Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Author Melissa Walker and a giveaway!


Please welcome author Melissa Walker!


What’s the message you hope readers gain from reading either VIOLET BY DESIGN or VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY?


I don’t know if there’s a message, necessarily, but I do know that I want the books to be about more than stacked heels and It bags (although those are always fun to throw in the mix). The fashion world has serious sides—the weight issue, the competition among girls, the sometimes over-the-top party scene—and I hope that watching Violet struggle with navigating those things will resonate with readers.


What’s your writing process like?


When I’m really working on a book with a deadline, 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 do that five days a week; afternoons are spent working on magazine stories. Of course, I let myself enjoy the perks of being freelance sometimes! But in general, I am pretty consistent with the 1000-word rule.



Do you have a favorite part of the writing process?

I like the part when I’m done. Seriously. The other parts are hard.



Does your background in teen magazines help you write novels?

Definitely! I honestly think it was the ELLEgirl audience who inspired me—they were such smart, funny girls and I got to the point where I wanted to write more for them.


What’s your must have fashion item?

It’s not very exciting, but I have seven little black dresses. Is that overkill? I even went swimming in one after a friend’s wedding—and then I wore it to a book party! So I guess that one’s my favorite. It’s a Luella Bartley dress from the very first Target designer series, and it’s resilient.



What’s next for you?

I’m finishing up VIOLET IN PRIVATE, the third book in the series, and I’ll hopefully start working on a new idea soon… um, when I think of one. I’m open to suggestions!

Here's Melissa in her little black dress!

Thanks for stopping by! Melissa is generously giving away ONE signed copy of Violet by Design. If you want to enter, leave a comment here or on LiveJournal within the next 24 hours. So, you've got until 10:15am on Thursday (3-6). Good luck!

23 comments:

Jessica Burkhart said...

Sorry about the spacing, guys! Blogger was moody this morning!

Rachael Stein said...

thanks for the awesome giveaway jessica. and melissa: I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! hope i win :D cuz books are awesome, ok i am just rambling now, please ignore

HilLesha O'Nan said...

Sounds great :)

Anonymous said...

here is my comment entry : )

Erin said...

Hooray for little black dresses! :)

Anonymous said...

Fun interview!

Keri Mikulski said...

Great interview, Jessica and Melissa! Love the pic.

Anonymous said...

Our Teens would love to read your book!!

Leesburg Public Library
www.myspace.com/leesburgpubliclibrary

Erica Ridley said...

I like the part when I’m done. Seriously. The other parts are hard.

LOL and yet... so true.

/runs off to buy more little black dresses

Travis said...

I NEED this book! I can't find it anywhere...

abscae said...

I'd really love to read the books, so I'll enter :-).

Anonymous said...

Great Interview!! I hope I win I would love to read your new book! =D

paperxxflowers said...

Awesome interview :]

Andy said...

sign me up

RR2 said...

Great interview. Violet by Design sounds great!

the story siren said...

great interview!! i can't wait to read Violet by Design! sign me up to win!! thanks!

Meredith said...

Great interview. Ooooh, third book in series, YAY!

Anonymous said...

Awesome interview! And thanks for this great contest! sign me up!

Grace
(i don't have a blog or anything like that so i'm just gonna give you my email address in case you need to contact me to verify my entry or anything like that :) )

Anonymous said...

sorry, my email address is: luv.jesus@hotmail.com

Grace

windycindy said...

Hi, What a fabulous author with an interesting background. The book sounds very enjoyable to read. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

TJ Brown said...

I pretty much love Melissa Walker!
Teri

Unknown said...

i have a Q,,,,,,,,,, which book is first, Violet on the Runway or Violet by Design??? i'm almost done with Violet on the Runway, and i haven't read the other one.... but I love Violet on the Runway.... Melissa- u r freakin Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jessica Burkhart said...

Hey Laura, Violet on the Runway is the first book. :)

Counting down to Saddlehill Academy!

  Hii, friends! I'm so very thrilled to remind everyone that NEXT MONTH (!!!) is the release of my first novel in eight years! Ahhhhh!!...

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