We authors all have our own specific way to write a novel. I am the kind of writer that crawls into the skin and soul of my characters. I try to feel the pain, the fears, the hatred, and the passion.

I’m working on a crime story today, so I’m creeping into a murderer’s skin. I need a poison that will kill my victim in a natural way. It must look like a heart attack or a stroke. And I don’t want it to work immediately, because I need time to create the perfect alibi. I surf the Internet, but I can’t find anything useful.

Brooding over my problem, I put on my coat and walk to the mall to do some shopping. Entering the bakery, my eyes catch the display window of the next-door drugstore. The famous Agatha Christie was a pharmacist... She always invented the most perfect murders!

Turning, I rush to the drugstore. No doubt, they can solve my problem in here.

The girl behind the counter smiles at me. "Can I help you, Ma’am?"

"Yes," I reply in a thoughtful manner, "The thing is, I’d like to commit a murder, and get away with it. Can you tell me what poison would do the job?"

The girl stares at me as if she sees a ghost, then her mouth curves into an artificial smile. "I’ll have to ask my boss," she says, pointing at a wooden bench, "Please sit down for a moment."

The girl hurries away. I make myself comfortable on the bench and wait. And wait... and wait... What takes her so long? I have a lot of other things on my agenda today.

As I impatiently glance at my watch for the fifth time, the door opens and two police officers come in. Police? Good grace, that nice little girl behind the counter has called the cops to arrest me!

Stumbling over my words I try to explain that I’m just a harmless writer, but the male officers have never read a romance novel and take me away.

With a growing despair I arrive in the local police station, but then fortunately, the tide turns. The precinct receptionist is an avid romance reader, and five minutes later I walk down the street, a free woman again. But my goodness... How will I ever find out what poison to use?

Greetings from The Netherlands!

    :-) Anita Verkerk.