September 22, 2007
I’m so excited to be interviewing Melissa Walker, whose debut book VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY has hit the ground running. Grab a copy as soon as you can, you won’t regret it!
What inspired the plot for Violet on the Runway?
As soon as I started peeking behind the scenes of modeling and fashion as a teen magazine editor, I knew that I wanted to put a “real girl” in the middle of this crazy world, a girl who would see it from the outside and be like, “Holy crap!” It’s an insane environment, so there’s lots of fodder for adventure, humor and drama, especially from the point of view of a small town girl who’s not yet jaded.
Why did you decide to write for teens?
The smart, funny ELLEgirl readers I interacted with while I was features editor there inspired me. I love writing for teenagers because I think they’re such an honest, open audience. They’ll tell you if they LOVE a story and they will call you out if something just sucks.
What is your writing process like?
I eat breakfast, then write. I don’t allow myself to have lunch until I have 1000 words on the page. They don’t have to be good words, but they have to be there. I try to do that that five days a week; afternoons are spent working on magazine stories, which I still need to write to maintain a good income. At that rate, you can get your 60,000 words in just 12 weeks. Of course, some days I play hooky in Prospect Park, some days I have lunch-and-beer dates in the city so just write 300 words, etc. I let myself enjoy the perks of being freelance sometimes! But in general, I am pretty consistent with the 1000-word rule.
What are you working on now?
I’m trying to finish book 3 of the VIOLET series, which is called VIOLET IN PRIVATE. It’s coming along… slowly. I’m also still writing for a bunch of magazines like Glamour, Self, Teen Vogue, COSMOgirl!, etc.
What do you know about publishing now that you wish someone had told you earlier?
I wish I’d known how much of book publishing is self-promotion. It’s really the author’s job to let people know about the book–and it’s not easy!
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Read, read, read! Every time you finish a book you enjoyed, you’ve soaked in more knowledge about character development, plotting and subtle turns of phrase than classes can ever teach you. (Well, classes
are good too, but really reading is where I feel like I learn most!).
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I watch a ton of TV. Is that bad? I DVR everything from Oprah to the Hills to Project Runway to America’s Next Top Model to the Daily Show to Meet the Press. I’m insatiable. I also like movies. And yoga. And running in the park. (But I’m a couch potato at heart.)
Who do you like to read?
I love reading YA novels, and some of my latest
favorites are Sarah Dessen, Carolyn Mackler, Megan McCafferty, Sarah Mlynowski and E Lockhart. I also read a TON of magazines… but I’m trying to make room for more books!
Post a comment by 27th September for a chance to win a copy of VIOLET and a new Juicy Tube from Lancome.
Melissa Walker has worked as ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom Editor. All in the name of journalism, she has spent 24 hours with male models and attended an elite finishing school for girls in New Zealand, among other hardships.
Melissa grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, and has a BA in English from Vassar College. She really believes in the motto “write what you know.” Well, except for the whole supermodel thing. Swear!
Posted by Sara Hantz in
Uncategorized @ 11:50 am
I’m so excited to be interviewing Melissa Walker, whose debut book VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY has hit the ground running. Grab a copy as soon as you can, you won’t regret it!
Post a comment by 27th September for a chance to
Shari Says:
Hey there.
I enjoyed reading this interview — great questions, Sara!
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks, Shari!
Christina Phillips Says:
Wow I admire Meliisa’s commitment - fancy having to spend 24 hours with male models!! What a nightmare!!!
melissa Says:
Hey, it’s a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it….
Lis Says:
Great interview! Violet sounds like a great book, have to pick it up
Vanessa Says:
Fab interview! Melissa, your 1,000-word rule is such a great idea. Can’t wait to read your work.
Vanessa
Barrie Summy Says:
What a great interview, Sara and Melissa! I love your 1,000 word/day rule, Melissa. A question: once you’ve finished the rough draft, how do you pace yourself for revising? Do you have a certain number of pages? Good luck with your book! It definitely sounds like a winner!
amanda ashby Says:
Ooooh, I love reading magazines and watching Project Runway so I think I’m going to like reading Violet just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alyssa Goodnight Says:
Great interview–and that self-promotion bit is soooo true!
The book sounds great–I’ll definitely look for it.
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks Lis, Vanessa and Barrie!
Yes, I love the 1000 word a day rule Melissa has, too.
Teresa W. Says:
Enjoyed the interview, I’m always looking for new authors to read this book sounds good!
catslady Says:
Great interview - I always enjoy hearing about the author’s life.
melissa Says:
Thanks, everyone! Yes, 1000 words is sometimes 45 minutes and sometimes 3 hours (I get really hungry on those days!), but it’s a good rule.
Barrie, as for the rough draft question, I usually do it over one weekend. I’m an editor at heart, and once I get in and start tweaking, I don’t stop. But it’s not a rule, just the way I like to do it…
Yvonne Eve Walus Says:
Hey, Melissa, how did you manage to get your foot in the door of all those glam magazines?
Jessica Burkhart Says:
What a great interview! I love that you still freelance, too, Melissa.
Wendy Toliver Says:
It was great getting to know more about the oh-so-fabulous Melissa Walker!
melissa Says:
Hey, Yvonne!
I’ve been working in magazines since college graduation, thanks to a great summer internship and just a love for the work! Writing, editing, research… I used to do that for free on my high school yearbook and college newspaper. I couldn’t believe someone would pay me! Editing Seventeen’s Prom issue was probably my 17-year-old self’s dream come true.
Melissa
Alyson Noel Says:
Great interview, Sara!
Can’t wait to check out the book Melissa!
anne Says:
What an enjoyable and wonderful interview. I have heard wonderful praises for this book and look forward to reading it. Best of luck and congrats on the release.
brenna Says:
omg! i can not wait to read the book! the interview was awesome btw!
Dawn Says:
I’m so excited to read this book!! I wish I had a writing process that was that dedicated. I write almost daily, but most of the time it’s late a night…it’s no wonder that I’m so sleep deprived.
Mar Says:
great interview…can’t wait to read the book! =)
Chelsea Says:
That was a great interview. I liked the 1000-word rule. That’s such a good idea. I’m looking forward to reading the book. It looks amazing!
Ally Says:
OH woww! this was fantastic. Ive always wanted to be an author and this is SO helpful. Now i REALLLY am dying to read the book !
Joanna Says:
great interview! i’m going to try to follow your 1000 word rule. + great advice for aspiring authors! haven’t read your book yet, but now i absolutely must!
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks for all your kind words about the interview, and for stopping by!
Britanny Batalla Says:
I liked the questions in the interview! It gave insight into an author’s mind and how they come to write a story. I really wanna win this contest because I read EVERYTHING! i have been since i was a little girl. I cant wait to read the book!
Regina Says:
I enjoyed reading the interview! =)) I love watching Project Runway too. Hehe. Thank you for the helpful advice for aspiring writers. I love writing short stories and hopefully can get my book published some day *dreams*. I’m having this essay exam on Friday. Any tips? We are given 5 topics to chose. We chose one. Can you give me tips on good words or phrases I can use? My English it quite good already. I want to get 98% on this test. My average is 94%.
Lisa Says:
Hey Melissa,
I really enjoyed the interview! And I can’t get enough of shows like America’s Next Top Model either and I know it’s awful, but I love it!
Amber G Says:
Hi Melissa,
I am so impressed by your self-discipline of 1000 words a day. I don’t know if I’d be able to do that! Violet on the Runway looks like the perfect little peek into what life is really like as a model. Good luck finishing the 3rd book in the Violet series!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for these great author interviews, your blog is so fun to read! And I can’t wait to read The Second Virginity!
Stacey Says:
I know I’d do almost anything very quickly if I didn’t get to eat again until I finished. That’s a good idea for motivation. I read somewhere that 80% of people in a survey said what motivates them most at work is food!
Melissa Says:
Thanks, everyone! Yes, food is a BIG part of my motivation, Stacey.
Regina, as for your essay exam, my biggest piece of advice is to get very specific as you write. Create a scene that illustrates your larger point and describe it carefully. Maybe learn a few new adjectives you can put into the descriptions. That’ll impress!
Jenn Borjeson Says:
Go Melissa - great story, great writing! My daughter and I are BOTH enjoying your book!
Peace, Jenn
melissa Says:
Oh, thanks, Jenn! I’m so glad moms like it too!
Cherie J Says:
Enjoyed the interview! Violet on the Runway sounds cool!
christa Says:
i enjoyed. i definately want to read the book.
Sara Hantz Says:
I hadn’t thought of linking motivation to food - that would definitely work for me! Thanks guys for stopping by.
danette Says:
Hi Melissa,
Congrats on your debut release!
It must be awesome writing books about something you have personal experience with.*g*
Hugs, Danette
Lauren Says:
I can’t wait to read the book!
And I loved the ideas for writing. No lunch till you have 1000 words? I know you shouldn’t reward yourself with extra food, but necessary food…
Plus I try to get lots of educational reading in, haha.
Regina Says:
Hi Melissa && Sara. Just stopping by to say hi. My exam is today. Wish me luck. =D
Sara Hantz Says:
Good luck, Regina!
melissa Says:
oh, good luck, regina!!
Regina Says:
Thanks Sara and Melissa!