On the outside, C.E. Crezee is a cheerful, spontaneous young woman, but she exposes her entire soul in the stories she writes. She dreams of one day being able to publish and share all the stories that are stored inside her head with her readers. She has just published her first book in Dutch, a YA novel called Een vloek of een zegen (A Curse or a Blessing), the first book in the Identiteit (Identity) series.

Author interview – C.E. Crezee

Good morning, C.E. Welcome to my blog and congratulations on publishing your first book! Tell us, when did you start writing, and why?

Since I was a little girl, I wrote a lot of poems. It was after the birth of my daughter that I started to write every story that came up in my imagination.

At what age did you take yourself seriously as a writer?

Since last Friday, the day my book ‘was born’!

Do you prefer the term ‘writer’ or ‘author’, and why?

Until last Friday, I considered myself a writer. Now it’s ‘for real’, I love the term author. It almost feels magical!

How long did it take you to write your first book?

I wrote it within a couple of weeks. But that was in 2012. I’ve been very sick and finishing this book was part of my so-called therapy.

What was your last book about?

About death, love, and finding yourself. It’s a YA romance.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on part two of my series as well as a new project.

What is your writing process like? Do you plot or do you just dive in? How many drafts do you go through before the work is final?

No plotting for me. Only the ‘theme’. For example, if I had written Twilight, I, as Stephenie Meyer, would have had vampires in my imagination. And built the story around two persons who fall in love.

What do you struggle with most as a writer?

Rereading. Over and over. That’s what holds me back. Writing is no problem, but all the check-ups aren’t my favourites!

Have you always had that struggle or has it changed over time?

Always have, always will, ha ha!

What advice would you give to writers dealing with the same?

Just keep on going. BUT, take a break whenever you feel you need one. When you push yourself, it won’t help you.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If yes, how did you overcome it?

Not specifically a block while writing. I’ve only felt blocked during the struggle about the rewriting.

What do you do to stay inspired?

It’s not always easy, but, after a break, I’ll find my way back of inspiration.

Who’s your favourite author?

I have no specific favourite one! Does that sound crazy? I hope not!

Not at all! Most interviewees hate this question and give me lists and lists of names instead 😉 Here’s another one they tend to love: What’s your favourite book?

I’m reading the Invisible Life of Adie LaRue. I haven’t finished it yet… but this one might be my favourite!

What’s the best writing advice you ever received?

JUST…KEEP…WRITING… don’t doubt. Do whatever YOU want to do and want to write. Don’t think of what others will think of your story—love your own story.

I’ll say ‘Amen!’ to that. Thank you so much for joining me here today, and good luck with the second book in your series!

Curious after C.E.’s work? You can find all of her books here. And for those who are currently residing in the Netherlands or Belgium and speak Dutch, you can find her debut novel here.