Why did you start writing as Carly Phillips and how did you choose that name?

BUDDY'S ANSWER:
Hey these were supposed to be easy questions. I'm the lazy dog, remember? Why doesn't she use her own name? Because back when Carly sold her first book to Harlequin, they asked her to take a pseudonym that was more modern and hip sounding than her traditional real name (Karen) and easier to remember than her married name (Drogin). She wanted a tie to her real life, chose the last name Phillips (her husband/my daddy's name is Phillip) and a name similar enough to Karen that the silly girl wouldn't forget it. Carly Phillips was born. Enough to confuse everyone in this house, let me tell you! ::woof:

So did Carly publish any books as Karen Drogin?

BAILY'S ANSWER:
I’m the baby and even I know this! Carly had three books published under her real name (Karen Drogin) for a now defunct romance line called Zebra Bouquet.. They are more serious books than those her readers are used to when they buy a Carly Phillips book. The Karen Drogin books are: Perfect Partners, The Right Choice, and Solitary Man. They are difficult to find in print.

How hard was it to publish your first book?

BUDDY'S ANSWER:
HARD! And I would know, having been around longer than you know who! Carly had Ten completed manuscripts and about seven years of writing and revising! Many close calls. A lot of discouragement. Tons of ice cream and jelly beans eaten during depressing times! But my works hard and tries to learn and grow with every book. ::woof!::

When you start a new story do you outline everything first or do you create as you go along? Or a combination of the two?

BUDDY'S ANSWER:

I follow Carly everywhere. Even places she’d rather be alone so I know ALL the answers to all the questions. This one’s easy for me. Carly used to be a pantser in that she would just write it as it came to her. Now though, she plots the books more. And when she hits a trouble spot she brainstorms with the Plotmonkeys who help her get going again. But the characters always have the last say. It’s their story after all!