Interview With Author Elske Howeler
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a single mum, IT consultant, and lifelong dreamer of becoming a full-time author.
My debut novel is called Left Behind, a historical fiction novel set in Amsterdam during the last few months of WW2.
Being from Amsterdam myself, the setting of her debut novel is a personal one. And so is the story, which was inspired by my grandmother who, during the Second World War, saved the life of a Jewish girl by hiding her in her attic.
When I’m not writing or reading, I like to go on adventures with my two kids, and I also love surfing (although this is more practising wipe-outs) and singing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel Left Behind was inspired by my grandmother who risked her own life and that of her family by hiding a Jewish girl in her attic during WW2. The girl’s family had been killed by the Nazis and had nowhere to go. My grandmother saved her life by hiding her and she lived into her nineties.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess one quite unusual writing habit is that I often start at the end. When I plot a story, I often have an idea for the beginning and the end. I write those first and fill in the middle afterwards.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The main influence for Left Behind was a book called The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This story helped me shape the ending of my book.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my second book which is another historical fiction novel, set in Zeeland (a county in The Netherlands) during the time of the Great Flood in 1953.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a lot of book promotion sites like this one and also use my blog to gain exposure.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. As much as you can.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you have time to watch tv, you have time to write.
What are you reading now?
Jeffery Deaver – The Never Game. I love a good series!
What’s next for you as a writer?
When I have finished my current novel, I want to take a break from historical fiction and work on a series that has been living in my head for quite some time now.
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?
Love in the time of cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The shadow of the wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Where the crawdads sing – Delia Owens
The other boleyn girl – Philippa Gregory
And I’d bring my own for endless editing 🙂
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