Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Ten

The Twelve Books for Christmas



Please welcome Melissa Lemon, author of Cinder and Ella.  Read this awesome interview and then a little bit about the book and how you can win a copy!

Konstanz:  How many times have you done NaNoWriMo? (Has it been successful every time?)

Melissa: Hmmmm. I’ve attempted three times and let’s see. Oh, hold on, I’m burning something on the stove. Okay, I’m back. NaNoWriMo. Like I said, I’ve tried three times and...just a second, my four year old needs something. Okay, deep breath. Actually I think I’ll be able to focus more after I’ve had a few Peanut M&Ms. Be right back.
NaNoWriMo doesn’t really fit into my lifestyle. But I try. Cinder and Ella is actually a product of NaNoWriMo. At the end of November 2009, I had “completed” a novel. Unfortunately, the first draft was only 43,000 words. In other words: TRY, TRY, TRY, FAIL, FAIL, FAIL. Maybe someday!

Konstanz:  If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be?

Melissa: Wow, tough question! I know this person is dead, but you won’t hold that against me, will you? I have always been fascinated with Mother Teresa. To think of all of the horrible things she must have seen, not to mention the miracles, and the interesting people she must have met, and the purpose she must have felt to do what she did for SO long...it is awe-inspiring. I think it would be fun to see and experience.

Konstanz:  Who would you rather meet: Rick Riordan or Suzanne Collins?

Melissa: Suzanne Collins—men are all the same. (Just kidding.) I love the Hunger Games series. I would love to ask where the ideas came from. I’m looking forward to the movies so my hubby and I can have some fun date nights. He loved the series as well.

Konstanz:  What’s your writing bucket list?

Melissa:

a. Get published AGAIN
b. Hit the New York Times Best Seller list at least once in my lifetime
c. Get all of the stories out of my head
d. Survive
e. Enjoy every minute! I’m so lucky to be living my dream and doing what I love.

Konstanz:  Has there ever been a point in your writing career (before publication) that you were just ready to give up with writing entirely, and now you look back and are grateful you never did?

Melissa: Well, first of all, how high can you count? Writing is not for the faint of heart and sometimes I get a little woozy. I remember one time specifically where I actually packed all of my drafts, notebooks and rejection letters into a box and shoved it in the closet. I cried for a week straight. So I got the box back out and tried again. I am sooooo grateful. Obviously it’s hugely important to me and a much bigger deal than I thought. Writing makes me happy. I’m so glad I get to do it for a living.

Konstanz:  When do you start Christmas shopping?

Melissa: That really depends on the year. Sometimes I start in January with Christmas pajamas on clearance and buy a few things here and there throughout the entire year. Sometimes I wait until December. This year, I’ve decided not to Christmas shop at all. Nobody’s getting a thing and I’ve quite enjoyed the peace and quiet! I promise I’m not a Grinch. I have just come to despise the commercialism of it all and want to bask in the true meaning of giving and loving and family. We’re taking our kids skiing and doing some other fun activities together to celebrate. I hope everyone out there has a wonderful Christmas!

The Book:

When their father mysteriously disappears, Cinder and Ella struggle to care for their two spoiled sisters and a mother who barely knows them. As Cinder submits to the abuse, Ella vows not to give in or give up on her beloved father. The quest to find her father will demand everything--her strength, her tenacity, and even her heart. Not it's up to Ella to save herself, her family, and the entire kingdom.

Now that you just can't wait to get a copy (I know I can't)  I am going to tell you how you can win a copy.  Two actually.  I have for you to win,  one e-copy and one hard copy to win! 

How to win: 

Be a follower of this blog

Follow Melissa

Leave a comment on this post telling me,  When do you start Christmas Shopping?

(Don't forget to leave your e-mail in the comments.  E-book giveaway open internationally.  Hard copy giveaway open to US only)

Here is where you can find Melissa:

Facebook

Blog

Website

And now hop along to the participating blogs:

Into da' fiyah

Writeaway