Johan Smits

What was your favorite book as a child?

Ah! I find this impossible to answer. Once I learned how to read, I thought the local library, where you could borrow as many books as you wanted — for free! — was the best thing since sliced bread. I devoured books like hot buns, all sorts, where one would best the previous one, until I’d get my hands onto another, even better treasure. To a child, or at least to me, that’s the magic and generosity of a public library — a vast Aladdin’s Cave of never-ending discovery.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

Love letters. You have to be very creative when you’re trying to get into someone’s pants while not being very handsome.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

Birth, of course. Possibly being trumped by death — we’ll see.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

Rarely while reading. When a book is great, its perfectly crafted words and sentences already turn into some kind of music of their own, I find, from elaborate symphonies (Kazuo Ishiguro) and jazz (Elif Shafak) to pop & rock (David Mitchell) and hip hop (Paul Beatty) — or even some metal (Steve Tolz). And while writing: only when I’m getting bored with what I’m reading.