19 Jan
10 Weeks Published. And so?

Greetings, readers! Don’t worry, in spite of the circling rumors I have not yet left for the Caymans, managing my overwhelming stream of income from my bestselling book WIE DU MIR, which was published last November. Although I came quite close to that scenario, in some regards. My publisher and I have actually managed to [...]
11 Dec
Love, Hate and other Shenanigans

Most times I love my characters. Even if they are hard to like, even if they do horrible things, even if they hurt others like hell, I could keep looking, smiling and cooing at them, and genuinely feel wretched when something bad happens to them (and that happens a lot). But you know what? Sometimes [...]
27 Nov
238 Days of Munich

Sorry, dear Munich! It’s not you … it’s me. I have tried you and failed quite miserably. You welcomed me with open arms, I had a nice summer and now I don’t feel any regret leaving you. Then again, it has always been quite an unfair fight between your laid back alpine charm and the [...]
09 Nov
Publication and Everything After

And just like that … I got published. At least this is how it looks now, after all those years of agonizing over writing, finding an agent, not finding a publisher, editing and then finding a micro-publisher after all. Now my baby is born, sitting on my lap, all fresh-faced and smelling sweetly. I have [...]
05 Oct
There and Back Again

Anyone remember that I once mentioned my hubby is an avid mover? Well, I meant it. That’s why we have made the trek from Ireland to Berlin in 2010. That’s why we trundled down to the Southern hemisphere of Munich in early spring this year. And you better believe it, we’re packing our bags again. [...]
24 Aug
Pursuit of Happiness, Part II: Drive or Die

Self acceptance. The world is full of it these days. Or at least full of coaches and self help books who tell you to exercise this highest of all post-modern virtues. Be fearless, be forgiving towards yourself, be happy with what you’ve achieved, even if it’s nothing. Too much drive will drive you insane. Listen [...]
18 Aug
Pursuit of Happiness, Part I: Drive to Die

by Gilbert Dietrich The other day I read something on the Internet that hit me hard: “The way to have an amazing life is to be constantly fearing failure, but driving forward anyway.” Otherwise – the American author goes on –  you are actually becoming increasingly useless. “If you are not doing your life’s work, [...]