How nature inspires Holly Ringland's writing practice | My Garden Path

How nature inspires Holly Ringland's writing practice | My Garden Path | Gardening Australia

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Holly Ringland is both a writer of novels and a newbie TV presenter. Along with Aaron Pedersen, she is a presenter on the new ABC Series, Back to Nature.
“I am very passionate about how healing nature is. You go into a garden, it accepts you no matter what state you are in. It’s my green medicine.”
Holly: “Home is currently the Scenic Rim, Queensland, on my Mum and stepdad’s 3 acre property, with our five Aussie Shepherds, where I’m writing my second novel in my caravan, (called) Frenchie.”
Holly Ringland is the author of The Flowers of Alice Hart. Her debut novel tells the story of “nine-year-old Alice as she becomes an adult. Alice is a girl living in the shadow of violence. It (the book) includes a language of flowers as a way to say the things that Alice finds too hard to speak. It’s about joy and wonder.”
The language of flowers in the novel harks back to an old tradition. Many cultures have placed significance and meaning onto flowers, and this inspired Holly’s ideas. “The book is full of flowers. One of the most common is the Sturt Desert Pea. The Sturt Desert Pea grows in 60 degree heat on the Alice Springs sidewalk but it’s hard to grow at home. It’s very hardy once it grows. It’s meaning in the novel is to have courage and take heart. That’s what it feels like to me.”
Each chapter in her novel features a flower name and she has given each a corresponding meaning. Chapter 1 is Fire Orchid (meaning: Desire to possess), Chapter 2 is Flannel Flower (meaning: What is Lost is found), then comes the Sticky Everlasting (meaning: My Love will not Leave You).
Holly’s fairy tale approach to writing is inspired by the power of nature to transform lives. Holly was raised by two avid gardeners, her ‘Granny’ and her mother. Both women sought solace in their gardens as a way of coping with difficult lives. The survival of women, and the role of nature, flowers and gardens in their survival, is what inspires Holly, and inspired her novel.
Gardening, flowers and nature were saviours for the women in Holly’s family, and for herself. Holly: “The genesis of my first book is surviving male perpetrated violence.”
Mutujulu Community
“In my mid 20’s, I was working in the central desert, Mutujulu community sharing stories and culture with Anangu women, Aboriginal women.” She was exposed to women’s knowledge of medicinal plants and food plants. “We have such weird, unique and wonderful flora, that survives in extreme weather and the harshest conditions.”
Filmed on Yugambeh Country | Scenic Rim Qld
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Пікірлер: 11

@danieladancea7667 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful and inspiring, both your books have been the best I have read this year.

@JMShelley 2 жыл бұрын

I just wish I could live in Holly's beautiful mind for a day. She always gives hope to the innate child within me. Such a beautiful video. Such an incredible story. And a miraculous, kind-hearted, and courageous woman. When I grow up, I hope to live and love like Holly Ringland.

@GardeningAustralia 2 жыл бұрын

What a lovely sentiment Jess! Thanks for watching :)