All about her writing process, inspiration and behind the scenes of writing

Who is BL Berg?

B.L. Berg is a talented author known for her captivating storytelling and imaginative narratives. With a passion for breaking conventions and redefining traditional narratives, Berg weaves tales that transport readers to extraordinary realms. “The Dream Maker and the Candy Cane” is her latest work, showcasing her unique storytelling style and her ability to challenge expectations

Interview

What inspires your writing?

Absolutely everything inspires me. A man on the train, a colleague I don’t like, a meme, a random incident. It doesn’t take that much to get my brain going. For instance, “The Dream Maker and the Candy Cane” was inspired by a drawing I made. Sometimes it’s just a random moment or an idea that turns into a story and if you ask me this very moment what inspired “Regretfully Yours” I simply can’t tell you.

Basically, my brain is home alone and throws a party and then I get to clean up the mess afterwards. I also call it “thinking through my fingers” because often, I have no idea what I’m about to write until I’ve actually done it and look at it afterwards. I swear, sometimes I have no idea where things are coming from.

What drew you to writing?

I’ve always been telling stories one way or another. When I was a kid, every drawing I made was accompanied by a story and my poor parents had to listen to it all I’ve written diary entries when I was depressed, notes to myself when there is something I don’t know how to handle, and poetry when I was a teenager.

How did you choose which character to centre the story around?

Hmm … I think the characters come before the story – or simultaneously at least. I also find that characters evolve along the way and suddenly they’re much more dominant than I originally intended. And I just let them.

What was your process for writing your books?

I’m an impulsive writer and if I get an idea, I just write it down. It can be random dialogue, it can be the outline, or something else entirely. Most books often start in my email drafts. One sentence turns to two and three and I just keep adding to it until I have the time to sit down and actually look at the mess I’ve made and string it all together. To me the most important thing is writing when I’m in the mood – even if I don’t know what will come of it. It’s not pretty.

When I started writing “Lady and the Tramp and Me” I actually started out writing a section that turned out to be thirty pages in in the finished book. And then I had to consider: What happens then? What happened before? And then it just took off.

What is your approach to world and character-building?

I’m an extremely visual person, and it often feels like a movie is playing in my head 24-7. So, if I wonder how a place looks, an image will pop into my head. Sometimes I also research if I have a specific mood in mind. I haven’t built elaborate worlds (yet) since I was a teenager.

As for characters, they often take on a life of their own once I start writing. I only know the most basic things – and then I let them lose and let them grow.

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

Hmm … Not particularly. I like snappy dialogue, but mostly I love the passages, where the words just flow – and that can be just about everything.

Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?

I think there’s a tiny bit of me in every character. So, there might be sections where I feel very “close” to a character, but then in the next section not so much.

Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?

A bit. I haven’t sold many books, but I still feel proud. I’ve gotten some great feedback from publishers and “Lady and the Tramp and Me” is a BBNYA semi-finalist (so far). Overall, I have this deep feeling of accomplishment in the pit of my stomach – and I feel stronger somehow. Sounds a bit weird, but there’s no other way to describe it, really. When I started out, I knew absolutely nothing about publishing – particularly not publishing in another country and in a second language – and I still have an awful lot to learn. By now, I also know I can do it. I’ve just turned fifty, and I’ve finally found out what it is I want to do when I grow up. Somehow, that’s quite a boost too and I almost feel like a superhero in training.

Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?

I remember reading “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy years ago. When I read it, I was like: “I want to write that!” Obviously, I’m nowhere near that, but it gave me the final push. I started writing in Danish and it was mostly for myself – the rest came later. It might be small, but I think “The Deal” was my defining moment … (Still love that book BTW)

What’s your favourite writing snack or drink?

Coffee! Always coffee …

Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favourite music?

Sometimes – but that’s mostly only when my neighbour’s children are noisy. I also have the TV on, but I don’t really see it, and after a while I don’t hear the music either.

Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?

The writing had always been a solo project. When I got offered the first contract my friends were proud and curious, but they’re not the type that shouts from the rooftops that I’ve written a few books. Writing under a pen name hasn’t made anything easier for me at all. I also found out that many of my friends don’t read in English, so it still feels like a solo project.