Author Interview: Melissa de la Cruz

It’s almost YALLFest time, celebrating all things YA and authors and readers and everything in between. If you are in the area, you really should make this a part of your life. A lot of great authors, discussions, signings. You name it, it will be there.

Today I am hosting an interview with Melissa de la Cruz (SQUEE!), an author on my “legally stalking” list (thank you social media) because I am determined to meet her…hopefully soon.

This Sunday, her novel series ‘Witches of East End’ has been made into a television series and is debuting on Lifetime—I canNOT wait. I love all things witchy, especially in the fall. It just seems to fitting, right? So be sure to support her and tune in to this new series.

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.

Describe your book in 5 words

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

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

The first, definitely.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What are you working on now?

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

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.

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!

Don’t you just love her?!

Her latest YA novel, ‘Frozen,’ is now available for your reading enjoyment. You can click here to learn more about it and/or to add it to your Goodreads list. How awesome is that cover?!

To learn more about Melissa de la Cruz, her writing, and/or where you can catch her on tour, visit her website.

She can also be found on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

Happy Reading!

            - The Hodgenator