Please welcome, novelist, Gina Holmes. Gina is the founder of popular literary site,
novelrocket.com. She is a two-time Christy and ECPA Book of the Year finalist
and winner of the INSPY, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award. Her
books regularly appear on Christian bestseller lists.
Gina, tell us a
little bit about your newest release, Driftwood Tides.
Driftwood Tides tells the story of an aging, alcoholic
driftwood artist turned beach bum, Holton Creary, and young Libby Slater. Libby
grew up with an absent father and a loving but cold, socialite mother. Leading
up to her wedding, Libby and her groom-to-be go through genetic testing and she
learns her blood type doesn’t match either of her parents. She confronts her
mother and is reluctantly told that she’s adopted. She goes searching for her
mother, Adele, only to find her husband, Holton Creary lying face down on the
carpet of his Nags Head beach shack.
She lies about her real identity until she is finally found
out. Holton does not welcome the news. He never knew the wife he had given
saint status too had given up a daughter for adoption. Together the two search
to find the truth about Adele, Libby’s father and themselves.
What do you hope
readers will take away from this book?
At its heart, Driftwood Tides is really about discovering
who we are, whose we are, where we belong and the need to accept and bestow
forgiveness.
Why did you set the
novel in Nags Head?
Oh, how I love that place! I’m not sure there’s a more
peaceful setting in all the world. And the further out I get from civilization,
the happier I am. I love the sand dunes, the untouched nature, the quaint
towns. Just everything! (Well, except sand in my bathing suit maybe J)
You seem to have a
recurring theme in your novels about absent fathers, if it’s not too personal,
why do you think that is?
It is too personal, but I don’t mind answering (wink!) When
I was 6 years old, I was packed up by my stepfather and driven to my father’s
house. Overnight I had a new Mom, new sisters and brother, house and life. It
was as traumatic an experience as I can imagine. There were few explanations
that made sense to me and I missed my other family desperately. I think ever
since I’ve been trying to settle some pretty deep-seated questions. Writing
books is wonderful for that.
The novel you’ve
written that seems to be a fan-favorite is Crossing
Oceans, do you ever see yourself writing a sequel?
I love that book too. Makes me cry just thinking about
certain scenes. I would love to write a sequel, prequel or off shoot stories. I
love those characters dearly. I’m under contract for three different novels, so
I’m not sure when I’ll have the time, but I’d love to explore Craig’s story and
of course, Bella’s. I miss Mama Peg very much!
You’ve said that your
favorite novel you’ve written is Wings of
Glass. Why is that your favorite?
Well, for storyline, I think Crossing Oceans is the strongest. I think my writing in Wings of
Glass was my best, plus when I was very young I watched my mother in one
abusive relationship after another, and then two of my sisters. I had been
there too, despite thinking I was better than that. I know the mindset that
keeps a woman (or man) in a relationship like that and I wanted to give insight
to those who don’t understand. I’ve received enough letters to know I did what
I set out to do.
You’re originally
from NJ but write all your novels from the South, why do you set your novels
down South if you’re from up North?
Ha, you found me out! Yes, I was born and raised in NJ. As
much as I love my friends and family, I am definitely more suited for the
slower pace of the South. I’ve lived in Southern VA for half of my life and I
plan to spend the rest of my life here if I can help it. I try to write books
from settings that make me happy. So I write where I want to be. (Although,
I’ve got to say, NJ food is amazing and you’ve got to love a boisterous NJ
laugh!)
What do you like most
about being a writer? Least?
Most, I like being able to have a platform to share lessons
I’ve learned in my life that I know others would benefit from. And more than
that, I just love to tell a good story.
Least, would be the unpredictability of the business.
Sometimes it seems so random and the lack of control makes me uncomfortable
sometimes. (Which is probably right where God wants me!)
Do you have any
advice for aspiring novelists?
My advice is pretty much always the same. 1. Write. So many
people want to have written but don’t actually do the work. 2. Get to a writers
conference because there’s so much you
don’t know, that you don’t even know you don’t know. If you don’t you’ll be
spinning your wheels for years, wasting valuable time. 3. Run, don’t walk, to
the nearest bookstore and buy yourself a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Then apply it. (Best money I ever
spent!) 4. Join a good critique group and get a nice thick skin, ‘cause you’re
sure going to need it!
If you could go back
to the pre-published writer you were, knowing what you do now, what advice
would you give her?
Well, I wouldn’t have told myself how many novels I’d write
that would never see the light of day, because I would have given up. I
wouldn’t have told myself how little money there is actually to be made or how
lonely writing can sometimes be. I wouldn’t have told myself that I’d still
have a day job with 4 novels out in stores, including 3 bestselling novels…
okay, but that wasn’t your question… I would tell myself to relax. Some of
this, most of this is, is out of your hands, and that’s okay. It’s not going to
be at all what you think it is, but it’s going to be so much more. You won’t
get rich, but you will touch lives. At the end of the day, that’s going to be
exactly what will fulfill you.
Where can readers
find your books and more about you?
Thanks for asking. My books are in B&N, BooksaMillion,
Amazon, Lifeway, Parable, Family Christian and hopefully a good number of
independent bookstores. You can find me at Ginaholmes.com. Thanks so much for
hosting me!
