Ask the Author: Ruth Ann Oskolkoff
Answered Questions (2)
Ruth Ann Oskolkoff
I think what the system has done long term, is make those of us who are the poor, oppressed, and minorities doubt ourselves. Down in the very deepest part of ourselves we do not believe we are as good as the rich, or the powerful. It is not our fault we feel this way. It's the educational system, the culture, and everything we see and hear from the "important" people and organizations. It's almost subconscious.
I feel that is all hogwash and that the light of inspiration is in all of us. So when you are starting out as a writer, this is what you need to understand. That you have as much access to universal truths, inspiration, and talent as anyone. To understand you are the one. You can be beauty himself.
Once people understand that. Really get it--it can open the world. They can be a writer, or an artist. Once they see they are as important in the scheme of things as any billionaire, or ruler, it changes everything. So the advice I give to writers is believe in yourself, even if no one around you seems to.
I feel that is all hogwash and that the light of inspiration is in all of us. So when you are starting out as a writer, this is what you need to understand. That you have as much access to universal truths, inspiration, and talent as anyone. To understand you are the one. You can be beauty himself.
Once people understand that. Really get it--it can open the world. They can be a writer, or an artist. Once they see they are as important in the scheme of things as any billionaire, or ruler, it changes everything. So the advice I give to writers is believe in yourself, even if no one around you seems to.
Ruth Ann Oskolkoff
This is an easy one. The inspiration for Zin: A Novel started in 2016 when I became a volunteer in the Bernie campaign and a progressive activist. Until that time, I knew there were major problems with the political system, but wasn't involved in trying to better anything. I had a little privilege so basically decided to stand in the back and watch the unravelling of the world.
Along comes Bernie with his idealism and demands for a better future. At first I thought I would just give him $10 a month. Then I decided to put all my regular activities on hold and go all in and volunteer. Then when he lost I stayed in and became a socialist. I couldn't go back to sleep.
About a year ago I realized part of the problem is we are unable to even imagine a better future where we all have healthcare, and don't have to struggle so much to live. I began wondering, what would that look like. Would it be utopian? Am I out of touch?
So from there the idea behind Zin arose. I wanted to create a backdrop of a socialist world, while writing a typical coming of age novel. So while the background is socialist, that is not the story. The narrative is about love, and growing up. It's about dancing, and celebrating, and what it means to have a mother who loves you. What it really means to have friends.
I feel as if I succeeded in my quest. So what we have now is a novel with all of that, and also my non-traditional writing style. It is non-linear, and also uses language in a different way. Much of the prose is written using phrases and individual words sentences. However, people seem to like it so my task is done, and I am off to my next book.
Along comes Bernie with his idealism and demands for a better future. At first I thought I would just give him $10 a month. Then I decided to put all my regular activities on hold and go all in and volunteer. Then when he lost I stayed in and became a socialist. I couldn't go back to sleep.
About a year ago I realized part of the problem is we are unable to even imagine a better future where we all have healthcare, and don't have to struggle so much to live. I began wondering, what would that look like. Would it be utopian? Am I out of touch?
So from there the idea behind Zin arose. I wanted to create a backdrop of a socialist world, while writing a typical coming of age novel. So while the background is socialist, that is not the story. The narrative is about love, and growing up. It's about dancing, and celebrating, and what it means to have a mother who loves you. What it really means to have friends.
I feel as if I succeeded in my quest. So what we have now is a novel with all of that, and also my non-traditional writing style. It is non-linear, and also uses language in a different way. Much of the prose is written using phrases and individual words sentences. However, people seem to like it so my task is done, and I am off to my next book.
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