Ask Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston - November 14th! discussion
Featured Author Chat - 2013
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Ask Melissa and Michael!
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Cynthia
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Oct 22, 2013 03:35PM
Welcome to the group! Melissa and Michael will be answering questions throughout the day on Thursday, November 14th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for the authors or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.
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I am so excited about this discussion forum. I really enjoyed your Blue Bloods series and fully expect the next series will be just as in depth, with well written dialogue and well rounded characters. Blue Bloods is a series that I started as a Y.A. and finished as a regular A, so it has accumulated some great nostalgia for me.I have two questions:
The first is did your inspiration for Blue Bloods come from your time with Marie Claire?
The second question is a little more drawn out. Your books have excellent writing and editing, and the plot lines are complex and fall outside of the norm of the YA plots today. How do you feel as a writer and journalist, about the poorly edited, poorly written, copy-and-paste plot line books that swamp the YA field currently?
Thank you so much for your answer and having this forum!
I was wondering how you thought of the plot and characters in your Blue Bloods series and also whether you would ever consider writing another book to them?
Let me begin by stating I am an adult. I began reading YA because I taught 7th & 8th grade literature and wanted to read what my students were reading in order to have intelligent conversations with them. My question is two-fold:Writing the Blue Bloods series lumped you into the YA Vampire book genre. While many of these books are poorly written, yours not being one of them, how did you combat the "just another teen vampire book" ideology?
Secondly, how do you feel your readers will respond to your new novel, Written with Micheal, in comparison to the Blue Bloods novels? Do you feel they will take to the new plot and themes readily or compare it to what you've done in the past?
I am really curious as to what happens to Jack in the time period where he come a back alive to where he finds Schuyler. Have you ever thought of writing a spin off book about this?
So many good questions....I guess mine is just selfish because I want to read the next book, so when is it coming out?!?! :)
Ok so I am 16 and have been reading YA books since the sixth grade, and I can say that your series has been in the top of some of the ones I have read. My bookshelf is filled with books. I can say I do read a lot more than I should, and am often getting I trouble for it. Melissa, you P.C. and Kristen Cast, and Richelle Mead are my favorite YA paranormal authors. I love the Blue Blood series, because not only is it well written but also different. What I mean by that is this series is not your typical vampire read. I am tired of reading the same and yours was refreshing and exciting to me. The romance, twists, and danger makes me love this series.
What I would like to ask you is what gave you the inspiration to write? Was there a certain series that made you love to read?
The answer to this may be obvious but I was never quite sure. It's been ages since I read the Blue Bloods series, but I seem to remember wondering if Kingsly was English. Is he?
Hello there! I'm a young writer and have been inspired by your Blue Bloods series, Melissa. My favorite genres to read are YA and mystery/ crime, and your Blue Bloods books have satisfied me. Currently, I'm reading Lost in Time (I really thought that Sky and Oliver would stay together) and I'm liking it!Perhaps my favorite books so far in the series have been Blue Bloods and Bloody Valentine.
Being a YA writer I'd like to ask you some questions that as a growing writer I ponder:
-What inspires you most to create a plot for the story?
-How do you come up with varying and round characters that can be strong throughout a whole series?
-Did you ever see yourself as an author during your teenage years?
You're an incredible author! Hope to read more from you!
What was your inspiration for your version of hell in the Blue Bloods series? Did you take inspiration from other mythologies and folk lore legends?
I'm very excited to hear that you've written a book together. I've been trying to convince my fiancé that we should write something together but he hasn't loved the idea. Did you write something together before this? Did you find a particular flow that works well? Do you have any other tips for someone who is thinking of following in your steps? Happy writing to you both.
Ahh I am such a fan of yours! I was wondering how writing this series differed from writing the Blue Bloods series? Thanks for taking time to do this ! -Demi
I just want to start by saying that I am a huge fan of the Blue Bloods series and I also absolutely love your covers ! I've got three questions ( for now : ) What was your inspiration for starting the Blue Bloods ? Do you think that you'll ever write another book ( no matter how short ) to follow Gates of Paradise ? because I really want to know what happens after Schuyler meets Jack at the library and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who would love to get their hands on that book as soon as it's out. Lastly why did you decide to write one with your husband ? was it just because you had that sudden thought that writing one with him would be amazing or was it because he had a really genius idea and you decided to roll with it ? Anyway I can't wait to read it, Frozen is on my must read list already !, good luck in the future.Have fun !
Hi first off thank you for doing this it isn't very often that a fan gets to speak to their favorite authors!. I only have one question, what is your process when writing a new book? like how do you get the ideas onto the page and figure out how the thoughts in your head should work chronologically. I am so excited to read Frozen! xxxx Demi
I also am older and yet I read all y/a books mostly because I have a teenage daughter I have all the blue blood series, wolf pack, and witches of east end I have frozen but haven't read it yet and hopefully I will have it read before the forum begins. I was glad that lifetime made a tv series about your witches of east end The only question I have were the tv show is concerned is to why did they not have people playing the part closure to the way you describe what they look like in the books....Also do you think you would ever do a movie with blue bloods/wolf pact/witches of east end. I really enjoy reading your books and have read them multiple times and I really loved how the books I listed all join together per say do you think you will bring out the characters in the others series with the tv show???????????
I am currently reading Frozen, and it is sooooooo good!!!!
Was it hard for you two to collaborate to write this book?? Did one author focus on one aspect, while the other focused on a different aspect??
I live in South Africa (huge fan!) When is the release date for South Africa as I have yet to see in bookshops, libraries, etc?
I am a huge Blue Bloods fan, I started reading them when I was 13 and I felt like the characters were real persons.How did you create them? Did the details about them, their feelings, the way they react to things, etc came when you were wrtiting or did you think about all of it before writing?
When you write a book, do you have a plan or do you create your story when you're writing?
Hi, I was wondering when you were going to send out the signed books from the Frozen pre-order give away, from this summer?P.S. Your books are just wonderful!
Where do you get your inspiration? I am in awe of how you come up with your characters and how you develop them. P.S. I am a HUGE Blue Bloods fan!
I love your Blue Blood series (though I will be honest and say I have not gotten around to finishing the series; bad me), but I did read Frozen recently. I just wanted to know what your inspiration for Frozen was? And what made you want to write the book with your husband?
I absolutely loved your Blue Blood series. Have you thought about writing another book that series? Would you consider writing another series about shapeshifters?
I was also wondering if you were going to write more in respects to Witches of the east end ?
Hi Melissa and Michael! What inspires you the most in the world to write? - Becca Jayne(Pretty Little Memoirs, YA Book Blogger)
I read Frozen a few weeks ago and loved it! I noticed that you two had written it together, and I was wondering how that experience was i.e how did you work together, and was it difficult?
I would love to read more about the world's back-story from your novel, 'Frozen'. Will we ever get to see how this world came to be where it now is?
Hi Melissa and Michael, how did you write frozen? I mean, did one of you write the majority and the other just chip in or another way? Just want to say Melissa I absolutely adore your blue bloods books and would love to know if you are going to write any spin off series? Thank you!
Hi Melissa and Michael! Wow, I can't believe I'm really talking to Melissa De La Cruz....
Okay well, first off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blue Bloods. Schuyler and Jack are the cutest couple ever, and I just can't get enough of them. You should expand with a spinoff!
Secondly, I was wondering if you have a specific set of music that you listen to when you write?
Hello Melissa and Michael! Just like what everybody said earlier, I love blue bloods series and I really adore your work :) For this book, frozen, how do you both keep the consistency in writing as you both collaborate in this?
Thank you :)
Hello!! I've been a fan for years and I look up to you and adore your writing style. Writing is a hobby of mine and I've been seriously trying to finish a project with the hope of getting published all year, but I always seem to suffer from motivation problems. I just get to a point where I just run out of love for the plot and it almost always seems to happen at or around the four chapter mark. I think it's because I'm so used to writing short stories so writing something longer has been particularly challenging. So far, out of all the stories I've started this year (about four or five) only one of them has reached a decent length (about 40k) and I feel like I'm only about halfway through.So my question is this: do you have any tips or tricks for writing longer pieces? Any advice for expanding a short story into a full-blown novel?
Hello! As with everyone else on this blog, I have really enjoyed the Blue Bloods series. So much so, that I have given them as gifts to friends. My question is how do you separate time from everyday life to write? Where do your inspirations come from?
Hello! I just finished Frozen recently, and one of the things I really enjoyed was the initial conflict between the two protagonists and how that relationship changed and developed throughout the book. I also loved how distinct each point of view was. I'm currently writing a novel, and trying to accomplish this same sort of thing. Do you have any advice about it?
HEY,i just finished all the blue bloods books,and let me just say loved it! i've already read Frozen and it too was amazing.
Hi, first I wanted to say thank you for doing this and putting your work out there, I absolutely love your books!! I was just wondering how you both became writers, and what your inspiration for writing in the first place was? Also I was wondering what both your favorite books are and why? (that you have written as well as by other authors)Thank you :)
I love the blue blood seriesmy question is which character do you associate your self with the most out of all your books
and also which character would you want to be like, if you were not yourself???????
Hi im a big fan of the blue blood series. I was wondering if you would tell me what it was like when u first started and if you have any tips for an upcomer in the world of writing. Im currently writing a book that I really like and that ive shown to only a few also like it so far. my dream is one day to become an author.
HI!!!! Melissa, Michael!!! Melissa big fan of Blue Bloods and im super excited that you and your husband have this amazing new book together! Q: What song or artist get you into the mood to write Frozen?
Hi Melissa and Michael!!! Melissa, I've read your website several times, and I catch each one of your tweets, so now getting to ask you a question directly is awesome! (So keep tweeting away!!!)
I'm very motivated, and writing is what I love to do above everything else(of course, there's this author I think named Melissa, and her books are wonderful to read...). I finished the first draft of my very first novel at the beginning of this year, when I was 15. A publishing company read the first 20 pages, and they have requested to see the the rest of the manuscript. Now, several months later, I am still writing the second draft.
Q: Do you write several drafts of your novels? Or is your first draft always finalized? How long does it take for you to write one book? (After the planning.)
I'm in my junior year of a rigorous magnet program called IB, and my dad does not support my writing but would rather me go to college for STEM(Science Technology Engineering Math). Even so I still want to pursue writing, despite its unpredictability.
Q: Were you ever nervous about pursuing your dreams? Were you ever a 'starving writer', going through rough times, such as living in someone's walk-in-closet?
I know there's a million questions, so thanks for taking your time and answering mine!!! <3 U
yippeeeeee
Hi to everyone!I`m so happy to be here.I1m form Romania and i read the Blue Bloods series by Melissa.I loved that series very very much.I was addicted.I read it about 5 times a think.My questions is for Melissa and i want to know how she came up with this idea for the Blue Bloods series?
What is your advice for people who are writing a YA book? An author-to-be?
Hi Melissa and Micheal, I am in my last semester before student teaching for middle and high school grades and I am a HUGE FAN OF YOUNG ADULT books. I started reading Blue Bloods when my cousin bought me the first one for Christmas on year. I have two questions, one: how is this series different/similar to the blue bloods series, what can we expect?
and two: do you have any advice for an almost teacher who will be, hopefully, be instilling the love of reading to her students?
THanks!!!!! (I love your work and look forward to reading the new series!!!)
hi my names is stacey i am 18 years old and i am writing a book i am from surrey b.c and i love your books i own lots and re read them, i don't ever want to stop, or put them down, when i read them i feel like i am on a emotional roller coaster ride.i have a couple questions
1: im a author of my own book well at-least trying to be one i have written one book and i wanted to know where do you get your inspiration to write from? for me its on how i feel and the music i listen to.
2: for when you write how long does it take you to complete one novel? do you ever go back and cross out a section you wrote thinking it was terrible? and then write a different section on it but chose the original because you liked it better? and do you ever get writers block.. i know i do.
I am obsessed with BLUE BLOODS!
Hi Melissa,i've read every book in the Blue bloods series except Gates of Paradise.also i have witches of east end and the only reason i haven't read Gates of Paradise because i don't want it to end though i miss them so much. i love your style of writing and your great ideas. Angels that are vampires and witches who are NORSE GODS! NORSE GODS! i love everything involving ragnarok.
My Question-
1. How do you come up with such brilliance?! it is very creative and amazing.
2. where can i find the encyclopedia of things that never were?
3. how is co-writing thats how your new book was written right?
4. how did you get started in books because i have been working for years but have no where to start?
P.S. I think you may be my favorite author other then Achebe and Lauren Oliver
Andreea wrote: "Hi to everyone!I`m so happy to be here.I1m form Romania and i read the Blue Bloods series by Melissa.I loved that series very very much.I was addicted.I read it about 5 times a think.My questions..."
Hi, is romania awesome?
Hi, so I have been reading the blue bloods series and only have one more to go and have loved the series very much. I just wanted to ask where you got your ideas or inspiration for the characters and the storyline. Also how has it been working together on frozen?
Kaila wrote: "Andreea wrote: "Hi to everyone!I`m so happy to be here.I1m form Romania and i read the Blue Bloods series by Melissa.I loved that series very very much.I was addicted.I read it about 5 times a thin..."Hi Kaila!YEs,Romania is so great.The view,here are so wonderfull.Take your breath away!
Mod
Did Blue Bloods come from my time with Marie Claire?
It came from living in New York, certainly, and some of it was inspired by my experience working in the magazine industry, but not specifically by my time at Marie Claire.
As to your second question "Your books have excellent writing and editing, and the plot lines are complex and fall outside of the norm of the YA plots today. How do you feel as a writer and journalist, about the poorly edited, poorly written, copy-and-paste plot line books that swamp the YA field currently?"
Yikes! Thank you for the compliment, and I am saddened that there is the perception that YA has been flooded by "poorly written" books. I'm not a hater, and I don't share that feeling at all. I think readers are responding to the PLETHORA of choice in YA now, the market has just grown exponentially. And I think they see publishers rushing to publish books that are very much like the books that do well, and some readers are responding by saying "Ecch!" because they see it as a money grab, which always makes people flinch.
But in truth, publishing, as one of the entertainment industries, is a very very very small market compared to movies, video games and television, the profit margins are so small, that if a book does well and other books are published in the same genre because of it, I just can't find fault in it. We're all just trying to survive in this brave new world of publishing, and cream always rises to the top.
There are books that are published because they fall in a certain "read-alike" basket, but they do well because they are original in their own way and are able to differentiate themselves out of the pack.
Mod
I am writing a Blue Bloods spinoff called THE VAMPIRES OF MANHATTAN! New characters and old ones, new story. Lots of fun! It's an adult spinoff, as my characters have grown up!
