5 Questions: author Melissa Walker (Violet in Private)

Melissa Walker is the wonderfully cool author of the Violet series which includes, Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design and now her newest book - Violet in Private. When she isn't writing this fantastic Young Adult series about a teen wallflower-turned-supermodel, Melissa is out there writing articles for magazines such as Seventeen, ELLEgirl and Teen Vogue! She also has a pretty awesome blog where she keeps you up-to-date on all things cool, YA and fun! She makes me want to become a freelance writer myself after reading about all her adventures. If only I didn't have such a comma addiction and the tendency to ramble more than make sense!Melissa was kind enough to take some time out of her super hectic Super Author schedule and play along with me and my 5 Questions! I hope you enjoy what she has to say - and go out and pick up your very own copies of these books when you're done! What are you waiting for! Get going!1. How important was it to you to have Violet be a realistic character (in thought, action and feeling) and not just some piece of fiction that only had a few relatable characteristics?Very! I think every author tries to make characters have depth, and I was no different. Violet was my very first book heroine, so a lot of her likes and dislikes are my own. I actually staged an interview with her in my head before I started writing—“asking” her about her most-played songs, her perfect day, her favorite book, etc. And, well, a lot of her answers resembled mine! But that was okay.I also knew that I was writing a book that was set in a superficial world, so it was important that there was a grounded, real girl at the center of it. Sure, she gets swept up in a lot of the glamour (who wouldn’t?) but Violet is her own person, and that had to be true for the book I wanted to write. Otherwise it would have been a bunch of designer labels and name-dropping, and not a very fulfilling read.2. I thought Violet's feelings towards the popular girls at school to be very spot on. I'm pretty sure many girls feel that way about the in-crowd - hating them, yet deep down wishing they could be a part of that inner circle no matter what. Were you ever tempted to have Violet chose popularity over common sense and true friendship while writing the story?You know, she does choose popularity for a while. I think it would be unrealistic to have her turn away from it initially, because it’s something that—like the fashion world—just looks so glamorous and ideal from the outside. But I knew that the friendships she had—and her relationship with her family and her own inner self, would be strong enough to pull her out of that tide eventually.3. What do you feel is the bigger issue - drug and alcohol abuse or body image (weight loss) in the industry (fashion - slash - celebrity since they seem to be synonymous these days)? Or might they be about the same?Tough question! They go hand in hand in many occasions—drugs are a notorious way to avoid eating. (Ahem, “Heroin Chic”—the fact that that’s even a supposedly glamorous term is kind of terrifying.) But right now, I think the body image thing is more urgent somehow. France just passed a law saying French judges could fine offenders up to $47,000 if found guilty of "inciting others to deprive themselves of food,” so we’ll see what affects that has on the Paris shows this fall. When girls like Ali Michael aren’t being booked because they’re “too thick,” everyone has to question what’s going on with fashion.4. Though it would be nice if the Violet books just kept on a-comin', I am sure there is only so far we can travel with Violet on her journey. I am hoping that you will continue to grace the literature world with your words and imagination. Do you have any plans to write more novels after Violet?I do! I’m working on a romance called LOVESTRUCK SUMMER that will be out in summer 2009. It’s a new character named Quinn, and she’s been really fun to write. I have to admit that sometimes I miss Violet though. I’d write those books forever if I could.5. If you could only ever listen to three musical artists/bands, what would you choose?This is tougher than the drugs-or-skinny question! Okay, maybe: The Beatles (because they were prolific and produced many, many styles of music), John Denver (because he will always remind me of my mom cooking at home when I was little) and Rihanna (because I refuse to believe she’s a flash-in-the-pan obsession for me).Oh, my, I feel very eclectic.So, thank you again, Melissa for taking the time to let us know a little more about you and your work and musical tastes! Can't wait to read more from you!