Literary News: Inga Wolter Makes Headlines
A contagious dance sweeps the globe, pushing the world into motion. A woman, aged 40, steps into the spotlight. And an author, fulfilling a childhood dream while on travels with her partner. Inga Wolters' debut novel "The Stolen Dance" is a manifesto for beginnings, visibility, and the power of collective action - told with ease and dance-infused energy.
The narrative begins with a break: Vanessa, living life on society's fringes, is lured out of her solitude on her 40th birthday by an enigmatic, captivating dance that goes viral and changes everything. For Vanessa and many others. She becomes part of a dance group, suddenly finds herself on stage, and embarks on a quest to uncover the origins of the mysterious dance. Her journey leads her into new social spaces and toward self-discovery. For Inga Wolter, the novel was a labor of love - and an adventure. Having left her journalism career, she and her husband spent a "wild year" traveling across Europe. "As a child, I always wanted to write a book," Wolter shares in an interview. "The idea was there, and I seized the moment." She received support from her community: her Instagram followers could make wishes for the novel, some of which even made it into the story. Dance plays a central role in the story, not by mere chance. Wolter has produced a multimedia series on dance, explored various styles, and is especially enamored with the Oriental dance. Her personal experiences and research are evidently incorporated into the narrative - from the atmosphere of a dance group to the intoxication of collective motion. Sources of inspiration included flashmob videos, viral trends, and even Egyptian literature scholar Mona Prince, who used dance as a means of political provocation. Vanessa, the protagonist, is a trans woman who finds new strength through dance - a conscious choice by the author. "The Stolen Dance" tells the story of change, visibility, and the power of collective movement. Alongside Vanessa's tale, two other narrative streams unfold: an Egyptian jailer caught between tradition and rebellion, and a young jewelry designer on Hawaii. All three characters share a desire for change and self-empowerment beyond societal norms. Wolter sees her book as having a feminist bent - "but it's also about diversity, connections between people, regardless of language, origin, or gender." Dance, for her, is more than movement: "In dance, we reveal our personality, express who we truly are - just like in writing, by the way." The fact that some readers perceive the story as a utopia is viewed by the author as a compliment. "The Stolen Dance" sketches a vision of an open, collaborative world, where collective experience transcends individual interests. "The grand stage can only come into being when we dance well together." And what's next? Wolter is already planning her second book - with utopian aspirations. Until then, she continues to dance through life, writes text for others - and reminds us that change is possible. Even at 40. Or 50. Or today.
Published via tolino media, 220 pages, 11 euros
HannoverInga Wolterliterary child of the city
Vanessa, captivated by the viral dance, finds solace and a new sense of self in a dance group, reveling in the journey of exploration and self-discovery that the mysterious dance leads her on. Inga Wolter, the author, embarks on her own journey of self-discovery when she leaves her journalism career to write "The Stolen Dance", drawing from her passion for dance and her experiences with various dance styles.
