Big 4 with Bec: Melissa de la Cruz

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens.  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, and Glamour. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends, and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

1. Congratulations on the success that you’re enjoying with Misguided Angel: The New York Times Bestseller list… USA Today Bestseller list… Wall Street Journal Bestseller list!  What amazing achievements! What’s it like to see your name on such internationally recognised lists and how do you keep grounded in order to concentrate on the next project?

I think what keeps me grounded is that I enjoy and celebrate it when it happens, and it’s always a surprise: I never expect it–I am always primed for disappointment rather than triumph. Also, Revelations, the third book in the Blue Bloods series, was my first book to make all the lists; but it was my 16th book, so for books 1-15, I never had this experience. So,I think paying dues and being a veteran keeps my feet on the ground. I know all too well what it’s like on the other side. My motto is “don’t get used to it!” Also, when the lists come out, I’m deep into writing the next book, which is more important than any list. But it is nice to have the accolades and the champagne dinner. We make it special so that it’s not just any other day.

2. When did you first develop an interest in speculative fiction? Which texts, authors and characters were your greatest influences?

I’ve always loved fantasy and sci-fi. My favorite authors are Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, JRR Tolkien, and Stephen King. I loved Roland the gunslinger and Jake from New York from the Dark Tower series, Paul Atreides and Chani and their tragic love story, Aragorn and Arwen…. I love tragic couples!

3. You’ve worked as a fashion and beauty editor for a number of high-profile publications and TV shows for many years. Do you miss that world? If you could give your YA readers only 3 style tips, what would they be?

Sometimes I miss it. Not really. I am much more introverted and more comfortable in the writing world than the fashion world. I think there is an “extrovert mask” that introverts wear, that I wore for many years as a fashion and trend editor and reporter. Style tips depend on age, I would say when you’re young, you can really wear anything. Everything looks great when you are young. So go wild, try all the trends… Vintage–I used to wear these vintage dresses and get them chopped off at the thigh and they looked fabulous. Once you get older, invest in well-tailored clothes–it’s better to buy $40 jeans from the Gap and get them tailored for $20 so they fit perfectly than spending $200 on jeans that don’t. Wear what you are comfortable with and don’t forget to add some flourish. I love a big cocktail ring, a great scarf, crazy high platform heels.

4. Which of your fictional characters Burns Brightest in your mind and why?

I would say all my girls are my stars: Schuyler, Mimi and Bliss are my favorite to write about. They are all part of me so I can’t choose. Schuyler because of her quiet strength, Mimi because, for all of her flaws, she is incredibly loya,l and Bliss because she remains true to herself in adversity.

Click here for the official Melissa de la Cruz website.

Fantastic Misguided Angel trailer here!

Melissa’s Awards Info (woah!!):

The Au Pairs is an ALA Quick Pick, a YALSA Top Ten nominee and on the PSLA Fiction List. Skinny-Dipping is an ALA Quick Pick Nominee, and Crazy Hot is a New York Public Library Book for the Teenage and was named a best teen series book by TeenReads.com. The series has been optioned for a major motion picture by Warner Brothers, with Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films producing.

Blue Bloods is an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick, a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, a TAYSHAS pick, an Alabama Public Library “Best Fang” nominee, a Cybils nominee and merited a starred review from Booklist. Masquerade is an ALA Quick Pick and a New York Public Library Book for the Teenage. Revelations is a New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly best-seller. The Van Alen Legacy debuted at #3 on the New York Times Children’s Series Best Sellers List, #12 on the USA Today Top 150 Best Seller List, #4 on the Wall Street Journal Hardcover Fiction List and #2 on the Bookscan Juvenille List.

Fresh off the Boat is an ALA Quick Pick nominee, a New York Public Library Book for the Teenage and a Bank Street Bookstore Best Children’s Book and a California Readers California Collection.

Angels on Sunset Boulevard was named Best Debut Series by TeenReads.com.