort food?

Indulgent behaviors? Don’t ask my husband, LOL. Shopping. Definitely.

Bad, bad, bad.

Favorite comfort food? Chocolate. Anything sweet, rich and decadent.

Tell us about “Reading at Sea”. How did that go?

Ummm … it didn’t. I am having surgery in a few days and my doctor didn’t want me to travel outside the country prior to the operation. I felt terrible, but I didn’t go.

When you see “Carly Phillips” followed by NY Times Bestseller List, Waldenbooks Bestseller List, USA Today Bestseller List…what goes through your mind?

LUCKY GIRL! I never ever want to take what happened to me for granted.

As you’re such a fan of Alias, were you as disappointed as I was that we’d have to wait till January for the new season to start? What is it about this series that you like so much?

Devastated is a better word. I hate living in a no Alias world. Sunday nights just aren’t the same, and I started watching Desperate Housewives under duress, and though the world is addicted … I want ALIAS back!

I looked at your awards page, and WOW, way to go!!! How does it feel to know that your work is this well received?

I feel so grateful! I often feel this sense of relief, like however I got so fortunate, please let me always appreciate it!

I “met” you at this years RWA conference in Dallas and you signed a book for me. After I read it, of course, it went into my prized possession box where I keep all my author treasures. As a fan as well as an author, do you still get excited over a signed book, an ARC or even promo items?

Aww, thank you! That means so much to me, to have you love a book and keep it! I definitely get excited over signed books! I have a huge collection. I’m a promo addict and if an author has a great goodie, I’m the first one in line! I’m still a reader at heart and understand how they think and feel, so if an author is nice to me and signs a book and talks to me, I’m so thrilled!

Again at the RWA conference, we must have walked around in a daze for the first hour. I mean Carly Phillips, Nora Roberts, Janelle Denison, Erin McCarthy (just to name a few)…all in the same room!!!! What’s it like for you to be in a room full of your favorite authors and for you to be someone’s favorite author?

I still can’t see myself as someone’s favorite author, LOL. When I’m at RWA, all I see is Nora and Jennifer Crusie, and SEP … and think wow, they are awesome!!!!! Inside me, I’m just Karen (not Carly) and it’s odd to know people think of me as “someone big to meet!” It’s so humbling. I just want to be worthy!

If you could go anywhere, be anyone, do anything for 24 hours, what would it be?

Okay don’t laugh. I’ll reveal my biggest weakness. < g > It’s purely surface and shallow. I’d love to know what it’s like to be someone who has perfect blonde hair. ROTF.

Is there anything you’d like to add to this interview?

Just that I appreciate you and all the great folks at FAR! Thank you for interviewing me. It was fun. :-)

Also, if readers are interested in NEW goodies (you heard it here first!) just send an SASE with TWO stamps to: Carly Phillips, FAR Interview Goodies, PO Box 483, Purchase, NY 10577. And don’t forget to visit www.carlyphillips.com which I update often!

Carly, thanks so much for taking the time, in what HAS to be your busy schedule for chatting with me. :-) Come back any time.

Thanks again!!!!!

Interview by:
Jaymi