Quick Qs And As with Kristin Walker!

Kristin Walker is the debut author of an hilarious book titled A Match Made in High School.

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Describe A Match Made in High School in three words.

Crazy Romantic Fun

Describe your main character Fiona in one sentence. Also, in what ways are you similar to her? Different?

She's a smart-mouthed loner who's not afraid to speak her mind, even though it often comes back to bite her. I'm a bit outspoken and smart-mouthed now, but I wasn't too much at Fiona's age. And yes, it does come back to bite me at times. I also share Fiona's fashion sense, which isn't good for anybody.

If A Match Made in High School had a theme song, what would it be?

"We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes

Do you have a favorite scene or line from A Match Made in High School? If so, would you mind sharing a bit about it with us?

It's not necessarily my favorite, but I like the scene where Fiona and Todd first babysit Sam. It's the first time they drop their guard just a little bit in front of each other.

What was your favorite part of writing Match?

One of the best parts was when I thought of a great joke or comeback. It was such a luxury to take as much time as I needed to figure out the most scathing retort. Another favorite part was finishing that very first draft, when there's still a ton of work to do, but it seems surmountable now.

How did the title A Match Made in High School come to be?

The brilliant team at Razorbill thought of it. The original title was Marriage Ed., which really was just the document name of the manuscript on my hard drive. Lame, yes. I struggle with titles, obviously. We kicked some ideas back and forth and MATCH was the winner. I adore it. Although, I still love the suggestion of a friend of mine, David Wright, who offered: Right Beside My Ring Finger! That cracks me up every time.

What would have been your reaction to having to take a “Trying The Knot” class in high school like Fiona has to do at her high school?

I was such a dork, I'd probably would have enjoyed the damn thing. How sad is that? I'm pretty much a rule-follower by nature, although I wish I wasn't so much. I'm less now than when I was younger. I just never had that innate sense of when it was okay to break the rules.

Since I adore these type of stories, what was it like getting “the call”?

I'll never forget getting the call from my agent offering representation. It had been after such a long string of rejections, and her call was the first real validation of my work. She also delivered the call when I got the offer on the book, so now I have this Pavlovian reaction whenever I see 212 on the caller ID.

How does it feel to know that your book will be in bookstores soon?

Surreal. But I've made friends with so many great authors whose new books I've seen on the shelves many times. I think when I see mine up with theirs, it'll kind of feel like I made it into the club. Like I got to learn the secret handshake.

What is your typical day like?

Hit snooze alarm several times. Get up, feed kids, get them on the bus or to preschool. Then the gray hours where I may write, I may clean, I may do research, I may watch TV, I may go back to sleep, etc... Then make dinner, hang out with the fam for a while, and go to bed. Riveting!

What’s up next for you book-wise?

Hopefully, another YA for Razorbill. I'm also currently revising a middle grade paranormal.

What are three totally random facts about you?

1. I can sing the Canadian National Anthem, but not in French. Not yet. I'll work on it, okay? Zut alors.
2. When I lived in New Zealand for two years as a child, I saw the Queen of England's powder-blue pillbox hat as her motorcade passed by our elementary school.
3. I don't like sushi. I've tried it several times and tasted many varieties, but it all ended up in my napkin. I really want to like sushi, but I just don't..

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just to say thank you, Lauren! This has been so much fun!
 
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No, thank you, Kristin! :)
 
Further Links:
 
Kristin's Website
Kristin's Blog
Kristin's Twitter
Kristin's Book on Amazon/Indie Bound/ Barnes and Noble