Caroline Siebbeles

What was your favorite book as a child?

On my tenth birthday my grandmother gave me Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the book that triggered a deep sense of injustice in me. At the time I was not aware of its political meaning but I became furious with the hurt done to other people. And the adventure of Eliza’s flight across the frozen river to freedom grabbed me by the throat. I was also engrossed by a series of children’s books about Eagle Eye and White Feather, exciting detective stories set in the Wild West.

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I have always been reading fiction, feeling a need to become part of and a witness to all these imagined worlds. As a teacher I loved sharing and discussing literature with my students. However, I never wrote any stories myself. As a young girl I did an attempt at keeping a diary but when I re-read what I had written I always felt embarrassed. I was convinced I was not a writer myself and that was that. Until five years ago, when covid brought quietness to my extremely busy life and a friend encouraged me to register for a writing course. It was the discovery of my life. Words, feelings, ideas came to my mind — I have no idea how this creative process works — but ever since I have enjoyed immensely creating and crafting scenes, moods, voices.

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

On a holiday near the coast, when I was five maybe six, I was strolling with my mother along an unfamiliar street lined with market stalls. I was holding her hand but gradually I withdrew from my mother’s grip and I deliberately slowed down my pace, seeing my mother getting further and further away in the distance. I remember feeling excited to be on my own, but nervous too until the point I started to panic. I cried out for my mum, and bystanders took care of me till my mother was found. I don’t have that many recollections of the past but this one is etched in my mind.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I find it amazing that some writers listen to music while reading or writing, but if I did, I would become totally distracted. Especially with reading I would constantly lose my concentration. Writing makes me more absorbed in my own world and less aware of other sounds, but still, I need silence to travel in my imaginary worlds.