I’ve wanted to be an author since I was eleven years old, I wrote my first novel at 22 but didn’t sell it, instead an editor who was interested told me I should try to be a journalist so I could have professional writing credits. So I became a freelance journalist, and worked as a beauty and fashion editor until I sold my third written novel (and first published novel) Cat’s Meow in 1999.
If you had to give an elevator pitch for Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe, what would it be?
Gender-swapped Pride & Prejudice with one snooty Miss Darcy.
What inspired you to do a modern, festive re-telling of such a classic novel?
It always bothered me that Lizzy Bennet had so little options, like if Darcy didn’t marry her, she was going to be a poor spinster. So I wanted to write about a woman who had the world at her fingertips –so I thought why not make Darcy an alpha female? It’s also a homage to two of my favorite novels – Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. And the Christmas setting was because I’m working with a producer who makes a ton of Christmas movies, and he asked me to come up with Christmas ideas, and voila!
Have you any plans to do a re-telling of any other stories?
Yes! Working on a new one now. Can’t announce it yet though!
Several of your books have been made into films already, if Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe was to be made into a film who would you cast to play the roles of Darcy and Luke?
Urgh, I’m so bad at this! But Jennifer Lawrence would be a fun Darcy and Chris Pratt would be a gorgeous Luke.
Your books cover a variety of themes and genres, have you a favourite?
I think my fantasy books are super dear to me, because those are my foundational reads – my favorite books are Dune, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. So I am very fond of my Blue Bloods, Witches of East End and Heart of Dread series.
But right now I’m writing a book in a totally different genre and am completely enamored with it.
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?
Read as much as you can.
If you get a block during the initial writing phase, how do you work your way through it?
I pause, get a massage, take a walk. Let your subconscious mind work on the problem.
What essentials do you nellied to have close to hand when you are in writing mode?
Laptop. Gum. That’s it.
What writers inspire you?
JK Rowling as an author and a philanthropist and an activist. Also Stephen King.
Do you treat yourself to something to celebrate the publication of your books?
Always. Diamonds.
And finally, what can we expect from you next?
My newest teen novel, Someone to Love comes out in January and deals with body dismorphia and eating disorders, and then next April, Love and War: An Alex and Eliza Story, comes out, then the newest Isle of the Lost book in May, then a new Disney series this fall.
Connect with Melissa via:
Website: http://melissa-delacruz.com
Facebook: author Melissa de la Cruz
Twitter: @MelissadelaCruz
Instagram: authormelissadelacruz
Tumblr: http://authormelissadelacruz.tumblr.com
As partner at a major New York hedge fund, Darcy's only serious relationship is with her work cellphone. The truth is, she's too busy being successful and making money to have time for Christmas... let alone to allow romance into her life.
But this year Darcy is coming home to Pemberley, Ohio, for the holidays. There, she runs into her old neighbour and high-school foe Luke Bennet - the oldest of five wayward brothers. When Darcy's enmity with Luke is re-opened, along with a hefty dollop of sexual chemistry... well, sparks are sure to fly. Can Darcy fall in love - or will her pride, and Luke's prejudice against big-city girls, stand in their way?
All book titles in bold are Amazon UK Affiliate links which will earn me a few pence if anyone clicks through and makes a purchase - any money earned will go towards buying books or gifts for giveaways.
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