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Interview with Gregory Erich Phillips, author of "Love of unfinished years"

This poignant debut novel by Gregory Erich Phillips won the grand prize in the Chanticleer Reviews International Writing Contest. From a prolific literary family, Gregory tells stories of aspirations through strong and relatable characters that transcend time and place. A resident of Seattle, Washington, he is also an accomplished tango dancer and musician.

Welcome Gregory, and thank you for joining us today! Why don’t you start by telling our readers a little about your journey to becoming a published author?

It has been a long road, without a doubt. I wrote the first draft of this novel fifteen years ago and have been writing novels since I was fourteen years old. There has been a lot of frustration and a lot of rejection along the way, but I can look back and see how much my writing craft has improved over the years. Ultimately, it takes a combination of hard work and perseverance to get to this point.

What is it Love for the finished years upon?

It is the story of Elsa, a young German immigrant who came to the United States in the years before the First World War. As a teenager, he works in the sweatshops of Lower Manhattan, learning English in his few free hours. A casual job with an elite Long Island family opens up their world. Invited to some extent, she precariously crosses the social gap, jeopardizing everything she had worked for. The last part of the story follows the events of the war. It is also a love story.

What motivated you to write about the era of the early 20th century and the First World War?

I have always been fascinated by the First World War and the world of that time. The war was truly one of the most shocking events in modern history, and yet it is rarely covered in both literature and film, especially compared to WWII. This made me curious from a young age, and the more I learned about it, the more tragically fascinating it became. From that curiosity, the character of Elsa emerged, and then the story of her life.

As I delved into the events of that time, I was struck by how many parallels there were with our own time. We tend to forget how controversial America’s entry into World War I was and how little many people, including soldiers, understood what was going on. There are other parallels. This novel is about an immigrant family, from a country – Germany – that was considered hostile to the United States. His experience in the 1910s foreshadows the experience of many immigrants in America today.

How extensive was your research for Love for the finished years?

Looking back, it was lengthy, but I didn’t think of it that way because I had so much fun with it.

There are two parts of the investigation that delve into historical fiction. The first thing you should do, as an author, is immerse yourself in the environment. You should become both familiar with the time period and with the historical and cultural context in which your characters live. Due to my previous fascination with this era, that part was relatively easy for me when I wrote this book.

Then comes the second part, which for me made up much of the work of multiple rewrites of the novel. That’s where you have to research the specific details, both for precision and to add color to the narrative. I visited the housing museum in New York City and walked the streets of the Lower East Side where Elsa lived. I read extensive accounts of soldiers who lived through the First World War. It’s the details that really build the world for the story that will hopefully immerse the reader and make them feel like they’re there.

Love for the finished years It was released in January 2018 and has already won a couple of awards. Tell us about these awards and what they mean to you as a new fiction author.

Winning the grand prize at the Chanticleer Reviews International Writing Contest really led directly to getting the book published. Before that, he had only received a constant series of rejection letters. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. However, on a personal level, it meant even more to me. It’s naturally disheartening to be rejected over and over again. Winning that award, while the book was still just a manuscript, earned me as a writer, encouraging me to keep doing it for as long as it takes.

What kind of reaction to your writing are you looking for the most in your reading audience?

I hope to write stories and characters that stick with my readers long after they read my books. I think the character of Elsa will be memorable. Her experiences speak to so many things that people face today, both as a young worker and as an immigrant in America. An inspiring character is the best gift that I, as an author, can give my readers.

What do you like to read?

I always love to read a good novel. I especially love American novelists from the early 20th century, but I also read a lot of contemporary fiction. I look for novels with inspiring characters. Unsurprisingly, I also love reading about history.

What writers have inspired your own work as an author?

Ernest Hemingway has a brilliant storytelling style that I think suits today’s readers perfectly. Her narratives are concise, a word is never wasted, yet she is full of descriptions, emotions, and nuances. I study his trade. I have also learned a lot from my father, Michael R. Phillips, a career novelist.

Tell us a bit about your writing practice. Do you have a routine? Do you subscribe to the philosophy of “write every day”?

I wish I could write every day! However, with a demanding day job it is not always possible. But routine is vital to me. I do most of my best writing early in the morning before I go to work. That is the time when my mind is cooler. I think it’s important to stick to my routine, even if I’m not feeling particularly inspired. Sometimes just sitting quietly and thinking about my project has its own value. In a busy life, it’s very easy to get out of a rut if I’m not diligent about it.

One philosophy I subscribe to is not to mix writing with editing. They are done with different sides of the brain.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to dance tango. I love music. I love hiking in the beautiful mountains of Washington. And, of course, I love to read.

What is the best advice you have received about writing or about life in general?

Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Getting emotionally in tune with what others are going through in life leads to the kind of empathy that makes the world a better place. As a writer, this practice allows one to develop understanding and realistic characters, giving even the most imperfect characters emotional depth and redemptive attributes. You really need to put yourself in the minds and circumstances of your characters, even the dark spirits.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

For new writers, those trying to write their first novel: being a storyteller. Don’t worry at first about the details, the so-called writing rules, or whether you think it will be good. Just tell a story and let it flow.

Then for those who have gotten over the hump of writing a full-length novel: hire a good editor. It is the best investment you can make in yourself. Even if that book is never published, editorial comments will be an invaluable lesson as you improve your craft and write your Next novel.

Whats Next? Do you have another project in process?

I have several more finished novels. And I started a new one last month. I’m not sure which one will be released next, but there are many more stories to come, so stay tuned!

Do you have anything else you would like to share with our readers?

hope you enjoy Love for the finished years!

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