Loading ...Interview, Chat and Contest with Author Melissa de la Cruz
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 12:00 pm Central. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat.
PLEASE KEEP SPOILERS TO A MINIMUM. Not all of the readers today have read Melissa’s books.
Interview:
Hi Melissa!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Melissa’s newest book The Van Alen Legacy.
BBB: What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of writing?
MC: I think the whole process is both challenging and rewarding — getting started is the hardest for me, just going into a manuscript “cold” - it takes a couple of pages, a couple of months to really get “hot” on a book where you are just in the groove and writing, writing, writing. But that early process when you are just staring at the screen, and everything you write seems awful, that is really a hard hump to get over. The most rewarding and gratifying are the moments when everything clicks and you are so excited about the book and the book writes itself - getting lost in your own story, that’s the best. It’s nice when people like the book too, but really, the act of writing is self-pleasuring, I think Ian McEwan said that–it’s just so much fun. My writer friends and I always joke that there’s one secret we would never tell our agents and editors–that we would do this for free.
BBB: If Blue Bloods was made into a movie, who would your dream cast be?
MC: It’s so hard to say, I am not very up to date with the really young people who would be cast in the film—I don’t know their names. But some of my readers have made really cool dreamcasts and I think Amanda Seyfried would be awesome as Mimi, and Alexis Bledel would be great as Schuyler, although Alexis I think might be too old to play Schuyler now. For the boys, I always pictured Seth from the OC (Adam Brody) as Oliver, although again, I think he is too old now. Jack is hard to cast–there’s a vision of him in my mind and I haven’t seen an actor that lives up to it yet. But who knows. They did find R-Patz for Edward so hopefully we will be as lucky!
BBB: What are your top 3 favorite vampire books and movies?
MC: Other than my own, I love Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, Stephen King’s Salems Lot and the movie series Underworld - Kate Beckinsale in patent leather! Awesome!
BBB: What character in Blue Bloods is most like you? Are any of the characters modeled after celebrities or other people that you know?
MC: All the girls have a little of me in them. I think Schuyler is most like me as a teen, I was an alienated goth kid who went to goth clubs and then Mimi was me when I was older, I was a bit of a bossy queen bee in my social circle and I also went to nightclubs like the ones she frequented. It’s amazing the power one has as an attractive young woman - you just take it for granted–all the attention–and I wanted to write about what that is like, since I experienced a tiny little bit of it when I was twenty-two and running around in ridiculously short Betsy Johnson skirts in New York. Part of her character was also inspired a bit by Paris Hilton — I was a journalist covering the glittery social life when Paris was first on the scene and she was this seventeen year old girl that we all could not get enough of — something about her just made us want to write about her all the time. So seeing that firsthand was also very inspiring. Some of the characters are inspired by a quality a friend has - Bliss from Texas–her background was based a little on one of my best friend’s background in Texas, learning to drive in his grandfather’s Cadillac, being very popular at a large affluent suburban school. Oliver and Schuyler’s relationship is a little bit based on my own friendship with my best male friend from college. But Oliver and Jack both have qualities like my husband–intensity and loyalty and a love for books.
BBB: What is the most ridiculous thing that you have thought about doing to any of your characters but never did?
MC: I was going to say bringing them back from the dead, but I seem to do it a lot, although I will say Dylan is definitely dead–he won’t be returning. Although I did think about it AGAIN, but I definitely decided no. Dead is dead for him this time. The funny thing is whenever I think of something ridiculous or outrageous I usually write it in instead of keeping it out. 
BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?
MC: Oh god so hard! I write the books first and then I go back and see if I contradicted anything I wrote before. I usually have lots of stickies on my copies of the books and then I go back and see what I wrote someone said or what the rules are. So that helps. And I have a big overall outline of the story that only I know, so I know what I am referencing even if I am not sharing with the reader yet. That’s the hardest - sometimes I will forget WHY I wrote a certain thing one way and have to go through the whole process of REMEMBERING what the real story is, which is a pain. So now I try to write everything down. Even tiny things that I think I will remember, I now write down. It’s just too hard otherwise. The nice thing about working on the Keys to the Repository book is that now I’ll have a little Blue Bloods bible that I can reference when I need to. I don’t need to go through my books anymore. It should be all there. Hopefully.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such Kindle 2 or Sony Digital Book Reader
MC: I guess there are some. But I like having the real hardcover books in my library. I haven’t switched over yet. Although it is tempting for traveling. My parents have a couple, so I’m hoping they will lend me theirs.
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
MC: Not sure, right now I don’t think it’s made too much of an impact yet. Most of the sales are still coming from the hardcovers and paperbacks.
BBB: Can you tell us about your series and and the storyline that drives it?
MC: The Blue Bloods series follows the story of an elite group of New York City teens who discover they are reincarnated vampires, who were cast out of heaven with Lucifer’s Fall. But something is hunting and killing these immortals–and Schuyler Van Alen, a shy fifteen-year old half-blood may be their only chance at salvation. With her human conduit Oliver Hazard-Perry, best friend Bliss Llewellyn, who harbors a dangerous secret, and the aloof and mysterious twins Jack and Mimi Force, Schuyler slowly uncovers centuries-old mysteries and sets upon fulfilling her destiny.
I wanted to write a big epic fantasy that was set in New York, at a snooty private school like the one I went to, with a storyline that had a huge sweep - I’d always loved the story of Paradise Lost, and fabulous vampires in Manhattan who were fallen angels? It just clicked in my head and it just seemed too delicious not to write. Plus it’s all there in the title - Blue Bloods– I love that the title works in both ways. The series is a grand race-against-the-apocalypse, the end of an era kind of story, you know, a time where everything is changing and nothing will ever be the same again. Which is what all good fantasy is all about of course!
BBB: What else do you currently have in the works? When can we expect your next book?
MC: Right now I’m working on Keys to the Repository, which is a Blue Bloods encyclopedia with all the short stories that I’ve written that is set in the world, as well as a few new ones. That comes out next May. Then Misguided Angel, which comes out next Fall. Then I’m also working on the first book in the Wolf Pact series, the BB spinoff, which I’ve been working on forever, but has been pushed back a bit because of the Blue Bloods schedule, that comes out Winter 2011. I’m also halfway through my Witches of East End novel, which is an adult novel that tells the story of warring families of witches and warlocks, kind of like the Hatfields and the McCoys, but with a sprinkling of Norse mythology in it too. I’d always loved the stories of the gods of Asgard, it’s something that always stuck with me ever since I read them in sixth grade. So it’s my spin on it. All my projects are in different phases right now and are a lot of fun to write since they are all different, but also because they’re in the fantasy realm they kind of relate to each other pretty strongly too. So I have characters popping in and out of different stories.
BBB: Appearing as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for channels like E! and CNN, you must get to meet a lot of famous people. Who was the most interesting celebrity you ever met?
MC: That was several years ago now, I haven’t done any of that kind of commentary in a long time. Although I was just interviewed for an E special on vampires but I heard my bits ended up on the cutting room floor, oh well! When I was a journalist I did get to interview a lot of fun people, but I had the B-List beat–the one page column in the magazine given over to whoever is hawking a new TV show or CD. I never got to interview the movie stars, it was always the sitcom star, the teen pop star, or the aging comedian. Sadly a lot of celebrities are about as interesting as a box of cereal. 
(Simon Doonan says that a lot - I stole it from him.) When I was covering the fashion beat I got to interview a lot of designers and that was the most fun–designers are bitchy and hilarious. Isaac Mizrahi was a hoot. Michael Kors–love him to death. Vera Wang is very witty and charming. They were great.
BBB: Obviously your work as a fashion and beauty editor contributes to the fashion detail in the Blue Bloods series. (Pretty impressively, I might add as I have no clue who half the designers are that you mention…LOL). Which is your true passion? The fashion and beauty or writing novels?
MC: Writing novels, definitely. The fashion thing was a way to break into journalism — media is a very hard industry to get into, and I was lucky enough that at the paper that I started out at, they didn’t have a fashion reporter, so I said I would do it since I was interested in it anyway. I found a niche and a beat for myself. But fashion is just a hobby. It was nice to have that experience, and to see that side of New York - but I’d always, ALWAYS wanted to be a novelist. That was my dream. Fashion is just how I got there. And it’s amazing how much flack you get for coming out of something like fashion. For a while I was “fashion writer Melissa de la Cruz” even when I had published a book - that was reviewed in the New Yorker! People like to peg you or pin you down, like writers who start out in romance for instance and then do something else, like thrillers. Tess Gerritsen writes about this a lot, about how readers can’t “forgive” her for coming from a romance background. To them, she’ll always have “romance writer” attached to her like a stigma. It used to bother me, but not anymore. I know what kind of writer I am, and I know what kind of books I like to write. And I’m proud of my background. It’s extremely difficult to get a job at Conde Nast, and to be able to write for Harper’s Bazaar and the New York Times. It’s a badge of honor for a writer, and one thing that saddens me more than anything is the death of newspapers and magazines. If journalism is dying, where are young writers going to learn the ropes? Where are the editors who are going to teach them? I was lucky, I had some of the best editors as my mentors when I was a young writer — people like John Strasbaugh, this punk-rock editor genius who let me find my voice and published anything I wrote as long as it was tightly written and honed like an arrow. He taught me to be fearless. Amy Spindler at the New York Times, who took time out to really get to know all the young and passionate fashion journos in New York and gave us assignments. Where are the new Strasbaughs and Spindlers going to come from if all the magazines and newspapers are gone?
BBB: Where do you see the paranormal/urban fantasy genre headed? Can you see it slowing down in the near future, or do you think that the immediate future is pretty bright for it?
MC: I think paranormal and fantasy are always perennials, it’s a genre that always appeals–I think it’s been rediscovered in a way and rejuvenated mostly by the Harry Potter phenomenon — JK Rowling really re-sparked everyone’s interest in these kinds of stories. She reminded us how much FUN reading could be. I certainly felt it as I was reading Harry Potter - just how wonderful books can be. It makes you fall in love with reading all over again. And she inspired a whole generation of YA writers. We have her to thank for our careers. I think fantasy will be hot for a long time, although I do think the new wave of ‘trauma porn’ or ‘problem novels’ is also cresting partly as a reaction to all the fantasy - you know, here’s the harsh gritty reality as an antidote to all the forbidden love, LOL! But I think both will do very well, side by side. Teens have always liked both — I read Go Ask Alice and Lord of the Rings when I was thirteen, although for me, it was LOTR that changed my life.
BBB: How did you get the idea for the Blue Bloods series and your very unique take on the whole vampire legend?
MC: I’d always loved the story of Lucifer and Paradise Lost, and I wanted an origin tale for my vampires. I’d read a lot of vampire books but no one really explained HOW they came to be on earth. So I thought it would be cool to relate them to one of the oldest myths in humankind. When I was writing the outline, I felt like I was excavating a story instead of making it up, it seemed so natural.
BBB: If you had the choice to become a vampire would you? Why or why not?
MC: I don’t think so. I’m a big wimp really. I don’t want to do all that blood sucking and angst. I’d rather just live a happy normal human life. I’m pretty happy where I am right now.
BBB: Do you have any plans for book signings/ readings anytime soon? If so, where can our readers find you?
MC: My events in Pasadena, Vancouver and Victoria are being rescheduled right now - I think in January. And I will be going on tour for Misguided Angel next fall. Come see me!
****************************************************
Learn more about Melissa de la Cruz below:
To read reviews of this author’s work go here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
***********************************************
CONTEST: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTEST EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO BELOW. There are also revisions to the rules for this contest, please read them all carefully. Also, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do just ONE or ALL of these things, and each thing you do will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. REMEMBER you have Until 11/24/09 at 11:59 pm Central to do the different things that YOU choose to do.
She will be giving away a Blue Bloods 3-Book Boxed Set
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing copies of Melissa’s books.
From Amazon:
Buy any of Melissa’s books here
From Barnes & Noble:
Buy any of Melissa’s books here
Good for 300 entries per book you purchase by using the links above.
OR you can use the Barnes & Noble link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. You can also use the Amazon link HERE to shop as well. Good for 100 entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. Not valid on past purchases.
It is NOT mandatory to purchase anything to enter the contests, there are plenty of other ways to enter and win. Just email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies.
2. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is ask Melissa a question or leave a comment. It can be ANY question you like. No questions/comments = no entries! You can come by through 11/24/09 and ask Melissa your questions. Good for 10 entries. (max 2 questions that count towards entries)
3. Spread the word! Use this direct link to the event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=13268 on twitter, at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread so we can verify your entries. Good for 100 entries per place you post the event link.
NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day.
4. Be friends with Melissa by joining her here:
www.twitter.com/melissadelacruz
5. Enter the Kindle Contest here: http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=813331493 AND join us at our daily book chat here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=13259. Good for 50 entries per action.
6. Make a purchase in our Bloody Cafe store here: http://www.cafepress.com/bittenbybooks. We are all volunteers so your continuing support is deeply appreciated. Email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies. Good for 100 entries.
7. Be friends with Bitten by Books here:
SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter by clicking here or use the box on the top right hand side of the site. Be sure you VERIFY your subscription, an email is sent with the verification link. Unverified subscribers will not be entered and will be deleted from the mailing list. If you are already a subscriber, just let us know and you will get entries too.
Join The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! Here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your user name and leave the link to your page.
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bitten-By-Books-Paranormal-Fiction-Review-Site/152478347320
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/bitten_by_books
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks be SURE to tweet us after you follow so we can count your entry! @BittenbyBooks
Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry! Email us a copies of ALL of your verification emails to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 150 entries each place you add us.
RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
The contest ends on 11/24/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winners will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize bag directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to USA readers except where noted. The prizes are shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry
(5 votes, average: 4.4 out of 5)
Loading ...
Hi Melissa. Thanks so much for joining us here today.
What genres do you enjoy reading in for fun?
Hi Ms. Cruz. I must say I will definitely be looking forward to The Witches of East End. In The Van Alen Legacy, I liked how you devoted each chapter to a certain character. What made you decide to do this?
I also wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of your recent loss. I myself lost my father in March of this year.
Thanks for the great interview.
RSVP’d
entered kindle contest
member of BB and subscriber
Also a friend on Goodreads and Facebook
hi melissa. i have the first two blue bloods books and i enjoyed them! who do you think would win in a fight, cowboys or astronauts? hehe
rachel : twittered, rsvp’d, subscriber, etc.
Hi Melissa!! What author has influenced you the most and why?
RSVP’D
Entered Kindle Contest
BBB Fan on Facebook
I have a crazy question. Why do the “soul mates” ( I forgot what you call them) choose to reincarnate has siblings? Ex. Mimi and Jack, Schylur’s mom and Jack’s dad (forgot their names,sorry).
I can’t wait to get the 4th in the series, that’s the one I’m on, maybe I”ll get it for my birthday next week, my own birthday present..Keep up the great stories!!!
hey guys!
Hi Carol - I Loooooove coooking memoirs. Anything with Ruth Reichl or Anthony Bourdain are my favorite kind of fun-reading books. They are so different from what I write, and it’s a whole new fantasy world - a world where I can cook! I am actually not a bad cook - I’m pretty good when I am able to cook a lot, but sadly it’s one of those things that I don’t have much time for anymore.
Hi Rebecca - Thank you so much and so sorry for your loss as well. It is so very hard, isn’t it– when my dad died, I remembered something Melissa Bank wrote, that losing your father is a suburban girl’s worst nightmare - we are so loved and sheltered by our dads… sigh. I miss him very much.
In the Blue Bloods books, each chapter was from someone’s POV anyway, starting from Masquerade. In Blue Bloods, I think I was going for a more omniscient voice, but in Masquerade I thought that close third-person from each of the three main protagonists was the way to go. So the books have pretty much always been written that way, at least in my head, although I think in the earlier books we did get a glimpse into Jack and Oliver’s minds a little - I like to break the rules of head-hopping a lot. But in Revelations and Van Alen Legacy I thought it was tighter and sharper just to tell the story exclusively from the girls’ point of views. And in TVAL, I thought it would be good to have the girls’ names on the chapters so the readers won’t be confused.
For Misguided Angel, I have Schuyler and Mimi’s POVs and then three new ones I won’t divulge yet! But you can probably guess two of them. The third one is a new character we haven’t really met before except in name only.
Hello
I have RSVPed and am here just dieing to say hello to Melissa so, HELLO! My question is….Is Jack truely good? or is he able to be tempted to turn? One other please… can Jack and Schuyler have a bonding even if she is not 100% vampire?
Hi Jennzah - Cowboys definitely! Cowboys are sexier. Although after reading Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff, astronauts are kind of space cowboys, at least in the 60s!
I tweeted it http://twitter.com/TarotByArwen/status/5983438932 which means I also put it on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/tarotbyarwen. And entered the Kindle giveaway even though I want the new Sony more. ;p
My question is do you have plans to go on with more in this YA series?
Oh I just thought of another..can Schuyler regenerate? As far a we know she hasn’t and doesn’t remember even if she has. But if she were to die could she regenerate because she is half and half?
Hi Jon-Anne,
The author who has influenced me the most is probably Leo Tolstoy. War and Peace is my absolute favorite book. One with fabulous balls, a love triangle, happy scenes of family and friends (and what it means to have family and friends) and two great love stories - my favorite is the one between Nicolai and Princess Maria. It is amazing. I re-read this book constantly. I like it better than Anna Karenina although I love that book too - for the love story between Lenin and Kitty.
Who knew Tolstoy was all about fabulous balls and love?? I didn’t! Maybe if they gave it a “Twilight” cover it would sell to teens! LOL! I was twenty-three when I read it. You might need to be older to read it - I tried reading it in my teens and I just could not get thru it.
Hey Melissa!
Thank you so much for being with us today at BBB! You mentioned that you are working on an adult book. Is that going to be a series and can you tell us a little more about it.
Also, how is the switch from YA to adult going for you? Do you prefer one voice to another?
Hi Tina - They do not choose to reincarnate as siblings, that is just what happened. I have a long discussion of the Cycle Rules in Keys to the Repository. The cycle expressions were set a long time ago - so Jack and Mimi had no say in the matter.
Thank you Dawn!
From Aurora: My question is….Is Jack truely good? or is he able to be tempted to turn? One other please… can Jack and Schuyler have a bonding even if she is not 100% vampire?
Hi Aurora! The question re Jack’s character is one that will be answered in the books - it’s a journey he’s taking and we’re just along for the ride. As for the bonding — that also remains to be seen!
Sorry - I don’t like to answer future plot questions - you will have to read the books to find out!
Hi Melissa! Have to say I ADORE your series!
I want to know what books you couldn’t live without when you were growing up? (Mine was Witches of Hopper Street!) Thanks!!!
Hi Arwen,
I wrote a ten-book outline for Blue Bloods all the way back in 2004, and I mean to follow it. It could end up nine or eleven books by the time I’m done, but that is what I am shooting for.
Hi Aurora -
You mean reincarnate? Schuyler’s immortality is still in question - remains to be seen. Will be answered in the last book of the series.
Hey Rachel!
Thanks for having me! Lovely being here.
Yes, I sold an adult series called WITCHES OF EAST END to Hyperion, which also publishes my Blue Bloods books. It’s a retelling of Norse Mythology in the fictional town of North Hampton. A family of witches (a mother and two daughters) move into town and shake things up, and a rival family of warlocks finds this troubling. It’s really really fun to write, and I’m really enjoying writing in a slightly different style. I started out writing for adults, and it’s fun to be a little naughty again, and also talk about things like politics and social-climbing and that kind of stuff. I’m a huge fan of Alexander McCalll Smith so it’s a little in that droll tone, it’s like Julian Fellowes meets Sookie Stackhouse with a dash of Grey Gardens.
It’s part of the Blue Bloods universe, so it’s been fun bringing some of my Blue Bloods peeps into the story a little. One of the witches makes a very important appearance in the Blue Bloods novella BLOODY VALENTINE.
I’m just having a ball right now with all my fantasy stories. It feels really natural.
Oh and yes, WITCHES OF EAST END is a series. Not sure how many books there will be yet. It’s a little more open than Blue Bloods, so I’ll just see where the story will take me.
Hi Melissa,
Do you have any plans to write any adult vampire books?
RSVP’d
Already entered the kindle contest
Friends with BBB on Goodreads and subscribe to the newsletter
Hi Sarah!
When I was growing up I LOVED (and still love) Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Gordon Korman’s Bruno and Boots series (I still re-read and laugh out loud reading the first B&B book), Sweet Valley High, Flowers in the Attic and Lord of the Rings.
Hi Sandy!
Not right now. The YA vamps take up all my time and I think it would be difficult to re-imagine vampires again at least for the near future. You always want to change things up a little as a writer so for the adult market I am writing about witches, which is fun.
Hi Mrs. Cruz,
Love your BB series! My question for you is what authors are on your ‘must buy’ list and what are you currently reading?
- I rsvped
- entered the kindle contest
- BBB newsletter subscriber
- fan on BBB facebook fan page.
Right now I am not currently reading anything, which I am sad about. I’m the type of person who has to finish the book THAT NIGHT, so it’s very hard for me to read a book while I am on deadline, I just get sucked in and I can’t do anything else.
Which is why I love plane travel and vacations. That is the time I read everything, and I read 5-10 books depending on how much childcare I have on the holiday.
Oh wait - right now I am reading something. My friend wrote a book called Stay at Home Martyr (Jennifer Worley, screenwriter for Meet the Fokkers) so I am reading that and it is non-fiction and funny and something I can pick up and then put down.
But for novels, once I get on the plane (i’m going to New York next week) I will be bringing Dave Egger’s Zeitoun, Lorie Moore’s A Gate At the Stairs, and The Help. I really want to read THE HELP but I know i need to set time aside for it and I don’t have time right now.
I read in day-and-night-long chunks. Where all I do is lie around and read. It is awesome but I don’t have as much time for it these days. And I hate reading in small chunks. I inhale books. I don’t pick at them.
Melissa the new witches series sounds right up my alley!
I am totally the same way with books, I inhale them and can’t stand to be interrupted once I start one. So, I have to be VERY careful to get all of my work done on the BBB site for the day before heading into bookland. Glad I am not the only one!
Love your books Melissa! I’ve just actually read Blue Bloods and can’t wait to start on #2! Very interesting concept. Seems fallen angels seem to be my latest “theme” in reading. The concept of the “reincarnation” is very interesting take on things, instead of the usual immortality. I always enjoy fresh ideas.
I was just wondering what led you down the young adult paranormal path? Fang fetishes seem to be the thing now - what drew you in?
Thanks!
Contest: BBB newsletter, facebook, twitter, ning, goodreads
Following Melissa on Twitter
Hi Mrs. Cruz!
I’m very excited your here with us today. I thought I was going to miss it, but I get to pop in before leave, so that’s great!
I was wondering.. out of all your characters, who was the most challenging to write? And when your stuck at a scene or character, what do you find helps to open your mind block??
Thanks so much!
Your fan,
Tasha
Hey Melissa, I was also going to ask if you planned on and adult vampire book, but it seems like you have a lot of pots on the stove right now. I can’t wait for more. I wish you all the continued success - you’re wonderful. Thank you.
I already follow you on Twitter and am about to enter the Kindle contest.
Hi Melissa, I rsvp’s dand I am following you on Twitter (as lasergirl70)
Do you find your BlueBlood books being compared to other YA vampire fiction? (oh, say such as the Twilight, or House of Night series?) what do you think makes yoru series differnt and stand apart form the other series?
Thanks!
Hi Melissa. Just wanted to say I am currently reading teh Blue Bloods series and I LOVE it! It is absolutely amazing. Keep em coming!!
Lori
P.S. I adore Betsey Johnson too and wish I could afford to wear her stuff…..LOL
Hi Mrs. Cruz!
I’m very excited your here with us today. I thought I was going to miss it, but I get to pop in before leave, so that’s great!
I was wondering.. out of all your characters, who was the most challenging to write? And when your stuck at a scene or character, what do you find helps to open your mind block??
-Also, I’m a member of blood bank.
-I entered the Kindle contest.
-I’m a BBB new subscriber.
-I posted this contest and interview on my sidebar on my blogspot.
http://www.bookmarkyourthoughts.blogspot.com
Thanks so much!
Your fan,
Tasha
Hi Rachel (BBB) - Oh so glad! It is modern & fun but also very steeped in what I love about books so it’s also old-fashioned in that way.
HI Rachel (Parajunkee) - My editor for The Au Pairs (chicklit) asked me if I had any horror ideas and I pitched her Blue Bloods. I was SO EXCITED that someone actually wanted to publish a fantasy book from me - this was in 2004, way before Twilight was published, so she was taking a risk there… But once she asked, I gave her a resounding, very excited YES and the rest is history…. I wrote this huge outline for the series, the whole mythology of the fallen angels/vampires, and then took about a year and a half to write the first book. It was hard and I was very ambitious, but I’m so happy they had faith in me and in the series. It’s funny because the books did not hit the home run out of the gate, we only sold about 30,000 hardcovers, but then we sold 100,000 copies of the paperback, and then we got ‘hot’. Also as the story got ‘hot’. I told my editors it would take too Book Three to solve the main mystery and they were really cool with it.
This happens a lot in publishing - a few years before I wrote YA, my editor who published my first adult novel Cat’s Meow asked me if I could write a mystery. I pitched her one but she didn’t like it. So you know, it can go either way with these things–I think paranormal is a great home for me because I have always loved fantasy, horror and sci-fi books…so it just felt like, OH YEAH, *THIS* is what I am meant to write. My other favorite favorite book is DUNE by Frank Herbert (the whole six-book series). My husband is the first guy I ever met who A) Had read all six books in the series and LOVED them and knew exactly what I was talking about when we talked about the Gom Jabbar, etc. and B) Was REALLY cute on top of it. A cute boy who read Sci-Fi? It’s like a dream come true. It’s why I married him.
Hello,
I love the Blueblood series and am looking forward to your next book. I’m thankful there are so many YA books out there that I can enjoy and share with my teen. We love to discuss them. Looking forward to The Witches of the East End. Thanks for your contributions!
Beth
2. done
4. done
5. done
7. done
hi Natasha!
Schuyler is pretty hard to write because she is so close to me, and I feel so much for her - she’s almost too vulnerable for me - too close. Whereas Mimi and Bliss are easier because they use more of my ‘imaginary’ self than Schuyler - who feels very real. So she’s more difficult to bring on the page like, let’s say, writing about your family is - you feel like you will hurt them by writing about them.
When I am blocked I like to chew gum and listen to music. Also I like to just write through the block, just write crap and accept it. That really helps. Then I re-write and it gets so much better. But you have to just push through and DO something otherwise you will just stare at the screen all day.
Hi Viki!
Yes I think t would be cool to write adult vamps but I think it will have to happen after the BB series is done.
Hi Lisa!
I think it’s just natural that things of similar genres get compared to each other. I get a lot of Twilight comparisons. House of Night not so much, I wonder if we have different fan bases? Twilight has such a huge fan base that I think it’s just natural that of course BB would have some Twilight fans. But the more I go out on tour and meet my readers, I find that they found BB on their own and not because of Twilight. A lot of my readers tell me the other books they like are Private by Kate Brian and the Luxe by Anna Godberson and The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.
Hi Melissa!!! So great that you stopped by!!! I have to completely agree on the Underworld movies. Two thumbs for Kate Beckinsale.
I’m curious, what was the hardest part about writing your first book? Why did you go with YA instead of Adult?
HI Lori!
Betsy Johnson has an outlet in Camarillo I think! Sadly I think I am too old to wear her stuff now. Sigh!
Hi Beth!
So glad you and your teen are reading together. Too cool!
Okay guys, I have to take a little break to work on my book but I will be back in a few! Ask away…
Hi Melissa. You have so many projects going on! I have not read any of the Blue Bloods books yet though I definitely plan to. You say you are working on a spin off,Wolf Pact series (I’m guessing that is about werewolves) so are there werewolves in Blue Bloods?
RSVPd
friends with Melissa on twitter @throuthehaze
friends with Bitten by Books:
subscriber
twitter @throuthehaze
Facebook fan page: Rae Pavey
Facebook friend: Rae Pavey
Myspace: Raelena Pavey
GoodReads: Raelena
blogroll:
http://throuthehaze-reads.blogspot.com/
Hi Heather - last question before I go!
My first book was actually an adult book, it was called Cat’s Meow, it was a comic fashion novel, PG Wodehouse meets AbFab. It did well and after that I pubbed two non-fiction adult books called How to become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files. While I was on tour for H2BFamous, my agent told me S&S my publisher was interested in seeing a YA proposal from me, so I wrote up The Au Pairs proposal while I was on tour. It was SO much fun to write–I remember giggling and cackling while I wrote it.
My first novel, Cat’s Meow, was hard to write in that I had no idea how to plot a book. In fact, the book almost got rejected and unpublished by my publisher because it had no plot when I turned it in. I had to completely rewrite the book in three months and learn plotting -really LEARN how to write a novel -not just clever sentences and fun characters — from the beginning. It was a baptism in fire. I was so worried my career would be over before it even began.
So now I’m a plot junkie. Never again, I swore!
Thanks for the great interview. I have not read your books but I’m looking forward to The Witches Of East End. Where did you go to college? I get the BBB newsletter, member of the Blood Bank http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Lis673 , entered the Kindle contest, friend of facebook. I RSVPed.
Hi Rae, No there are no werewolves in BB, only in the spinoff Wolf Pact. Yup I always have lots of projects in the works. I like having lots of things to work on. Keeps life interesting.
Hi Melissa
I havn’t read this series yet,but have heard great things about it.
My questions what 3 words best describe your main character.
I RSVPed
Subscribe to BBB newsletter
tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/5985129345
Hi Lisa - I went to Columbia College, Columbia University in New York. I looved it. Columbia was filled with intense, ambitious, writer-types who saw themselves as the literary descendants of Jack Kerouac (who was an alum, along with Allen Ginsberg.) I still love the Beats those angel-headed hipsters. Okay NOW I really have to go back to my book!
Hi Melissa. I have the first Blue Blood book on my TBR shelf, if my niece didn’t take it the last time she was at my house. Do you think you will be doing a book signing in Nashville, TN anytime in the future?
I RSVP’d, I’m a BBB subscriber and fan of BBB on facebook.
put this oe up on ping.fm and Facebook. Great interview!
2. Hey Melissa I Just LOVE The Blue Blood Series ANd Was Wondering How Many Books If Any More)
3. I Posted The Link On My Blog.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/
4. I Am Following Melissa de la Cruz On Twitter.
I Have Signed Up For The Fan Site.
I Have Signed Up For The Message Boards.
5. I Have Entered The Kindle Contest Using Your Link.
7. I Am Friends With Bitten By Books.
I Have Joined The Blood Bank.
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Skyla11377
I Am A Fan Of Bitten By Books On Facebook.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.facebook.com/skyla11377?v=wall&ref=profile
I Am Frineds With Bitten By Books On Myspace.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.myspace.com/skyla11377
I Am Frineds With Bitten By Books On Facebook.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.facebook.com/skyla11377?v=wall&ref=profile
I Have Added Bitten By Books To My Blog Roll.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/
2. Hello Melissa If You Were Not The Awesome Writing That You Are What Would You Be Doing Instead?
I haven’t read this series yet but it sounds like a great read and is on my to read list.
Julie S.
I RSVPd
Am friends wih Melissa
Entered the Kindle contest
joined the daily chat
Subscribed to Bitten Books by email
Member of the Blood Bank
Julie S.
This sounds like an awesome series…how have I not heard about it before?
For contest purposes:
RSVPd.
Followed Melissa on Twitter.
Friended BBB on all venues.
Voted in the Kindle contest.
Participated in the daily book chat.
Hi Elaine!
I have three main characters - Schuyler, Mimi and Bliss. I had always thought of them equally. Schuyler is shy, Mimi is loud and Bliss is troubled.
Hi Liza, I was just in Nashville during the Southern Festival of Books, and loved it! Hopefully my publisher will send me back there sometime in the future!
Hi Denise!
I liked being a magazine editor a lot - I liked working with writers and working with a team to put out a magazine. I think if the novel-writing had not worked out I would still be a journalist. I still like working with writers, so once in a while I try to convince one of my writer friends to co-edit an anthology with me.
Great interview! Before I ask a question , I’m going to go through those already posted. I’m sure anything I want to know has already been asked.
I’ve tweeted the contest: http://twitter.com/LJBoldyrev
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LJBoldyrev
Blog: http://ljboldyrev.blogspot.com/2009/11/melissa-de-la-cruz-blue-bloods.html
I’ve been a subscriber, a fan on facebook and a twitter follower for a while, and I have a permanent link to your site in the sidebar of my blog.
I added the goodreads site, the myspace (L.J. Boldyrev)
Thanks again!
RSVPd 4, 5, & 7 done
I have the first two books in the series but am waiting for book 3 & 4 (which I hope I get for Christmas). I tend to wait till I have 3 or 4 in a series before staring a series. What do YOU have in your TBR pile?
Posted on twitter!
http://twitter.com/StephArmenti
Melissa, are you interested in writing any other genres in future and if so, what ones haven’t you tried yet that you’d like to give a shot?
I rsvp’d
I follow BBB on Twitter
I follow BBB on Facebook
I am a member of The Bloodbank
Margay
I RSVP’d
Question! What are some of your reccomendations for a good book that you have read?
Melissa!
I’ve RSVPed
anyways. J’ADORE! i LOVE the blue bloods series! especially the Van Alen Legacy. and my favorite characters are mimi and kingsley. I absolutely love the books.
I was wondering, is there a set publishing date for Misguided Angel yet?
I know how long it takes to write a novel–I’ve tried writing a short story, and it takes FOREVER to get everything just right! So I’d like to say that I really appreciate all the hard work you spend on the Blue Bloods series that makes them so ah-ma-zing to read!
By the way, coming to Seattle anytime soon? Cuz you should. I’ll come to see you.
xoxo, Vivian Zhu &hearts
Hi Melissa!
I RSVP’d! You have answered all my questions beautifully already! I absolutely love the Blus Bloods series, and am impatiently waiting for more! So I was wondering if maybe you could put in a good word with your publisher to send you here to Barrie, Ontario, Canada…? I would love to meet you in person, but my young boys (oldest is 3 and the youngest is 6 months) make it a little difficult for me to travel long distances. I love my boys to death, but some how cannot see them sitting quietly through a book signing! LOL!
Amy S.
Hi Melissa!!
I RSPV’d for this and I’m glad I did!!! I was just wondering if you have a favorite tv or movie vampire??
Hi Melissa! I was wondering if you had any say in the creation of the book covers?
#5 I joined the Kindle contest!
JJ
Melissa, I haven’t read the series yet, but I plan to very soon and I’ve heard a great deal about it from the YA lit community. What made you decide that upper class New Yorkers should be vampires? When writing the series, did you find the characters took on a life of their own or did they develop exactly as you had planned them?
Contest:
In addition to my above posting (#55) I did RSVP earlier today and I’ve entered the kindle contest(e-readers are very convenient, but I am a huge fan of holding that beautiful printed copy, so authors, I will still purchase your hardcovers no matter what the future of publishing holds!).
Hi guys! I’m back - okay I have to go turkey day shopping in a bit so I’ll try to answer quickly.
Hi Lisa (richards) - On my TBR pile is THE HELP, BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, QUEEN TAKES KING, I’M DOWN, ZEITOUN, A GATE AT THE STAIRS. Then I also want to start a couple of YA fantasy series THE THIEF by Megan Whalen Turner and Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising Series.
Hi Margay - I kind of do everything I want in BB, romance, action, mystery, paranormal and with Witches, it’s got a little comic element to it and satire. It would be fun to do a deep sci-fi kind of series, but that would have to be far in the future. And to write a straight-up “literary” book too about women- like Caitlin Macy’s Spoiled. I like those books as well.
Hi Stephanie - I cannot talk enough about KING DORK by Frank Portmann. I just loved it, so hilarious and true and wise and sexy and awesome
Hi Vivian - Aw, thanks! (and thanks everyone for all the kind words). Misguided Angel sometime in Fall 2010. We’ll know more when I turn in the book, which is due in a few months. I’m super lucky. My publisher really tries not to stress me out too much with my deadlines. They really work with me. I really appreciate it. And I’d love to come to Seattle! I’ll ask them to send me there I’ve never been!
Hi Amy! Fellow mom of young children! I would love to come to Ontario - I have a lot of family there. Will ask my publisher. They make all those decisions.
Hi Ashley A! My favorite vampire who is not mine is Lestat from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles.
Hi JJ,
Yes I have a big say in the BB covers. I have cover approval. I pick the models and I nitpick all the details. The concept usually comes from me and then the insanely genius art director translates them into the most beautiful covers of all time. I love Hyperion.
Hi Lacey,
My friend Jared Paul Stern calls my books “the rich really are bloodsuckers!” LOL. I’d always loved big soapy dramas about the super-rich and I covered the Manhattan elite. I was a writer for Forbes during a time in my life that I was poorest - so I had a lot of material. I find the characters take on a life of their own, especially Bliss and Dylan, who really developed on their own. Whereas I had a more definitive idea of Sky, Jack, Mimi and Oliver, Bliss and Dylan kind of told me who they were while I was writing the book instead of the other way around. It’s nice both ways. Some characters are just more fully fledged when you imagine them. Others take time.
Hi Melissa, Great interview. can not wait to read.. Love, Love, Loved the video!
Ida
7 Done
Hi Melissa, thanks for coming to BBB. The interview’s really fascinating. Am looking forward to reading your new book.
I Guess i Spaced Out When I Posted And Instead Of Putting My Name I Used My User Name….LOL.
2. Hey Melissa I Just LOVE The Blue Blood Series And Was Wondering How Many Books If Any More)
3. I Posted The Link On My Blog.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/
4. I Am Following Melissa de la Cruz On Twitter.
I Have Signed Up For The Fan Site.
I Have Signed Up For The Message Boards.
5. I Have Entered The Kindle Contest Using Your Link.
7. I Am Friends With Bitten By Books.
I Have Joined The Blood Bank.
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Skyla11377
I Am A Fan Of Bitten By Books On Facebook.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.facebook.com/skyla11377?v=wall&ref=profile
I Am Frineds With Bitten By Books On Myspace.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.myspace.com/skyla11377
I Am Frineds With Bitten By Books On Facebook.
Name Is Raquel Vega-Grieder
http://www.facebook.com/skyla11377?v=wall&ref=profile
I Have Added Bitten By Books To My Blog Roll.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for joining us today. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading your books, but they certainly seem interesting. I love that you took the origins for your vampires from Paradise lost, thats a new way to look at where they came from. Here is my question for you… If you had a perfect day to yourself to do anything, be anything, or go anywhere what would you do? Oh yeah Great Interview, very informative. I’m wishing you much continued success and I will be looking for you on the book shelves.
I RSVP’d
3.I spread the word on my FB profile http://www.facebook.com/tawania
4.Following Melissa on Twitter
5.Entered the Kindle contest and posted on FB
7.Friends with BBB, receive newsletter, member of the Blood Bank
Good interview. This series has been on my to be read pile for a while now. My TBR pile just seems to get bigger and bigger.
Melissa - What books are you looking forward to reading that haven’t been published yet?
Hi Melissa,
I love the series! Blue Bloods is amazing, i love the world you created. I just have one question: How far back are stories in Keys to the Respitory going? I’m a history buff and love all the tibits that you add in the series, thank you and take care
hey! its me again!
i have a non-Blue Bloods question that I forgot to ask earlier:
Do you plan on writing any more Girl books? I read Girl Stays in the Picture over the summer, and it seems to me like it was the first book of a series. However, I didn’t seem to think that it was a part of your new list of book deals. I loved the series, and would be happy to see more.
xoxo, Vivian ♥
Hi guys!
HI Tawania, I’m not the kind of person who thinks of an imaginary perfect day. Like my dad, I feel like my life is pretty much a vacation. That’s what we always joked about a lot - that our lives were so happy and so fulfilling (please, don’t throw up–I swear I am not Pollyanna) that it just never felt like work. (My dad also always had his own firm - he was always his own boss - he said the worst thing in life is to have a boss. Better to be the mater of your own fate - sink or swim on your own merits.) Especially now that I have been writing full-time for more than a decade, I make my own hours, I write in my pajamas, I do what I want to do everyday without having to answer to anyone…it’s pretty cool. So every day is pretty “perfect” in my book, not that it’s this insanely extraordinarily wonderful day, but in that I have fulfilling work that I love and am surrounded by people I love. There are a lot of frustrations and sadnesses in life, but I’m a pretty cheerful person and I really love my life right now. I’m a writer. I’m a mom. I’m a wife. It’s all good, everything else is gravy. This is exactly the kind of life I dreamed for myself when I was a kid, and I feel really lucky that I have it.
I had a full-time job once, as a computer consultant, it was the most depressing nine years of my life, the corporate politics, the dreariness. I couldn’t wait till the day I could quit and write full-time. I never take it for granted, I know what the other side is like.
What sets your books apart from the others in this genre?
thanks
Hi Rogelio,
Right now all the short stories are set in the current timeperiod. But Misguided Angel is partly set in Florence in the 1500’s.
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for liking Girl! It was supposed to be part of a series but part of the new deal with Hyperion meant that I had to say good-bye to Simon and Schuster. So I am sad about that. But I don’t have an infinite amount of time on my hands and I have to do the books that call me the loudest. I will be putting up a short story of GIRL that solves the mystery and kind of resolves the series on my website in a few months. Thanks for understanding. As an artist, it is hard to make the hard choices. There will be no more Ashleys, Girl books or the sequel to Angels on Sunset Boulevard. That book, Angels, I have been writing for three years and i have to put it aside for now. I just wasn’t happy and did not deliver a draft that I felt could be published. I think when you’re a writer all you have really, is your integrity and I ’stand behind’ all the books that I put out. If I don’t think it’s good enough to be out there, I don’t put it out there.
Hi Darchole,
I don’t really keep up with ARCs too much - but I am excited once George RR Martin releases his next book in the Fire and Ice series! Looking forward to that!
Hi Deana,
I think what sets my Blue Bloods books apart is the original mythology and the huge backstory I wrote before I even wrote the “front story” ie the novels. There’s a huge history behind my characters, which I was very careful to create. I wanted it to feel very epic in scope.
2. I can’t wait to start reading her series it sounds so good.
4. Im friends with her on twitter
5. Entered
Joined
I RSVPed
I RSVP’d!
Here are my questions:
1. Do you listen to any particular music when you write?
2. What were your favorite novels or authors while growing up?
I shared this on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=833152574
I already entered the kindle contest, should I post proof here?
RSVPed
just want to say how amazing these books are. i love the incorporation of vampires and ‘Angels’ (well the “Fallen” anyways) i cannot wait for the next books to come out, i have very high hopes for ‘Keys to the Repository’. personally i think it is going to be phenomenal!
Hi Elizabeth, I write in total silence. And then in breaks I dance around to techno/house/rap whatever gets me on my feet! And I answered my fave books when I was young in a previous comment.
Thanks everyone! Will be back in a few!
Hi Melissa!
I just wanted to say that you’re such a talented writer and that I love reading your BB series. Highly addicting and I can’t wait for more.
With so many other writing projects underway, I was wondering if you have read anything good recently worth recommending? Do you/have you read a lot of the current paranormal selections out there (YA or adult)?
OMG, I Am So Having An Off Day I Just Noticed I Only Typed Half My Question….LOL.
2. Hey Melissa I Just LOVE The Blue Blood Series And Was Wondering How Many Books In Total Is In the Blue Blood Series?
Hello Melissa! Welcome to BBB! My question would be, if you had to work on a writing collaboration with anyone dead or alive, who would you try?
RSVP
Followed her on twitter (RaonaidLuckwell)
Twittered about it
Registered for Blue Blood forum
Entered in the Kindle Contest
Posted about the chat/contest on facebook (rachel Flesher)
Posted about the chat/contest on myspace’s bullentin and blog (www.myspace.com/visionary_druid)
Posted about the chat/contest on my blogger (visionarydruid.blogspot.com)
BBB is the top link on my blogger section
Posted about the chat/contest on my livejournal (morriga.livejournal.com)
Hiya Melissa,
I’ve got two questions. 1)Witches of East End sounds really interesting. Will it be a stand alone or the first book of a series? and 2)I’m a huge fan of stationery. What’s your favourite pen?
I posted about this over here:
http://unpissenlit.livejournal.com/31089.html
Subscribed to the Bitten by Books newsletter.
RSVP’d
Hi Melissa! I love the Blue Bloods series, and I can’t wait to see what happens in Misguided Angel.
My questions: What are some of your favorite books that you read this year?
Which book out of the BB series was the hardest to write?
I RSVP’d
Subscriber to BBB
Friends w/ BBB through Goodreads
Meliam723@gmail.com
Great interview. You are a new author to me. Sounds like wonderful reading.
Following on Melissa de la Cruz Twitter(katsrus2003)
Entered Kindle Contest
Subscribe to Bitten by books newsletter
Joined The Blood Bank(Sue Brandes)
Facebook fan
Goodreads(Sue Brandes)
RSVP
I RSVP’d. Hi Melissa! I admit, I haven’t read your books yet - but they are on my TBR list! My grandpa is always jokingly saying I have ”blue blood” - so your series has always made me think of that. :)
that E special on vampires you mentioned – the one where your scenes were cut. Was that the ”10 Vampires” or whatever that recent special E had on about vampires last week. I’m sorry about your scenes - I would have loved to have heard your point of view!
You mentioned the end of newspapers & magazines - that saddens me
I love reading my magazines (different kinds) & learning about designers! (Im a perfumista - as Estee LAuder said, ”a woman should have one for every mood.” let’s just say - at this point, I am creating new moods to fit how many I have. Books & perfume are my weakness. :)
you also mentioned The Lord of the Rings changing your life - It definitely changed mine and It means the world to me.
Off topic! Sorry! :) Ok, questions: I like asking people wheee they could go if they could time travel. Any particular place in time you want to visit? Why?
Also, 2 questions I like asking people have already been asked – so if you could trade places with anyone (literary or real) for the day – who would you pick?
I will comment later with vcontest stuff! I’m on my cell right now. Please forgive typos!
2. How long have you been writing books?
How many books will there be in the series or is the third one the last one?
3. Posted on myspace: myspace.com/tonis_place36
Posted on facebook: profile.to/tonispringsteed
4. Request sent
5. Entered
7. http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/tonispringsteed
Hi Melissa! Blue Bloods is a series I keep meaning to pick up and I just haven’t yet, I have no excuses, but I will read it! I’m happy to hear about your new series too!
Where is your favorite place you’ve been?
-RSVP’d
5. done and done
7. receive BBB newsletter, member of the Blood Bank as Amanda Leigh, friend on Good Reads as Amanda Leigh
Hi Melissa welcome to BBB
Im new to your work so my question is do you ever cast your self in your books if so who would you be and why
and whats your top 10 things you cant live with out not pertained to writing
Melissa
im following you on twitter
joined both fan groups
BBB
I rsvped
i entered for the kindle
I attended the chat
BBB
im already friends with you on
Facebook Fan Page: Beverly Gordon
Good Reads: Beverly Gordon
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/forever14n9
Facebook: Beverly Gordon
Twitter:http://twitter.com/bainesgoddess
im on the blood bank : Beverly Gordon
i receive the news letter
shared on face book: beverly Gordon
twitter: @bainesgoddess
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/forever14n9
and my blog : http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
Hi Melissa i’m a big fan and i would like to know if after you finish the Blue Blood series if your going to write another vampire series? (i posted my post to have people look at your website). bye -your biggest fan
Also what got you to write a vampire series other then the series you have already written?
hi melissa i just wanted to ask how did you feel when you got your deal with HYPERION AND DISNEY BOOK GROUP.
monique8727@hotmail.com
RSVP’D
Facebook fan (Melissa)
bbb Facebook fan
blood bank member
entered the Kindle Contest
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/mofo8727?ref=name
(spreading the Word on facebook)
for those who dont know what im talking about this was posted on Melissa’s website. I’m sure you will agree with me that this is good news for all her fans.
My New Projects Are Officially Announced!
November 17, 2009
Hyperion and Disney Book Group released this announcement yesterday:
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR MELISSA DE LA CRUZ SIGNS MAJOR MULTIBOOK CONTRACTS WITH HYPERION AND DISNEY BOOK GROUP
November 16, 2009 – Ellen Archer, President and Publisher of Hyperion, and Jeanne Mosure, Senior Vice President, Group Publisher, Disney Book Group, today announced signing best-selling writer Melissa de la Cruz to major multibook contracts with their respective divisions of The Walt Disney Company. Richard Abate of 3Arts Entertainment negotiated both deals.
The Hyperion deal, for two books in a new adult fantasy series, marks Melissa de la Cruz’s first foray into adult paranormal fiction. The two novels will follow the lives of the Beauchamp girls, who live in the fictional town of North Hampton, as they struggle to stop an arch nemesis and restore the delicate balance between good and evil. De la Cruz will weave characters from her best-selling Blue Bloods young adult series into the novels. Ellen Archer, President and Publisher of Hyperion, has acquired World rights and Brenda Copeland will edit. The first novel, WITCHES OF EAST END, will be published in Spring 2011.
“Melissa is wonderfully creative and her enthusiasm for this project is infectious,” said Archer. “We are thrilled to be publishing this inventive series and to introduce her books to an adult audience.”
Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group, acquired two books in a brand-new series—WOLF PACT—as well as three companion books to de la Cruz’s best-selling BLUE BLOODS series. Wolf Pact will follow the adventures of Bliss Llewellyn, a central character in the Blue Bloods novels, as she goes on a quest to find the legendary Hounds of Hell and convince them to join the Blue Blood vampires in their war against the Silver Bloods. The Wolf Pact series will reinvent the myth of the werewolf in the same way that Blue Bloods breathed new life into the vampire genre. The first book in the series is scheduled to be published in Winter 2011. BLUE BLOODS: KEYS TO THE REPOSITORY, slated for Summer 2010, will contain never-before-published short stories and an encyclopedia to the Blue Bloods world. BLUE BLOODS: BLOODY VALENTINE, a romantic novella, will be published in Winter 2011. BLUE BLOODS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL will be published in Summer 2011. Jennifer Besser, Executive Editor, Disney Book Group, acquired North American rights for Wolf Pact and World rights for the Blue Bloods books. She will continue to edit de la Cruz.
“Melissa is an unstoppable talent,” said Mosure. “We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with her.”
Melissa de la Cruz is the author of the New York Times and USA Today best-selling young adult series Blue Bloods, published by Disney-Hyperion. The Van Alen Legacy, the latest book in the Blue Bloods series, debuted at #3 on the New York Times Children’s Series Best Sellers List, #12 on the USA Today Top 150 Best Seller List, and #4 on the Wall Street Journal Hardcover Fiction List. The Blue Bloods series has sold more than a million copies, is published in over twelve countries, and has appeared on numerous best-seller lists both domestically and abroad. Entertainment Weekly named Schuyler Van Alen from the Blue Bloods series as #9 in their Top 20 Vampires of all time. De la Cruz’s books have been honored by the American Library Association as a Top Ten Quick Pick, the Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best,” the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teenage, the TAYSHAS High School Reading List (TX), the Bank Street Children’s Books List, and many statewide reading lists.
Melissa de la Cruz began her writing career as a freelance journalist in New York City. She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications, including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends, and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews. De la Cruz is the author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens, including the Au Pairs series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series, and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
Hyperion, founded in 1991, publishes general-interest fiction and nonfiction hardcover, trade, and mass-market paperback books for adults, and includes the Voice, Miramax, ABC Daytime Press, and Hyperion eBooks and Audio imprints. Hyperion is the adult trade book publishing unit of the Disney/ABC-Television Group, which is part of The Walt Disney Company. For further information, please visit http://www.hyperionbooks.com.
Disney-Hyperion Books is an imprint of Disney Book Group (DBG); additional DBG imprints include Disney Editions, Disney-Jump at the Sun Books, and Disney Press. DBG is part of Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children’s magazines sold each year. Headquartered in White Plains, New York, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries.
Monique M.
HI Melissa
i also wanted to ask about your characters in your blue blood series. you seem to give us a good look at what Mimi, Sky and Bliss, but do will we every get to figure out what is really going on in the guys head. from readings Jack POV we can see that there is a lot going on in that pretty little head of his.
Thanks
monique8727@hotmail.com
RSVP’D
Facebook fan (Melissa)
bbb Facebook fan
blood bank member
entered the Kindle Contest
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/mofo8727?ref=name
(spreading the Word on facebook)
Hi Melissa, I am a big fan. I recommend your series to anyone who will listen.
I am late, so most of my questions have been answered.
What would your readers be shocked to learn about you?
rsvpd
following MDLC on twitter
already sub to BBB newsletter
blood bank http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/ElieNicewonger
facebook fans
goodreads
myspace
facebook
twitter http://twitter.com/EllzReadz/status/5996943715
BBB is always on my blogroll http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/
Hi Melissa, what made you decide to gear your writting for young adults or teens? Do you write any adult geared books? I’m not saying I won’t read your books I just wondered. I have the Blue Blood set on my TBR list which means I’ll have to buy them first.
I RSVP’d
4 Signed up for her mailing list
5. Entered the Kindle 2 contest
7. Friends with Bitten By Books, member of the blood bank, member of good reads, and myspace /bkwolf-whitaker
Contest stuff:
2 - RSVP & question (38)
3 - facebook - http://www.facebook.com/hcreely?ref=profile
twitter - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/5997009680
4 - twitter and both fan sites
5 - kindle contest
7 - all but myspace
2. Hi Melissa! I have to say I’ve really been drawn into the Blue Bloods world. The mystery/suspense feel has a lot to do with it, but I also really like Schuyler Van Alen & Oliver. They’ve got this really sweet relationship that I love following. I’ve not read book 4 yet but just got it today:)
3. Spread the word:
twittered–@bellafranco
blog –http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556450552691982711
Facebook — Veronica Franco
4.Friends with Melissa here:
http://www.twitter.com/melissadelacruz –@BellaFranco
5. Entered the Kindle Contest
7.Friends with Bitten by Books here:
*SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter
*Blood Bank member
~Bella Franco ~http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/BellaFranco
*Facebook Fan
*Good Reads friend & fan (iroquois girl)
*Facebook friend (veronica franco)
*Twitter follower (@bellafranco)
thanks for the chat,
bella
I cannot wait to read the Blue Bloods series - I haven’t had the change yet - but i’ve heard amazing things about them!
I’m friends with Melissa on twitter @thebookcellarx
I’m friends with BBB on Twitter and Goodreads
Hi Melissa,
Great Interview! I’m looking forward to checking out your Blue Blood series, it looks really good! Thanks for hanging out with us today!
Contest Stuff:
RSVP’d
Spread word on Twitter and Blog: http://twitter.com/SimmieTaye
http://simmietaye.blogspot.com/
Following Melissa on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SimmieTaye
Entered Kindle Contest
Attended Daily Book Chat
BBB Newsletter Subscriber
Blood Bank Member Username: Kimberly H. http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/KimberlyHodges
Friends w/ BBB on twitter: http://twitter.com/SimmieTaye
Facebook and Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000076576133
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kimmie_hodges
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2827899
Link to BBB is on my blog and Myspace Page: http://simmietaye.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kimmie_hodges
2. Great series, I read it almost a year ago so I’ve been eagerly waiting for the next book in the series! I’m excited it’s out now!!
5. I entered to win the Kindle.
thanks, s
Hi Mrs. De La Cruz
when you came up with the BB world what inspired you, and how did you come up with your brand of vampire. and do you think that the BB world will end up in the west coast…
monique8727@hotmail.com
RSVP’D
Facebook fan (Melissa)
bbb Facebook fan
blood bank member
entered the Kindle Contest
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/mofo8727?ref=name
(spreading the Word on facebook)
Hi Melissa, thank you for stopping by the BBB. I haven’t read your book yet but plan it now! lol
Do you have a routine you follow before you sit down to write?
I have RSVP
Great interview. Thanks for sharing! The upcoming releases all sound great and I cant wait to get the chance to read The Van Alen Legacy and see what happens.
How many books do you have in mind for the Blue Bloods series?
Where have you always wanted to travel but havent had the chance?
____________________
Contest stuff:
RSVPd
2. questions above
3. posted here: http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2009/11/bbb-contest-and-interview-with-melissa.html
4. Twitter - done; registered for fan sites
7. all but blog roll previously done
Thanks for being here today!
I dress up for free and write stories for fun, so yes, I understand. It’s always best if you can get paid for what you love doing, of course. I also love Underworld’s Selene and dressed up for the movies. Ooh, Betsey Johnson.
Yay, sticky notes. Sometimes I need a reference book for all the series I read, like your Blue Blood ‘bible’. Fashion background and vampires; I’m in. 
I would love the boxed set. I like Sookie’s voice and adult novels, so that sounds interesting. I read Sweet Valley High, too. 
It’s easiest to read in the airport, waiting rooms and late at night if you’re not planning on sleeping. 
I enjoy witch, vampire and werewolf books, so I’ll have to keep tours in mind. I agree with writing through the block then fixing it later. It may not flow the first time, but it’s worth it in the end. 
I was a layout maker/artist/editor for a literary magazine called Fire & Ice, and I enjoyed that. I love how you had a lot of say in the covers. I did a photo set with a veiled look like that and love it. Beautiful. Doing business in PJs is where it’s at. I wear perfume to suit my mood, too. I’d definitely check out a graphic novel version. 
5 done Kindle and book chat
7 done Facebook and newsletter
I RSVP’d
I commented & asked 2 questions. (#91)
I followed Melissa on Twitter (@ailish79)
I joined the Fan Groups! (both of them)
I voted in this week’s poll
I participated in the daily book chat.
I am a member of the Blood Bank. (Libby LaRue)
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/LibbyLaRue
I follow BBB on GoodReads (Libby LaRue)
I am a friend on Facebook (Same name)
I follow the BBB Facebook Fan Page.
I follow on Twitter (@ailish79)
I receive the BBB newsletter.
BBB has a permenant link on my little bookblog:
solvioleta.wordpress.com
I posted links for this event on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/ailish79/status/5990390272
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1264897826&share_id=216643111069&comments=1#s216643111069
on my little book blog:
http://solvioleta.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/interview-chat-and-contest-with-author-melissa-de-la-cruz/
Hi Melissa! Question: Do you snack while you write and, if so, what are your favorite food to snack on while writing? Do you listen to music while you write or do you need complete silence?
thanks!
I RSVP’d.
Hi Melissa
2.I Went to your page and i have to tell you this series looks nothing like your other Books.How did you start Wright thing this type of books.maybe I ask the wrong Question ? so Why did you get started on this type.?of course its the best type out the Paranormal Rule’s its the best type.
3.I have spread the word on my myspace and facebook and here are the links
http://www.myspace.com/sasluvbooks & facebook.com/sasluvbooks
5.Did the Daily Contest
7.I’m already a friend of Bitten By Books on my mysapce and facebook and I get the newsletter
*I RSVPed
From Stacey S
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
hey Melissa,
2) i have read the first three books and loved them!!!!!!!!!!!
do you have a get away where you write your books?
and Which character are you most like?
3)posted a link on Facebook:
@ Ranna El Naga
4) became fan at both sites
5) particpated in the chat and already in the contest
7)already a subscriber and on facebook fan-page and requested to be a friend on facebook
I am already a member at blood bank
I also RSVP’d.
Your book series is unique. I love the ‘universe’ you have created for this series.
Where did you get the idea for Blue Bloods? Did it just come to you or was it developed?
Hi Melissa, I just wanted to say your books sound really good and I can’t wait to read them. thanks for being here.
3.spread the word: heidi330.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/heidi330
http://www.myspace.com/heidi330
http://www.facebook.com/heidi330
http://www.goodreads.com/heidi330
http://www.bloodbank.com/heidi330
4.befreinded Melissa on twitter and joined invisionfree both of them
5.done
7.freinds w/ BBB
newsletter
bloodbank
twitter
myspace
facebook
RSVP
thanks
HeidiS
Hi guys!
I’ve noticed a lot of the later questions are repeats of questions I’ve already answered in previous posts - so please scroll up and see if I have answered your question already. I’ll try to answer all the new questions now.
Thanks!
Hi Kristen - it was my idea, I developed it all by myself. I got the idea from loving Paradise Lost and wanting an origin story for my vampires and coming across a website that listed all the famous Americans who could trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower. I had an idea: what if all the famous and rich Americans were famous and rich and influential because they were….dadadum… UNDEAD? And that’s how Blue Bloods came to be.
Hi Ranna - I write in my office at home. And all three girls have part of my personality I was like Schuyler when I was a teen, very alienated and goth and I was like Mimi when I was in my 20s, Bliss is the least like me on the surface but she has a lot of my resilience.
Hi Stacey - I answered this question earlier. My editor for the Au Pairs series asked me in 2004 if I had any interest at all in writing horror books and I said a big resounding YES. All I read when I was a teen were sci-fi, fantasy and horror so I was very excited to be given a chance to write the kind of book I loved to read growing up. And this was two years before Twilight was published, so my editor was taking a chance on me and this kind of book.
Hi Michelle - I do not snack I chew gum because I used to smoke when I write and I don’t anymore but now I need the gum. I write in silence.
Hi Monique - We’ll hear more form the guys’ POV in Keys to the Repository and in Bloody Valentine.
Thanks BBB for having me! This was very fun! Thanks everyone for all your great questions! Hope you enjoy the books!
xoxo
Mel
I especially enjoyed reading your response on how you keep track of world building. Sounds like a lot of work but fun, too!
Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks!
Hi, I haven’t gotten the chance to read the books yet but i own the first 2. I really really want to read them. Everyone that i know loves them.
I shared here. http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1463087417
http://twitter.com/VampedChik
I friended and joined the sites.
Ive already entered the kindle contest.
Im already friends with BBB
I RSVP’d
I RSVPed for this event.
2. I really like the concept behind these books…the idea of vampires being fallen angels. Very intriguing!
3. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/6038025235
Facebook share: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000504623462&ref=search&sid=1354072304.1622025738..1#/posted.php?id=1354072304&share_id=192914542196&comments=1#s192914542196
7. I follow the BBB feed via Google Reader and BBB is permanently listed in my blogroll at http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/
I RSVPed for this event.
2. I really like the concept behind these books…the idea of vampires being fallen angels. Very intriguing!
3. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/6038025235
Facebook share: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000504623462&ref=search&sid=1354072304.1622025738..1#/posted.php?id=1354072304&share_id=192914542196&comments=1#s192914542196
7. I follow the BBB feed via Google Reader and BBB is permanently listed in my blogroll at http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/
Huh. Wow this seemed like a great interview~
I would like to ask what made you choose your vampires to be ‘reborn’?
Well. I feel bad about missing this interview, but I want to say that your BB novel is very satisfying!
When I write horror or fantasy, I worry about the degree to which I may expect my audience to suspend disbelief. How do you handle this issues? What are your criteria to make sure the world you have woven, no matter how fantastic, is “real”?
WOW DO I LOVE YOUR BOOKS MELISSA… IS IT OK IF I CALL U BY UR FIRST NAME?
OMG! I love your books! I have the first 3 books and I really WANT to read the next one!
So what’s it like to be a writer? I wanna be one myself and I’ve written a lot of stories and , maybe, I’ll publish them later. Do you have any tips for me?
Your books are amazing! More power!