Member Spotlight: K.M. Walton

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is how I process the world, its injustices and joys. Journaling, writing free verse poetry, or drafting fiction is where my brain untangles my emotions. It’s where I went when my dad died back in 1997 and then when I lost my mom in 2021. Without pen to paper, I might have lost myself to the heavy weight of grief. I am also a fierce anti-bullying advocate. My three published contemporary YA novels—Cracked, Empty, and Ultimatum—all deal with the hideous effects of bullying. During my twelve years in the classroom my eyes and ears were on constant alert for bullying. If I heard or saw or was told about bullying, I addressed it. I brought the victim and the bully together countless times. Some meetings were formal lunch meetings while others were a quick talk in the hallway. My goal was always the same: get each child to see the human being across from them. I wanted the bully to fully understand the pain he/she was causing—to try and understand the tangible effects from their hateful words and actions. So, my novels were a natural write for me because of my passion for the subject. And now I get to keep the message going in my public speaking engagements. What a job!

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Fortunately, I don’t suffer from writer’s block. When I start a new book, I don’t stop until my first draft is done. However, advice I’ve heard and kept in my back pocket in case I’m ever struck with the dreaded writer’s block: get up from your desk and get out in nature. Get the blood flowing. Clear the blockage.

What is your favorite time to write? I’m a middle-of-the-dayer. After lunch is the sweet spot when my creativity comes alive and I oftentimes have to set reminders on my phone, so I stand and stretch because I get so lost in whatever I’m working on.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Stop comparing yourself to other writers and their successes. You are on your journey not theirs. Instead, pivot yourself from the “why isn’t that happening to me?” mentality and celebrate the triumphs of your colleagues. Joy attracts joy.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? The easy access to information, from researching a book or character to learning how to draft a spectacular query letter. Back in 1992, after scouring my copy of the latest The Writer’s Market book, I built my list of publishers and sent my first query letter. It was printed on my dot matrix printer and mailed snail mail style with a SASE inside. For the record, it ended up being a rejection. Fast forward to 2008 when I started a proper query journey for a literary agent, the information was all online and the queries were emails. Logistically easier, yes, but it still took me 2.5 years and 148 rejections to land my first literary agent!

K.M. Walton’s Ultimatum is out now with Sourcebooks Fire.