Novels During Naptime

Conversation with the Pea

2012-02-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is all going down as I buckled him into his car seat yesterday. Not sure why it amused me so much.

Me: (((click)))

Pea: Mommy (in hushed tones), you have purple hair.

Me: Yep.

Pea: How did it turn purple?

Me: I went to get a haircut, and she gave me purple hair.

Pea: It's purple.

Me: Yep.

Pea: Can I touch it?

Me: Yes.

Pea: <3 <3 <3

Me: Okay, I need it back now.

Pea: Mommy?

Me: Yes?

Pea: I want a haircut to get purple hair.

Me: Well...purple hair is only for mommies. (Okay, I realize this is not true 97% of the time.)

Pea: My hair is yellow.

Me: Yes. And I love your hair.

Pea: I love your hair.

Me: Thank you.

Pea: The purple part.

I've Always Tried to Keep Politics Off This Blog...

2012-01-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

But after last night, I feel I have no choice but to throw my full support and endorsement behind a candidate.

Seriously. Am I the only one who wishes we could somehow clone this fictional character into a real person and make her run for office?

New York, New York

2012-01-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be honest. I have a bit of a mixed history with the city itself. It pretty much spanked my heiny on St. Patrick's Day 2007. Then, it perked up later that year.

Well, I'm giving it another go. All for the sake of an insane amount of awesomeness squeezed into one event, specifically the SCBWI New York Conference this weekend.

Anyone else coming?

In Which I Rant Just a Smidge

2012-01-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about love triangles, specifically, those done right. And those done...in such a way as to bug the crap out of me.

First of all, if anyone is watching Downton Abbey which you should be, you are aware of what a love triangle done right looks like. It's Anna and Bates and THAT EVIL SHREW OF A GOLD DIGGER WIFE. It's Mary and Matthew and THAT (POSSIBLY EVIL) SHREW OF A GOLD DIGGER FIANCEE. To be fair, that situation seems to be setting itself up as a quadrangle. Even. Better.

Not that I'm saying that all love triangles need to have an obvious made-for-each-other couple and a third person that gets in the way of their happiness (although that's a great recipe for conflict). I just hate the love triangle formula of "perfect girl is forced to choose between two perfect guys and, oh my gosh, this is so hard." And those two guys are 1.) the socially acceptable leader in the making who fails to embrace his passionate side and 2.) the less socially acceptable bad-boy who she just can't stay away from. And then they fight over her. And then she chooses the bad-boy. Unless they're both bad boys, in which case, she chooses the one who's older.

Here's the deal.

I made it through high school. I've been a part of love triangles. Without fail, only one side of that triangle involved a y-chromosome. And there's a reason for that. If two guys were involved, it would look a little something like this:

Guy 1: Hey, man, how ya doing?

Guy 2: Good.

Guy 1: So that Bella chick...she's pretty hot.

Guy 2: Ummm, yeah, I was actually about to ask her out.

Guy 1: Oh...hey. No harm, no foul. (((goes off to fursplode and imprint on her baby)))

*I have nothing against Twilight. I just needed an example.

Now, I know what you're thinking. And you're right. Fiction isn't necessarily about something being realistic. If we wanted all our reading to be utterly realistic and believable, we'd spend our time reading appliance manuals. No, a lot of great fiction is about wish-fulfillment. But at the same time, it needs to ring true.

That doesn't mean that there needs to be a clearly right pair and a clearly wrong pair. Because, again, ringing true, life doesn't work that way. One of the best recent love triangles in YA is Katniss-Peeta-Gale. The thing I loved about it is there really wasn't much interaction between Peeta and Gale (again, ringing true to life.) There was no good choice and bad choice. It was just a choice.

And then the other mark of a good love triangle, I believed that Katniss believed that there were compelling reasons for her to end up with either one of them. And she really could have. Notice the important part for me was not which team I thought she should be on but that Katniss had good reasons to be on both teams. I had the joy of watching from the sidelines as my sister read the books for the first time, and she e-mailed me every few chapters to wail about which one she should end up with. She flip-flopped as many times as Katniss.

Note: I realize that not every love triangle will have a tug-of-heart going on. The Downton Abbey example above, there's no viewer doubt whatsoever who should end up together. BUT, the compelling reason rule still needs to apply. Bates has a compelling reason to end up with Anna (they're in lurvvvv) and his wife (to protect the Crawley family as well as Anna from disgrace). I have no idea why Matthew's with that hussy, though. Well, I guess to save face while Mary gets her emotional act together.Seriously. If you are not watching Downton Abbey, why not?

I'm curious. What are your favorite literary love triangles?

Why I Love Hubbykins

2012-01-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

I was reading a YA book starring mermaids because they are awesome the other night, and Hubbykins came up with the idea for me to write a book about vampire mermaids.

He even went so far as to write the first few lines for me:

"I needs me some blood. Need it now. Kinda stinks that I don't have legs. Sigh. Off to see my hot boyfriend play squishball in the state finals. I hate it when they get beat by the Neptunes....OR DO I???"

The main character's name will be Dracuriel. Feel free to join Team Hot Boyfriend or Team Neptune Bad Boy now.

Happy 2012!

2012-01-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

I would like to make a bold claim that I am going to be a more frequent blogger. But I can't. As my sweet friend Kristin recently said, "I don't want to be a blogger. I want to be an author. Who blogs, occasionally."

But I still love to share the things that amuse and inspire and encourage and excite me here. So don't go too far away. You never know when I'm going to throw something like this at you.

I Just...I...watch it.

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hubbykins made me watch this last night, and for the first minute, I kept saying, "Why are you showing this to me? This isn't funny. This isn--BWAHAHAHA"

As if Beth Revis Wasn't Awesome Enough Already...

2011-12-07T11:50:00.001-08:00

She goes and does this.

Can't wait to read A Million Suns! How about you?

In Which Karen Gets Nothing, Nothing, Nothing Done

2011-12-02T14:53:00.001-08:00

The Baker's Dozen has officially begun. Come. Obsess with me.

NaNo Day...hahahaha

2011-11-29T08:19:00.001-08:00

29? I don't know. Whatever. Didn't happen this year. As of this moment, I have 10K. I did get some plot points hammered out. And I feel like I finally have a grasp on who my character is.

I also squeezed some great books in this month. The Scorpio Races, Enclave, and I've started Untraceable by S.R. Johannes (Shelli). (How gorgeous is that cover?) Very fun read so far.

Good gravy, was Halloween really a month ago?

NaNo Day 22

2011-11-22T11:52:00.001-08:00

At this point, I am participating in NaNoWriMo in only the loosest sense of both the words "participating" and "Wri." But I am uber-blessed with critique partners who will continue to badger me until I complete the draft. To be honest, if at this point I wrote even 20,000 words this month, I will consider myself a winner. (And what is with those people who write 190,000 words because "50K isn't a challenge?" That is wrong. Wrong, I tell you.)

And if you haven't read Authoress's lovely post today about not giving up, you should go do so now.

NaNo Day 18

2011-11-18T13:22:00.001-08:00

Well, my word count is not what it should be...oh, who am I kidding? It. Is. Pathetic. I'm seriously considering offing all the characters and writing about radioactive sea slugs instead because I think the slugs might be more int--

WE INTERRUPT THIS NaNo UPDATE FOR SOMETHING ~~LESS DEPRESSING~~ MORE AWESOMER.

My sister Ellen did a super fun interview with Secret Agent Josephine (a.k.a. Brenda Ponnay) for the release of her new line of adorably illustrated books. If you've ever wanted to peek into an illustrator's brain, go read it. Go now. And then buy her super cute books.

I would go back to the NaNo update, but I think we all know where that was headed. And it wasn't anywhere good.

NaNo Day 13

2011-11-13T20:53:00.001-08:00

This isn't easier. The first NaNo was my first finished novel. And to be fair, it wasn't all that hard to write. I didn't outline. It was terrible. I knew I was going to trash it. About halfway through, I had the epiphany that I really was a YA writer. My passion lives there. "Driver, can you take me to 3129 YA Lane?" Oh, dear. I'm screen drunk at this point. It was a good experience though.

Then I wrote my book baby, the one I poured blood, sweat, tears, and more sweat into. The one that I thought I was learning the lessons that would make my next novel easier to write.

It's not. If anything, it's harder. Because now I know about the blood, sweat, tears. I know how long it takes to scrub and polish.

Also. I've given up chocolate. This may have something to do with it. Last NaNo I had chocolate. So much chocolate.

For those who like to gawk at my misery, here's my current standing:

8170 / 50000 words. 16% done!

NaNo Day 12

2011-11-12T12:51:00.001-08:00

Thankful I'm actually getting some words in today. I set a goal of 2500, but I wouldn't be shocked if I get in even more.

Also. Thankful that I have an uber-cool little sister that sends me Mental Floss articles for inspiration.

NaNo Day 11 (Happy 11/11/11!)

2011-11-11T15:01:00.001-08:00

11! 11! 11! I love it.

Wow. At this point, I have to write 2,291 words per day to finish on time. And at my current pace, I'll finish this bad boy emphasis on bad at some point in late 2015. Okay, kidding on that last part. But the Groundhog would see the light of day before this draft. The thing is, I'm not sweating it. I know how I write, and when I get on a roll, the words will flow. It's frustrating because the story (as it is in my head) has the potential to be better than anything I've written so far. It's a unique premise and, I think, compelling.

I just need to write it.

I'd make excuses about the unexpected goods and bads that have come up so far this month, but they're just that. Excuses. Still, looking back in a year, I'm not going to regret the great Akins Alcatraz Film Fest of 2011. I won't regret squeezing a bunch of people into my parents' house for my nephew's first Thanksgiving. I won't regret letting the Pea write all over my NaNo notebook and watching in amazement as he wrote out not one but two letters and drew his first smiley face. Also a lot of "worms" which are just lines. But don't tell him. And I won't regret taking time out of NaNo to do other writerly things that are a bit more pressing.

But I do need to buckle down and write.

NaNo Day (I Accidentally Skipped a Day Yesterday) 9

2011-11-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

I am sad to report that I don't have many new words. BUT I did discover this ~~diversion~~ excellent video by Martha Alderson (a.k.a. The Plot Whisperer), the first of a series.

I realized my biggest problem. My main character. I didn't have her motivation figured out, what's really driving her. I now think I have it figured out, at least for the beginning of the story.

Now to actually write it.

NaNo Day...what is this?...7

2011-11-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

Not much to report.

I was traveling this weekend. The result? About 300 new words (For you non-writers out there, this is...not good.). At one point, I just started doodling laser chihuahuas in my notebook. Think laser cats, only with chihuahuas

Also. I started reading Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone on the trip. Note to self: when drafting, do not read anything by Laini Taylor. You will simply want to lock yourself in the bathroom, eat a panful of Rice Krispy Treats, and give up on the notion of ever writing anything but dregs. But you'll enjoy yourself while doing it. That girl can write. But I also read this. It cheered me. A bit.

So. Off to play a little catch-up.

NaNo Day 3

2011-11-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's not pretty.

I know ugly first drafts, and this, my friends, is hideous. My heroine is so flat.

I realized what keeps me going as I write--making myself laugh. Or cry. Or scream in frustration.

Not feeling it yet.

NaNo Day 1

2011-11-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

2034 / 50000 words. 4% done!

4%, all crap.

Tomorrow is another day.

Probably of more crap.

Drafting and my perfectionism don't mesh well if you can't tell.

What's In a Name?

2011-10-31T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, in my case, there is not a T.

Let me start off by saying, if you have at some point referred to me as Karen Atkins, please don't be embarrassed or feel like you need to apologize. Everyone does. Everyone. I'm pretty sure I referred to Hubbykins as Boyfriendykins Atkins at some point when we first started dating. My mother-in-law warned me before we got married that I would spend the next umpteen years of my life spelling my last name. Karen Akins. A-K-I-N-S. Every single time I meet someone. Or give someone my name on the phone. And almost every single time, that person will repeat it right back to me. Atkins.

Wait? What? No.

If I didn't have aspirations to be published, it wouldn't be an issue. Growing up, I learned to respond to my older sister's name. (To the point that if someone yells, "Ellen!" in a crowd, I, to this day, turn around and say, "Yes?") But do you know who insists on my name being spelled correctly? Google. Amazon. Library catalogs. Dang you, you picky library catalogs!

Options? Pen name. Nah. I understand why some authors take one, but it seems like it would add a layer of complexity that I don't need. Toss my maiden name back in there somewhere? (This was actually suggested by my MIL who felt it would sound more literary.) But that also seems to add a level of confusion in searches.

And, yes, the cart is like, "Hey, horse, what are you doing back there?" on this issue. But these are things I think about.

Meanwhile, guess which Mama Pea had to almost forcibly shove her child into a lion costume (now dubbed Aslan) this morning for preschool? Hmm. Yeah.

It's official.

2011-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

I'm insane.

I need a little nudge to jump start my new novel, and the energy of NaNo is so infectious. I did it two years ago, and wrote 50,000 words of cuh-rap. But. I went into that one 100% pantsing. This time, I'm going in with a different attitude. And a beat sheet.

For me, any number of words I write will be a victory. I'm going to dub this my own personal NaNoJuStaMo. National Novel Jump Start Month.

Anyone else NaNo-ing?

Kenny Rogers Week, part 3--Talladega Nights Meets What?

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hubbykins tried to make me watch this with him out of nostalgia. But I made him promise if I could guess the plot just based on the song, he wouldn't make me watch it. I'll just give you a replay of the conversation:

Me: So basically, I'm guessing it's about a washed up race car driver who...

Hubbykins: Hmmph.

Me: Somehow inherits six children (one of whom is incidentally Diane Lane). And...a lady love.

H: Erin Gray (who is incidentally also the lady love on the other oft Hubbykins-inflicted show, Buck Rogers).

Me: Erin Gray (Also. Silver Spoons). And he gets overwhelmed by the responsibility and runs away, but then he realizes he really needs them and goes back to them.

H: Hmmph.

Me: Did I get it right?

H: (silence)

Me: Did I?

H: You forgot the part where the kids become his pit crew.

Basically, it's Talladega Nights meets The Boxcar Children.

Hmmm. You see what I did there? I summed up an entire movie plot in one sentence. Is it a perfect description? Heck to the no. Do you have a good idea what it's about? Yep. Does it kind of make you want to go out and watch one of the cheesiest movies of all time? I should think so. I kind of want to watch it now.

And that's called a logline, my friends.

Now, if I could only figure it out for my own story.

Kenny Rogers Week, part 2 - And We Rely On Each Other

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Unh Huh

So I mentioned yesterday that I was introduced to the vocal stylin's of Kenny Rogers by my in-laws on a recent road trip. I must preface this story with (a) Hubbykins was not with us Thank the Lord and (b), prior to this trip, the only words I knew from "Islands In The Stream" were "Islands in the stream...that is what we are...something something something...something something something." Which (quick fun factoid) was written by the Bee Gees.

Sailing down the highway toward the beach, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law treated me to a duet. My MIL sang Dolly's part. SIL sang Kenny. Despite the fact that they are both excellent singers, I was completely traumatized by the time they got to the chorus. There's nothing like hearing your sister-in-law singing, "Making love with each other, unh huh." To your mother-in-law. Now you understand why I was glad Hubbykins wasn't there.

My point in all this is thus. This business is rough. And lonely. Solos suck. We need people. People we can rely on. People we can whine to. People we can trust to be tough on our words and tender on our hearts.

My critique partners have become some of my dearest friends. Even after they've shredded my story and poked hole after hole in it. No, especially then.

Yay for islands!

Tomorrow: Loglines--Talladega Nights Meets What?

Kenny Rogers Week, part 1 - Lessons from the Salt & Pepper Serenader

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't guess what my theme would be this week based on my clues (which is probably somewhere between all of you and all of you...unless you're my little sister), that's right.

It's Kenny Rogers week here at Novels During Naptime.

I want to start by saying that I was not raised on the velvet vocals of Kenny Rogers. My parents were more of the Bob Dylan, Mamas & the Papas, and Peter, Paul & Mary ilk. But my husband was. Oh. My husband was. Like "only seven year-old boy in a sea of Kenny t-shirt-wearing, tambourine-clanging middle-aged women at a concert" was. And on a recent road trip with my in-laws, we listened to almost nothing but Kenny Rogers. For 14 hours. More on that in a later post.

Which brings me to why I'm doing this series. He is now the Pea's favorite singer. Yes. That Kenny Rogers.

And I've realized, after listening to Blaze of Glory more times in the last month than I'd care to count or admit, there are some excellent writing lessons to be gleaned from Kenny. Yes. That Kenny Rogers.

Let's start off by discussing voice. And I'm not just talking about his sultry, gravelly vocal chords. Think of a Kenny Rogers song. You have one? I can almost guarantee you that the song that just came to your mind was a toe-tapping sing-along. That you can sing for several lines...and several more...and then you realize you're singing about sex. And not just any sex. Either sweet, sweet love with the lady of your dreams. Or sweet, sweet love with a lady who's about to leave you. Or who you're about to leave.

Except The Gambler. But that's going to get a post all to itself.

And Reuben James. Which is a fluke.

And others which I'm sure you closet Kenny fanatics will bring up.

My point is this. Do all Kenny Rogers songs sound the same? No. Can you tell every Kenny Rogers song is a Kenny Rogers song? Yes. Do you want your 3 year-old singing the lyrics to We've Got Tonight in the checkout line at Target at the top of his lungs? No. You do not. But will people recognize it as a Kenny Rogers song? Yes. They'll also recognize you as a bad mother.

I've been thinking about my voice a lot lately. And voice envy. When I read certain authors that I adore, I find myself wishing I could write more _____. Like them. But that wouldn't be me. It wouldn't be my voice.

If I sat down and tried to write a Kenny Rogers song, it would come out sounding like Let's Hear It For The Boy. And if I sat down and tried to write a Hunger Games, Katniss would probably end up snogging with Peeta halfway through and booting President Snow in the head at the end.

Up tomorrow: Islands in the Stream--a Love Song to my Crit Partners

Final Clue

2011-10-09T18:59:00.001-07:00

I'm gambling on the fact that you won't get it.