Authorial Intrusion - Kristin Walker
I’m delighted to introduce Kristin Walker today on the abbreviated 3-question version of Authorial Intrusion.
How much do I love A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL?
I read it twice in one year.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of it last year, and laughed so hard that I couldn’t wait to buy my very own copy when it came out. In fact, I bought TWO and gave one to my favorite teen reader. And let me tell you, after reading several serious “issue” novels lately, I was eager for some fun! So I read my new copy again, giggling happily.
Here’s the synopsis:
When a mandatory marriage education course forces Fiona to “try the knot” with super-jock Todd Harding, she’s convinced life could not possibly get any worse. Until moments later, when her long-time crush is paired with her arch-enemy (otherwise known as Todd’s obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend). But that’s nothing compared to her best friend’s fate - a year with the very shy, very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.
A series of hilarious pranks and misunderstandings leave Fiona wondering: is there something her supposed “best friend” hasn’t told her? Could there be more to Johnny Mercer than a deep voice and an awesome music collection? And perhaps most intriguing of all, is it possible that Todd Harding could actually have a heart - and a brain - beneath his pretty-boy exterior?
Kristin Walker grew up roaming the Pennsylvania countryside. She finally landed at Penn State, where she earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to being actor, Kristin was many things on her way to becoming an author, such as a lifeguard, a nanny, a beginning ballroom dance instructor, a library circulation clerk, and very nearly a nurse. A Match Made in High School (Razorbill/Penguin Group) is her first novel. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Ladybug, Wee Ones, and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Kristin lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and three sons.
Thai food or Chinese?
Thai. Unless it's New Year's Eve, and then Chinese. Unfortunately, though, the rest of my family likes Chinese and not so much Thai.
Advice for writers in 5 words or less.
Keep writing. Don't quit. EVER!
What are you reading right now?
Just finishing up Willa Cather's MY ÁNTONIA for my book club. Marvelous.
Beach or mountains?
Definitely mountains. My godparents have a cabin in the mountains of PA that I've visited my whole life. It's one of my favorite places on the planet. Although, I've also stayed at my friend Nancy Viau's beach house, and let me tell you, it's pretty magical there, too.
If someone made you sing karaoke - you couldn’t refuse! - what would you sing?
Gah, what a nightmare! Okay, depending on how much alcohol was involved, I guess either "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille or "Crazy" by Patsy Kline. They've both gotten a lot of car-singing time in my life.
Who do you wish you could meet, living or dead?
I'm going to pick John Hughes. His films pretty much defined my adolescence and greatly influenced my sense of humor. I was so disappointed when he died last year. I owe that man a lot of laughs.
I think your book is the literary equivalent of a John Hughes movie, Kristin! Thanks for stopping by the blog.
How much do I love A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL?
I read it twice in one year.
I read an Advance Reader Copy of it last year, and laughed so hard that I couldn’t wait to buy my very own copy when it came out. In fact, I bought TWO and gave one to my favorite teen reader. And let me tell you, after reading several serious “issue” novels lately, I was eager for some fun! So I read my new copy again, giggling happily.
Here’s the synopsis:
When a mandatory marriage education course forces Fiona to “try the knot” with super-jock Todd Harding, she’s convinced life could not possibly get any worse. Until moments later, when her long-time crush is paired with her arch-enemy (otherwise known as Todd’s obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend). But that’s nothing compared to her best friend’s fate - a year with the very shy, very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.
A series of hilarious pranks and misunderstandings leave Fiona wondering: is there something her supposed “best friend” hasn’t told her? Could there be more to Johnny Mercer than a deep voice and an awesome music collection? And perhaps most intriguing of all, is it possible that Todd Harding could actually have a heart - and a brain - beneath his pretty-boy exterior?
Kristin Walker grew up roaming the Pennsylvania countryside. She finally landed at Penn State, where she earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to being actor, Kristin was many things on her way to becoming an author, such as a lifeguard, a nanny, a beginning ballroom dance instructor, a library circulation clerk, and very nearly a nurse. A Match Made in High School (Razorbill/Penguin Group) is her first novel. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Ladybug, Wee Ones, and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Kristin lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and three sons.
Thai food or Chinese?
Thai. Unless it's New Year's Eve, and then Chinese. Unfortunately, though, the rest of my family likes Chinese and not so much Thai.
Advice for writers in 5 words or less.
Keep writing. Don't quit. EVER!
What are you reading right now?
Just finishing up Willa Cather's MY ÁNTONIA for my book club. Marvelous.
Beach or mountains?
Definitely mountains. My godparents have a cabin in the mountains of PA that I've visited my whole life. It's one of my favorite places on the planet. Although, I've also stayed at my friend Nancy Viau's beach house, and let me tell you, it's pretty magical there, too.
If someone made you sing karaoke - you couldn’t refuse! - what would you sing?
Gah, what a nightmare! Okay, depending on how much alcohol was involved, I guess either "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille or "Crazy" by Patsy Kline. They've both gotten a lot of car-singing time in my life.
Who do you wish you could meet, living or dead?
I'm going to pick John Hughes. His films pretty much defined my adolescence and greatly influenced my sense of humor. I was so disappointed when he died last year. I owe that man a lot of laughs.
I think your book is the literary equivalent of a John Hughes movie, Kristin! Thanks for stopping by the blog.