Sara Hantz » Blog Archive » Presenting……. Melissa Walker

March 11, 2008

I’m thrilled to be interviewing Melissa Walker again now the second in her Violet series has been released. I LOVED Violet on the Runway and Violet by Design is just as fabulous. For the chance to win a copy of Violet by Design leave a comment here or on my Myspace blog.
I’m very excited to be reading the second book about Violet. How does writing the second in a series differ from writing the first?

It’s definitely a new skill because you want the second book to stand alone, but also pick up moments from the first. I didn’t want to summarize too much (I remember always skipping the chapter 2 summaries in the Babysitters’ Club series), so I tried to slip references to the past into the first few chapter during moments that were also moving the story forward, if that makes any sense.

What techniques did you employ to ensure the first book flowed into the second and the second leads into the third, yet still enabling the books to stand alone?

I tried to keep each book a separate adventure, with a hint at more life to come. If you think about it, all books end without a real ending. There may be some resolution, but the characters (at least some of them) usually live on in fictionland, we just stop following them as readers.

Weight gain is always an issue with models, and Violet comes across this. How do you deal with this without coming across as moralizing?

Well, I do hope my dealings with it are successful. In a book about the fashion world, weight issues are impossible to ignore, so I had to let Violet deal with the issue and figure it out in her own, sometimes flawed, human way. I think the fact that she doesn’t have the issue quite clear in her head makes it less of a moralizing moment and more of a true gray area that girls encounter.

Without giving too much away, what exciting things can we expect for Violet in book three?

Violet meets some great college friends and locks horns with her agent Angela, who turns on the pressure as usual. This year, Violet has a fun city internship to juggle, and of course, there’s her old friend Roger…

Lastly, do you have anything else (after Violet) in the pipeline we can look forward to?

I’ve got a couple of ideas that aren’t even worth mentioning yet, but I definitely hope to have another book on the radar soon!
Melissa Walker is a writer who has worked as ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom Editor. She grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 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 @ 8:45 am

On March 11th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Marlayne Says:

Great contest!
ow my, i am ashamed of myself that i am entering..*blush
On March 11th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Kwana Says:

Great interview. I just love Melissa!
On March 11th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Nabi Says:

Great interview!
On March 11th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Peg Says:

Sounds like a great book! The weight issue is huge with girls–my daughter has been battling bulimia for years.
On March 11th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Reader Rabbit Says:

The book sounds great! And weight has been a huge issue lately.
On March 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The Story Siren Says:

What a great interview! everything i read about Melissa just makes her seem like such a cool person! i loved Violet on the Runway! i would love to win a copy of Violet by Design! sign me up please!
On March 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Emily Marshall Says:

This was a great interview. I liked learning all about the strategy of the second book!
On March 11th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Sara Hantz Says:

Thanks, guys! And yes, The Story Siren, Melissa is a cool person…. and her books rock!!!
On March 11th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Barrie Summy Says:

Very timely interview for me as I’m wrapping up the 2nd book in a series.
On March 12th, 2008 at 2:06 am
The Book Muncher Says:

great interview, i cannot SERIOUSLY wait to read Violet by Design, cuz i just LOVED the first one
oh, and i am posting a link to this awesome contest
On March 12th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Gerb Says:

I already snatched up a copy Violet by Design, so don’t count me in the contest - someone else should have a chance to read this fun book. Just wanted to say great interview!

Gerb
On March 12th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Teresa W. Says:

I’d like to be included in the drawing!
On March 12th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Tempestt Says:

Love the interview, the book sounds very interesting. A real page-turner!
On March 12th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Amy Addison Says:

Great interview. I can’t wait to read Violet.
On March 12th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Lauren Says:

I also skipped the second chapters in the Babysitters Club books. I can’t wait to read this series!
On March 12th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Alyson Noel Says:

Melissa ROCKS!
On March 12th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Sherry Says:

Enter me? The book as usual sounds so fabulous, and I’m trying to get a copy of it as soon as possible
On March 12th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Megan Says:

It sounsd like such a great book.
On March 12th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Lauren Says:

Love the interview!! The books sound great, and weight issues are a huge things with girls..but boys too…and it’s nice to see it addressed.
On March 12th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Ink Says:

I’ve been looking for a copy of this for ages!
On March 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Grace Says:

Awesome interview! I’ve been wanting to read this book for forever!
On March 12th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Luisa Says:

Great interview - I loved reading that! And I’d love to read this book!
On March 13th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Stephanie Says:

Great interview. I love what Melissa said about endings, how all characters live on in fiction land and books never have real endings. That’s the way I love to think about it too!
On March 13th, 2008 at 4:48 am
Kate Says:

I’m so excited for the chance to win!
On March 13th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Tali Says:

I really want to read this one! Great Contest!!
On March 13th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Megan Says:

This book is definitely at the TOP of my wish list. I even asked for it for my UNbirthday. Thanks for offering this give away.
On March 13th, 2008 at 9:57 am
ruth Says:

What a delightful and wonderful novel. I enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the great giveaway.
On March 13th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Harry~DayDream Says:

Oh I want one! Sounds like a fantastic read.