Annabel den Dekker is an author from the Netherlands. When she’s not writing, she can be found strolling through nature, daydreaming about her favorite characters or conjuring up new stories. She’s also an avid admirer of books, music and TV series, and delights in sharing them with others.
What got you into writing your own stories? I’ve always loved making up stories and writing them down. As a little girl, my brother and I loved Star Wars (we still do!) so we often wrote stories about the characters, and when I was a teenager, my best friend and I created fanfics together, which was always a lot of fun! As I grew older, my stories matured as well, and I ended up with many bits and pieces that could potentially grow into something good. But it wasn’t until the end of 2019 that I finally started on a story that would turn into an actual book.
What genre do you write?
YA LGBTQIA+ Science Fiction Romance
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
The characters come more naturally to me than the plot. I often struggle to develop a solid plot until I've delved deep into the psyche of my characters and truly understand what makes them unique. By getting to know them, the plot tends to flow more organically and easily. I suppose that character development is the foundation on which I build my plot.
What are you most grateful for as a writer? I am most grateful for the simple fact that I am able to do it. Writing makes my life so much richer and it is a blessing to my mental health. It has even taught me a great deal about myself, so I think it has helped me grow as a person as well.
Do you have a day job? What is it? I have my own copywriting business and I work as a an editor for a Dutch magazine. So even when I don’t write, I’m still writing 😉
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not? Absolutely! Even before I knew I was going to self-publish, I had already read a lot of works by indie authors, some of which still hold a special place on my list of favorite books. Unfortunately, there are still too many people who believe that traditionally published books are somehow better, but in my opinion, many indie authors produce works that are just as good, or sometimes even better. Driven by their passion, they spend an incredible amount of time and money to create something that’s as perfect as it can be, simply because they love it so much, and that’s precisely what makes their work shine.
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
I discovered my own sexuality (grey aroace) when I revisited the first draft of my second book. While reading about the protagonist's thoughts and experiences, I realized what his sexuality was and that I had unconsciously written that part of myself into the story. It was a revelation that helped me understand myself so much better.
I adore animals and spend a lot of time in nature. They both make me feel better and often have the power to recharge me when I feel drained and/or overwhelmed.
I love watching Formula 1! My favorite drivers are Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas! There's always something magical about that time of year, and I feel like people are generally nicer to each other during the holiday season.
What's your favorite season?
Spring is my favorite season. I love when everything comes to life again—it's getting warmer outside, but not too warm, and the sight of beautiful flowers and the sound of birds singing are simply some of the best things in life.
Do you have pets?
I have a cat and four chickens. They all have their unique personalities, so it’s always a lot of fun to have them around. My cat can sometimes be a handful, but I love his quirky little self!
Featured Book: Ailene
What is Ailene about?
Ailene is first and foremost a story about the power and importance of friendship and found family. It follows Hayden Navarro, who is asked to go undercover as an intern to find a mole in the Council of Ailene after an anonymous terrorist organization attacks several countries across the planet. Once in Ailene, Hayden becomes overwhelmed by the responsibilities of his new role and feels that he and his best friend Lowell are growing apart. He finds solace in Alexander Collins, a Council member who makes him feel happy and understood, but workplace rules prevent them from being anything more than friends. As Hayden tries to save everyone he cares about, he must also navigate his growing feelings for Alexander and fix his relationship with Lowell, which all proves to be very challenging. Why would you like to feature this book?
It’s my debut novel and it released on May 15, 2023, so it deserves all the buzz it can get!
“We are in this together, remember? When you fall apart, I will pick you up, just as you have done for me a million times before.”
Who was your favorite character to write and why? Probably my protagonist, Hayden, because he’s a lot like me, which makes it easier to write about him. We both are very sensitive and protective of those we love, and we both sacrifice(d) our mental health too easily to make others happy. I feel like I went on a journey together with Hayden, and we both came out on the other side better and stronger. Yet, when I think about it, Alexander was probably the most fun character to write, because his quirky, caring and joyful personality always makes me smile from ear to ear. Some friends told me Alexander reminds them of me, which feels like a huge compliment 😊
What was your favorite scene to write and why? It’s without a doubt the epilogue, but I would spoil too much if I told you about it. My second favorite scene is one I added later to the story: everything has gone wrong and Lowell feels very frustrated because he can’t do anything to fix it. Hayden wants to cheer him up and persuades him to dance with him. It’s a simple joyful moment between two best friends, but I think it shows perfectly how special and powerful friendship can be.
What's the message you worked into this book?
That friendship/found family is something to cherish, and that everyone matters, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Want to find out more? Connect with Annabel den Dekker here.
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