Tracey S. Phillips Interview Published on: 05, Feb 2024

I guess I’m not one of those people who dreamed of becoming a writer at a very young age. But I have always written. As a student, I loved creative writing. But I also loved any creative endeavor. I ended up going to Berklee College of Music to follow my musical passion. Music became a big part of who I am. It wasn’t until later in life that I got the call. When my youngest son was still in high school, I got cravings, or urges to go on a vacation alone with my laptop. At the time, I hadn’t figured out how to make writing a regular part of my day. I only knew that I had a story to tell, and I needed to write it. I never did go on that trip, but I did write a first draft. It was the start of a love affair.

Wisconsin is a great place to be outdoors. I haven’t written much about this inspiring state, yet. At least nothing that’s been published. In time, I know it will wind into my works.

In so many ways! As a lifelong musician, what I know about music theory greatly influences my writing. I think in terms of the structure of a song and the instrumentation. In a book, each character is like a different instrument, but still a greater part of the whole song/story. Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos wouldn’t be the same if you removed all the cello’s, for example. The cellos are integral to the whole concerto. I feel the same way about gardening. I feel strongly that going outside and getting my hands dirty is a great way to stimulate creativity. I could write a book about how gardening and writing are similar. Just think of all the weeds—I mean typos—that crop up while you’re editing.

Thank you, Mady. It was an incredible honor to be selected for this award. My inspiration for Best Kept Secrets came directly from the Writer’s Police Academy. I attended that conference in 2016 to learn more about police investigations and I remember the exact moment I came up with the idea for the character, Caryn Klein. I was sitting in one of Katherine Ramsland’s classes about children who kill. She was talking about a real-life girl who murdered her parents—among other people. Caryn wasn’t as wicked as her real-life inspiration, but she was still pretty bad. She is my favorite characters of all those I’ve written.

I’m was thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the Claymore award for Best Detective Novel. I submitted MOTHER OF SECRETS in the spring of 2022 before learning that my publisher didn’t want that story from me, so I moved on to write another manuscript. FOREWARNED was also a finalist for the prestigious Clamore award for Best Mainstream Fiction in 2023. This is the novel I hope will attract an agent.

I definitely have a preference. I’m wordy and I like to talk a lot- so I prefer novel-length fiction. Short stories are a lot of fun, though. I enjoy the speed at which they can be completed- compared to years of writing and editing a novel.

Well-I’m a Gemini. The sign of the twins. My husband likes to point out to anyone who asks, that it’s like living with 2 people. I love writing the Romantic suspense books just as much as I enjoy writing thrillers. I just have to schedule my time wisely. Once I finish a romantic suspense draft, I can put it aside or send it to an editor and work on my thriller. Splitting my year like this up helps me complete more works.

Blackbird Writers was born from a single question. After Best Kept Secrets launched in 2019, my publisher expected so much from me. The truth is, all publishers expect a lot from authors these days. And the question was: How can any author do this alone?

I formed Blackbird Writers during the height of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. Creativity was at a standstill. Artists and musicians were sharing openly on social media. I thought, what if a group of authors could give books to everyone who is suffering? I reached out to several author groups of mystery writers and asked for writers to join me. More than 50 mystery and thriller writers answered the call. And in May of 2020, we had our first flash sale. That’s how we started. Since then, Blackbird Writers has grown in ways I never could have planned or anticipated. We are a group of extremely supportive writers who have a weekly blog (now on Substack) and a large presence on social media. We do interviews with mystery writers, and all share our books and events together. I’m extremely proud of this group.

Rome wasn’t built without a plan. I’m very organized. I have to be to get anything done. My daily schedule is, wake up and make tea, because nothing happens without caffeine. Then go to the writing desk and work on whatever manuscript is most lucrative. It doesn’t matter if I’m typing out a first draft, or in the process of editing. Each day, I sit at the desk for 4 hours. After that, I need to move, so I do yoga, cycle or garden if it’s the right season. In the afternoon I spend time on social media and marketing. I work on projects for Blackbirds and answer emails. Having a schedule keeps me on task so I know what to focus on next.

Butt in chair. I know it’s cliché, but it’s the best advice there is. Then decide whether you want to go the traditional publishing route with an agent, or independently publish. There is no right or wrong. You have to make the decision based on what you can do. Weigh your skills and strengths. It’s possible to be successful either way.

LOL! I have never had a shortage of creative ideas. I’ve never suffered from writer’s block. Sure sometimes the juices aren’t flowing like I want. In that case, I do research or pick up a pen and draw. Maybe I’ll go to the piano and learn a new piece, or step outside and plant a new flower. Moving and changing the way I think is the best way to spark new ideas.

This topic is actually something I think about a lot. I’m easily stressed out, and the last thing I want to do is burn out. Every now and then I schedule me-time. I meditate, take long walks, and get plenty of rest. When I’m rejuvenated, I can hit it again and be there for the ones counting on me. Most importantly, I can show up best for myself when I am clear headed and stress free.

For the past 18 months, I’ve been working on a paranormal fiction project called FOREWARNED. I’m currently pitching it to agents and hope to get a traditional publishing deal in 2024.

I think I first learned about All Author from a Blackbird Writer friend. She shared her experiences and all the little things you do that help make writers’ lives easier. And I was hooked. We all need a helping hand. When it comes to lending authors a leg up, you guys at All Author rock! Thank you for everything!