Blog Tour: Cress by Marissa Meyer

I am so, so excited to be turning over the blog to Marissa Meyer today. She's the author of the best-selling Lunar Chronicles series. She's here to talk a little bit about the newest installment, CRESS.

The Power of Imagination: Or, How I Relate to Cress

By Marissa Meyer

One question we authors get asked a lot is, “Which of your characters is most like you?”

In truth, I can see bits and pieces of myself in every character I write (from Cinder’s sarcasm to Scarlet’s single-minded determination to Iko’s love of playing dress-up). But it was apparent to me early on in the writing of this series that Cress is my girl.

Largely because I’m secretly a computer hacker who spent seven years of my childhood stuck on a satellite in space. But that’s beside the point.

Even more than that, Cress and I share a personality trait that in many ways defines us both: our overactive imaginations.

I loved writing Cress’s character, because when she’s nervous or afraid or overwhelmed, she has a tendency to cloak herself in fantasies, as a sort of psychological protection. This is exactly how I think I would react in the face of danger. As opposed to Cinder, who becomes daring and analytical, or Scarlet, who gets angry and defiant, I would just want to hide.

Cress is aware of her flaws. She knows that she is not courageous or strong. Quite the opposite—she is often painfully aware of just how weak and terrified she is. But instead of giving way to those emotions, she makes the decision to become someone else in those moments. She becomes an explorer, an actress, a spy. She becomes the person she needs to be in order to do what needs to be done.

I relate to that not only because I’ve always created elaborate daydreams in my head, ever since I was a child, but also because those daydreams have now lent themselves to this awesome job of writing books full of adventure and romance. I think most writers experience this tendency to escape into a fantasy world, to live a hundred different lives by putting ourselves into the shoes of a hundred different characters in a hundred different stories. Not unlike Cress and her imaginings.

In the end, while Cress may never get over her fears in certain life-threatening situations (I mean… who would?), she does discover an internal strength and courage that she didn’t realize she had. I like to think that my own daydreaming, over time, has also helped to shape me into a braver, kinder, more compassionate person.

Or, if nothing else, I’ve certainly experienced more adventures because of it.

About Cress:

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links:

-Become a fan of the Lunar Chronicles on Tumblr!

-Pre-Order a copy of Cress to get a free comb! Details here. (US Only)

-See Marissa Meyer on tour!

-Join the Scarlet Readathon! (please be sure to use the link provided. Thank you!)

-Get more fun Lunar Chronicles links and info on the MacTeenBooks blog!