Author Crush Friday with Monica Sanz
Glitter girls, you have pressing questions for your favorite authors and we have their answers. Welcome to our weekly segment, Author Crush Fridays.
We love asking questions and we love the answers from some of our favorite authors. Today we’re talking to Monica Sanz, author of the first book in the buzzed about fantasy YA series, Seventh Born (September 4, 2018; Entangled Teen). Thank you for talking to us today, Monica! We’re honored! Make sure you read until the end as we love Monica’s response on what message she hopes people walk away with after reading Seventh Born and her advice for teens who may be going through difficult times right now.
GLITTER: For those who haven’t read your work yet, how would you describe your writing style?
MONICA: My writing is pretty descriptive–I really like digging into characters and fleshing them out to where I can feel them. Based on what readers have told me, my writing tends to be lyrical and poetic. Could be because I love music so much? I’m obsessed with it, really.
GLITTER: Tell us five things that people might not know about you.
MONICA:
- I used to be in a singing group. We even got a meeting with a pretty big record label, but it all fell apart. I don’t think I can sing much anymore, but thinking back on it, I realize I was destined to do something creative with my life.
- I’m Puerto Rican, and Spanish is my first language.
- I loooove baking, and I recently discovered I like cooking? It was pretty surprising because for ages, cooking was SUCH a chore, but now I look forward to trying out new recipes. I think it’s because my kids will actually eat the food now and it’s not all pasta and chicken nuggets.
- Speaking of food, my drink of choice when eating pizza is… orange juice! It’s so good. My husband thinks it’s gross, ha!
- I’m drawing a blank, but I guess #2 reveals two things so…
GLITTER: What one question sparked Seventh Born?
MONICA: I saw a picture of a girl and her eyes were downcast, but it was as if she was being forced to lower her gaze. Still, she exuded tremendous strength and pride and a rebellious air, and the first thing I wondered was why are you looking down when you clearly don’t want to? From there, Seraphina was born and I learned she was a seventh born daughter, and in her world, seventh born girls are bad omens and considered less than human. But though she’s oppressed, she is so strong and determined, and it’s been an honor to tell her story.
GLITTER: What one message would you like readers to walk away with when they’re done reading Seventh Born?
MONICA: Check your prejudices and realize how trivial they are. The people being discriminated against are human, too. In SEVENTH BORN, Sera and all seventh born girls are blamed for something they have no control over. The way they’re is treated is awful, but it’s not that far-fetched, and I hope when readers finish the book, they’re able to identify similar prejudices and confront them.
GLITTER: What book of yours do you hope to see on either TV or as a movie and why?
MONICA: ALL OF THEM! I would be happy if any of them are made into either a series or a movie. I think SEVENTH BORN would make an amazing series, and each book could be a season. There is so much going on in the books that every episode would be full of magic, action, adventure, and romance! FINVARRA’S CIRCUS would be amazing as a movie or a mini-series. It’s such a visually rich book with routines that I would love to see performed. I’ve always seen THE AWKWARD LOVE SONG OF ABIGAIL ARCHER as an indie film. The cast is very small and the story is very character focused so it feels more indie than commercial. I’ve obviously given this a lot of thought, but it’s good to be prepared!
GLITTER: What genre do you prefer writing?
MONICA: Romance. I love reading it, writing it, watching it. I absolutely love love and its many facets. There is so much to discover from this one emotion and it’s thrilling being able to explore how messy and life changing it can be.
GLITTER: Who inspires you?
MONICA: My children. I love seeing the world through their eyes and the things that fascinate them and move them. I love how they’re able to exist so freely. They’re truly a gift and a blessing, and a constant reminder of joy and acceptance and unconditional love. They inspire me to be a better person every day.
GLITTER: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
MONICA: I don’t like cold weather. Anything under 50°F degrees is just too cold.
GLITTER: What one piece of advice could you give any teen going through difficult times now?
MONICA: I know–believe me, I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but don’t give up. Please, please, please don’t give up. It probably feels like this storm is going to last forever. I promise you, it won’t. Hang on for a bit longer and if you need to talk to someone, don’t be afraid to get help. There are hotlines and churches and counseling centers there to help with whatever your problem might be. I don’t know you, but I love you, and you’re not alone.
GLITTER: What are you currently working on?
MONICA: I’m currently writing book 2 in the WITCHLING ACADEMY series. I’m super excited to bring Sera and Barrington back for more witchy adventures. I’m also working on another YA paranormal romance, PHOENIX RISING, in which a girl who discovers her dead best friend is a phoenix and must rescue his stolen ashes before they’re used to evoke a demon that will destroy her.
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