Award-winning blogger, Karen Pokras Taz, is an author of another kind as well: children’s books. This Connecticut native wears many hats. Degreed with both a J.D. and a MBA, this lady isn’t fooling around. Wife, mother to three kids aged 4-13, writer, blogger… she’s taking a big bite out of life!
Karen swears she gets most of her writing ideas in the shower. As a busy parent of three, I can see how that might be the only place she’s ever alone long enough to string book ideas together! This happens so often she even a waterproof pad called AquaNotes, which she keeps on her shower wall so she can jot down her ideas as they come to her.
In order to balance her writing, which she calls an addiction, and her other responsibilities—both as a mom and a wife, and an active community member—she gets up an hour earlier than everyone else in her house in order to write. Karen says she’s terrible “multi-tasker” so getting up earlier is the only option.
Her best advice for new writers is “dream big.” She credits setting small goals and meeting them with her success in getting her books written and published. Although her published credits are books for middle grade readers, she’s also been working on a chick lit book for several years. Invincible was actually the first book she started working on, the inspiration for which came from a news story.
Karen’s Books
Nate Rocks the World is Karen’s first book. First in a series, this book introduces reader to the quirky Nate, whose cartoons come to life. Nate uses his sketchpad to help him navigate his fourth grade world and all of the perils within—including annoying older sister, Abby, overprotective mom, and hung-up-on-the-past dad. Nate is the perfect hero, who saves the day time and again. Whether it is winning the World Series, saving Christmas, or saving the world from dark forces, Nate is always around with his magic sketchpad.
The sequel, Nate Rocks the Boat, finds Nate about to be sentenced to sleepaway camp with his sister, Abby. Camp provides a host of entertaining characters, including “No-Neck,” the bully, and a flakey camp counselor, who provide endless fodder for Nate and his sketchpad. With six weeks away from his mom’s terrible cooking, he is geared up to come to the rescue whether the danger is floods, ghosts, wanted criminals or even snakes.
If you want to learn more about Karen, check out her blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com or her author website: www.karentoz.com
