Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in the Netherlands and raised in a small town called ‘Bussum’ situated only 20 minutes away from Amsterdam. Already in my youth I wrote short stories with my two year older sister, Marianne. We were given a selection of postcards displaying beautiful places across the globe, triggering our imagination. In later years I picked up writing again while working as managing director for the Benelux branch of a US based finance company. At the end of each day I summarized by email my everyday activities, including anecdotes about my interaction with businessmen. My PA always had a good laugh about it. She advised me to write down my experiences. Over a period of ten years I managed to finish my first semi-autobiographic fiction book, describing these encounters. I did this after working hours and I was quite relieved when the job was done. Unfortunately I decided not to publish that specific book (Nice Doing Business With You Ma’am) since it required a substantial rewrite due to some unexpected circumstances. At the time, I felt not very motivated to start re-writing it given the fact it already took me 10 years to produce the current version! The story of a psychic combined with the climate changes around the globe and some further investigation in both area’s put me back to writing; that was the beginning of the Jessie Golden Earth Series with 3 parts completed in the series, i.e., Quest to the Unknown (part 1), Darkness and Light (part 2) and The Prophecy: the seven disasters before the Apocalypse (part 3). Part 1 and 2 (18th July, 2019) are published. I still work full time by the way as a development and operations director for an international French IT Finance and Services company.
Apart from these fiction books I completed a non-fiction work which I am currently editing to make it more accessible to read (Learn To Understand Your Original Self).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Darkness and Light, part 2 in the Jessie Golden Earth Series will be released on July 18th, 2019. I took my inspiration from the current situation in the world, combined with the metaphorical meaning of darkness and light in the broadest sense of the word. When writing the book I reflected on something I wrote. This resulted in the start of Loveable Light, a personal initiative, centered around the beautiful light we all harbor within called Love. The ultimate aim is to create more positive energy around the globe.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I am aware of. Usually the story is unfolding in my head and when I feel I am ready to start I sit down and begin to write. Sometimes I can’t finish and continue until the early morning. I think that I am very lucky I don’t need much sleep at night. This allows me to continue writing after my regular working hours.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book I really felt in love with was The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon. I was in my early teens when I was introduced to his work and have been a great fan ever since. The themes he used such as intrigues, betrayal, passionate love and hatred combined with female heroines influenced my writing a lot.
What are you working on now?
I am working on three books in parallel! First of all The Prophecy, part 4 in the Jessie Golden Earth Series. Secondly another fiction book based on internet dating and the dangers it can entail (Unpredictable Affairs) and last but not least the final editing of my non-fiction work (Learn To Understand Your Original Self)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We use a suite of promotion activities such as Facebook, Instagram, my Website, Amazon, other book promotion sites and radio interviews among other activities.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write that book, get it edited and published! Today there are many ways to get your book in front of a large audience.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give a thing about what other people say, but rely on what your mind is telling you to do. Especially when it comes to writing you have to keep a level head particularly when the first reviews appear and/or people tell you the book is ‘not what the current audience is looking for’.
What are you reading now?
I can’t read fiction novels as long as I am still writing myself. Therefore, the last book I read was a travel guide relating to Israel and a book explaining how to paint watercolors.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I first need to finish the two remaining parts in the Jessie Golden Earth Series as well as the other fiction book and translate it into English, which is also the case for the non-fiction book. Then I would like to finish the very first book I wrote about my business encounters with men. Furthermore I have some ideas relating to another non-fiction book…..so, enough inspiration to keep me going for the next years to come.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Well, I guess a few practical books with my old time favorite: 1) How to survive on a deserted island for dummies? 2) Plants you can eat to survive in the wild and 3)The Other Side of Midnight (to remember me of the world of intrigues, passion and love!)
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