Tuesday, May 1, 2012

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 After writing my very first novel (a currently unpublished MG sci-fi) I researched how to turn it into a screenplay.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

14 comments:

Christina Lee said...

Love your questions, Christa! Great interview! No wonder kindness is Kate's favorite word, it's what her entire being EXUDES! *waves to Kate, <3 ya girl*

Elodie said...

Great interview, Christa :D Like K.M. spiders are not my thing, nope they´re not. I wish them all the best as long as it doesn´t include crawling next to me...I am working on it though :D

Suzi said...

I love the sound of rain in the car. As long as I'm not waiting to get drenched as I run into the store. :)

Look forward to reading the book.

KatOwens: Insect Collector said...

Hey! How cool-- I just finished Cracked over the weekend and posted a review. I loved the premise and thought it was really well done. It was a heart-wrenching book, but in the good way. :0) Be warned, though there are no spiders... my blog is crawling with bugs. So don't visit, KM, if it'll make you squeamish.
Have you guys seen Bully yet?

Pam Harris said...

Such a great interview! I LOVED Cracked. I won a grant at my school to purchase books on bullying, and that was the first novel I selected. It's such a great read. :)

Matthew MacNish said...

Kindness versus Spider? I think we were separated at birth. LOL.

Anyway, love Kate, she's the best! Great interview, thanks for featuring her, Christa.

Emily R. King said...

Nice meeting you, K.M.! I agree about spider being an icky word. I got chills just typing it.

And Genevieve sounds like an interesting character. I need to add your book to my TBR list! Thanks.

Hi, Christa! *waves*

Christine Danek said...

Kate's name should be included in the definition of kindness. Kate you are awesome! What a great interview Christa! Thanks.

K. M. Walton said...

You guys are making me blush. Thanks for the "kind" words everyone ; ) and a big THANKS to Christa for the interview.

Brinda said...

I'm with you on the surgeon comment. My own blood, cuts,etc don't bother me in the least, but I can't deal with someone else's. Nice to meet you, K.M.

Katy Upperman said...

Awesome, as usual, Christa. It was fun to learn more about Kim and her writing. I love this Inside the Authors Studio series!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Great interview. And very cool book cover, too!

M.J. Fifield said...

Spiders give me the willies too.

And K.M.'s answer to the John Green question at the end... that would be mine too.

Anonymous said...

I also adore the sound of rain. I'm not entering since I already read CRACKED, which I loved. It was great learning more about K.M.