"This dreadful discovery prompted me to research the Netherlands of that time and write the novel. To a certain extent, I was fortunate that the discovery more or less coincided with my career change.
"Writing this novel was a deeply personal and emotional journey. The discovery of my ancestors' names and the impact of their tragic stories fueled my commitment to tell a tale of survival, resistance, and the enduring impact of the Holocaust.
Writing with ADHD
"I have been formally diagnosed with Adult ADHD. The lack of concentration characterized by ADHD does make it very hard to organize and structure a full length novel. It can be frustrating writing and then not recalling what I’ve written.
"My main piece of advice would be to just stick at it, don’t give up because at some point (for me it was around 30,000 words), you realize that something you thought was impossible is almost half complete!"
About the novel
“The Thirteenth Child" takes readers on a journey through the harrowing experiences of Dutch Jews, a narrative often overlooked in Holocaust literature.
As the Nazis tighten their grip, siblings Rachael and Henrik Kisch join the Dutch Resistance, while their parents, Franck and Elizabeth, strive to protect their younger brother, Hannes.
With each passing day, the family faces the increasing threat of deportation to unknown camps in Eastern Europe, raising the question: can they stay together and survive?
The novel was launched in January and has already become a bestseller in two of its three categories on Amazon.