K.M. Jenkins is a published international bestselling author that writes epic battles, forbidden romance, and tales of fantasy and adventure. She has a big love for the fantasy genre and loves dragons above all creatures.When she is not writing, you will find her chasing her twin boys around the house. Between the three she has epic battles throughout the day and nothing ever gets boring.

Welcome to the Hive, K.M. Jenkins. Let’s start small: tell us about a great book you’ve read recently!

Oh this is hard. I would have to say the one that sticks out the most in my memory is Vampire Shift by Tim O’Rourke. This was the first vampire and werewolf book I have read. The creatures were so realistic and intriguing that I couldn’t put the book down. It even got worse. I ended up binging the entire series. 

Okay, time to escalate things: reality warps and you suddenly find yourself leading a D&D-style party through a monster-infested dungeon. What character class are you, and what’s your weapon of choice?

I have a true love for elven warriors. So, I would pick the ranger class with a bow and arrow for my weapon of choice.

When you’re not trawling through dungeons, how do you like to work? (In silence, with music, or serenaded by the damned souls of a thousand dead shrimps? Do you prefer to type or to hand-write? Are you an architect or a gardener? A plotter or a pantser? D’you write in your underwear, or in a deep-sea diver’s suit?) Tell us a little bit about your writing method!

I write best in silence, which I don’t get often with my twin monsters (sons) running around. I can’t write by hand even if I try, everything has to be typed. I just can’t write fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. If I had to choose between being an architect or a gardener I would say I love the smell of flowers and earth beneath my finger nails. I’m in between being a plotter or pantser. It depends on my project. Sometimes I sit on the edge of my seat and let the characters take control. While other times I have to outline before I begin to write. My writing method is kind of all over the place and tends to show in my writing. My editor has told me in the past that it is like two different people writing the books. It just depends on the series I am writing in.

What (or who) are your most significant fantasy influences? Are there any creators whom you dream of working with someday?

In my world of Tarzinëa I would have to say there are several fantasy influencers that helped create this world. The books that created my characters were from Mercedes Lackey’s Voldemort Series. Then I loved the Dragonlance saga by Tracy Hichman and Margaret Weis. If I could meet these amazing authors it would be the best day of my life. Let alone working alongside them.

What was the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it? Alternatively, what games have you enjoyed recently?

I don’t watch TV that often due to the constant cartoons on from my kids. The last time I sat down and actually watched TV was a few weeks ago with my fiancé. We watched an episode of Dracula on Netflix. I find myself torn with this show. One second I’m bored wishing it was over then the next thing I don’t want it to end.

As for games, my fiancé and me always play Magic of the Gathering together. I got into playing this with him a year after we were together. It is now our go to on date nights.

The world shifts, and you find yourself with an extra day on your hands during which you’re not allowed to write. How do you choose to spend the day?

If it was a day free of responsibilities I would sleep all day or read books. I’m a big book lover and gladly will burn through a day to finish the story.

Can you tell us a little something about your current work(s) in progress?

I have two main works in progress at this moment. The first is my Tales of Ferrês series. I am in the process of putting the final touches on this series of short stories. In this series I focus on the kingdom, Forest of Ferrês. This particular kingdom in my world of Tarzinëa is considered a mystery. Not many people have entered and lived. This series follows the adventure of several heroes that entered its depths and lived to tell the tale even though many don’t believe them. This series has fairies, a lone unicorn, elves, dwarves, wolf shifters called the kyre, twin-tailed foxes, and creatures that lurk in the darkness waiting to feed.

My other series I am working on is my Vortex Series. The first book is in the writing process right now. It is titled Gargoyle Sighted. The story follows several beings that face a great evil called The Triad. Cassie Armel is a young cop that is thrown through a loop when she finds out she is a witch. But not just that, she also finds there are more secrets lurking in her past that her mother has hidden from her. Gargoyles, werewolves and witches around every corner, Cassie will try to find her rightful place amongst them all. I am releasing this book by chapter each month to my newsletter subscribers. Want to see how the book is coming check it out here: https://www.subscribepage.com/y2i1x7

What’s the most (and/or least) helpful piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

A good friend of mine told me when I am feeling the muse for a specific project to stop what I am working on to write out the scene or chapters that are in my head. That way I won’t lose what I am thinking by waiting. It has helped me immensely. 

Every writer encounters stumbling blocks, be it a difficult chapter, challenging subject matter or just starting a new project. How do you motivate yourself on days when you don’t want to write?

I have struggled with this on several occasions. I noticed that if I sit down to outline or write notes out about one of my books I tend to get in the mood to write. I might not work on the project that has a pressing deadline, but I do manage to get some writing in.

If you could visit any country at any point in history, where/when would you go, and why?

I would love to go to Australia. I have a fellow author friend that lives there and I would love to see the land and animals. 

Tell us about a book that’s excellent, but underappreciated or obscure.

I would say the book that inspired my love for dragons is underappreciated. It is Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner. I read this book when I was in elementary school. It really spoke to me and called to my inner dragon lover. After this I sought out every dragon book I could find. 

Finally, would you be so kind as to dazzle us with an elevator pitch? Why should readers check out your work? 

I believe my stories and books bring a family friendly story line that shows readers the values of friendship, family, and the importance of believing in yourself. I put everything I have into my writing and the worlds I create. I also take into account what my readers are looking for and hope they enjoy the book as much as I enjoy writing it. 

That’s great, thank you so much for joining us! TALES OF FERRÊS is available here.