1 What genre of story do you like to read/write?

I love to write and read historical fiction. There is just something about bringing a bygone era to life on the page that is so fascinating. As an archaeologist, I've visited many ruins and I always wonder what those places might have looked like in the past. What sounds could be heard, how would people live and what would their lives look like. Being able to essentially bring the past to life is amazing. One of my other great passions is reading detective novels. A good whodunit will always entertain me.

2 What is the best piece of writing advice?

 The great Joyce Carol Oates once said, 'The great enemy of writing is interruption.' No truer words have ever been spoken. Writing is a practice, and practice makes perfect. But you shouldn't continuedly interrupt said practice. An athlete doesn't stop in the middle of his training, nor does a musician stop in the middle of their song. Writing is no different. Take your time, schedule your breaks, and don't let yourself be interrupted.

3 What do you enjoy most about Wattpad?

What I enjoy the most about Wattpad is the diverse community on this platform. I get to meet and talk with people from all over the world here on Wattpad. There is such an amazing diversity here that also gets celebrated, and yet we are all bound together by our love for good stories. I love that.

4 Are you still surprised when you get a new vote, follow or comment?

Absolutely. It makes me smile every time I open Wattpad and I see a sweet comment or that someone votes on my chapters. Being able to talk to my readers will always make my day, and I hope I still get to meet so many more amazing people. 

5 What is a song you enjoy? Who is the artist?

 The Burning Bush by Hans Zimmer is a song that just elevates me to another realm. If I feel down or uninspired, I just close my eyes and put that song on. If there ever was life giving music, I'm sure that is what it would sound like.

6 What is one wattpad goal?

I already feel very grateful for all the things Wattpad helped me achieve. The Watty I won, being a part of the Stars Program, the amazing work I got to do as a Wattpad Ambassador. I guess one of my goals is to get one of my stories published through Wattpad, or into the Paid Program. But right now, I just want to work on becoming the best writer I can possibly be.

7 How would you celebrate a publishing deal?

 Definitely by going out to dinner with my friends and family. Possibly, dancing the night away. And crying tears of joy. Many, many tears of joy.

8 If you could hang out with your favorite celeb for a day, who would you choose and what would you do?

 I would love to spend a day with Agatha Christie, accompanying her on one of her husband's (Max Mallowan) archaeological expeditions. She is such an amazing novelist and interesting person who saw and did so much during her lifetime, that would be honored to just spend one day with her sipping tea and listen to her stories.

9 What is your favorite story?

Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, no surprise there. I love the simplicity and attention to detail in that story. I think the best stories start with the simplest ideas. In this case, her brother suggested a novel in which the criminal would be a Dr Watson character. And voilà, the best whodunit in history.

10 What inspired you to write?

I don't know. Somehow, I've always been creating stories in my mind for as long as I can remember. Whenever I am in an old building or ruin, I mentally recreate what must have happened to this place. It is the same with objects. I always try to imagine who it might have belonged to, what their life might have looked like.

11 What is your favorite holiday and why?

 Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicolaas for those are not Dutch. It is a Dutch holiday I can only describe as a Christmas before Christmas. As a child, I loved Sinterklaas more than Christmas, and now I can appreciate the changes this holiday is undergoing to become more modern while keeping its essence of sharing and looking out for each other. 

request time

 Enheduanna: The First Author. It's a story I recommend if you want to learn more about the first author in history and relate to a woman who lived over 4000 years ago, but whose story is still relatable to every writer who ever lived.