Author Interview: Melissa De La Cruz

For more information regarding YALLFest, be sure to check out their website. If you can get yourself to Charleston on Saturday, November 9th, it is sure to be an event not to be missed!

Today I am beyond thrilled that Melissa De La Cruz is our featured author! Taking a look at her GoodReads page, you can see she has some amazing books in her repertoire. She also has a fantastic website filled with information about her books (of course) but also writing tips and information for student reports.

One of her books is also being turned into a Lifetime television series--Witches of East End. I am looking forward to watching it on my day off next--my DVR is set to record it. How about yours? Her latest book, Frozen, hit shelves last month and it is the first in her newest series. Have you read it yet? I know it is on my TBR pile at home. :-)

Q1: What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Fear. Sometimes rage. I find that to truly focus I need to feel panic, and then suddenly everything in my manuscript becomes clear. I work best under duress, which is something my editors have learned and they're quite good at instilling fear in me. J I appreciate that! I also work well with many distractions, I think it's because I had a day job for nine years and had to write my books in the middle of doing my real work.



Q2: Describe your book in 5 words

Post-apocalyptic. Zombie. Dragon. Pirate. Fantasy.



Q3: What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

The first, definitely.



Q4: Best writing tip you ever received?

To introduce the love interest in the first 30 pages, not that specifically but learning that there was CRAFTING involved in writing a novel, not just voice.

Q5: What one young adult novel you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Harry Potter. Because! I don't think I have to explain.



Q6: Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1. I was a child model.

2. My favorite One Direction guy was Harry, but now it is Louis.

3. I have a Maltese named Mimi. She is not named for Mimi Force, our kid named her.

4. I learned to drive at 34.

5. I like savory treats better than sweet.



Q7: Where's your favorite place to write?

In a cubicle, surrounded by softly ringing phones and people murmuring. Sadly this is no longer possible for me.



Q8: What are you working on now?

My new series THE RING AND THE CROWN coming next spring from Disney-Hyperion.



Q9: What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

YA Fantasy and Paranormal. My favorite genre to read is "literary" fiction, but I would have to say I really enjoy bestsellers just as much, I like popular fiction, no matter what genre, I like to read what a lot of people are reading and take the pulse of the culture. But for my own taste, I love smart angry women writers like Lionel Shriver and Kate Christensen. Also cookbook memoirs.



Q10: At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

When we've sold it!


I hope you enjoying these interviews with the YALLFest authors! I know I love to read interviews with authors. :-) With them answering similar questions, it is interesting to see how they each respond. Be sure to check out YALLFEST for more information and be sure to follow them on Twitter too!