Carly grew up in Houston but currently resides in New York City. Before she joined the staff at Chart House Press, she worked as an editor and contributing writer for Upscale Living Magazine, iCandy456, and Fitness Republic. Carly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the New York Institute of Technology. Her first book, a young adult historical fantasy, was published in October 2013. The sequel to Words Once Spoken is due to release in early 2015.
CHP: How did you come to be in the publishing business?
CD: Very haphazardly. It was more of a stumble. I wrote a YA book because I was tired of all the YA paranormal fantasy books I was reviewing for my blog. They had begun to sound the same. (Ordinary girl discovers she has special powers or discovers creatures with special powers and is caught in a love triangle between the bad boy and her childhood best friend.) So, I wrote “Words Once Spoken” and was surprised when it got published. Once I realized that I was’t half bad at this whole writing thing I began looking at it as a career option. I started writing for small magazines, doing copy editing, and social media management. Working for a publishing company was a natural next step.
CHP: Are you involved in any other creative endeavors?
CD: As of now, no. I haven’t worked on any of my personal writing for some time because I was going through a lot of life transitions. However, I am eager for that to change.
CHP: What’s your favorite part of your job?
CD: The writing. How many people can say they love what they do? The surreal aspect comes into play when I remember how I used to hate writing and never saw it as a career option.
CHP: Is there one project that, for you, stands out from the rest?
CD: I’m most proud of the books I’ve written. Not because they are anything grand or special, but because they took time and dedication. I just can’t believe a complete story like that came out of my head!
CHP: Do you like to read? If so, what do you like to read?
CD: Yes! I wasn’t allowed to watch tv as a kid, so books have always been my favorite escape. I like to read anything with thrills and excitement. There needs to be an “on the edge of your seat” feel in some capacity. So, I typically go for crime fiction, thrillers, fantasy and sci-fi.
CHP: What one piece of advice would you give to someone planning a book?
CD: There are so many writing resources out there that it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all. Plus, some of the technique suggestions can be conflicting. Look for what works for you. Everyone has their personal style. There is no real right or wrong way of going about it. My personal recommendation, however, is John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story. I return to that book every time I plan and anytime I get stuck.