Already as a young girl I loved to write and make up stories. Throughout the years, the longing to write never ceased, but there was little time, nor energy to do something about it.

 

I was able to write newsletters, both in English and Dutch, to keep family and friends updated about our lives, but it wasn’t enough – I wanted more.

I took a Dutch correspondence course, but had to write about subjects and genres I didn’t like, and which didn’t fit my style. The whole setup was also more on a recreational, hobby level.

 

Then, out of the blue, August 2006 a brochure arrived which changed my life. Tucked between a book order from Christian Book Distributors (CBD) the little brochure challenged me to "pass the free test and write for publication". Wow!

I did the writers’ test and was deemed a candidate for the course.

 

The rest is history, for this was what I really needed, the tool that brought my writing on a professional level. Mentored by my personal teacher, Mary Rosenblum, I finished the 2 year course within six months.

 

By now I realized that my writing was a gift from God, and that it wasn’t a selfish pursuit. In order for the talent to be used for ministry I had to take the dream off the backburner and start cooking.

 

Being a mother first and a writer second at times can be rather stressful, but I’ve learned to write whenever I can – even if it’s only for half an hour. I receive tremendous joy and fulfillment through writing.

 

I keep honing my skills, (presently in the middle of Long Ridge’s Novel Course) learn to write better, do the work with excellence, try to take one step at a time and leave the results to God.