Inspiring children’s book series ‘Little People, BIG DREAMS’

What lessons have you learned along the way that you would like to share?

“If there is a doubt, there is no doubt.” It’s a mantra a friend of mine repeats all the time, and it works for any occasion. Follow your intuition—do it if you feel you have to, and don’t if you don’t feel like it. Suddenly, life gets so much easier.

If you could go back in time five or ten years, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?

“Go to Dirk—the tall funny guy hidden inside that tiny office—and ask him out.” He’s been my boyfriend, best friend, and lover for two years now, but it took us eight years to realize we’re made for each other. Another great piece of advice would have been: “Get pregnant and have a baby.” I miss being a mum sometimes; I guess that’s why I write children’s books.

In a fast-paced world, when busy with work and family, it can be easy to neglect or forget how to be creative. How do you protect, grow, and nurture your own creativity?

I believe in the creativity of little things: cooking, drawing, sewing, reading, playing an instrument, a game, taking weird pictures, writing a cute note and leaving it under someone’s pillow. There’s no need to be an artist to have a memorable life—being creative is more than enough. Stay curious, have fun, and be alive while you’re alive.

There is a joke that says: “He died at twenty but was buried at eighty.” Just don’t ever be like that.