Interview with middle grade author Karen Pokras Toz

Today's guest is MG author Karen Pokras Toz to talk about the second book in her Nate Rocks series. 

Karen will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so if you'd like to be entered in the drawing leave an e-mail address with a comment. You can also follow Karen's tour and comment at other stops to increase your chances of winning!

Bio:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in Orange, Connecticut and currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. In June 2011, Karen published her first middle grade children’s novel for 7-12 year olds called Nate Rocks the World, followed in 2012 by the second book in the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the Boat. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

Welcome, Karen. Please tell us about your current release.

I recently published Nate Rocks the Boat, which is the second book in the Nate Rocks series. For those unfamiliar with Nate Rocks and the first book, Nate Rocks the World, Nathan Rockledge is your average 10-year-old boy – that is until he starts drawing. He then becomes Nate Rocks – 10-year-old extraordinaire, saving the day in all sorts of adventures ranging from rock star to dinosaur wrangler. In Nate Rocks the Boat, Nathan finds out he is spending his summer at overnight camp. While the books are in chronological order, they can each be read as stand-alone books.

What inspired you to write this book?

So much of my inspiration comes from my kids, including the character Nathan Rockledge. He’s just this ordinary kid on the outside, but inside he is truly extraordinary (as most kids are.) All three of my children are very creative, and so I pulled a little bit from each one of them to create Nate Rocks. As for the summer camp theme, well, once again that came from my two older children who go off to overnight camp every summer and come back with some fantastic stories.

Excerpt:

Dad drives down the bumpy dirt road toward a group of wooden cabins. We look for the one with the “Welcome Hawks” banner, park, and start to unload the car.

Mom walks over to me and throws her arms around my body, in front of everyone... EVERYONE.

“Oh, Nathan!” she wails, “I’ve never been away from you this long! I’m going to miss you so much!”

I try to break free, but her clutch is too strong. The other kids have stopped what they are doing and are now all watching us.

“Now don’t forget,” she continues, still using her my voice gets louder and higher pitched whenever I get upset voice, “make sure you write home and don’t drink too much water before you go to sleep.”

“Yeah, Nathan,” Abby blurts just as loudly, “you know what happens when you drink to much water before bedtime. I just hope for the sake of the other Hawks that you don’t get a top bunk!”

“That’s not funny, Abby!” I break away and try to take a swing at her, but she jumps into the van too fast for me to get her and slides the door shut.

I look over at the other boys, who are now staring at me. Even Tommy has taken a few steps back, seemingly trying to disassociate himself from me.

“Now, Nathan,” Mom continues, only this time in a low voice so no one else can hear. “You know that’s not what I meant. I just know how sometimes you get the hiccups and can’t fall asleep.” Mom kisses the top of my head one more time and gives Tommy a normal hug. “You boys have a great time.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Rockledge,” Tommy replies.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now, I just finished the first draft of Millicent Marie is Not My Name. This book is about 12 year old Millicent Marie. Millie, as she prefers to be called, keeps her diary on her computer. One day, her little brother finds it, and decided to publish it on the Internet as a blog, under Millie’s pseudonym, Amanda. After the initial shock/anger wears off, Millie (aka Amanda) suddenly becomes her school’s resident on-line advice/gossip columnist. It is a story with lessons about bullying, gossip, and respect. I hope to have it released this fall. For my Nate fans, never fear, the third book, Nate Rocks the City is expected in early 2013. For those who can’t wait, a couple of chapters will be published as a short story in the Anchor Group’s new anthology titled “Paranormal Days Gone Awry” coming out this fall.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

It wasn’t until just a few years ago. In fact, I spent most of my life thinking I was a horrible writer. Math was always my strong subject in school. I’m not sure what triggered my decision to start, but one day, I opened my laptop and began. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Well, I write as much as time permits. Most days, I’m able to get in some writing time. I also have to budget time for marketing and house stuff (you know –the dreaded laundry that never ends when you have three kids!) Four months out of the year, I work part-time as a tax accountant, so it’s always harder to get writing in during those months, and then it usually takes a week or two to get back on track. Generally speaking though, I think I’m able to get in a good balance of writing and other activities.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Well, I don’t know if this qualifies, but I always have to have coffee by my side. (It can be decaf after the initial cup of hi-test – it’s more of a smell, taste, and texture thing with me I think.) Also, even though I have a lovely office to work in, I prefer to use my laptop either on my bed or on the couch. One other thing – I get a lot of ideas for story lines in the shower. Don’t ask me why, I know it’s weird. Anyway, I found a waterproof pad & pencil set that attaches to the shower wall – it is the greatest invention ever, because if I don’t write down the thoughts as they come, they’re gone.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I went through a LOT of stages. As a child of the 70’s, I of course wanted to be Marie Osmond! After that (thankfully) wore off, I wanted to be a teacher, an interior designer, a fashion merchandiser (to be honest, I had no idea what that meant other than I thought I would get free designer clothes.) Then I saw the movie Wall Street and decided I wanted to be a securities lawyer and work for the SEC to get rid of all the corruption on Wall Street. I did actually go to law school, although I never did work for the SEC. Then of course there was accounting (which I just sort of fell into) and – ta-dum – a writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes – the importance of encouraging children to fall in love with reading is so vital, especially in this world of electronics. I hope all who are young at heart will experience as much enjoyment reading the Nate Rocks books, as I did writing them.

Thanks for sharing so much great stuff about yourself and your writing, Karen. Happy touring!

Readers, don't forget about the giveaway. If you want to be entered to win, leave an e-mail address with your comment below, and/or at any of her other tour stops. :)

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATE ROCKS SERIES:

Website:  www.karentoz.com

Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz

Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz

Amazon:

            http://amzn.to/NateRockstheBoat

http://amzn.to/NateRockstheWorld

Barnes & Noble:

http://bit.ly/NateRockstheBoat-BN

http://bit.ly/NateRockstheWorld-BN

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kN35Yf9px4