Constance Phillips is one of my favorite people and she’s back today to chat with us some more about writing and her historical/paranormal romance, Resurrecting Harry. This was one of my favorite books I read so far this year and I had a few more questions for Constance, her writing process and, of course, her book.
About Constance Phillips
Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff. When she’s not writing about fairies, shifters, vamps, and guardian angels, she’s working side-by-side with her husband in their hardwood flooring business.
Constance is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter (MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look for the pink Converse high tops).
For more on Constance and Resurrecting Harry read on!
About Resurrecting Harry
Can the greatest escape artist ever known break the grim reaper’s chains to save the only woman he’s ever loved?
In order to save Bess from self-destruction, Harry Houdini puts his afterlife on the line by entering a wager with purgatory’s keeper. He gives Harry a younger face and body, and a new name: Erich Welch.
Bess clings to his promise to deliver a coded message from beyond the grave, determined to provide the bridge for him to cross, even if that means befriending her husband’s sworn enemy.
Erich needs to help Bess over her loss and put her on the road to healing, but will any good come from resurrecting Harry?
Will Erich be able to help Bess recover from her loss and will any good come from resurrecting Harry?
Now let’s shine the spotlight on Constance!
Maer: Thanks for coming back to the blog, Constance. It’s always a pleasure to chat with you. What drew you to become a writer?
Constance: I can’t pinpoint any one thing. Creating stories is something that I’ve always done. I remember a creative writing project for a Jr. High English class that sparked the idea that I could write my stories down, make my own books. And so it began…
Maer: Do you use beta readers and if so what qualities do you look for in a beta?
Constance: I have a critique partner who is vital to me. We met through my RWA chapter. Even though we write different romantic genres, she is that second set of eyes that sees the things that I’m too close to see. She is also someone who can help me brainstorm my way out of those corners we can write ourselves into.
I do also have a few beta-readers. Those individuals are friends who are avid readers – not writers and I look for their feedback on that reader level as opposed to the fellow writer view point that I get from my critique partner.
Maer: I agree with you on that. Most of my own beta readers are not writers. What do you find is the most challenging part of the writing process for you?
Constance: Absolutely, no question, it is the submission process. I’m not a patient person, and that time from when I send something to a potential editor or agent until I get word back is torturous.
Maer: I think that probably holds true for most writers. What is your favorite thing about your main characters?
Constance: I consider Resurrecting Harry to have dual main characters. For Erich, it would be his tenacity. No matter what obstacle I (as the writer) threw at him, he refused to give up on his goal.
For Bess, it would be her dedication. She was unwavering in her need to be true to her husband’s memory and honor his legacy.
Maer: Who is your favorite character other than Bess and Erich to write and why?
Constance: Without a doubt, Jaden. He’s a catalyst to the story: purgatory’s keeper, maybe even a puppet master of sorts, but he’s so cynical of romantic love in the beginning. I actually have a follow up plotted (that I hope to write) that would explain how Jaden became so cynical and give him a second chance at love too.
Joseph was a close second.
Maer: When you’re writing, do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
Constance: I have an ideal of devoting three to four hours. When I’m in a groove I can write 1200 words an hour, so a great day for me would be between four and five thousand words. But, they are not all great days, are they?
As long as I write every day, I consider it a win.
Maer: Indeed, that is a win! How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Constance: For a single-title length like Fairyproof and Resurrecting Harry it’s been an average of six to eight months.
Maer: Do you have a favorite line or scene from your book and if so can you share it?
Constance:
Leaning back on his heel, he [Joseph] slipped his hands into his pockets. “My grandmother used to say there were two kinds of lovers. The ones who spent a single lifetime together — joined because of proximity and physical desire. Then there were the older souls — the ones that couldn’t be denied. The fates could separate them on different corners of the planet, and they’d move Heaven and earth to be one again.”
In my mind, that observation, told through Joseph’s eyes, sums up the theme of Resurrecting Harry.
Maer: Who is your dream cast to play your characters in the movie version?
Constance: Funny you should ask this. We had a game/giveaway on my Facebook author page where I asked people to cast the movie, and then later gave my dream cast. Here were my answers:
Bradley Cooper as Erich / Harry
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Bess
Robert Downey Jr. at Martin
Meryl Streep as Gail
Maer: Great cast! That would be one awesome movie. Constance, once again, thanks for stopping by and giving such a delightful interview!
Want to buy Resurrecting Harry? You can find it at these links: Amazon Paperback, Kindle and Barnes & Noble.
You can stay updated with Constance at the following links:
Thanks for having me on your blog today, Maer!
It’s always a pleasure, Constance. Thanks for another awesome interview!