I have been following Marissa Meyer since her fan fiction days as Alicia Blade and was ecstatic when Jenn told me that she had agreed to do an interview with us! Marissa is the author of the Lunar Chronicles, a four book series of which the first, Cinder, is published. See my review of Cinder here and Meghan's here. I would like to take this time to thank Marissa for taking the time to talk to us!
1. Tell us about your car.
Other than HOW MUCH I LOVE IT? I drive an orange 2010 VW Beetle. It's adorable. I developed an obsession with orange Beetles after writing Cinder (hint: that's the car she finds in the junkyard, although hers would have been an old model from the 1960s), but the particular burnt-orange color I wanted is really hard to find. When I was shopping for one, we discovered that there were only three for sale in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. So my husband and I flew down to L.A. to buy it and drove it back home. It's my one big eccentric-writer story.
Kristal: I have seen the pictures of this car, and I must say that it is awesome! Well worth the flight and drive :)
2. What books are you currently reading?
I'm just finishing THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas (I'm a sucker for teen spy and assassin stories!). After that, I have an ARC of ABOVE WORLD by Jenn Reese sitting on my nightstand, and I recently downloaded an e-book about being a more productive writer. I'm hoping that might lead to some revelations in the near future.
3. You haven't kept it a secret that you wrote Sailor Moon fan fiction under the pen name of Alicia Blade. As Alicia Blade, you posted 38 stories and drabbles on FanFiction.net. Do you think you will ever return to Sailor Moon fan fiction?
I had such an amazing experience writing Sailor Moon fanfic and met so many awesome people in the community, many of whom are still so supportive and encouraging to this day. But no, I don't see myself ever returning to the world of fanfiction. Writing is my job now, and I want to continue to write books that reach a much wider audience than my fanfics ever could, not to mention books that I actually get paid for, haha.
Kristal: Although sad you won't be returning, it is even better to have your books in print in my bookshelf!
4. Have you considered revamping some of your fan fiction to turn it into a publishable novel (The House on Thornrose Lane: A Grimm Tale, for example)?
You are not the first person to ask! It's certainly crossed my mind, but I don't see it happening any time soon. While I'm still very proud of many of my fanfics (Thornrose Lane included), I feel like every story I write continues to be better than the last, and that I've moved on from the time in my life when those were the stories I needed to tell. Plus, I have so many ideas for novels in my head, that to return to a finished story would feel like moving backward.
Kristal: We look forward to all of the new novels you will write. Although, I will admit I go back and read your fan fictions from time to time. I can't wait to read the rest of the Lunar Chronicles!
5. Cinder has some obvious Sailor Moon influences if you know the series well. Did you do this knowingly or did they slip in there out of habit?
I feel like I SHOULD have done it knowingly with how many people have pointed it out, but it was all habit and having been so inspired by Sailor Moon over the years. I'm so glad that Sailor Moon fans are getting enjoyment out of Cinder, though!
Kristal: I loved spotting the Sailor Moon references! It seemed like a nice little tribute to the Sailor Moon community and made Cinder even more special to me.
6. How hard was the decision to forgo your pen name and publish Cinder under your own name?
Not really that hard. I was attached to the penname and worried that my fanbase wouldn't follow me into publication (which turned out to be an unnecessary concern), but it just seemed easier to use my real name. Plus, knowing that I'd be next to another Meyer on the shelf seemed like a good marketing decision.
Kristal: Yes, I can see how being listed by your last name would be a definite plus! I am sure the cover didn't hurt either.
7. Cinder was a novel that you wrote during NaNoWriMo. Can you tell us what it was like writing the novel in under a month?
It was INSANE. As part of a ridiculous contest, I decided to try and write the first 3 books of The Lunar Chronicles in a month, and ended up writing 150,011 words in those 30 days. I look back now and cannot for the life of me figure out how I did it. Of course, there are lessons to be learned. While it was great to get the books "written" fast in order to keep up my momentum for the series, in the end, every one of them has been scrapped and re-written from page one. NaNoWriMo is great for learning how to prioritize your writing and to get involved in a community and to get your basic ideas down on paper, but it does not a finished novel make.
Kristal: I have participated in NaNoWriMo as well and have to agree, although it is fun to dedicate the whole month to writing (and having an excuse to act more crazy lol).
8. What was your favourite chapter (or part) of Cinder to write and why?
I loved writing the ball scene. Partly because it's such an iconic moment in the Cinderella story, but also because it's the culminating finale in CINDER - where secrets are revealed and emotions are running high and choices have to be made. It was exciting to throw Cinder and Kai into this very terrifying and public situation and see how they dealt with it.
Kristal: This has to be one of my favourite parts as well. I love how the shoe from Cinderella was tied in, only in a uniquely cyborg way. The emotions in that scene were amazing.
9. Can you tell us a little about your upcoming book?
SCARLET: Book Two of The Lunar Chronicles will be out on February 5, 2013, and it gives a new spin to Little Red Riding Hood. It continues to follow Cinder on her adventures, while also introducing readers to Scarlet, a girl who lives in southern France with her grandmother. Except her grandmother has mysteriously disappeared, and the only person willing to help Scarlet is a street fighter named Wolf, who has a few mysterious of his own.
Kristal: Who else can't wait? February 5th can't get here fast enough!
10. Anything that you would like to say to your fans?
Only to thank them for being fans, and I sincerely hope you continue to read and enjoy The Lunar Chronicles!
Thanks so much for the interview!
Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us. Cinder is a great read and I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out! It has been awesome speaking with you.
2. What books are you currently reading?
I'm just finishing THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas (I'm a sucker for teen spy and assassin stories!). After that, I have an ARC of ABOVE WORLD by Jenn Reese sitting on my nightstand, and I recently downloaded an e-book about being a more productive writer. I'm hoping that might lead to some revelations in the near future.
3. You haven't kept it a secret that you wrote Sailor Moon fan fiction under the pen name of Alicia Blade. As Alicia Blade, you posted 38 stories and drabbles on FanFiction.net. Do you think you will ever return to Sailor Moon fan fiction?
I had such an amazing experience writing Sailor Moon fanfic and met so many awesome people in the community, many of whom are still so supportive and encouraging to this day. But no, I don't see myself ever returning to the world of fanfiction. Writing is my job now, and I want to continue to write books that reach a much wider audience than my fanfics ever could, not to mention books that I actually get paid for, haha.
Kristal: Although sad you won't be returning, it is even better to have your books in print in my bookshelf!
4. Have you considered revamping some of your fan fiction to turn it into a publishable novel (The House on Thornrose Lane: A Grimm Tale, for example)?
You are not the first person to ask! It's certainly crossed my mind, but I don't see it happening any time soon. While I'm still very proud of many of my fanfics (Thornrose Lane included), I feel like every story I write continues to be better than the last, and that I've moved on from the time in my life when those were the stories I needed to tell. Plus, I have so many ideas for novels in my head, that to return to a finished story would feel like moving backward.
Kristal: We look forward to all of the new novels you will write. Although, I will admit I go back and read your fan fictions from time to time. I can't wait to read the rest of the Lunar Chronicles!
5. Cinder has some obvious Sailor Moon influences if you know the series well. Did you do this knowingly or did they slip in there out of habit?
I feel like I SHOULD have done it knowingly with how many people have pointed it out, but it was all habit and having been so inspired by Sailor Moon over the years. I'm so glad that Sailor Moon fans are getting enjoyment out of Cinder, though!
Kristal: I loved spotting the Sailor Moon references! It seemed like a nice little tribute to the Sailor Moon community and made Cinder even more special to me.
6. How hard was the decision to forgo your pen name and publish Cinder under your own name?
Not really that hard. I was attached to the penname and worried that my fanbase wouldn't follow me into publication (which turned out to be an unnecessary concern), but it just seemed easier to use my real name. Plus, knowing that I'd be next to another Meyer on the shelf seemed like a good marketing decision.
Kristal: Yes, I can see how being listed by your last name would be a definite plus! I am sure the cover didn't hurt either.
7. Cinder was a novel that you wrote during NaNoWriMo. Can you tell us what it was like writing the novel in under a month?
It was INSANE. As part of a ridiculous contest, I decided to try and write the first 3 books of The Lunar Chronicles in a month, and ended up writing 150,011 words in those 30 days. I look back now and cannot for the life of me figure out how I did it. Of course, there are lessons to be learned. While it was great to get the books "written" fast in order to keep up my momentum for the series, in the end, every one of them has been scrapped and re-written from page one. NaNoWriMo is great for learning how to prioritize your writing and to get involved in a community and to get your basic ideas down on paper, but it does not a finished novel make.
Kristal: I have participated in NaNoWriMo as well and have to agree, although it is fun to dedicate the whole month to writing (and having an excuse to act more crazy lol).
8. What was your favourite chapter (or part) of Cinder to write and why?
I loved writing the ball scene. Partly because it's such an iconic moment in the Cinderella story, but also because it's the culminating finale in CINDER - where secrets are revealed and emotions are running high and choices have to be made. It was exciting to throw Cinder and Kai into this very terrifying and public situation and see how they dealt with it.
Kristal: This has to be one of my favourite parts as well. I love how the shoe from Cinderella was tied in, only in a uniquely cyborg way. The emotions in that scene were amazing.
9. Can you tell us a little about your upcoming book?
SCARLET: Book Two of The Lunar Chronicles will be out on February 5, 2013, and it gives a new spin to Little Red Riding Hood. It continues to follow Cinder on her adventures, while also introducing readers to Scarlet, a girl who lives in southern France with her grandmother. Except her grandmother has mysteriously disappeared, and the only person willing to help Scarlet is a street fighter named Wolf, who has a few mysterious of his own.
Kristal: Who else can't wait? February 5th can't get here fast enough!
10. Anything that you would like to say to your fans?
Only to thank them for being fans, and I sincerely hope you continue to read and enjoy The Lunar Chronicles!
Thanks so much for the interview!
Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us. Cinder is a great read and I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out! It has been awesome speaking with you.
I really enjoyed Cinder and am really looking forward to Scarlet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review -- great to get to know Marissa Meyer a little bit better!
She is a super awesome author and person. :D I can't wait for Scarlet either!
DeleteGreat interview! I loved Cinder a lot and can't wait for Scarlet. And man, I've gotta check out this fanfic!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED "House on Thornerose Lane". It was published before "Once Upon a Time" (TV) came out, but there is a similar plot line. If you like the show, you will probably love the fanfic - even if you aren't into Sailor Moon :P
DeleteWhooo! What a great interview! I loved the questions you asked :) SCARLET was amazeballs <3
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! I want to read SCARLET sooo bad!!! ha ha ha
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