CRACKS IN THE ICE - Deanna Klingel - One Free Book

Welcome back, Deanna. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

The spirituality of my characters comes out naturally as he/she develops. But I think my favorite aspect is the growth of faith, the maturing. It fascinates me.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

I have two manuscripts out right now “shopping.” I hope you will see both Waiting With Elmer and Blue-Eyed Doll in this lifetime.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

A contemporary person, hm. The problem for me is that I’m a little short on heroes this year. I think there’s a general shortage, how about you? Perhaps I’d enjoy a quiet evening with Laura Bush. I admire the way she conducted her not-so-private private life.

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Oh my goodness. I’d like to meet Helen Keller, Margaret Mitchell, Carl Sandburg, Annie Oakley, U.S. Grant, … how much space do I have?

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

The best rejections are the ones that come back with comments, ideas that will make the story better. I love it when an editor says, “really?” or “did you mean?” and other comments that hit me upside the head and I go, “oh!” Then the story gets better. Unfortunately, not all readers make comments. They either slip silently away after four months, or the form letter suggests the failure to connect was on their part. Whether or not there are comments made, you can interpret the rejection yourself. Read it carefully, not as a writer but as a reader. Make your own constructive comments. Make it better. And never, never give up. If you like the story, someone else will, too. Try to find the “thing” that is missing, overdone, a misfit, or an unresolved problem that may be holding things up. Don’t be afraid to reword the story. There are many ways to say the same thing.

Tell us about the featured book.

Cracks in the Ice is a YA/ teen fiction. I suppose technically it could be historical fiction as there are a lot of real skaters and a lot of real happenings. But, it’s mostly fiction. Gina, niece of a mafia don, has dreams of Olympic gold as a figure skater, and she is well on her way to accomplishing it. When crisis hits, Gina is ill-equipped to cope with the disappointment. She spirals into depression and eventually alcoholism. Two people who love her won’t give up on her. They are able to show her God’s love. Realizing that she is still worthwhile off the ice, she returns to the faith of her childhood, commits to rehabilitation and learns there are other victories to be won in her life.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Dear Diary,

All I want is to be in charge of my own life and ice skate. Is that so much to ask? I mean I am fourteen. I think I can be in charge of something. It just isn't fair. All I want to do is ice skate. Sometimes things happen that have nothing to do with me, but they change things in my life. I don't think that's fair. Now, I have all these other things I have to deal with. It makes me mad. Gina, 1954

I like to stand up here, look out my window, think about things, and watch the Dobermans running around in their yard. When I was little I was afraid of the Dobermans. Bugsy, their handler, told me they'd eat me alive and I was never allowed to go into their compound. That meant just about anywhere outside on the family compound.

From up here in my room I can see the play yard Uncle Giovanni's business associates built for me when I was small. It's made of stone and tile and it has a fountain with a spray and a big shade tree. They built a playhouse inside the tile enclosure to look like a miniature of the big house. I like it okay, but I always wished it had grass. The Dobermans have the grass.

I spent a lot of time in that little playhouse when I was younger. I played with my Sonje Henie paper dolls and read Little Women and Nancy Drew. I sucked on frozen Kool-Aid squares in the summer and sipped hot Ovaltine from my red plaid thermos in the winter. My playhouse had a table and two red chairs. I never knew who was supposed to sit in the second chair.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a website, www.BooksByDeanna.com. I’m also on facebook.

Thank you, Deanna, for sharing this book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Cracks in the Ice - paperback
Cracks in the Ice - Kindle


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