Nelly Klop-van der Bas
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21-11-2014
10 questions for... Nelly Klop - van der Bas
My name is Nelly Klop - van der Bas, I am married and have 3 children and 1 grandchild. I like to write. To date, 12 children's books have been published, a collection of poems and a novel.
When did your 'passion for writing' start?
From a young age. I've been writing poems since I was 12 years old, but it's often very periodically that I write poems. Although every now and then I do get an assignment for someone. 17 years ago my collection of poems was published. After that, I quickly started working on a children's book and only much later on a novel.
In what way is your 'Christianity' reflected in the writing of your books?
Norms and values, but also in events. Not imposed, but interwoven through it.
What do you enjoy the most while writing?
That you are never in control of your own inspiration. It's given to me. And it's very clearly directed.
What's your favorite place to write?
In the living room and preferably very early in the morning.
How much time do you spend writing in a week?
When I'm working on a book, it takes me 6 days to write. And the time differs a lot. Usually a few hours.
What books have you written and what book are you currently working on? Can you tell us something about your latest book?
Poetry collection: Out of depths of misery I cry out to You.
Children's books: Mary, Mary goes to school, Noortje has a Christmas holiday, Noortje gets a brother, Noortje helps Dries, Noortje goes on a school trip, Noortje has to go to the hospital, Noortje finds a dog, Noortje goes to the dentist, Noortje and Dries and the thief, Noortje and Dries celebrate Queen's Day, Noortje gets a parakeet.
Novel: The Broken Wall.
I'm working on two new books. One is a novel, which is the sequel to 'The Broken Wall'. It's about coping with difficult childhood and grief. And a children's book.
What's the biggest mistake you've made as a writer?
Write two books at the same time, both a children's book and a novel. That children's book was a linguistic fiasco and was returned by the publisher with the comment: what have you done now? Go through the book again.
I had a good laugh about it and quickly went back to work and never at the same time again, and by that I mean working on two books every day. When the children's book is finished, I'm working on a novel again. Now the novel is finished and I'm working on a children's book again.
