The 40 But 10: Nanda Roep

 

I've pulled together 40ish questions - some bookish, some silly - and have asked authors to limit themselves to answering only 10 of them. That way, it keeps the interviews fresh and connectable for all of us!

Today we are joined by Nanda Roep. Nanda is a Dutch author who has spent the past thirty years living inside stories. She has written and published more than one hundred books, ranging from imaginative children’s books to feel-good fiction and cozy mysteries filled with secrets, family tension, and emotional twists. Her stories often explore what happens beneath the surface of ordinary lives. Besides writing, she also helps aspiring authors turn their creative ideas into real books. You can find her on facebook and Instagram. 

Why do you write?

I write because I live inside stories. My mind naturally turns almost everything I see into a story — a landscape, a conversation, even an ordinary activity. My first book, a whimsical children’s fantasy, was published in the Netherlands thirty years ago. Since then, I’ve explored many different genres as a writer.

What made you start writing?

I honestly can’t remember the exact moment my writing life began — or exploded. As a child, I wrote little plays that I performed at school, made up songs, and later, in high school, I started writing short stories and doing journalism. Before I knew it, a publisher wanted to release my book. I remember feeling more surprised than proud, because my real goal had never been publication itself. I simply wanted to tell my stories.

If you met your characters in real life, what would you say to them?

Over the past thirty years, I’ve written and published more than one hundred books. I’ve always loved strong-willed characters, and honestly, I’d probably want to hug all of them first.

With the central character from May the Best Sister Confess, I think I would talk about what it feels like when many people talk about you, but very few truly listen to you.

And Layla? I’d give her a proud fist bump and say, “You did it.”

Would you and your main character(s) get along?

Absolutely. I think we would connect through the way we look at society and people. With Hilda and Layla, I’d probably end up starting creative projects together. And with the characters from my children’s books, I think we would mostly joke around and laugh a lot.

What is your favorite book from childhood?

Without a doubt: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. I received a first Dutch edition as a child, and it completely captured my imagination. It had everything I loved: humor, fantasy, slightly mischievous songs, and of course, candy.

What’s the one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?

I wish I had realized earlier how special it was that I could write so many books. I could have shared that confidence and experience with other writers much sooner. I’ve finally started doing that now, but it took me a long time to understand that my creative journey could also be valuable to other people.

What’s the one book someone else wrote that you wish you had written?

Probably Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Or maybe The Husband's Secret. I absolutely love books that combine emotional depth, relationships, and mystery in that way. It’s a genre I’d love to continue growing into myself.

Do you read the reviews of your books or stay far away from them?

I wish I could say that I eagerly read every review and immediately start conversations with readers, but in reality, I tend to hide behind a little emotional wall first. When someone shares their opinion of my work, I usually need about a week to recover before I dare to look at it. I’m hoping to become a little braver about that over time.

What are some of your favorite books and/or authors?

Over the years, I’ve stayed loyal to certain authors during different phases of my life. As a child, it was Roald Dahl. As a student, I loved John Irving. Later, I gradually moved more toward feel-good fiction and cozy mysteries, with Liane Moriarty becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors.

Describe your book in three words.

Mystery. Love. Ambition.

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Out now! 

Check it out on Goodreads

Two sisters. One fall down the stairs. And a past that refuses to stay buried.

In 1983, a woman is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Her husband is suspected — then acquitted. The case is closed, but doubt lingers.
Nearly forty years later, during the 2020 lockdown, his youngest daughter falls down the same staircase. She survives, but slips into a coma.

When the father is later found dead in a roadside ditch, public suspicion quickly turns to the older sister — a woman who has lived in seclusion for years. She denies everything. And keeps her silence.

Young journalist Layla begins investigating the sisters’ past, determined to prove herself and uncover the truth. As buried secrets resurface, she learns that guilt is rarely straightforward — and that family loyalty can be as dangerous as betrayal.

May the Best Sister Confess is a cozy mystery with emotional depth, blending family drama, long-held secrets, and the unsettling question:

What if the truth has been hiding in plain sight all along?