Author Shoots for Gold Medal
When Marie Masterson, No. 2 on the U.S. gymnastics team, meets her pen pal, Günter Hoffmann, for the first time, she has no idea how drastically their love will reshape her gymnastics career. After she wins the #1 berth at the Olympic trials, Marie must forfeit. Later she is devastated to learn Günter is married.
(PRWeb) August 27, 2005 -- Carol Hegberg's new novel, “Pen Pals,” is an
inspirational story that encourages people, through the persona of Marie
Masterson, to forgive those who have wounded them. Amazon.com likened it to “The
Notebook,” a bestseller made into a movie.
Over half of “Pen Pals” is set
in Germany. Several years ago Hegberg and her family hosted her own pen pal's
family from Germany, and from there and research she gleaned ideas to include
the information into a novel.
“Pen Pals” takes place in Munich and its
Olympic Park, built for the '72 Olympics.
“The Park contains interesting
webby, tent-like structures. They immediately caught my eye, and I knew my
protagonist would be a gymnast,” Hegberg commented on her choice of Germany. “It
helped that my daughter studied gymnastics, and Sue Plapp, a former gymnast,
forced me to find a good reason to allow my character to travel to Germany so
close to the Olympics.”
She also chose Olympic Park because of the story
of the old holy man, Timothy, who was real. According to one German source, he
died last year around the age of 115.
“It is said God told Timothy to
travel to Munich (from Poland) to build a church on the Oberwieisenfeld, where
the city dumped the war ruins, and 'The world would come and see,'” Hegberg
added. "He had no money, so obediently he built it out of war ruins, and when
the world decided to hold the Olympics in Munich, they left the church intact."
Hegberg's purpose was to see if she could accomplish the process.
“I've always been a writer, and it was a natural progression from child
writer to adult journalist, editor, story writer to novelist. The hardest part
was finding the process that worked for me. While I learned techniques and read
about other writers' ways, I had to discover the way the artist developed in me.
And with each novel it is not easier or clearer. Writing a novel takes immense
faith in your muse and your writer self, self-discipline, and obsessive delight
in writing.”
Hegberg is a freelance writer and editor
(http://www.book-editing.com/team.html) and with her Bachelor's
Degree in journalism, was a journalist before writing her novel "Pen Pals." She
has been published in several anthologies and magazines, and her children's
plays and skits have been published through Meriwether Publishing. Her poems
have been published in paper and online literary magazines. She writes a feature
and a column for the Daily Chronicle and a column for her church's website. http://www.hillcovch.org, and
has written a third novel.
"Pen Pals," published by PublishAmerica, is
available directly from PublishAmerica (www.PublishAmerica.com) or 1-240-529-1031, through Ingram,
Baker & Taylor, and Brodate Co. (1-800-233-8467), through bookstores, or
online at www.amazon.com or www.publishamerica.com/books/5578 or www.barnesandnoble.com.
The price is $16.95.
* “Carol Hegberg, a seasoned editor and now a
novelist, performs exceptionally with the writing of 'Pen Pals.' This first
effort is clearly worthy of the gold medal.” John Albion, author of "Beyond
Fate," available through www.amazon.com
* “I was captivated and absolutely taken
in by this book! I felt like I was there! I can't wait to read your next book!”
Nancy Mure?, author of "The Caterpillar Who Wouldn't Change," available on
CD-Rom and in E-book through SynergEbooks.com
* “I bow to the author.
She is what I hope to become as a writer.” Season BubbleGirl, author of "A Doggy
Diary," available through http://www.bubblegirl.net
To contact, Carol Hegberg,
call 815-756-2520.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb277914.htm