Roxanne Rhoads: Ballet and American Teenagers by Danielle DeVor: Guest Blog and Giveaway with Danielle DeVor

When I started writing Dancing with a Dead Horse, I wanted Jason, my main character, to be a normal teenager with problems that were relatable without being angsty. And, then, suddenly, my years of ballet training drifted into my head and an idea was born.

Males in ballet in America have always had a hard time. Bullying about the dancers being gay and weak are the norm (not that the two have anything to do with each other.). And, while many male ballet dancers are gay, there are plenty that are not. Just like any other profession.

So, having Jason sixteen and his mother trying to force him to become a dancer created a nice conflict. Add to that the fact that Jason actually wants to be a Mixed Martial Arts fighter- almost the antithesis to ballet, and I had my perfect situation.

Especially when we are living in a world where famous sports heroes are coming out- including several MMA fighters.

So, for Jason, ballet is an interesting thing. His mother, a former Russian professional dancer, does not quite understand this because in her country, ballet is revered whether man or woman. So, this cleanly American idea is alien to her. And, she cannot see why Jason does not love it like she does.

Whereas MMA is still considered a “Man’s Sport”. (Though there are some awesome female fighters that are changing that.) The landscape of the conflict allowed for me to amp things up that normally wouldn’t be.

Dancing with a Dead Horse

Danielle DeVor

Genre: YA Thriller

Publisher: Eirelander Publishing

Date of Publication: April 30, 2014

Word Count: 65,104

Cover Artist: Buffi BeCraft

Book Description:

Sometimes lullabies aren’t soothing; they’re deadly.

Sixteen-year-old, Jason Miller, wants three things: to become a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, graduate from high school, and avoid his mother’s ballet classes.

When he finds the body of the most popular girl in school, he has a major freak-out session, and then calls 911. But if finding a body wasn’t bad enough, when a horse doll made of human skin and hair is found in his locker, the entire town accuses Jason of the murder.

As the body count rises, so does the hostility. Jason is left with a choice: To run and hide or to clear his name and find out why the killer is targeting him before it’s too late.

Available at Amazon

About the Author:

Danielle DeVor spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. After living briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she moved back to her hometown to write. When not writing and reading about weird things, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.

Twitter: @sammyig

Blog: http://danielledevor.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danielledevorauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DanielleDeVor

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