BooksChatter: ℚ Surviving High School - Lele Pons & Melissa de la Cruz

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Melissa de la Cruz to talk about Surviving High School (5 April 2016, Simon & Schuster Children's UK, 272 pages), a Contemporary Young Adult novel.

Synopsis | Teaser | Author Q&A | About the Authors | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to Melissa de la Cruz; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Surviving High School?

"The inspiration came from Lele’s life and vines.

The book is a fictionalized version of Lele’s real life and inspired by her Vines, but it is her voice and her heart that is in the book."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Surviving High School - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"We wanted to show a funny and gorgeous picture of Lele because that’s who she is – she looks like a supermodel but is a clumsy, lovable dork."

Why should we read Surviving High School and what sets it apart from the rest?

"It’s really funny and a fresh new voice in YA, I was drawn to help write Lele’s story because it’s so different from the usual timid heroine in YA. She’s brash and unafraid, and while there’s a love story in it, it’s different too. I really really enjoyed getting to know her and the new teen perspective."

Can you tell us something quirky about Surviving High School, its story and characters?

"- Some of the characters are inspired by real people, like Twan and Steve Tao, but everything is fictional. Both Twans are super hot though. And of course both Steve’s are super cool."

Who would you recommend Surviving High School to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"It’s a very clean and funny read, anyone 12 and over can read it and enjoy it."

If you could / wished to turn Surviving High School into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I would like Lele to play herself, as for a director, someone young and new and who knows how to do funny."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I’ve written in all the genres – contemporary, fantasy, realistic. I like to read all the genres as well."

What is your writing process?

"Idea, outline, first draft, repeat draft till done. End."

What is in store next?

"I have a lot of books out this year – Something in Between, my new book from Seventeen magazine and Harlequin Teen, about an illegal immigrant who falls in love with the House Majority leader’s son. Return to the Isle of the Lost, my sequel to Isle of the Lost. Golden, the last and final book in my fantasy series Heart of Dread, and Double Eclipse, the second book in the Summer on East End series about teen witches."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?