Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Publishers Weekly internationally bestselling author of many critically acclaimed novels. Her Blue Bloods series has sold over three million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network.
In today’s episode, Melissa shares the inspiration behind her book Alex and Eliza and what the writing process was like. We also discuss her novel Something in Between which follows an overachieving Filipino high schooler who came to the U.S. when she was a child. Though not autobiographical in any way, we touch on how Melissa’s own move from the Philippines to the U.S. and her experiences with a complicated green card situation laid down the emotional foundation for her character’s voice.
Further into our conversation, we talk about why it’s important for writers to have a solid support system and good critique partners. For listeners working on a manuscript or entering the query trenches, you’ll definitely want to keep an ear out for her advice about dealing with rejections and recognizing when you’ve finished your novel.
Happy listening!
Xo
Yin
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“Send it out, get rejected, develop a tough skin, and keep on knocking on that door.”
-Melissa de la Cruz
“It’s really important to teach kids…how to see people who are different as fully human as you are.”
-Melissa de la Cruz
“When you make writing the sole purpose…you’re not paying attention to the life around you.”
-Melissa de la Cruz
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
- Melissa’s experience moving to the U.S.
- Knowing when you’ve finished your novel
- Why having a support system is crucial for writers
- The importance of finding a good critique partner
- The inspiration and writing process behind “Alex and Eliza”
- Retelling classic stories
- Why it’s important to teach children how to be empathetic
- Querying advice: How to query literary agents with fearlessness
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Witches of East End and the Descendants series comes the love story of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
1777. Albany, New York. As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival those of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.
Still, Eliza can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
Learn More About Melissa de la Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Publishers Weekly internationally bestselling author of many critically acclaimed novels. Her Blue Bloods series has sold over three million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network.
Books & Resources Mentioned in Melissa’s Episode:
Soleri by Michael Johnston
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee