Inside the Author's Studio with K.M. Walton

So as promised, I am back to doing author interviews and today's special guest is the amazing K.M. Walton whose book CRACKED is currently available. I will be giving away a copy of this book to one of the commenters. Even if you've already read it, you can certainly comment and I'll send you a gift certificate to buy a different book instead.

What is your favorite word? 

Kindness. I love all that it implies. I’ve been teaching young people about the power of human kindness since 1991—the first time I stepped foot into a classroom. It has been a passion that has infiltrated every crevice of my life.

What is your least favorite word? 

Spider. Saying it, reading it, hearing it – they all give me the willies. Don’t even get me started on seeing the real thing.

What turns your current MC on? 

I’ve been working on a ghost story and my main character, named Genevieve, is definitely turned on by her adorably sexy boyfriend, named Aidan.

What turns your current MC off? 

Genevieve finds her little brother Charlie to be supremely annoying. She doesn’t believe that he is seeing “the bad man” and she wishes he would stop talking about it.

What sound do you love? 

Raindrops hitting the outside of my car. When it’s raining, I will sit in the car with my younger son and wait for his bus. The car is off, and all we hear is the magnificent patter of rain hitting the car. We both agreed that it was “the best sound ever!”

What sound do you hate? 

Mean or defaming comments – comments that hurt and scar. I simply don’t understand how some people can be so mean, so calculating, so slanderous. Cruelty doesn’t make sense to me. And don’t get me started on liars.

What is your favorite YA quirk? (i.e. The Colonel’s desire to give everyone nicknames) 

Professor Snape’s inner dichotomy—the way he presents himself to the world, all the while, his tender heart beats. He is probably my favorite character of all time.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? 

I’d love to try my hand at writing a screenplay. After writing my very first novel (a currently unpublished MG sci-fi) I researched how to turn it into a screenplay. I soon discovered what a true art form screenplay writing was, and I let it go. But now that I’m doing this writing gig full time, I think I’d like to dive back in and see if I could take a class or workshop, and give screenplay writing a hearty try.

What profession would you never be interested in attempting? 

A surgeon. I just couldn’t do it. I’d be passed out on the floor, and the person in need of surgery wouldn’t get their needs met – or worse, die. Let’s just say I cover my eyes when bloody stuff comes on in a movie or TV show. However, I am extremely grateful for the people who can handle looking at the inside of the body!

If John Green exists and sits at your table at a SCBWI conference, what would you like him to say to you? 

“Oh wow. You a baaa-baaa-gaaah!” See, I have a literary crush on Mr. Green. His writing is brilliant and his wit shines brightly through in his novels. After my initial fangirl moment, I’d try to gather myself and formulate something intelligent to say. Try.

Thanks very much for hosting me here today, Christa. Your questions were fun to answer!

Thank you!! She's so awesome, isn't she? Don't forget to leave a comment to win a copy of CRACKED. And for those of you interested in what Kate is up to next, you should follow her here:

Website: www.kmwalton.com

Twitter: @kmwalton1

Facebook: Cracked fan page

Simon & Schuster author page: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K-M-Walton/81347146

Blog: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com