Interview with Aimee Walker

Welcome back, my friends. I hope you're all feeling well today. Where I am, the sun is shining and the kids are miraculously staying out of trouble at the moment, and I actually got some writing done. Woohoo!

Let's continue with the woohoo-ness by chatting with the wonderful Aimee Walker.

Welcome, Aimee! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Whenever I've been in a group or classroom environment, whether I was 5 or 35, this questions always sent me into immediate mental paralysis. If I was smart, I would have typed up a bio years ago and memorized it.


I'm a visual artist specializing in pencil drawing and acrylic paints, a writer (but you know that, silly me), and music junkie. I wish I could sing and dance, but no one can have it all so I'm stuck with karaoke instead of the big stage. My favorite job is being Mom to my two awesome and scary-sneaky grade schoolers.

How long have you been writing?

I tried and failed with NaNoWriMo (06' and 07') before I wrote an entire manuscript in February of 2008. But I've always dabbled with words--I won a statewide poetry contest when I was 12 years old. It didn't occur to me that I could write long pieces until I'd had a blog for a couple years. I had some pretty enthusiastic followers that let me know I had a way with words, so I dove in hands first.

That's fantastic! What is the name and genre of the manuscript you're currently pitching?

The working title is I FATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS, and it's a young adult paranormal. I'm actually waiting to hear back from a few agents and the suspense is killing me!

Oh, yes, waiting sucks, doesn't it? Tell us what your story's about?

It's about two teenagers who were never supposed to meet, but they have, and now one is destined to kill the other.


It's a very loose interpretation of the three fates from mythology. The only thing that's substantial in comparison was using three characters and fate itself, so it's not a retelling. It is high stakes and fast paced. The whole novel takes place over a couple days and there's dead bodies involved.

Ooh, I love mythology-linked stories (I'm writing one of those myself). Your novel sounds extremely intriguing. How did the idea come to you?

Little ideas pop into my head and I fit them together like puzzle pieces until there's enough for a book. I should be a better note taker, I can tell you that much! My next project involves schizophrenia and talking spiders, but I have no idea what the plot is yet.

LOL, unique elements indeed. Do you have a critique partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

Oh my, this is the best question of them all. YES, I absolutely have critique partners, writing pals, beta readers, the whole shebang. My novels would be the puppy nuggets on the shoe of life without my writer buds. I highly recommend any writer have at least one person who can read their works and give them good feedback.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

First drafts make me cry. That is all.

LOL, okay then. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I want to be psychic! I've always wanted to be psychic. Now, what I would do with that power is another story. What do psychic people do besides have a hotline or weird cable show? No thanks! I want to be the circus wagon version with the weird little monkey on my shoulder.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: skateboard, lobster, and pirouette.

I tried to do a pirouette on my brother's skateboard, but it flew through the front door of Winn Dixie, over a pyramid of green beans, and into the lobster tank.

Awesome! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Who would you like to give a shout out to?

The guys and dolls from Verla Kay's message boards. The people there are amazing and so helpful. If you ask me (Oh! You are!) it's the best learning place for kid-lit writers. Special thanks to Jamie King and Darlene Pearson. They've put up with far too many hours of my writer babble and given me some great ideas over the years.

And finally, where can people find you online?

I just started a blog for beginning novel writers. If that's you, come check it out!


http://yarghing.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Aimee. It was a lot of fun getting to know you. I wish you lots of success with your agent search, and good luck with your books!