Author Interview: Kristin Walker

Hello everyone. I would like you all to welcome Kristin Walker, the talented author of the debut YA novel, A Match Made in High School, who was kind enough t let me interview her.

~~~~~~~~~
The Book Pixie: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself.

Kristin Walker: I'm pretty basic. Mom, 3 kids, husband, mortgage, ridiculously hairy dog. Seriously hairy. Chewbacca hairy. Like so bad that at dinner, someone always wins "the dog hair award" for finding the first hair in the food.

TBP: Please give a brief description of your novel.

KW: When a mandatory marriage education course forces Fiona to “try the knot” with super-jock Todd Harding, she’s convinced life couldn't get any worse. Until her crush is paired with her arch enemy (otherwise known as Todd’s obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend). But that’s nothing compared to her best friend’s fate – a year with the very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.

A series of hilarious pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

TBP: What inspired the idea for A Match Made in High School?

KW: I guess it came from dreamland, because I got the idea as I woke up one morning. It seemed like it could be really funny, and it was a topic I knew a bit about. I'm really glad I didn't wake up thinking about tax law. Besides the fact that I know nothing about it, I suspect it might be lacking in the humor-potential department.

TBP: If you had to choose, which character would you say you were most like when you were in high school?

KW: Oh, man, this is awful, because I think I was most like Callie Brooks. Ugh, I can't stand her. She's such a goody-goody. She means well, though. But blech.

TBP: Do you have a favorite line or scene from A Match Made in High School?

KW: I love the part where Fiona narrates Todd's interaction with the varsity quarterback. I've been waiting for years to use that material. It's not something you can just work into a conversation, you know?

TBP: What is one of your funniest memories from high school?

KW: I had this friend, Anita who was so hilarious. She had this one slumber party where we made crank calls and had one guy convinced that we'd met him at a business convention in California or Las Vegas or somewhere. He was totally sure he remembered us, too. Any day spent goofing with Anita was the funniest.

TBP: What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of being a published author?

KW: The opulent riches and decadent Hollywood parties! (Those are coming sometime soon, right?) Nah, the most rewarding thing is hearing from a reader that s/he loved the book and picked up on the little things I tried to pack into it. Surreal, but definitely rewarding.

TBP: Is there anything you hope your readers will take from A Match Made in High School?

KW: Remember that people aren't necessarily what you've painted them to be, and make sure the butt-head in the situation isn't actually you.

TBP: Throughout your whole experience of writing and being published, is there anything you would go back and do differently if given the opportunity? If so, what and why?

KW: No way. Everything I did lead to this point, and I'm so lucky and grateful to be here. I never would be such a jerk as to regret any of it.

TBP: Are you currently working on anything else?

KW: Yes, yes. Working on ideas for another young adult novel. Revising a middle grade. But right now I'm really focusing on enjoying MATCH's release. It was a long road getting here, and I don't want to miss any of it.

TBP: Anything else you'd like to add?

KW: Just a thank you to everyone who has read MATCH. Time is precious and limited, and the fact that you gave some of yours to my work is humbling and amazing. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~

There you have it everyone. I hope you all enjoyed getting to know Kristin a little bit more and I would like to thank Kristin for being here. Below are a couple of links you may want to check out regarding MATCH. :D

Review: A Match Made in High School
Noteworthy Passages: A Match Made in High School