We had the good fortune of connecting with Chrys Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chrys, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The old saying, no risk no glory or no guts no glory, seems adequate to explain my thoughts on taking calculated risks. Honestly if you’re not passionate enough to risk failing or losing what you’re striving for then you’ll never get it! You must go for what you need and be flexible enough to alter your path as you reach an end goal that you desire. The risk is the chance to achieve what your goal is, otherwise it’s just a normal exercise if it’s that’s easy. The glory is the prize, take calculate risks weigh up how far you can go risking your investment and your process and then go for it! I took a big risk selling everything I owned twice to be able to live and create in America and it’s epic!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Years ago I was in my room in Australia in one of the most hottest heatwave summers. I wanted to escape to a place where everything was exhilarating and had a spark of magic. That very evening I stayed up planning my best selling book series, The Magic Wars Saga. I didn’t sleep and had began its creation. Once I had the copy I began to pitch to literary agencies, which was not productive as I wasn’t represented by an agent and I only two places that accepted unsolicited manuscripts. Both of them, advised my book wasn’t Australian enough in its content and back then, they didn’t want any urban fantasy stories. I was determined!
Eventually I found a distributor for my book and I just kept moving forward with it. This is only the surface level of what hurdles and plans I made to become a best seller globally however, in-reference, to this question it does validates and prove that if your passion out weights your fear, you can achieve success, and along the way you don’t give up and you constantly reinvent your approach, your plan and for writers always stay true to your own voice and ensure your characters have a true a true voice too, you shall succeed.
Im very proud of my tv shows and movies, I’ve written, produced and directed as my brand is me… a storyteller. I am thrilled for my book series going to film adaption of The Magic Wars Saga, and continuing my tv series that what paused during the actors strike called The Secret That Binds Us.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a jam packed question as America has fabulous places. However for a week in California I would start the fun with a road trip to Laguna Beach. Here there’s sun, sea and air with jet ski hire and some of the most yummiest seafood restaurants. From here we would travel back to Malibu and stay a night to enjoy the seafront sunsets and close shopping to Beverly Hills. Here I would brunch at the The Beverly Hills Hotel. For its history of the Hollywood Golden years where Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant Marilyn Monroe and many others frequented for a delicious and elegant dining experience. Winding up the week with some nightlife on Melrose and then an outdoors hike to the Hollywood sign. A balance of California’s coastline beaches, fine dining, movie history, shops and the outdoors, would bring a cool week handout!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Many years ago I met the two twin Middleton brothers, who own their own agency called TruBlud Agency in Atlanta. Marcel understood my goals and really saw me, as a creative and as an individual. We began a business plan for my book series Magic Wars sold just under a million ebook and we also developed a fabulous relationship and have been close friends for over ten years. If Marcel didn’t see me for who I am, I may not have had that extra encouragement and support to believe in my ideas and how to change mine and my daughters destiny. Marcel and Melvin have become our family and shoutout to them and also, needless to say, since speaking of my daughter….Mikaela, she is always my motivation and support, as she is now achieving her goals too.
Website: www.chrysphillips.com
Instagram: @chrysphillips_
Twitter: @chrysphillips