Melissa Walker's first novel, Violet On the Runway, was highly entertaining and I'm looking forward to the follow-up, Violet By Design (and I'll be featuring its beautiful cover soon). Plus I've got author photo envy - I can't get those bands to stay on my head, they twang off the back! Over to Melissa:
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
A life-long wallflower becomes a runway model--and has to deal with the fall-out.
Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
I have a pink-flowered, overstuffed chair in the bay window of my tiny apartment in Brooklyn. It gets mottled sun in the morning and is the perfect spot for writing!
Your favourite chick-lit book?
Milkrun by Sarah Mlynowski. It's fast-paced and witty as hell!
Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?
In a book, it's probably Cyd Charisse from Gingerbread. She really stays true to who she is and knows herself, even though herself is kinda screwed up.
What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?
Keep reading. Always make time to read. While you're enjoying leisure time, you're soaking in sentence structure, pacing, character development techniques... it's the best way to learn to write!
What are you reading at the moment?
Grief Girl, by Erin Vincent. It's heartbreakingly raw.
What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
The sequel to Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design, comes out in March. I just finished copy edits on it! Violet goes international... and she might just fall flat on her face.
Do you have a theme song?
Ooh, yes, many! Right now, it's a rainy day and I'm feeling melancholy, so I've been listening to "Time Won't Let Me Go" by the Bravery. I love it.
What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)
What is your favorite moment from classic television (ie, the stuff you watched as a teenager)?
The absolutely perfect, heart-swooning, social-world encapsulating, Buffalo Tom-soundtracked, high school hallway moment in My So-Called Life when Jordan takes Angela's hand. You can watch it here.
LOVE.
Thanks, Melissa!
