inkpop_editor : Welcome Melissa Walker thank you for joining us today 5:00 PM Penny weather : Hi!!

5:01 PM Melissa Walker : Yay! Thanks for coming, you guys. Amaya : Hello Melissa! Welcome! Samantha Johnson : hi. Thank you! enchantedangel : Hello! Penny weather : Hi!! Thanks for coming TnBabyGir : Hi inkpop_editor : Does anyone have a 1st question? beachtwin110 : Hello! Emmaline : so, what is your fav part about writing books? beachtwin110 : How do you outline (if you outline)? Melissa Walker : The best part is FINISHING one! Seriously. Penny weather : LOL Emmaline : makes sense... Samantha Johnson : I've submitted a few books to publishers, how did you finally get into print? 5:02 PM beachtwin110 : What classics do you think have influenced your writing? enchantedangel : Do you usually start with plot or characters? Melissa Walker : I love writing it when there's a writing day where it just feels like it's flowing, like you can hear and see the characters, know what I mean? That's really my favorite part. Penny weather : Yes how do you plan your events... if you do Samantha Johnson : totally know what you mean there Melissa Walker : I do outline. I do a quick one-sentence-per-chapter system, and sometimes things change while I'm writing, but I like to know where I'm going. beachtwin110 : What's the best part of getting published (the process), after writing the actual book? Amaya : Any tips on magazine writing? Do the skills you learn from it help you with fiction in ay way?

AmadeeDouglas : I hate it how sometimes I really want to write but I'm stuck. It get's really annoying. beachtwin110 : What's the most touching response you've ever had from a fan about a book? 5:03 PM Melissa Walker : Samantha, Agents are really key, so submitting to them first and letting THEM submit to publishers for you is the best way to do it. Submitting to agents is step one, I think. Penny weather : How much do agents cost? Melissa Walker : enchantedangel, I start with characters. They kind of drive my plots once I get to know them... I love characters more than plots, honestly. They feel like my friends. Emmaline : how do you GET an agent? AmadeeDouglas : Ooh yeah I've been wondering that to Stephanie Wilkes : Did you know you wanted to write for the YA audience or as you were writing did it just happen? Samantha Johnson : agents I know that they can be exspensive any suggestions where to start? Amy : What do you do to get out of a writer's block? TnBabyGir : Do you think the first draft is the easier part of writing a novel, or the rewrite(s)? 5:04 PM Kayla : I just finished Small Town Sinners, and it was incredible. How did you come up with the idea for it and create a setting that seemed so real? beachtwin110 : Great question TnBabyGir! Melissa Walker : beachtwin110, the classics for me are Gone With the Wind (still adore that book!) and in YA, I roll with Sarah Dessen and Judy Blume. I'm such a Contemporary YA fan... though I totally love some magic sometimes too. Samantha Johnson : now that your published is there anything you wish you woulda known first about the process? 5:05 PM Penny weather : How much do agents cost around? Melissa Walker : The best part of getting published, I think, is seeing your book in a store. I once saw a girl BUYING my book and it MADE MY MONTH! I signed it for her right there. So much fun. Penny weather : COOL AmadeeDouglas : I think that waould be the best feeling ever! Emmaline Me too! :

Nicole : That would be amazing! Melissa Walker : Amaya, Magazine writing is really different, but my favorite stories are the ones where I get to interview someone and talk about their life in the story, so it's kind of like working with a character. That helps.

Amy : Ditto what Amadee said. AmadeeDouglas : How long did it take you to actually finish your book? Stephanie Wilkes : I would be like..*psst* I wrote that. Wonder if she'd believe you? 5:06 PM AmadeeDouglas : Haha!! Samantha Johnson : I've had some people suggest going out and reading to the younger kids at the library to get some interaction with the audience how do you get interaction wiht yours so you can stay up on what they are interested in? Melissa Walker : Ha! Luckily there was an author pic in the book I signed so I could prove it was me! Penny weather : What courses did you take in high school and university You had an english major right? J.South : I don't know if you can help with this, but I figure it's worth a shot. I'm thinking about changing my major to Professional Writing and Editing, but am unsure about the job market. Do you have any advice to help me out with this? Melissa Walker : Most touching response I've had: Someone who told me they wanted to live in the world with my characters in LOVESTRUCK SUMMER and hang out with them. How cool is that? 5:07 PM Penny weather : Hahaha thats really cool AmadeeDouglas : That is pretty exciting Samantha Johnson : totally awesome. inkpop_editor : Melissa, Penny wanted to know how much agents cost Melissa Walker : Or maybe that's the coolest response. Most touching is probably a letter I got about the VIOLET series from a former model who had an eating disorder but had fought it and felt a kinship with Violet. That was lovelyt o hear. inkpop_editor : ? Samantha Johnson : Its gotta be so cool to create a world that is that tangable Penny weather : Thanks! Amaya : (: I can see how that would help. Has your writing for magazines inspired your fiction writing? How? 5:08 PM Melissa Walker : Penny, agents are free. You just pay them 15% of what they earn for you (so 15% of your book deal--and it's totally worth it). Emmaline : how do you get an agent? Penny weather : Oh thanks so much!! AmadeeDouglas : Do you have to have an agent to get a book published?

Melissa Walker : Emmaline, you get an agent by submitting an idea, a query letter, and some sample chapters of your work. agentquery.com has lots of info! TnBabyGir : Wow. That must be awesome to hear when people can really relate to your characters like that Kayla : Where do you get your inspiration for you books? inkpop_editor : Melissa how long did it take you to write your first book Violet on the Runway? Kris : Hi Melissa. I was wondering how you know when you've got a good beginning for a book? 5:09 PM Amy : What do you do to get out of a writer's block? Melissa Walker : I always knew I wanted to write for the YA audience--I worked in teen magazines and loved that group of readers so much. They seemed to care more than adult readers and be more into it. I love passion. Sorry I'm so behind on Qs! I'll catch up! 5:10 PM inkpop_editor : Kayla, I don't want to but in, but Melissa wrote a great blog post today where she discussed how she came up with Violet and Small Town Sinners. Both seemed very much inspired by real life articles she wrote Stephanie Wilkes : I just finished Looking for Alaska and one of my favorite talking points (since I live in the Bible Belt South) is John Green's discussion of religion. Religion and developing one's personal belief obviously plays a big role in Small Town Sinners...did it for you as a teen as well? Melissa Walker : To get out of writer's block: I write my way out. I pretend it doesn't matter at all what I write, I just write. Maybe it's a really long email to my friend or a fictional scene that I'll never publish, just for fun. Eventually, it'll flow again. Penny weather : Thats a gret idea I'm going to try that AmadeeDouglas : I guess I never thought about doing that. That could be helpful. 5:11 PM Melissa Walker : Rewriting/revising is easier for me than the first draft. I kind of love editing, but the first draft sometimes can be really slow going! Kayla : Oh, thank you! I agree with Stephanie, I liked the religious aspect of Small Town Sinners Amy : Definitely trying that next time. Most times I just kinda give up for the day and do something else. inkpop_editor : Amaya wanted to know: Any tips on magazine writing? Do the skills you learn from it help you with fiction in ay way? Melissa Walker : Thanks, Kayla! The idea for Small Town Sinners came from a story I wrote for ELLEgirl where I visited a Hell House. I interviewed a lot of church members/teenagers there and I kept thinking about them, so I wanted to set a story in their world. So glad you liked it! 5:12 PM TnBabyGir : How do you decide which scenes to keep, cut completely, or just rewrite? Emmaline : Have you ever had to completely cut out a whole scene that you just LOVED, and then was upset about it? Melissa Walker :

Amadee, Books usually take me about 6 months to write, but sometimes it takes longer... Small Town Sinners took me a year, and Lovestruck Summer had to be really fast--it was due in 3 months! 5:13 PM Amy : Oh wow! 3 months??? That's insane! Penny weather : Oh snap Lea : Do you ever outline your books? Melissa Walker : Samantha, I just try to write what I'm interested in and passionate about. I think if you write a story you love, that will show. If you care about the characters they will be more real. 5:14 PM Cara Durnin : How long did it take from when you received your publishing deal to when you saw your own book in print? Thanks! Penny weather : When did you write your first book? AmadeeDouglas : Wow! I have been writing my book for almost a year and I'm still not even close to being finished Melissa Walker : I wish I'd known that it doesn't get easier after you're published--then you have to try to get people to notice you and buy your books! Self promotion is really hard because it feels icky sometimes. But it's necessary. 5:15 PM Penny weather : Any tips on self promotion? Melissa Walker : Penny, I was an English major in college, but I think it's best to just take the classes you love. So many classes involve reading/writing so you'll get those skills in almost any major! Might as well be passionate about what you're studying. 5:16 PM Kayla : Where can I find the blog posts about Small Town Sinners and Violet on the Runway? Melissa Walker : J.South, I'd say go for what you love--you'll ALWAYS have a better shot at jobs if you're passionate about them. (I know I'm using "passionate" a lot but it's a big thing with me). So major in what you enjoy most and would be most excited to work in... regardless of "the market." Penny weather : Thanks! Any you're absolutely right! I love to write so I'll probably have an english major. and* 5:17 PM inkpop_editor : Kayla, it's on the homepage of inkpop, but we'll repost it after the chat for you again J.South : Okay. Thank you! Melissa Walker : Magazine writing definitely has inspired fiction writing. Like I mentioned, Small Town Sinners came directly from this story I did:http://www.melissacwalker.com/media/ellegirl-hellhouse.jpg Samantha Johnson : I'm so thrilled to have you come and talk, Thank you so much again! 5:18 PM AmadeeDouglas : Yes...Thank you!!

inkpop_editor : I told you melissa would be awesome! Penny weather : Inkpop editor what's your name... ;s enchantedangel : Thank you! Penny weather : ;s Melissa Walker : Amadee, you don't HAVE to have an agent to get published, but 90% of the time people do. It really helps. Penny weather : sorry ;$ AmadeeDouglas : Ok. It's something I've been wondering about. Penny weather : Melissa Walker : Kayla, inspiration for the books comes from EVERYWHERE. My friends, traveling, conversations I hear on the subway. Seriously, I'm always watching. But hopefully not in a creepy way 5:19 PM Samantha Johnson : She's so insightful. I met Elizabeth benton frank once but she was nowhere near as pleasant as Melissa. Penny weather : hahaha TnBabyGir : What's the biggest thing you recommend for someone who is in the querying process? Melissa Walker : It took me 6 months to write Violet on the Runway... I was inspired by talking to models for ELLEgirl stories. Their world was so glamorous but also really dark sometimes. Penny weather : What influenced your writing the most? 5:20 PM Melissa Walker : Kris, You have to think about the whole story of the book and not worry TOO much about the beginning (I often rewrite the beginning once I get to the end... it can change a lot!) inkpop_editor : We'll combine two questions: Can you discuss the rewriting process? Do you cut whole scenes you love? Do you rewrite whole scenes? Samantha Johnson : So whats the biggest hurdle you've faced in your writing career? How old were you when you actually got your first writing job? Amy : Any suggestions for someone who starts to write a novel and never finishes? Is there a way to keep yourself going? 5:21 PM Samantha Johnson : And what would you suggest for someone who wants a writing career? Melissa Walker : Stephanie, Religion is a huge thing, right? I definitely have had lots of moments where I've asked myself what I believe and why... I think most people have those times. So yes, it has been a big question for me in my life. Penny weather : What motivates you on not abandoning a novel (especially when it looks hopeless) ?

5:22 PM Amy : My questions kinda goes with Penny's. That's what I was going for, pretty much. Amaya : Thanks for chatting, Melissa! I must migrate to Facebook./: I'll be sure to check out Small Town Sinners, it sounds interesting! Thanks again! Melissa Walker : Knowing whether to keep scenes or cut or rewrite... that's something my editor helps with a lot! But really when you re-read what you've written, you can just FEEL whether it works or not, right? Like you can just tell something's "off" about it? That's when I go back and rethink. I've definitely had to cut scenes I loved because they just didn't fit into the story well... but they still exist in my head! Cara, I got the deal for Violet on the Runway in spring 2006 and the book was published in fall 2007, so like a year and a half later... and that was considered fast! 5:24 PM Penny weather : wow Melissa Walker : I wrote my first book in the summer of 2007. I'd been writing magazine stories for about 7 years before that, but Violet on the Runway was my first full book. Cara Durnin : Really? That's still quite a long time. . . Haha Melissa Walker : Self promotion: You just really have to be yourself and let your personality show. Just don't be fake. Same kinds of rules for meeting new people--being yourself leads the right people to you. Aw, thanks, guys! Glad you're all here! 5:25 PM Penny weather : Im glad YOURE here :p Stephanie Wilkes : I have a lot of things that are started but then I get gun-shy and get afraid to try to finish because it seems as if most of my stuff is autobiographical and I don't want EVERYONE knowing what I thought. Still working of 'fictionalizing?' my stuff and still making it my own. And being a librarian. LOL. 5:26 PM Kayla : How has your writing process changed since you had baby June? And how is she? AmadeeDouglas : I agree! enchantedangel : I agree with Penny. Penny weather : hahahaha Melissa Walker : Querying process: I'd say just be sure you love your book and that you've taken it as far as you can (let someone else read it and help you edit, etc.) It's also good to have the whole book ready to send in case the agent asks for a "full" meaning the whole thing! Penny weather : true. 5:27 PM Emmaline : which do you prefer, happy stories, or ones on the darker side? Melissa Walker : My teen years influence my writing the most--those emotions that I remember so clearly help me write now. I look at my old diaries all the time (embarrassing!)

AmadeeDouglas : this might make me sound really stupid, but what does querying? Amy : It's ok, Amadee. I didn't know what it meant either lol. I just felt too silly to ask it. 5:28 PM Pennyweather : haha same Melissa Walker : Rewriting: I do cut whole scenes and rewrite whole scenes ALL THE TIME. It's a big part of the process. But it's nice to have that first-draft scene down, because the newly done scene grows out of that. It's never a waste of time even if you cut 100 pages. Seriously. It all informs the final book. AmadeeDouglas : Lol good Pennyweather : fixed my name ^^ 5:29 PM Melissa Walker : Biggest hurdle: Rejections out the wazoo. I've been lucky with books but when I started in magazines, I had rejected story ideas ALL THE TIME. Persistence is key. Kris : I've been reading lots of articles recently about writing to deadlines and for writers like myself I can hardly fathom how authors do it. I've challenged myself to take baby steps and write 1000 words a week, what's your method? Pennyweather : Did you ever question yourself? Melissa Walker : I was 23 when I started my first magazine job... as an editorial assistant for Rosie O'Donnell. Haha. enchantedangel : How has your outlook on writing changed since first wring/querying/publishing VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY? Pennyweather : or your writing? Melissa Walker : Amy, outlining helps with the finishing. If you know what the end is, it's easier to get there. 5:30 PM Amy : Oh ok, thanks! Melissa Walker : Samantha, I'd say read a lot and write a lot--for yourself, for your newspaper, for a blog, for your friends. I know it's cliched, but the practice helps! Kris : How did you find your agent? Did you put in a lot of research and come up with a list of your top candidates? Pennyweather : What is a common mistake that authors make when trying to get published Samantha Johnson : What degree do you hold? I've heard mixed things about having a degree is better for writing and then some ppl say that its a big waste of time its just a matter of blood sweat and tears? What do you think? 5:31 PM Melissa Walker : Penny, walking away from a novel isn't always abandoning it. Lots of writers have "books in a drawer" that they'll come back to later. Sometimes if you take a few months off you'll grow to love the book again and have new ideas about it. AmadeeDouglas : Ooh good question Penny. I would like to know that as well.

Pennyweather : Thanks a mill! Samantha Johnson : Thank you so much I do write all the time and all my friends are like you'd better write that's your gift. Did you get that alot growing up? 5:32 PM Melissa Walker : Stephanie, there is a lot of ME in the Violet books (I'll never tell which parts!). It's natural to write about your own issues/experiences, especially at first. It helps with authenticity too as you start writing. I stlll use stuff from my own life sometimes. Kris : Have you ever participated in Nanowrimo? What do you think of it? 5:33 PM Elle : Hi Melissa! How do you keep motivated to finish a novel? Melissa Walker : Kayla, June is here now being bounced and getting very fussy! She's 10 weeks old and I've probably gotten a total of two days of writing done so far... but hopefully when she gets older and goes to daycare I'll be able to write more!! I have a book due in January! Emmaline, I mostly prefer happy stories, but really as long as the stories feel TRUE to me, I love them. When I can relate to emotions and characters, I'm in! Oh, sorry, guys! Querying just means "pitching" or telling an agent about your book in hopes that they'll want to work with you. 5:34 PM Pennyweather : Who's YOUR favourite writer? 5:35 PM Melissa Walker : Kris, When I'm on deadline I try to write 1000 words a day. I only let myself go back and read the 1000 words from the day before, or else I'd get stuck rewriting all the time... it helps me move forward. 5:36 PM Pennyweather : Thats a great strategy Samantha Johnson : yeah thats an awesome idea. Melissa Walker : Penny, I question myself and my writing ALL THE TIME. Whenever I start a new book I'm like, "Oh crap! I can't do this! I've just tricked people! I don't know how to write!" And when I finish a draft I constantly talk about how bad it is until I go back and rework it... Kris : Wow, and I was gave myself a quota of 1000 words a week not including my blogging 5:37 PM Pennyweather : Hahaha true it must be tough! Melissa Walker : enchantedangel, I still love writing the way I always did, but when I wrote Violet my characters were a lot like me and my friends. Now I try to write about different types of people... I want to keep evolving that way. 5:38 PM enchantedangel : Okay. Thank you! inkpop_editor : Okay guys, we have ten more minutes left to post questions. Melissa Walker : Kris, I actually found my agent because I had met him at a book party a few years before. I talked to three agents, and he was the one I liked talking to best. I knew nothing else, just that we clicked well.

Pennyweather : really awe! Samantha Johnson : thats great 5:39 PM Alexa : What do you look for in an editor? And is finding one the next step to take after you've completed writing? Melissa Walker : But book parties, I know, are not where lots of people are. So to find an agent, I suggest looking at books you love and checking the acknowledgments... see who the agent is... and then compliment them on that book when you write to them! It'll help. Samantha Johnson : thank tou a] TnBabyGir : How do you create your characters? Do you start with one or two specific things about them and learn about them as the story goes along or do you just sort of "know" the kind of character they're going to be before the story starts? Kris : Thanks! Amy : haha so suck up? nice strategy. enchantedangel : Do you choose an editor when you sign with a publishing company? Pennyweather : Have you ever disagreed with an editor? And did anyone ever tried to change your stores? Samantha Johnson : sorry one year old baby hear thank you again so much for coming!!!!! Logan : Do you find it easier to create plots or characters? 5:40 PM Melissa Walker : I'm not sure what common mistakes are, Penny. Maybe not doing your homework and knowing what the agent you're contacting is all about. Make sure you know what books they've represented (and read a few!) and make sure they handle the type of book you're writing... that helps a lot. I have an English degree but I don't think it matters what type of degree you have. Knowing how to write and practicing that is key, but you'll find inspiration from life experience no matter what your degree is in. 5:41 PM Pennyweather : Thanks!! Homework *grumbles* enchantedangel : How do you know what books agents have represented? 5:42 PM inkpop_editor : Enchanted, Melissa said above, read the acknowledgements of books you like and/or think are similar to your own. Authors always thank their agents in the acknowledgments Melissa Walker : I worked on my high school yearbook and college newspaper so yeah, I was always writing and my friends just knew that was my thing. It helped to have their encouragement! Samantha Johnson : its so cool to know authors are normal ppl too. 5:43 PM enchantedangel : Okay Melissa Walker :

Kris, I think nanowrimo is an awesome way to bang out a first draft. I've never done it, but it'd probably take me a year to edit/rewrite a book I wrote in one month! Still, it sounds FUN. Maybe next year when I don't have a new baby! Elle, a deadline motivates me to finish! Haha. But also, wanting the characters to have some resolution to their story is a big motivator. And the outline guides me--it's really key for me. sweetmelissa818 : Next year you'll have something that moves more than a new baby! 5:44 PM Samantha Johnson : amen to that Melissa Walker : Favorite writer: ACK! Too hard. I will say that right now I'm reading Sara Zarr's HOW TO SAVE A LIFE and I"m totally in awe of her writing. So awesome. Elle : Thank you! Pennyweather : THATS A GREAT BOOK inkpop_editor : Oh yes, everyone should read Sara Zarr. So good! 5:45 PM Melissa Walker : Alexa, Finding an agent is first, then an editor kind of finds you... they decide if they want to work with your book. I've had really cool editors, though, so I'm lucky! Stephanie Wilkes : Do you look for reviews on your books or do you wait for someone to mention them? (i.e., on Goodreads, SLJ, etc.) 5:46 PM Melissa Walker : Character creation: I think about the characters a lot before I start writing, trying to get to know them. SOmetimes I even write out interview questions for them and then answer those. Just easy things like favorite ice cream or whether they like their parents, etc. I want to know lots of things about them. Samantha Johnson : a so do you thinkit w so do you think it was easier to break into books becasue of your magazine work? 5:47 PM Melissa Walker : I've disagreed with some of my editor's notes sometimes, and usually we can talk it out and find a compromise. They do change my books slightly, but usually they're right if they say something needs fixing, and I'm so glad to have the help! Lyn : I understand how you created Small Town Sinners based off of the magazine ad, and the whole Hell House ordeal. But the struggles Lacey was having- are those some you have ever had with your religion that is...? Emmaline : ok i'm heading out!!! Thank you SO much Melissa!!! Melissa Walker : Logan, characters are easier for me. Plots can feel contrived when I'm trying to create them... like something has to happen so it feels forced sometimes, you know? But characters, and scenes with groups of friends, those feel natural to me, and fun to write. 5:48 PM sweetmelissa818 : And fun to read! Pennyweather : hahahaha Melissa Walker :

sweetmelissa818! Yay! I know, next year she'll be toddling around and I won't be able to bounce her and type! TnBabyGir : Thanks so much for the advice! sweetmelissa818 : She can type for you! 5:49 PM Stephanie Wilkes : That's so true...my son RUNS everywhere and he's only 21 months old... Pennyweather : Hahaha AmadeeDouglas : Babies are soo much fun! Samantha Johnson : yeah then you wont understand anything written!lol inkpop_editor : Alright we have to close questions so we can start to wrap up Amy : Oh but that just makes it that much more fun, Samantha haha! inkpop_editor : No more questions Melissa Walker : Stephanie, I try not to go on goodreads--I find it too painful. Is that site particularly harsh? I think so! But I do see most blog reviews of my books, I think, and I really love reading them. I read the negative ones only once (because those stick in my head) but I'll re-read positive ones on rainy days to help me feel better! 5:50 PM Never : Wow. This was my first chat to see since I've been on Inkpop. Thanks for coming out today. Bye everyone. Melissa Walker : My magazine background definitely helped me break into books--I was a professional writer before I ever talked to a book editor, and that made them more willing to sign me up, I think. 5:51 PM Cara Durnin : Thanks so much for the advice, Melissa. Chatting with a published author is invaluable! All the best with your books! Pennyweather : Thanks sooooo much this is extremely helpful!! Samantha Johnson : Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy life for us! 5:52 PM Melissa Walker : Lyn, The struggles Lacey Anne had were mostly things I imagined someone in her position might encounter... everyone wonders what they believe at some point and has to think about their own beliefs vs. their parents'... Lacey was much more evangelical than I am, so a lot of it was based in some of my own truths but very different also. Make sense? inkpop_editor : Alright, thank you Melissa for coming to speak to us today. Do you have a website, facebook, twitter where everyone can follow you and find information about your books? Stephanie Wilkes : Thank you soooooo much! enchantedangel : Thank you! Melissa Walker : Oh, you guys are SO GREAT. Thanks for coming out! Pennyweather :

yep whats your twitter? sweetmelissa818 : Bye, Melissa!! AmadeeDouglas : Thank you Melissa! I've really enjoyed talking to you! It's been extremely helpful! Melissa Walker : Yes, visit me at melissacwalker.com and feel free to email me through there if you have other Qs! 5:53 PM Alexa : Thank you! Pennyweather : Thanks Melissa!! Melissa Walker : Also: http://twitter.com/#!/melissacwalker Lene : Thank you! Melissa Walker : And:https://www.facebook.com/melissawalkerauthor inkpop_editor : Thank you for joining us. Lets give a virtual thank you!