…..to our blog.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is an automatic buy for each of us here at Book Binge. When she agreed to come and hang out with us at Book Binge, to say that we were excited is putting it pretty mildly.
She’s written some of our favorite romance novels and has introduced us to some of our favorite heroes (Kevin Tucker, anyone? Kenny Traveler? Yeah, we love them all!) and we’d like to welcome Susan Elizabeth Phillips to our blog and hope you lovely readers will help make her feel welcome here.
We’ve picked her brain over her writing and also about her new release, What I Did For Love and we’re super excited about her answers. So without further adieu, let’s get on with the interview already, right?
Writing Questions:
Book Binge: What’s next on the writing agenda for Susan Elizabeth Phillips?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I’m delighted to announce that I’m finally working on the book readers have been demanding for years. Ted Beaudine first appears as a child in FANCY PANTS and later as a tantalizing young man in LADY BE GOOD. Ever since, readers have been begging for his story. I’ve always intended to match him up with Lucy Jorik, from FIRST LADY. Then, as I was writing WHAT I DID FOR LOVE, another intriguing young woman appeared. What to do? Hmmm….
Book Binge: Will you be writing any more Chicago Stars books?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I can’t imagine writing another football player hero, but all my characters live in the same creative universe, so it’s certainly possible Stars’ characters could pop up in other books.
Book Binge: Have you ever thought about writing another sports themed series?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Nope. I didn’t even think about writing the first one! Just sort of happened.
Book Binge: Do you have a clear picture in your mind as you write of your characters? I.e. do you picture a certain celebrity, real life person, etc?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I almost never imagine a celebrity when I’m writing. It limits my imagination too much. I only have the foggiest picture of the character in my mind when I begin. Gradually, the characters firm up in my head.
Book Binge: How do you feel your writing has changed – if at all – since you wrote your first novel?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I like to think I know a lot more about what makes a story work than I did when I began. ( After nineteen books, I’d better!) That said, the process never gets easier. Each book is just as challenging as the first one.
Questions about What I Did For Love:
Book Binge: Where did the inspiration behind WIDFL come from?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: For years, I’ve wanted to write about a pair of sitcom stars who play lovers on screen and hate each other off screen. I finally figured out how I wanted to frame the story, although, as usual, I plunged in before I knew exactly where the story would go.
Book Binge: What can our readers expect from WIDFL?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: An SEP book! Characters to cheer for, even when they don’t behave as well as they should. A little laughter. Maybe a few moments of personal recognition. Oh…. And a naughty little scene in the dressing room of a very upscale sex shop.
Book Binge: What kind of research did you do on WIDFL?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: I spent way too much time cruising celebrity gossip spots and digging into how the paparazzi work. I had to freshen up my knowledge of behind the scenes movie making. I also always work very hard at decorating my houses. I need to have a clear picture of setting in my head to make the book come alive as I’m working. Setting always helps define character for me.
Book Binge: Georgie frequently deals with paparazzi invasions of her privacy; why do you think celebrity breakups are so fascinating to the public?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Human beings have always been fascinated with gossip. (Except for my husband, something I’ll never understand in a million years.) Add celebrities, and we’re doubly fascinated. We envy their glamorous lifestyles, their larger-than-life personas, and we want to know more. But we also want to know they’re real people with real problems and maybe, just maybe, we want them to suffer a bit for their fame and fortune.
Book Binge: Do you have any plans to write stories for any of the characters mentioned in this story? Or will any of the characters in this story show up in future stories?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Yep! You’re definitely going to see more of Meg Koranda. I fell in love with her when she burst into LOVE, and I had to know more about her. (Hint: Now I do!)
Did you catch that? WE’RE FINALLY GETTING TEDDY’S BOOK! I cannot wait for that one. I’m a huge Teddy Beaudine fan. I’ve been waiting years for this book to come about so I’m super excited to hear that bit of news! Could his heroine be Meg from WHAT I DID FOR LOVE? Hmmmm, curious minds are dying to know! That is great news indeed!
SEP will be around off and on all day so be sure to drop her a line or ask a question. We here at Book Binge would like to thank SEP for graciously allowing us to pick her brain and for stopping by today. We are huge fans of hers and we really appreciate her writing and her kindness.
CONTEST ALERT: Leave a comment on this post and you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a free copy of WHAT I DID FOR LOVE by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
What are you waiting for? Comment, comment, comment!
What I Did For Love is available from William Morrow. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Can not wait to read it!
Susan, I love your books. The Chicago Stars books are favorites of mine, and Natural Born Charmer was on my personal Top 10 Books for 2008. All of your books are on my keeper shelf because I love rereading them.
Congrats on the new release. I am looking forward to reading it!
Awesome interview! I have several SEP books in my TBR pile ~ I’m definitely going to read one as soon as I finish my current read.
Hi Susan,
I am so glad for the opportunity to voice a question that has been plaguing me. First of all, I d truly enjoy the stories I have read from you – Ain’t She Sweet, Breathing Room, Natural Born Charmer, Lady be Good (enjoyed the half that I read).I found one common thread in all those stories and it made me curious. Why do your characters all(ok. maybe not all because that would mean I read ALL your books) suffer from broken or dysfunctional homes? It is common enough in life (I can count on one hand people I know who has nice, good parents) but why do you choose to have this as the bases for so much of your characters?
(hoping this curiosity doesn’t get me kill:)
mph
Finally! I’m soooo excited for Teddy’s story. SEP is one of my favorite authors. She is definitely one of my auto buys.
I have enjoyed all your books and your unique blend of humor. The only book I haven’t been able to find is your first one.
I’ve checked out your BB, but I haven’t joined yet. You do a terrific job of interacting with your readers.
I read WIDFL and loved it. The scene where Georgie announces that Bram doesn’t have a drinking problem is priceless as was Bram’s slow realization that he was in love. Also, the epilogue where you wrapped everything up was sweet. As always, you did a great job with the secondary romances. You talked about Meg, but do you have any future plans for Rory(?), the head of the studio? She was an interesting character, but there were no hints of family or a love interest.
Best wishes on your current release and I can’t wait for the next one.
Thank you for the interview! I’ve heard so much about SEP, that I placed the audiobook for WIDFL on request at the library. Now, I’m even more excited about it, and must go look for the print book of Fancy Pants at the bookstore.
So nice to have a chance to chat with all of you. And I love having an opportunity to address the fact that very few of my heroines come from well-adjusted families. Why is that? Because what I love reading and writing is a book about a heroine who has either NO or VERY LITTLE support structure! If you give her a happy family and she runs into trouble, she has all kind of fallback options. Don’t get me wrong. A ton of writers do that story brilliantly, but it’s not my primary story. Even if I write a heroine with a strong family background (doing that now), I have to find a way to whip that away from her. Basically, that’s what makes an SEP book.
I’d also like to address the whole Jen/Brad/Angelina thing. LOVE is so not a retelling of their story. Yes, there are similarities in the very broad set-up, but there’s no similarity in my mind between the characters I created and the real life celebrities–or at least what I know about them from the tabs. Jade, for example, is completely clueless about real personal relationships, and I can’t imagine anyone saying that about Angelina Jolie, who I happen to believe is a true humanitarian. It’s easy for people to stand on the sidelines and joke about her, but that woman is walking the walk, not just talking the talk. As for Brad Pitt–he’s hardly a Lance Marks. Can you imagine Lance building all those homes in the Ninth Ward? Older readers will also remember the Debbie Reynolds/Eddie Fisher/Liz Taylor scandal, which certainly played in my mind. And what about Heather/Ritchie/Denise? LOVE was inspired by as long tradition of broken celebrity relationships and my curiosity about what it would feel like to have your most personal dramas played out in the public eye. How does it feel to be a victim with the world watching? Just the thought of it makes me shudder! I couldn’t resist playing with that idea. Fortunately, most readers have totally gotten that. (I LOVE my readers!) Have to run now, but I’ll be back later!
This story looks like a lot of fun. It also looks like it would make a great movie.
I’ve been instructed to comment here because I’m a SEP newbie. Apparently I need education. 🙂 I did read the excerpt of WIDFL though, and I liked it! Either way, I’ll be reading this book.
An absolutely fantastic interview and I’m so excited about this book. I’ve not bought it yet but it’s certainly on my list! Put me in the running, cause either way -win or buy- I’m reading this book!
I enjoyed the interview and the review. Teddy’s a fav of mine too. I want this book and I want Teddy’s book to be finished soon!
I’m so excited about Teddy’s story… true I’m especially looking forward to see my Kenny again…sigh
Now that I’m almost sure that Meg will be his love interest I have to go back and read LOVE all over again… GREAT !!
THX THX for your amazing work, you’re the contemporary romance queen !!!
emmanuelle
Please don’t enter me in the contest, I already have the book. I just wanted to say that I didn’t really see Jade as Angelina b/c I also agree with SEP that Angelina is a woman who walks the walk. And, Georgie is not like Aniston really but the similarities are what made it hard to get past at first. I am anxiously awaiting Teddy’s book now and if you throw out a hero who reminds me of George Clooney, well then I will be one happy reader!
What I Did for Love looks really interesting and I’m anxious to read it. Had you decided to write the book for Ted Beaudine before or after you started What I Did for Love?
How do you know when you hit the bigtime in blogland? When you nab the fantabulous SEP for an interview!
GREAT post and I’m anxious to read this one too!!!
I can’t wait to read this book! It sounds great and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on it.
Cant wait to read it. count me in.
You’re all so nice! As for Ted’s book… I’ve wanted to write it for a long time, but it wasn’t until Meg came on the scene that the pieces fell into place. From the beginning I’ve considered him Lucy Jorik’s guy (FIRST LADY). Interesting sorting this out.
Before I head off into the sunset, I’d like to invite all of you to drop by the message board at http://www.susanelizabethphillips.com. A really wonderful group of knowledgable readers hang out there, although we often stray far from the topic of books. (Currently trying to sort out the Vitamin D in our chewable calcium!) I also run a monthly contest, so you can double your chances of winning. (I’ll check in one more time tomorrow, so if there’s anything else you want me to discuss, go ahead and post.)
Susan thank you SO much for visiting with us today.
I can’t wait for Ted’s book. He’s been a favorite for years, but I, too, thought he would end up with Lucy.
Speaking of..do you have plans to write HER story?
Gabriel,
That’s how I felt while reading, too. I didn’t imagine Jade as Angelina so much later in the book, but the similarities were striking in the beginning.
I was also reminded of the story of Solei Moon Frye, or as many of you remember her, Punky Brewster. I saw her story on E!True Hollywood Story and it was very similar to Georgie’s.
Great interview – seems like an intriguing read!
Thank you so much for the interview!
My first SEP book was Natural Born Charmer…then I went mad and started glooming the back catalogue. I still have a few to go (I’m saving them 🙂 but Match Me If You Can is my favourite. I love how all the players converged on Annabelle’s house…and you treated them all so matter of factly 🙂
Am definitely looking forward to reading WIDFL!
Yay yay yay for Teddy’s book!! 😀
Looks like another keeper from this author!!!!
I can’ t wait to read this book. I have been glomming SEP books as of late.
Ah, Kenny. Sweet, SLOW, Kenny. LOL.
Anytime I read the scene in the airport, I crack up.
Hi, Susan. Welcome! I love your books and recently purchased What I Did for Love. I can’t wait to read it. I’m still hoping that one day you will write Hannah’s story. She’s such a special character and deserves her own grand love story. 🙂
Diana
Great interview – can’t wait to read this book. Just curious who or what inspired you to become a writer?
“Characters to cheer for” and “A little laughter.” That’s what I need right now. Sounds like a great story!
Casee, that’s Kenny in a nutshell! The airport, the keyring… :sigh:
Thank you for the interview, ladies!
I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips!! I can hardly wait to read this and what a great interview. I would love to be entered.
I am also thrilled about getting Teddy Beaudine’s story.
Can’t wait for this one, enjoyed the interview!
I find it kind of ironic that I’ve read so many author, but have never picked up anything by SEP. I think it’s because her backlist overwhelms me and I have no idea where to start. So, I thought I’d throw my name in and see what happens. 🙂
And can anyone suggest a really good SEP book to start with? I’d love to try her! Thanks muchly!
Bridget,
Start with Kiss an Angel. Best.Book.Ever.
This books sounds great! Thanks for a wonderful interview and continuing the *interview* in the comments section!
Don’t use Calcium Carbonate. Use either Calcium Citrate or another type of Calcium that escapes my memory at the moment.
Thanks for stopping by and hanging with us Susan, it’s been great!
As I scrolled down through the comments I was really feeling I had to be the only romance fan alive who’d somehow never picked an SEP book. Then I saw bridget Locke’s comment. Hurrah! And I even got a suggesion of where to start too, so thanks 😀 I’m pretty sure I already have one book by Susan somewhere among the heaps of books in my house but aside from not bing sure where, I’m sure it’s one about a football player and I’m just not in the mood for that right now. So I’ll look up Kiss an Angel or this new one – seems very funny to me :-D.
Thank you for the nice interview!
Great interview! I’m looking forward to reading this one!
My last post! I know you’re all going to feel really sorry for me (not!), but I’m taking off soon for a walking trip in Costa Rica with my fabulous sister. Time to get that suitcase packed.
A couple of last things. A lot of my books are connected, but you can plunge in anywhere. Honest! If you’re totally anal and need to start at the beginning, pick up IT HAD TO BE YOU. That’s the beginning of my Chicago Stars books, but, really, you can start anywhere. (If you can’t find it, plunge in with MATCH ME IF YOU CAN.) KISS AN ANGEl is not a linked book, so that’s also a good place to start. (Although not if you don’t like whips!)
Re. Lucy… I always said Lucy would end up with Teddy, now didn’t I?! Lucy is in the new book along with Meg and Ted. Oh, my!
As for inspiration to be a writer… It’s a fairly long story, and I have it posted in excruciating detail on my website!
Now…off to my suitcase and dreams of Costa Rica. Thanks again, everybody. You’re a great bunch of readers.
Susan’s books are amazing. I’m looking forward to reading What I did for Love.
Hi Susan. I love your books. What I Did For Love sounds wonderful. Beautiful cover.
How awesome is it that we are finally getting Teddy’s book? I’ll have to pull out, not only Fancy Pants but Lady Be Good (probably my favorite SEP book!)
I’m a SEP newbie, and I’d like to say that I’m sorry I haven’t heard of you before! I’ve been missing out!
Sounds intriguing.
I’m embarrassed that I don’t remember Ted (must reread) but I do remember Lucy and I’m totally pulling for her! Let Meg get her own guy! — willaful
Oh my goodness! Ted gets his own book? Really? And only today I managed to read your interview with SEP??? Ah! I can’t wait and I’ll definitely re-read the other books with Ted to remember the details of his history, not just the general stuff…
I love your chicago stars books and cant seem to find any intrest in any one storys. i am hoping to see a new book soon. please!
love your books they are definitely keepers -susan’s books have set a high standard in the world of romance writing