Author Interview: Kristin Walker

Kristin Walker debuted with her laugh-out-loud novel, A Match Made in High School, earlier this year. I got the chance to read the novel and it was a delightful, fun piece. You can read my review of it here.

If you would like to learn more about Kristin or her novel, visit her at: http://www.kristin-walker.com/.

Firstly, what inspired you to write A Match Made in High School?

I was inspired by my obsession to get published, to tell the truth. I'd tried for years to sell a book, and I kept moving up in age range until I finally accepted the fact that I'd have to write a young adult novel. From there, I decided to write a funny one. And then I got the idea for MATCH and it seemed like it could be pretty hilarious. Then I was off!

Out of all of your characters, who would you say you favour the most?

Hmm...I really like Fiona and Todd of course, but my favourite (I spelled it ala Canada!) is Johnny. He's just so endearing and funny to me.

If A Match Made in High School becomes a movie or show, which actors/actresses do you want to play your characters?

I get asked this question a lot, and it seems crazy to even think about that. Usually, I say I want unknown actors to play the leads. But I have to say that Eden Sher ("The Middle") could totally rock the role of Fiona.

What do you find is the hardest aspect in writing? And the easiest?

For me, the writing the first draft is the hardest. It's difficult not to get overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead of me. Sustaining momentum is a challenge. The easiest aspect for me is creating characters. I struggle with plot, but my characters come to me fairly easily.

What genres or story plots do you still want to try out that you have not done yet?

Wow, good question. I don't know! I think I might try something in adult romance.

Do you have any novels you are working on at the moment or will be releasing soon? If so, can you please give us a brief summary about them?

I have another young adult novel in the works for Razorbill, and I'm working on a middle grade paranormal about a group of kids who start a business dealing with the town's ghosts.

Lastly, please give us an interesting fact about yourself that not many people know of!

I'd love to be an extra in a zombie movie. How fun would that be?

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Title: A Match Made in High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 278
My Rating: 4/5

For the last year of high school, all seniors must participate in a program and complete it in order to graduate. What is it? Why, they must be married to each other!

Fiona couldn't get a more terrible deal. She is stuck with jerk-but-pretty-face Todd Harding who she can not stand AT ALL. While his mean girlfriend is with her one and only love! Not to mention, her BFF is with the quiet but big Johnny Mercer.

However, this marriage course isn't all just about budgeting and counselling. Fiona discovers that through this tedious year, there are things that she wouldn't have known about the people around her and herself without it.

I was a little too hyped up for this novel to find out in the end I couldn't give the 5/5 that I wanted to. Not that it wasn't a great novel, but it didn't have that full final nudge that made it all-stars. Nonetheless, it was a fun read!

I totally love the idea of students being "married" to each other so they can learn what life may be like in the future. If anything, I would love to see this concept done into manga format; it would be so much funnier to see the hilarious scenes that occurred!

There were times where I didn't like Fiona. She was obsessed with her crush, Gabe, to the point that you wanted to smack her. However, I knew it was a setup made in order for her to "grow up" towards the end of the story. Which all in all, she did. That aside, I loved how every character had a purpose to play, no matter how small their role was.

Everyone's review for this novel that I have read said there was a twist. So when things did jump at a different direction, I was already expecting it. So would the novel have been better if I did not know about this twist? Maybe. But then, maybe not. The story setup was great though, I think Walker is excellent at comedy and throwing in cute surprises.

If anything, I think this novel should be opted for a movie. Or maybe a ten episode show (maybe even less). It had all the content to make it a full-out fun film for teens! From the cliche people to random events, it could totally work on the Family Channel!

So if you are looking for a comedic but cute read, check out A Match Made in High School!

Won copy from Frenetic Reader.