OMI: Tom Friday, 1 May 2009

Posted by The Lost Book in One minute interviews.
Tags: books, interview, writing
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Tom is the second member of our writing team that we’ve interviewed (the first was Bibliomane). Tom’s been making brilliant suggestions since January, invariably combining creativity with good sense. He was the first person to link Grazp Pharmaceuticals to the crime and is responsible for Otto Dafé’s presence in the cafe in episode 3. Tom, I don’t know what we’d do without you! Thanks for all your comments.

(Would you like to join the storywriting team? It’s easy! Anyone, anywhere in the world, can take part – simply join in the conversations about The Lost Book’s plot here at www.thelostbook.net and let us have your suggestions.)

Tom is from The Netherlands and… well, you’ll have to keep reading to learn more about him.

 

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One minute interview: Tom

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Occupation
Writer for The Lost Book/Student Psychology

Where were you born?
Alkmaar, The Netherlands

Where do you live now?
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

How many books are there on your shelves? (Approx.)
About 120 books on the shelves, about an equal amount in boxes and lots more digital on the computer. And a library pass, as I would go bankrupt if I would buy all the books I want to read.

What’s been the most fun thing about this project? (The first word of your answer must begin with L and the last word begin with B!)
Looking for the newest updates on the story and reading the suggestions of others is great fun. Also the polls keep me on my toes wondering what will actually happen. I do hope they will soon find the book!

Do you think that constraints are creative?
I think it depends on the kind of constraints, but most often it helps having them. It makes you think not only within a set boundary, but also how to work within and around those constraints. And that might lead to new ideas as you are trying to think outside of what you are used to do.

Who do you think stole the book from the National Library?
Well.. isn’t that obvious by now? It’s *random outside noise drowns out the words*… But you’ll see soon enough what happens, like everyone else.

Which book would you most hate to lose?
Tough question. There are several books that have memories to me. But the books I would most hate to lose are probably not the storybooks but the technical books

Who’s your favourite fictional detective?
Brother Cadfael, although I like other detectives too. The type of story draws me in as I try to unravel the mystery before the book shows me.

Who’s your favourite fictional dog?
Mouse. Go read The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.

Which book has affected you the most?
There have been several good books that I learned a lot from. Although the one book I like best in this area would be The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.

When and where do you read the most?
At home in my bed, right before sleeping would be the place I read the most. Although in the bus and train are nice places to read too.

Where’s your favourite ‘booky’ place?
There is this cafe in a bookstore in the center of Amsterdam. I like to sit there now and then, although I don’t go there often.

What do you like most about a book apart from the story: its size, its smell, its cover, its…?
I often look first for those good sized books with a nice cover picture, most often in the fantasy section. But any book could draw my attention. I still think the story is the most important part of the book.

For you what does a book lack the most – music, moving pictures, …?
Honestly? I don’t think a book is lacking anything. I’d rather go read a book then watch a movie. It has the better story and images are always as you believe they should be.

Have you ever used a book as a 1) doorstop, 2) missile, 3) an excuse not to do the washing up?
Nope, although I do use it as an excuse to not do other things sometimes.

Have you ever regarded a book as a friend, or indeed a monster?
Yes, on both counts. Have had to read several books for literature at school, and those were monsters to get through. Some of them were so boring that I needed weeks to get through them (normally I can read a good book in a day or two at most). And on the other side I have been ill at home several times, finding comfort and company in the stories I read.