Snakes, Society, and Storytelling, with Ginger Pinholster
Ginger Pinholster’s first novel, “City in a Forest,” won a Gold Royal Palm Literary Award from the Florida Writers Association in 2020. She is a volunteer member of Florida’s Volusia Turtle Patrol and resident of Ponce Inlet, near Daytona Beach. She joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about her latest book, Snakes of St. Augustine.
Conflict Drives Story: She learned about the importance of conflict in storytelling, realizing that a protagonist must urgently want something and be willing to do anything to get it, which drives the plot and story. This understanding prompted her to restart her writing process, creating a cleaner and easier to follow story. Don't Give Up: Ginger's advice to aspiring authors is to never give up on their writing journey, emphasizing that it is a long and challenging process that requires perseverance and determination to succeed. Persistence Pays: Writing is a craft that can be learned and perfected over time, similar to carpentry or playing a musical instrument. Ginger suggests that authors build up their writing skills progressively, starting with smaller pieces such as articles and short stories before tackling larger works. Importance of Community: Being part of a writing community and having a critique group is invaluable, as it helps authors navigate difficult parts of the writing process and provides constructive feedback, pushing writers to improve and refine their work. An Inclusive Message: One key inspiration for her latest book, Snakes of St. Augustine, is the exploration of individuals living on the margins of society, exemplified by characters such as Jazz, a neurodivergent and unhoused community college student, who feels invisible and disconnected from the community. The novel delves into themes of compassion toward those marginalized and the value of community, urging readers to consider how everyone is worthy of inclusion and is partially inspired by Ginger’s late brother.
Buy Snakes of St. Augustine
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FSa2xA
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