Today we're talking with YA author, J. F. Jenkins. Check out her new release: Legend of the Touched.
1.
What do you do when you are not writing?
When I'm not writing,
I'm either reading, sleeping, playing a game, or working. Those are the staples
of my life. Sometimes I'm going on a random adventure when I can find one in
town. Or sometimes I make up my own random adventures!
2.
When did you first start writing and when did
you finish your first book?
I started writing in middle school. Basically it was a bunch of
silly but teenage angst ridden fanfic. Over dramatic, but still very
entertaining to read when I'm bored. I don't have as many of them as I used to
sadly. My first book I wrote around then, and it's sitting and collecting dust
until I feel brave enough to work on it again and make it good.
3.
Do you work with an
outline, or just write?
I do a little bit of both. I have to know at least a little of
where I'm going otherwise I get frustrated, then stuck, then quit.
4.
Is anything in your
book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
My books all have a little bit of real life experiences in them.
One of my series is set in a town much like the one I grew up in. Some of the
teachers even have the same names which I promise was on accident. A few of my
characters relationship experiences are based loosely on my own as well. A
college professor of mine once said that the best stories are the ones that are
already true and the ones that you can't make up. I tend to agree with him
there.
5.
What was your favorite
chapter (or part) to write and why?
In my latest book that I just finished (and I won't say which
because it's a huge spoiler), my main character discovers that one of his
future children has come back to the past to help him. Talk about a rather
interesting plot twist to have thrown at you.
6.
What has been the
toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best
compliment?
I think the hardest ones, are the ones that are the most
ridiculous. Like telling people that the only good reviews I have are from my
friends and other silly accusations. As for the best compliment? Just anything
good is the best to me. It's great to hear that people appreciate and look
forward to all of your hard work.
7. How does your writing process look? Consistent
with regular amounts of word counts daily/weekly… or more sporadic with a gush
of words all at once and then a dry bed for a while?
I like to try and write during the day time, in
the afternoon, because that's when I'm most awake and coherent. I also try to
write every day and just do a bit at a time. More often than not I can get a
draft of my novel written within a month, then I can edit, and figure out my
next step from there. If I take too long on writing a book, I lose drive and
motivation pretty fast.
8.
What
sort of Starbuck’s coffee would your characters order? Simple coffee,
complicated soy-non-fat-extra-espresso-half-caff-nightmare? 
My rich sarcastic boy likes frapacino's. The kind with
lots and lots of sugar and whipped cream. Kind of strange but he enjoys the
rush. Though most of my characters would say they're too good for Starbucks.
They prefer the mom and pop coffee over the corporate sludge. ;)
9. I always like hearing about books other authors
read. Or, what books they read when they were kids? What were some inspiring
books?
I'm not sure any particular book is one that I
would call inspiring. They all are in their own unique way. Each book has
something a writer can draw off of and that's why I read everything I can get
my hands on. Books I read growing up though were: Animorphs, Sweet Valley High,
and anything by Tamora Pierce.
10.
When
was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no
longer going to be just a dream but a career you were going to turn into
reality?
When I had my acceptance letter for my manuscript being taken by
a publisher. That was it right there. Once that happened,my dream had been
realized.
BIO: J.F. Jenkins lives in
Minneapolis Minnesota with her husband, son, and two cats. She graduated from
Bethel University in 2006 with a degree in Media Communication with minors in
both writing and film. When she is not busy writing, she spends her free time
playing games, reading, and spending time with her family.
Twitter: @jfjenkinstweets
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jfjenkinsauthor
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