Today we’re chatting with Young Adult novelist Deanna Klingel on The Literary Mama. Deanna is the author of Young Adult novel Avery’s Battlefield which releases on this month. I’m pleased to welcome Deanna to The Literary Mama.
Deanna, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with The Literary Mama. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in the mountains of western NC with my husband, a retired IBM director. Besides writing, I spend a lot of time visiting with my therapy dog at hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabs, schools, wherever we’re asked. My dogs are featured in my book, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog.
What is Avery’s Battlefield is about?
Avery Junior Bennett is a 14 year-old Quaker who lives in the far reach of Virginia, which becomes West Virginia. In 1861, as life is getting a bit unsettled, even on the Bennett’s farm, Avery embarks on a family errand that takes him across the state to Alexandria. Along the way, he encounters men and situations that try his resolve and pose some dilemma for Avery. His hound dog Gunner, always at his side, listening to Avery’s quandries, and often creating the solution, is the comic relief.
Avery’s Battlefield is set during the Civil War. What type of research did you do while writing the story?
Avery’s Battlefield takes in the first two years of the war, 1861 and 1862. The sequel carries us to the end. Much of the research for this book was done totally backwards. I wrote the story, then I checked the facts. Hmm, could this have happened then? For instance, Mason jars. I used the Mason jars to put things in. Then wondered, when were Mason jars manufactured. Turns out they were manufactured five years before Avery was using them, and during that time it became common practice to store things, other than jam and food, in the jars. So, yeah! I had a great time with the research for this book. Doing it backwards made it less tedious, and often times when checking the facts I found additional information to enhance that page.
What led to your decision to write a story for teens?
I didn’t really decide to write a story for teens. I wrote a story on the level that I, my family, my grands, would enjoy. I enjoy stories like Walton’s Mountain, Little House books, The Yearling, Old Yeller, I think they are timeless. I know the marketing departments all want to label the books for particular sales market, and this one meets the criteria for middle grade teens. I consider it a book for young and young-at-heart readers. There ought to be a marketing niche for “Family Friendly Books.” That’s what Avery and Gunner really is.
What do you hope readers walk away with knowing after reading Avery’s Battlefield?
I hope the young readers will pick up some knowledge of the American Civil War that goes beyond text book pages and memorizing dates. I hope they see true American heroism as something that goes beyond media attention and political platform. True American heroism has to do with caring for others. Or, as Avery learns, choosing the right thing even when it’s the hard thing.
Do you have any upcoming titles?
Avery’s Crossroad will be out in the fall. I have a couple of finished manuscripts, Bread Upon the Water, and Cracks in the Ice, which I hope will become books in the next year.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy playing golf with my husband, therapy visits with my dog, reading, writing.
Fun question: If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
I’d love to build a facility where elderly couples could live together to the end, a place they could have their pet, their own bed, as much care as they required and as much independence as they could handle. Where they could eat homegrown, homemade foods. But, a million dollars wouldn’t build that. How about a few million?
How can readers get in touch with you?
I’d love to hear from readers. I have an email, deannaklingel@yahoo.com, and I have a website www.BooksByDeanna.com. The last page of the website has a comments place that’s super easy to use. Just put in your comment!
Thanks so much for chatting with us today Deanna.
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