*The lights in the living room gradually brighten, revealing Nathan entering triumphantly with a dazzling smile, tanned and glowing after his mountain vacation. He is wearing a cream-colored sweater, perfect for the mountain climate, and settles comfortably into his armchair* My dear friends, did you miss me? The mountains welcomed me with their green and rocky arms, whispered ancient secrets to me, and recharged me as only nature can. There’s nothing better than waking up to the fresh air that tingles your cheeks and the scent of pine filling your lungs. And those hikes? Absolutely divine. But enough about my vacation, because today I have an extraordinary announcement to make! *Nathan begins pouring tea into his favorite cup*

For the first time in Nath’s Living Room, we have the honor of hosting an international author! Directly from the Netherlands, with books that continue to captivate readers worldwide, I have the honor of introducing the extraordinary Anna Woltz! *The host claps enthusiastically, followed by his audience at home* Yes, you heard that right! Today we will dive into her stories, explore her career, and discover what makes her novels so special. Are you ready? I am, and I couldn’t be happier to return to your company for such a special episode!

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*Nathan, with renewed energy but the same enthusiasm as always, leans slightly forward, with an expression of genuine curiosity and a flood of admiration in his eyes* So, Anna, we absolutely have to talk about this book. Your book, “Nächte im Tunnel”, for which we are immensely grateful to Beisler Editore for providing a copy, is set during one of the most intense and tragic periods in our history: World War II. And you, with your magical pen, have taken us straight into the hearts and minds of young people during the bombings that besieged London at that time. I have to ask: what drove you to choose this specific historical period? What inspired you to tell such a powerful story through the eyes of these young people facing the chaos of war?

Anna Woltz: It’s quite strange, but my story actually started with a dream. I dreamed about a group of young people who were taking shelter deep underground. It was dark, it was stuffy and in my dream, I felt this huge danger surrounding them – but I had no idea what was going on above the ground. I was sitting with these young people, and what impressed me most were the conversations they were having. The kind of conversations I remember so well from being a teenager myself: grand talks about life and love and living in this crazy world, growing up, trying to figure out who you are… The moment I woke up I knew: I want to write about this group of teenagers who are trying to figure out who they are while the world is on fire – a fire started by adults, but these teenagers have to deal with it anyway…

It felt like I had dreamt one piece of a very complicated puzzle, and I started to search for the rest of the puzzle. After months of searching, I remembered something I had read about a long time ago: the incredible story of people taking shelter in the London Underground during German bombings in the Second World war. Suddenly, I had found the setting of my story.

*With a thoughtful look, Nathan nods as he listens intently to Anna Woltz, appreciating the depth of her research. Then, with an intrigued smile, he continues the conversation* It’s clear to everyone that you’ve paid meticulous attention to building the historical context, and the research you conducted is truly admirable. It’s interesting how the details you discovered have shaped your characters, making them so authentic. For example, the young boy who sold shelter spots during the Blitz… a detail that immediately brings a character to life! And the development of Jay, who goes from being a real ‘scoundrel’ to someone readers end up sympathizing with… That must have been quite a challenge.

So, I’m curious: the characters of Ella, Robbie, Jay, and Quinn show great resilience in the face of adversity. How did you develop their characters, and which aspects of their personalities were the most difficult to write?

Anna Woltz: Before I started writing, I did months and months of research. I started with a pile of books about the London Blitz, and then I travelled to London for a research trip; I visited the Imperial War Museum (they also have a very impressive and informative website) and the London Transport Museum, and of course I rode the Underground a lot. During all that research, I was keeping my eye open for possible characters. As soon as I read about a teenage boy making money by keeping places to shelter occupied until all the metro platforms were full, and then selling those spots, I knew: that’s what one of my main characters will do.

For Quinn, I read books about brave and enterprising women during the war, and for Ella, I searched for something which would set her apart from the others and make her quite insecure – so that’s why she has a limp and is recovering from polio. One of the most challenging things was to make my readers understand Jay; he’s a scoundrel and in the beginning, he’s very, very mean to Ella. But he has his reasons, and I did want my readers to have sympathy for him in the end. That was quite tricky, a real balancing act…

You know, it’s incredible how you manage to create such a deep connection between your characters even amidst total chaos. There’s something truly special about how friendship and love emerge from the darkest situations, like a beacon guiding through the storm. And speaking of light… The title of the book in question, “Nächte im Tunnel”, really caught my attention, because it’s not just an appealing title but seems to have a truly profound meaning. I wonder: what role does light play in your novel, and how does it intertwine with the personal growth of the protagonists?

Anna Woltz: In all of my books, the way my main characters develop is very important. In this book, the characters live in a very dark time – but their friendship and even love for each other bring light to the story.

But now let’s talk about “Gips!” A novel that digs into the hearts of its readers, right? Fritz, the protagonist, is dealing with the pain of a divorce and concerns about his sister. These are delicate and deep themes. I’d love to know how you approached writing these sensitive and emotional topics. How did you bring these challenges and the emotions they provoke to life in your book?

Anna Woltz: Well, I knew the core of my story was very sensitive and emotional indeed, and that’s why I tried to make the rest of the story as eventful and original and even funny as possible. I think it’s a very lively book, with lots of interesting characters, and it’s not just about divorce – it’s also very much about love and how a family with kids is still a family, even when parents get divorced.

*Nathan is clearly moved, his voice carrying warmth and empathy as he continues* It’s really moving to hear you speak about these topics with such authenticity, Anna. I believe that this sincere connection with your own experiences is what makes your stories so relatable, resonating deeply with readers of all ages. As a final question for today, after discussing these captivating works, we can’t help but wonder: what can we expect from you in the future? Any new projects or themes you’re excited to explore?

Anna Woltz: At the beginning of the book, Fitz is furious with her parents – especially with her mum, whom she has overheard saying that she is ‘looking forward to a weekend without the kids’. Fitz doesn’t believe in love anymore, and she thinks all adults just lie and pretend, and no one should ever get married. But during the story, Fitz meets a new friend, and she even falls in love herself. So at the end she understands that may be not all love will last, but that doesn’t mean love is a lie – her parents did love each other a lot, and the fact that they’re not together anymore, doesn’t mean it’s the end of their family.

*Nathan leans slightly on the armrest of the chair, with a thoughtful expression* It’s interesting to see how Fritz, at the beginning of the book, is so angry with her parents and the very concept of love. But it’s equally beautiful to witness how her emotional journey and new experiences lead her to understand that love, despite all its thorny aspects, is not a lie. Indeed, her path of growth and self-discovery is truly enlightening. *He claps his hands in a noble manner* Both books, as we’ve seen, feature young characters who face significant challenges. How do you manage to balance the representation of their difficulties with moments of hope and lightness?

Anna Woltz: I love quirky characters and surprising scenes, so I do my utmost best to combine the serious themes with fun scenes. And I think both books are hopeful because they show how important friendship and love are – and even during a war or in a hospital, it’s possible to fall in love and meet new friends.

Your ability to blend light moments with life’s challenges, such as in a war or a hospital, truly highlights the importance of friendship and love, but above all, it shows what an extraordinary writer you are! *Nathan leans on the table, making the cup clink* This brings us to another central aspect of your storytelling. The friendships that form in “Nächte im Tunnel” are really at the heart of the story. How do you think the theme of friendship can influence readers, especially younger ones?

Anna Woltz: I really do hope my readers realize how important friendship is – and not just online, but also real life friendship! It’s so important to feel connected to people, to feel there are people who understand you and care for you. The young people who read my books today have all experienced COVID, and the lockdowns and the face masks, and visiting Dutch schools, especially high schools, teachers tell me many students are still impacted by COVID. I think many young people find it harder and harder to connect in real life – so I really do hope my books will show them how valuable real life connections can be.

*Nathan, with an expression of approval and understanding, continues* And I assure you, it does: it’s really profound how you emphasize the importance of real connections, especially at a time when so many young people are struggling to connect face-to-face. Now, moving on to another fascinating part of your work: in ‘Gips’, we mentioned that the hospital setting turns into a place of magical adventures. How did you come up with the idea of turning a hospital into the backdrop for a transformative experience?

Anna Woltz: My little sister is a doctor – a surgeon actually. She told me all these eventful and moving and crazy stories about her adventures in the hospital, so then I thought: that can actually be the setting for a children’s book!

Oh, what a disrespectful host I am! *Nathan turns to the reader with an affable smile and says* Dr.ssa Woltz, we at Bee Chronicles thank you for the extraordinary work you do every day in your hospital: we send you our deepest thanks! *Nathan turns back to his guest* I find it fascinating how your sister’s experiences influenced the setting of your book. But I want to continue talking with you about the central themes of your books, which, as we’ve established, explore resilience and overcoming adversity. Have there been personal experiences or research that have most influenced these themes in your writing?

Anna Woltz: Being alive influenced me *Anna smiles gently, just like her soul*. In every life, there are challenges – so I use challenges from my own life, but also challenges from the lives of everyone around me: my parents, sister, friends, even from people I read interviews with in newspapers or from characters in books and movies…

It’s incredible how life itself can be such a rich source of inspiration for your writing. Now that your next book, ‘Gips’, is about to hit the shelves in Italy, what do you hope readers will discover and appreciate most in this new adventure?

Anna Woltz: I’m so excited “Gips” is now released in Italy! I really hope my readers will enjoy Fitz’s journey and of course I especially hope my book will speak to kids who have divorced parents themselves. In The Netherlands, there are so many kids who have divorced parents, and even when parents try to handle everything as kindly and thoughtfully as possible, kids are usually very upset about the break up. So I do hope my readers will realize, together with Fitz, that a divorce doesn’t mean your parents don’t love you anymore; even when your parents aren’t together anymore, you’re still a family.

Lots of love to all the readers of Bee Chronicles and all my Italian readers – I’m so happy you enjoy my books!

*Nathan stands up, holding both of the writer’s hands with excitement. Is that a tear about to fall?* Anna, it has been a true honor to have you and your wonderful books in our living room here today. Discovering how you’ve woven your personal experience and research into your stories has been enlightening! Your ability to handle delicate themes with such empathy and hope can only enrich our readers and help many young people find comfort and understanding in your stories. It’s as clear as day that your writing not only tells stories but also touches hearts and makes people think. *With a note of sincere affection and warm gratitude, Nathan continues* I also want to express a huge THANK YOU to Beisler Editore, without whose tireless and meticulous dedication and passion for promoting literature, this meeting wouldn’t have been possible. Their commitment to bringing authors like you to our Italian audience is truly valuable and deserves all our gratitude.

Anna, consider Nathan’s Living Room as your home. We’re excited to continue this journey together and to welcome your future works into our family of readers and friends. Your presence here today has made this moment truly special, and we can’t wait to see you again in our living room! And you, dear readers, we invite you to run IMMEDIATELY to the bookstore and buy one of this fantastic writer’s books: we’re sure you won’t regret it!

And you, my dear readers, see you in the next episode!

By: @literaly_nath (IG)