Broken Bridges by Roy Kindelberger Author Interview

Title: Broken Bridges
Author: Roy Kindelberger
Genre: Children’s middle-grade
Publisher: Black Rose Writing (August 21, 2013)

Buy Links: Black Rose Writing | Amazon | Book Depository | Espresso Book Machine | Amazon UK

Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Rey is sent to an old rundown steel town near Pittsburgh, where he has to deal with his aging grandparents, isolated dad, missing mom, bullies, broken bridges, and horseradish sauce.

While Rey sits on an airplane bound for Pittsburgh, he clutches a crumpled note. It’s been forty-one days since his mom left—no words since. Rey’s dad is sending him to Pittsburgh for the summer to stay with his grandparents, so his dad can pull his life together. Rey feels so alone.

Somehow Rey has to find himself. He’s timid, unsure, yet has to make choices. These choices lead Rey to become more confident, as he makes the transition into his teenage years.

Rey arrives in the middle of a heat wave. He quickly runs into trouble with some bullies and is in several difficult situations. Rey hangs out with his friend, Jason and discovers a mentor in his grandfather—bonds which are all put to the test when his grandfather becomes extremely sick and Rey has a final confrontation with the bullies. And then there are his parents.

Will things ever return to normal?

Author Bio:

Roy was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He loves sharing stories with his children and students. They are always looking out for a story, book, poem, or song that makes a difference in their lives.
Roy taught kindergarten for fifteen years. He now teaches second grade.
Roy lives with his wife, Laura and two wonderful children, Emily and Hailey in Bothell, Washington.
You can reach him at: http://www.roykindelberger.com/

Author Links:

Website: http://www.roykindelberger.com/index.html 
Blog: http://www.roykindelberger.com/dagoblog.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roy.kindelberger

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1.       Have you ever had a broken bridge from your past that you wish you could fix?

Wow! What a great question. As I write this, some thoughts of broken bridges just go passing through my mind. My brain sometimes just goes there. Honestly, I don’t think about the past and broken bridges anymore. I try and stay in the moment. I try to learn from my mistakes so I don’t repeat them. It’s similar to my writing. I try not to have regrets about anything I write. Each time I sit down at the computer, I work to make a better story. That’s the beautiful thing about writing and in a way life too.

But I don’t want to take the easy way out with this question, so here’s one that used to bug me and sometimes it crosses my mind. There was this girl, I really liked during my college days. Some things I just didn’t handle well and sometimes wish I could’ve handled them differently. I’ll just chock it up to immaturity. I guess a lot of us have had these moments with past boyfriends or girlfriends. Hey, maybe I’ll make it into a novel, because I’m not doing such a good job writing it here.

2. What do you absolutely need to have with you while writing?

I love a cup of tea when I write. My favorite tea to drink during the day is Vanilla Almond Black Tea. My favorite tea to drink at night is Vanilla Red Rooibos.

3. Do you prefer ebook or print; computer or typewriter?

I like my Kindle. The main reason is I like to read in the dark. It’s pretty cool to have all my books in one place, and I can read anytime. If I don’t have my Kindle, I can read on my phone.

When I first started reading eBooks, I didn’t think I’d like it. I really like to go to the bookstore. I also like the feel of real books. So I try to find a balance, read eBooks and still go to the bookstore.

I write on my laptop. I haven’t typed on a typewriter since tenth grade…1988…

4. What would you like my readers to know?

Here are some tidbits about me and the novel Broken Bridges, the inside story so to speak.

1.  The original title was All Things Pass, which is now a chapter title. It was based off the 1970 song All Things Must Pass, by George Harrison. I renamed it 41 Days, because that’s how long Rey’s mom had been gone. That later became the title of chapter one. I went with Broken Bridges because it fit into the theme and the idea there are bridges in the book, both real and symbolic.

2.  I’m a reader too. I teach second grade so I get to read at work. I love to read at home too. Anytime I’m having trouble writing I’ll pick up a book or my Kindle. I love picture books, middle-grade, YA, poetry and westerns. I also love Star Wars; yes I’m a Star Wars nerd. There are hundreds. I just finished The Razor’s Edge, focusing on Princess Leia, set between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. I’m currently reading Flora & Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo. “When I grow up I want to write like her,” I’ve often said.

3.  Rey’s best friend in the book, Jason, became a favorite character of mine. Pap was another favorite, because he was written in memory of my grandfather. I think Jason grew on me because he doesn’t remind me of anyone. He just sort of grew as I wrote and rewrote the novel. In the eBook, there is a bonus chapter written from his perspective.

4.  Horseradish sauce became a sort of a joke throughout the book. My writing group had me cut some of the references. I sort of have a habit of overdoing things. I like horseradish sauce but the majority of people I know, especially kids can’t stand the smell.