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Interview with KM Wilkerson

KM Wilkerson


She began writing as a pre-teen and published her first book after a long recovery from illness/disability. She believes it is important to read to our children and talk to them about what they are reading; this is why she decided to write children’s books.


Q.1 Tell us something about yourself not many people know?
A.
I don’t eat pork.

Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What will it be about?
A.
The continuation to the Kingdom of Grace will be out by the end of 2022.

Q.3 What made you write the Kingdom of Grace?
A.
Further spiritual awakening brought me closer to God after a prolonged depression that kept me from turning to him.

Q.4 What actually goes on when author and illustrator meet?
A.
A lot of coordination, back and forth communication that needs to be extremely clear and concise, editing, editing, and more editing!!!

Q.5 What do you love most about writing stories for children?
A.
As a writer and parent, I (we) have an opportunity to help children experience life, learn to read, shape their core values, and help them to avoid unnecessary hurt/harm in their life journey with educational (whether academically or life skills) material.

Q.6 Why do you think it is essential for children to develop a love of reading?
A.
It will do nothing but benefit them and give them a greater chance at a more secure future as they progress through schooling.

Q.7 What’s your writing schedule while you’re working?
A.
I tend to use my mornings prior to going into work (sometimes before my son wakes and I take him to school) to write. I also wake from time to time in the night and write down my dreams before I forget them.

Q.8 Do you ever research actual events, legends, or myths to get ideas?
A.
Yes and no. I do a lot of research for multiple reasons, but usually, my ideas come before the research that needs to take place.

Q.9 Which children’s book most inspired you as a child?
A.
I do not recall reading books as a young child. I began reading by myself as an adolescent and started reading novels at that point. I do have favorites that I have read to my own child, like Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

Q.10 How do you select the name of your characters?
A.
Sometimes, they are symbolic, and sometimes they are based on the more common names of the time/scenario that fits best.

Q.11 Do you have any advice for aspiring children’s book authors?
A.
Write every day!!! Find people that can assist you in getting your work out there (i.e., publicists, illustrators, etc.) so you don’t feel alone and overwhelmed with more than writing to focus on.

Q.12 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes, how do you deal with it?
A.
Yes and no. I don’t think it is something that you visualize as someone sitting in a chair with nothing to do and having no inspiration and/or ideas coming to them. 

I believe being blocked is putting too much in front of your writing. Simplifying your life to include writing to be a priority should allow it to come more quickly, but I believe that can be a tricky balance.

Q.13 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A.
Yes, I read my reviews, and I get excited when I get them. I do not have very much to worry about how or not to deal with bad ones vs. good ones; however, I take constructive criticism well and ignore people that simply do not get my artist's perspective.

Q.14 Do you have any unique and quirky writing habits?
A.
I don’t think I do anything that someone else hasn’t or doesn’t do currently.

Q.15 Outside of your family members, name one entity supporting your commitment to becoming a published author?
A.
God. I believe that God is the only way I have been able to write, get published, pay bills, and get flexible jobs that allow me to continue writing while I pursue my goals.

Q.16 How will you describe your life before and after getting published?
A.
Fed up with being bedbound and in depression to being fulfilled, content with where my life is heading, closer to new (and old) life goals.

Q.17 What three things should readers expect from your books?
A.
Life lessons, room for interpretation, and curiosity about what will happen after the book ends.

Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
A. Amy Sherman-Palladino
because she has a fantastic way of jamming so much into her writing from different genres, social class innuendos, and pop culture while making it all witty!

Q.19 What is your favorite book (apart from children's ones) and why?
A.
That’s a hard one. It depends on the genre. I have memories of reading: Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. Selena: Como la Flor by Joe Nick Patoski. Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. I also read the Bible every day.

Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A.
A rollercoaster in the best sense. Sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s overwhelming and makes you want to get off the ride, and sometimes you know that something exciting is coming around the corner, so you hold on tight with the hope that it won’t make you throw up! hahaha


Share your social account links -
Facebook -
 https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.wilkerson04
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-wilkerson-/
Instagram - @kimberly.wilkerson
Twitter - @kmwilkerson704

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