But who is Inge?
Haha, I always find that a super difficult question. A fellow author sometimes calls me a realistic positivo and that's true. I look at the world quite critically, I take injustice quite seriously, but I always try to find a little bit of hope. This duality can also be found in my stories. This social relevance is also important to me in other things I do. Besides writing, I work as a communications specialist in the social sector and support other homegrown authors in their book promotion through my freelance activity One 4 All Stories. I like to spend the remaining time with my family. Occasionally I also venture onto the stage as an actress/singer or whip out a drawing pad.
What is duology about?
Â
In "World Without Water," strict regimes have seized power following a climate disaster and a subsequent Water War. They not only regulate the use of drinking water, but also institute other rules that restrict people's rights and freedoms. For example, all girls must pass an exam on their eighteenth birthday, which determines their future place in society. In the city of Atlantis, we follow Nimue and several other girls on their journey of survival in this new reality.
In "World Of Despair," power comes into the hands of the Resistance, but is that so much better? Moreover, Atlantis is already threatened by another natural disaster. Will the city stand firm as a sandstorm approaches with great speed? And who is this mysterious stranger who is shaking Atlantis' relationships to their foundations?
Where did you get inspiration to write this story?
During the corona crisis, I started thinking about the things I see happening around me. The first climate disaster close to home, increasingly violent stories of abuse in the cultural sector and beyond, polarization around all sorts of social issues, extreme thought seems to be on the rise. In the summer of '21, the power grab in Afghanistan was a hot topic. The images of people storming airplanes, female politicians forced into hiding and the haunting drawings of an Afghan artist are forever burned into my retina. All these events inspired me to write this book.
Yet it is not a morbid series. It is also a story about hope, about the incredible strength of people and how, when we look past our differences and work together, we are capable of so much good. A story about love and friendship sprouting like weeds between the cracks in the asphalt. The world is what we make of it and much depends on how we will treat it and each other in the years to come. Above all, that is what I wanted to impart in this diptych. I secretly dream of a world where everyone can be themselves and make their own choices. We have the power to change things, we just have to want it.
You've written standalones before. What makes a duology so different?Â
For me, the main difference is that you can't start from scratch. With a stand alone, you do your sentence, so to speak; after all, you start again and again from a blank page. With a series, everything has to be right, you have to stick to the chronology of the previous book. While writing World Of Despair, I regularly peeked into World Without Water to see if everything was correct. What exactly had been said in that dialogue? What was the exact wording in the letter? Exactly what injuries did that character have? The nice thing about a series, though, is that you can tell a lot more content. This story would never have been as exciting and powerful in a single book.
What did you find most difficult about writing this story?
Well, my intention was not only to write an entertaining and suspenseful book, but also thought-provoking. I felt it was important to take the reader through the emotions the main character experiences during the nightmare she finds herself in. Nimue does not know what will happen to her or where she will end up. I felt it was important for the reader to experience that same turmoil, except of course I didn't really want to give anyone nightmares. Therefore, I chose to work a lot with suggestion. Between the lines, the details of the gruesome reality from which the characters want to escape unfold. That balance; between conveying emotions and events powerfully and giving details without being shocking, I found quite difficult. It's a bit peculiar to a dystopia I guess: how far do you go to get your story across?
What is the best tip you would like to give future writers?
If you envision publication, you need a plan. Not only does your story need to be well written, there needs to be an audience for it. You need to think about what your target audience wants to read while seeking your individuality as a writer. Furthermore, you need to think not only about your story, but also about who you are as a writer. Who are you and what do you stand for? What makes you different from other writers in your genre? Readers not only want to read a good story, they want to know who the person behind that story is. Writing involves a lot more than you think. Writing the book is actually the least amount of work of all.
And now? Are there still stories in your head?Â
Well, something very special is coming for 2024. For the first time, a book of mine will be published for children. It will be an exciting children's book about a boy who has a special encounter with a creepy creature in a cave. I did not write it alone, but together with the students of Albrecht Rodenbach Elementary School. That was super fun to do! Children often have ideas that we adults don't think of. I'm glad I could appeal to their unbridled imagination. They are super excited that their story will now be in stores as a real book. As for a new Young Adult, I'm a bit in doubt: start something new or continue working on a story I still have in the drawer. We'll see what it becomes. As soon as I know, you'll know too (wink wink).
Â