Even as a child, Sigrid Zeevaert enjoyed writing. The idea that her early love for pen, paper, and words would one day become her profession was not up for debate for a long time. Instead, she initially chose the safe path, studying primary education at the University of Aachen. It was only her exam that brought her back to writing: As part of her thesis, she wrote her first children's book in 1986. "Max, my brother," the title, became a great success right away – and still is today. Its content is rather unusual for a children's book: It tells the story of ten-year-old Johanna, whose brother becomes ill with cancer and dies.
More than 30 children's and youth books as well as some theater and radio pieces have been written by Sigrid Zeevaert in the meantime. Many have been awarded prizes and published internationally, with translations into Japanese, French, or Korean. As different as the many stories are, they all share a realistic approach to large, complex themes: love and relationships, border experiences and identity, first crises and losses. "I want to depict authentic childhood experiences in my books," says Zeevaert. In "Love, dear Fanni," little Nina deals with her family's past during World War II. "Women’s stuff?", one of Sigrid Zeevaert's bestsellers, is about Jasper, who constantly has conflicts with his sisters. And in “Mika, Tony, and Jack,” Zeevaert tells of a newly forming friendship - and dealing with grief.
Telling stories from the perspective and in the language of children as an adult - that is the appeal of her work: "It also gives me, as an author, a completely new perspective on life."
Every day at nine, Zeevaert begins her work - even on weekends. Writing has long since become a necessity for her: "When I write, I feel good," she says. Zeevaert does without notes and plot sketches. She develops the ideas for her texts in her mind. With just one finger, she types on the keyboard of her laptop. The famous flow, in which the words come together almost by themselves, does not always occur for Zeevaert either. "Writing is sometimes very laborious," says the author. But her many years of experience help her deal with it professionally and find a way out of the writing slump.
From the first draft to the finished printed copy, it's a long way: On average, Zeevaert takes a year for a book – and is thus relatively fast. Most of the time, she works simultaneously on different texts. In her desk drawer lie several unfinished books, including a first fiction novel for adults.
Writing a book always means also reaching out to others, establishing a relationship with the more or less unknown readers. This is particularly palpable during her many readings in front of school classes or in libraries and bookstores, Sigrid Zeevaert recounts. "Children have a very natural, uncomplicated way of communicating. Sometimes a very close connection develops between them and me. Those are real highlights."
