Summer Reads! One-Day-Only Discussion Group discussion
Hello from SEP
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Susan
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Aug 04, 2011 05:08AM
Good morning, everyone. It's Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I write romance/women's fiction and love doing it! CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE is my 20th book. If you haven't read it yet, it comes out in trade paperback on August 30th. (Honestly, as I type this I'm still in my flamingo nightgown with bed head and no make-up, but I promise to get myself fixed up for you before the day is over.)
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Just reread KISS AN ANGEL and LADY BE GOOD. Already finished CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE. So what's next? *Expectant bouncing*
Hi, Susan (Susan McBride here!). It's so nice to meet you, albeit virtually. Am reading CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE now and really loving it! Definitely a perfect summer book. :-)
Hello Susan...i wanted to compliment you on how you are able to give your charcters such depth in your writing. I love how your novels can make me both laugh and cry in the course of the same book.
I loved Call Me Irresistible. I only wish.Ms, Fields had been around to narrate (though I didn't dislike the new narrator)
My only question would be when you think your next book will be, and what will it be about?
Keep writing, and I will happily keep reading (and re-reading)!
I read the Chicago Stars series. OK, technically, I listened to them, but I loved them all and really wish there would be more. I just started the Wynette, Texas series. And I read Ain't She Sweet and Breathing Room. I just love the characters you dream up and how you throw people who seem like total opposites together and they stick. After working through their issues. :-) I also love the humor, and I look forward to reading more SEP. :-)
I am in the middle of Nobody's Baby but mine I just love it it is laugh out loud funny but my only regret is I can't read fast enough to find out whats next.
I really loved Call Me Irresistible! I love when I read any book by SEP one minute I will be laughing and the next I will be crying. I must say I feel a bit goofy when my husband catches me doing either. When I was reading Call Me Irresistible," I was crying and my husband said are you okay?" I said "Just fine, I hit a sad part in the book" He said " Oh good, I thought you were mad at me." It is always fun trying to keep my hubby guessing. ha ha ;)My summer read that I could not put down was Night Road by Kristin Hannah, from the middle of the book until the end I had a big cryfest. I was until 4:00am reading this book. What book have you read lately that really made you laugh out loud or cried over?
When I started reading Nobody's Baby But Mine it was really quiet in the house I got to a really funny part of the book and I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath my family thought they were going to have to take me to the er. I finally caught my breath and told them Iwas ok it was just a really funny part of the book.
Another laugh out loud book is Smoking Seventeen by Janet Evanovich. My son thought I was nuts, I was not just giggling I was laughing out loud and snorting. (Not a pretty sight tee hee.);)
Susan, just wanted to say that i love what you are doing in the social space ont he web. Your Facebook and Twitter are a gret way for me to get a SEP fix while waiting for your next book!
I just read the first book in that series but I loved it. Ilove the grandma she's a hoot.I was glad to know they are making a movie from that book. I wish they would make movies from Ms.Phillips books and also Christina dodd's books and the "outlander" series from Diana Gabaldon. There is so much really good material to make movies from I don't know why "Hollywood can't pick up on that and stop rehashing old stuff or making stuff nobody would pay to see.
My mother was actually the first person to recommend your books, Ms.Phillips (By the way, my mother shares your name. Why the heck is everyone's last name Phillips? It's impossible to find her Barnes and Noble Membership discount with a last name). We revel in holding inside jokes about the Chicago Stars over my father's head. Anyhow, my mom had originally recommended the series because I'm an aspiring author. What stuck out the most to me were your plots. You implant the smallest details that seem so irrelevant at the time (which, incidentally, is why I notice them) and then pull them out at the very end to wrap things up. It's a common strategy, typically done sloppily, but you do it so well. Even your subplots are amazing! So I have to ask-- do you plan everything ahead of time, or do you just start and everything works? I have a feeling it's the first, but I want to know to what extent. I would like my plot to include some similar aspects as yours, but I barely know where to begin. I've only finished short stories, and my writing style is too sarcastic to become the equivalent of a Daphne book (Ha-ha. Not that I don't love bunnies and badgers). I'm writing a novel and I've started with an idea, but I want to make sure I'm going in the right direction with it. I want to make a career of writing. Any advice?
I stayed up far too late at RWA finishing Call Me Irresistable. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I can't wait for the sequel!
HI SEP - I can't say I have read all your books but I have listened to all of them. Just relistened to CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE and loved it as much as the 1st time. Loved Meg and Teddy - they both were irresistible characters. I thought Shannon Cochran did a great job reading. I do had to admit Molly and Kevin are still my most favorite characters of yours.So what do we have to look forward to?
Donna
Christi, you made me think of something! I love how so many of the people in SEP's novels appear in her other novels, sometimes as featured players and other times in the background. So you get to see more and more of the lives of these wonderful characters with each book you read. I can't think of another author who does this (or does it as well).
I like the cameos, too. Madeline L'Engle did that, as well, as I remember from my teen-age reading.
Hi Susan! I first readIt Had to Be You about 7 years ago, and I have been hooked every since! My absolute fave is Match Me If You Can! I have tons of things I'd love to say and ask you, but I'll try to keep it short! Do you outline everything or is your writing more of a go with the flow type? Which of your books is your favorite? And most importantly, is Lucy getting a bad boy and when do we get to find out? Thanks for taking the time to chat with us!
Is it really you!!!! Hyperventilating madly. Can't blame the weather for being hot - it's the UK and it's raining. Well, like everyone here, I LOVE your books. The start of Kiss an Angel - where Daisy can't remember her bridegroom's name - is one of my very favorite openings of any book. You inspired me to write and hope your sense of humor (or humour) has rubbed off on me!! Thanks for some fabulous stories.
Hi Ms.Phillips,I just downloaded your "Kiss An Angel" for $1.99 on my kindle wow it was soooooooooooo easy it sure does make my "Order Finger" itchy Ha Ha!! and my husband real nervous:)( I'm new to Kindle,got one for mothers day from my husband. I wonder if he regrets it yet?
Thanks for all the nice words and questions about my next book. I'm guessing everyone who’s read Call Me Irresistible has figured out that the story of Lucy Jorik, the runaway bride, is next up. It’s not done yet, but I'm hoping it will be finished in time for 2012 publication. I'm not releasing the title yet, but I will say I’m absolutely loving this story. AND...everybody will get a sneak peek at chapter one in the new trade paperback edition of CALL ME.
@Gail... if not yet, give him time. :-)
FlibBityFLooB wrote: "Hello Susan...i wanted to compliment you on how you are able to give your charcters such depth in your writing. I love how your novels can make me both laugh and cry in the course of the same b..."
Thank you! We all desperately miss Kate Fleming/Anna Fields. I'm delighted Shannon Cochran did such a great job stepping into such imposing shoes. (For those of you who don't know, Kate died tragically a number of years ago, but she has definitely not been forgotten.)
Laurie wrote: "I really loved Call Me Irresistible! I love when I read any book by SEP one minute I will be laughing and the next I will be crying. I must say I feel a bit goofy when my husband catches me doing ..."Kristin Hannah is one of my all time favorites. She's also a dear friend, but I would love her books even if I didn't know her.
Susan wrote: "Hi, Susan (Susan McBride here!). It's so nice to meet you, albeit virtually. Am reading CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE now and really loving it! Definitely a perfect summer book. :-)"Susan, I just got LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Can't wait to read!
Gail wrote: "When I started reading Nobody's Baby But Mine it was really quiet in the house I got to a really funny part of the book and I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath my family thought they ..."Love it!
TK wrote: "Susan, just wanted to say that i love what you are doing in the social space ont he web. Your Facebook and Twitter are a gret way for me to get a SEP fix while waiting for your next book!"Love Facebook but still think I suck at Twitter. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around the space limits, but will keep trying.
Since I'm sort of a shut-in,trips to the bookstore don't happen very often so since I love to read hubby thought a kindle would make it easier and more fun for me.
Fenestra wrote: "My mother was actually the first person to recommend your books, Ms.Phillips (By the way, my mother shares your name. Why the heck is everyone's last name Phillips? It's impossible to find her Barn..."I'm sorry, but I don't understand the question. Are you saying there are writers who actually plot their books...in advance? (Sorry for being a smart aleck!) I only wish I could plot in advance. Instead, 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 away¾jotting 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.
Which of your books is your favorite? And most importantly, is Lucy getting a bad boy and when do we get to find out? Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! -----------------------------------
Whichever book I've just finished is always my favorite! As for Lucy... You'll get a sneak peek at her (and him) in the excerpt posted in the back of the trade paperback edition of CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE, which is coming out on August 30th. Bad boy...? Hmmmmm.....
SEP wrote: "Which of your books is your favorite? And most importantly, is Lucy getting a bad boy and when do we get to find out? Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! ---------------------------------..."
I don't care either way - I know I'll love it! Lucy almost stole the whole book for me in First Lady! I have confidence you will continue to do her justice! Cannot wait! I have the hardback to Call Me Irresistible, but now will definitely get the PB to read the first chapter!
I miss Anna Fields immensely as well, but agree Shannon does a good job!
SEP wrote: "FlibBityFLooB wrote: "Hello Susan...i wanted to compliment you on how you are able to give your charcters such depth in your writing. I love how your novels can make me both laugh and cry in ..."
OMG I did not know Kate died. I love her reading Breathing Room.
Sticking my head back in to apologize for an inaccuracy. I wasn't wearing my flamingo nightie. I was wearing my sock monkey nightie. Sheesh... I now, however, look stunningly gorgeous. Perfect hair, perfect make-up, beautifully coordinated outfit. (Are you buying this?)
Hey there Susan and thanks for doing this chat. We had a quick correspondence after I finished Nobody's Baby and I did love Dream a Little Dream, which you suggested. I'm a writer and have queried very slowly as I get the feel for what the process is like. I'm so happy I found your work because I tend to write what I think could be classified as women's lit (with those all-important romantic elements) or contemporary romance and I think you straddle that line between genres so well.
My question is regarding the contemp romance sub-genre. This particular kind of book seems to be a very, very hard sell right now. With no disrespect to paranormal writers, it seems, from up here in the cheap seats, that agents are begging for paranormal romance and ePubs are grabbing the same hand over fist. What do you see happening with the contemporary romance market? Can you pass along any advice for writers who are trying to get in the door in contemporary romance?
Thanks again. I think your stuff is just fabulous and am looking forward to your next release as a reader and a student of the craft.
Have a great day. :)
Jennifer
Sock monkeys?! Are you a Nick and Nora PJ fan, too? lol - I did my tutti-fruti ones last night. Obviously we are women with the same discerning tastes. *g*
I agree Jennifer - paranormal seems to be all the rage, but I can only handle so much!
Susan,I love your books and have read almost all of them. One comment I hear about "Call Me Irresistible" is a concern that the townspeople treat Meg too unfairly. I'd love to hear you discuss the relationship of the town - which has become a character in the series - to Meg.
Thanks for doing this!
Suzanne
Hi SEP, I just wanted to tell you that I love your books. I love that I can read them multiple times, and never get tired of them. I just finished re-reading CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE. I absolutely love it! I can't wait for Lucy's story. You said that you will have a sneak peek of Lucy's book in the pb version of CMI, will you also be updating the kindle version to include the sneak peek?
I found Match me if You Can while browsing Target one day and was immediately hooked! I had to rush to Borders and find the rest of the Chicago Stars series. I've been in love with Dan Calebow and Dean Robillard for years now! I reread them every so often because I'll get a craving for some strong, but still in a subtle way sweet, football playing men!
SEP said "Love Facebook but still think I suck at Twitter. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around the space limits, but will keep trying. "Hello! - You are getting much better at Twitter. Keep at it!
Also, LOVE your video promos!!! They make a person involuntarily snort in-between bursts of giggles.
Jennifer wrote: "Sock monkeys?! Are you a Nick and Nora PJ fan, too? lol - I did my tutti-fruti ones last night. Obviously we are women with the same discerning tastes. *g*"LOVE NIck and Nora. I hear they've been sold and I noticed that Target doesn't have much in stock. Terrifies me as my sock monkey and flamingos are getting a tad threadbare.
Jennifer wrote: "Hey there Susan and thanks for doing this chat. We had a quick correspondence after I finished Nobody's Baby and I did love Dream a Little Dream, which you suggested. I'm a writer and have querie..."
You're right. The paranormal writers seem to own the marketplace right now, but markets come and go, and the contemporary romance will always be with us, especially if it's well done. Good luck!
Suzanne wrote: "Susan,I love your books and have read almost all of them. One comment I hear about "Call Me Irresistible" is a concern that the townspeople treat Meg too unfairly. I'd love to hear you discuss ..."
I was surprised at how protective readers were of Meg. She was definitely tough enough to stand up to those women. As for the women themselves, I absolutely loved them. They were all mother tigers defending Ted. I appreciated their loyalty so much, even if they did have a tendency to go overboard!
Kelly wrote: "SEP said "Love Facebook but still think I suck at Twitter. Having a hard time wrapping my mind around the space limits, but will keep trying. "Hello! - You are getting much better at Twitter. Kee..."
Thanks for the encouragement. As for the video promos... They are fun to do! My daughter-in-law is my videographer. Every family needs one.
Laura wrote: "Hi SEP, I just wanted to tell you that I love your books. I love that I can read them multiple times, and never get tired of them. I just finished re-reading CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE. I absolutely love..."Laura, I'm not sure about the Kindle edition. Don't know how that's going to work with ebooks.
Hi Susan,I just love your books. I think I've read almost all of them, and my favorites are Nobody's Baby But Mine and Heaven, Texas (and Match Me if You Can; loved Annabelle and Heath). Your novels always take me on a whirlwind of a ride, from laugh out loud funny to heart-wrenchingly sad, and I enjoy every second. Your main characters, male and female, stand out as some of the best. By the book's end, I feel like I know them. Even after reading them all, my favorite male lead is still Cal Bonner. Nobody's Baby But Mine is one of my favorite books ever, and I love the premise and Jane and just everything about that book.
My question is: Who's your favorite male lead that you've created?
I know that's a toughie ;)
P.S. I loved the way you wrote Teddie and how Meg has to contend with everyone in Wynette for going against their golden boy. Fantastic!
Jennifer wrote: "My question is regarding the contemp romance sub-genre. This particular kind of book seems to be a very, very hard sell right now. With no disrespect to paranormal writers, it seems, from up here in the cheap seats, that agents are begging for paranormal romance and ePubs are grabbing the same hand over fist. "I know the question was directed at SEP (and she answered), but from one reader's perspective, I'm tired of all the PNR. Sure it's fun every once in a while, but really, so many new book releases are PNR, it's almost hard to find the contemporary romance. I've gotten to the point where, for the most part, if I'm reading a blurb and there's anything about paranormal, I just skip it. I'm over it. I want more "real" romance.
THIS IS YOUR SISTER. I am bored at work. I am working too hard and would much rather harass you. So...here I am.
You are NOT fully made up nor hair done. You have written today AND pulled a few weeds AND continued your Japanese Beetle assault. (BTW, you look stupid in that pith helmet.
Please write faster. I need another good book.
Sincerely, your sweet YOUNGER sister
oops...just read the message Please be courteous and polite to one another, and please be respectful of the authors' time.
I am VERY courteous to your friends, family and readers...just not so much to you. Oh well.
Your wrote: "THIS IS YOUR SISTER. I am bored at work. I am working too hard and would much rather harass you. So...here I am.
You are NOT fully made up nor hair done. You have written today AND pulled a..."
To my dear little sister. Please go away and bother someone else or I'm telling Mom! (Wait... She's no longer with us... Oh, dear... But if she were, she'd be VERY mad at you for bothering me and send you to your room!)
Heather in FL wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "My question is regarding the contemp romance sub-genre. This particular kind of book seems to be a very, very hard sell right now. With no disrespect to paranormal writers, it seem..."I'm not a big fan of paranormal, either. That said, so many readers love this genre. My theory is that it's the only way to get that alpha male we love and still be politically correct. Again, my theory only.
Summer Reads! One-Day-Only Discussion Group
Books mentioned in this topic
It Had to Be You (other topics)Match Me If You Can (other topics)
