On Wednesday, I had the chance to go to a signing with Melissa de la Cruz, the author of the Blue Bloods series at my local library. Even though I haven’t read her books yet, I was excited to go because I love hearing authors speak about their books, writing process, writing adventures, and lives. It makes them feel like real people and not just a name on a book.
Cruz was a lot of fun to listen to. She was so upbeat and bubbly and she shared some fun tidbits about her books and her life as an author. She said that she wanted to be an author ever since she was 11 years old. Before that, she had thought about it, but she always thought authors were either really old or dead. When she found out that the author of the Babysitters Club was only 22, she realized her dream could come true.
When she submitted her first book to an editor, the editor wanted to take her out to lunch. He told her he wouldn’t buy her book, but he thought she had potential. He suggested that she do some freelance writing as a journalist to help improve her writing skills. Most people think she’s a journalist turned author. When in reality, journalism was just a stepping stone to get where she really wanted to be.
A lot of the background with the vampires in her stories came from her religious beliefs. As you progress through the books, you find out that her vampires are fallen angels. She wanted an origin story because she always felt that other vampires stories didn’t explain why they existed or where they came from. She took the lore of Lucifer’s fall from Heaven to help explain the existence of her vampires. She feels that because many religions–Christianity, Judaism, and Islam–have this as part of their religious lore, it was something she could use without feeling like she was being sacrilegious.
When it was my turn to get my books signed, I handed Cruz one of my blog cards. (I was a little nervous about it since it was my first time doing it.) She was excited to get one and recognized my Twitter avie as part of the card. (I had tweeted earlier that day saying I was going to the signing using her Twitter username. We exchanged a few tweets.) When she recognized my avie, she exclaimed, “You’re my Twitter friend!” I felt so cool and that moment. She even wrote in my book, “Hi Jenni, My Twitter friend. XOXO.”
Even though her books have been on my TBR list for a while, I’m so excited to read them now that I’ve met her. And, I can’t wait to see how the fallen angel lore integrates into the story.
About Jenni Elyse
She sounds really nice! I should have gone but I haven’t read her books and I always feel bad. Silly, I know.
I understand how you feel. I’m always worried I’m not going to have anything to say and that I’ll be a dork in front of them. So far, it’s worked out that I’ve had something to say because I find something we have in common:
Markus Zusak: I have an irrational fear of Australia. He’s from Australia. It made for an interesting conversation.
Emily Wing Smith: I know her pretty well through Brodi and Bree.
Ally Carter: I asked her if she remembers the “Hale” name from the Church History Museum she got Hale’s name from.
Kiersten White: She graduated in editing at BYU. I’m graduating in editing at BYU.
Cinda Williams Chima: She’s a lefty and I always notice lefties because I’m one.
Melissa de la Cruz: Twitter buddy!
Although, I did accidentally lie to her. She asked me who I preferred in her book by using their names. I said Jack because the name comes to me easily and then I realized what she asked. I was embarrassed, but she didn’t know, lol.
Well, I think you are definitely in the cool crowd now (not that you weren’t’ before, but now there is NO question!) Way to promote and connect! And once again, I too haven’t read these books. I’m falling woefully behind.
Ha! I don’t know about that, but thanks.
I’m woefully behind too. I think I’m more behind than you are, lol.
Thanks for sharing! She seems really nice. I just backed out of going to a signing because I hadn’t read any books by the author… I too feel silly. I LOVE your moo cards! I just ordered mine with my perk code and I’m really bummed that they take two weeks to make and ship. I was hoping to have them before the Laini Taylor book signing which happens right before they are expected to arrive.
Thanks! I love my moo cards too. I can’t wait to see yours. I hope you post them on your blog.
Wow! I live in a small town so we never get authors for book signings or anything
I think I would have been so excited too if she would have recognized my card! What a fun story!
Do you have any authors that go bigger cities around you? If so, you should go if you have the chance. They’re a lot of fun!