Writers Like Us - Melissa Landers

I was so excited when Melissa Landers, author of ALIENATED, emailed to say she would do Writers Like Us! I just started reading her book, but it is so fantastic. Intersteller exchange student program + cute alien boy living in the room next door + intergalactic social tension = me not being able to read fast enough. Put this one at the very top of your TBR list. It comes out in February by Disney Hyperion.

Her answers are below in bold. Let us know what makes Melissa like you in the comments.

Melissa on Writing

• I've written 6 books, and 6 have seen (or will see) the light of day by early 2014.

• My favorite type of scene to write is smoochy-smoochy, sweet lovin' scenes! 

• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with self confidence. 

• A typical comment from my critique partner is "Can you flesh this out a little?" (I tend to underwrite.)

• The book I wished I wrote is Harry Potter.

Melissa on Getting Published

• If my agent and editors really knew how crazy I was, they would find out...psh, nothing! I don't hide my crazy very well. They already know I'm neurotic!

• When I was querying, I felt strangely excited. I got a little thrill each time I clicked "send" on a new query. It was addictive. 

• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was over-querying. (See above. I was excited!)

• The craziest thought I've ever had while being published is "I can easily write in two genres--all it takes is good time management skills." (Bwahaha! I'm keeping a foot in two genres, but there's NOTHING easy about it!) 

• When I got "The Call," my first thought was "HOLY SH*T!" followed by "If I died right now, I would die happy."

• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace, I took a screen shot and saved it as my desktop background for over a month.

Melissa on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be a really cranky teacher.

• Secretly, I'm terrified of cockroaches, especially the horrible flying kind from south Texas.

• My secret girlfriend/boyfriend is Joe Manganiello. (Shhh...don't tell my husband.)

• Sometimes, when no one is around, I put in my earbuds, lock myself in the bedroom, and dance like a fool.