Story Secrets - Drafting Dragons

At a bustling fantasy festival surrounded by cosplayers, storytellers, and artists, I had the privilege of meeting Cocky van Dijk—a Dutch fantasy author whose writing is as rich and imaginative as the costumes we saw that day. But behind her spellbinding worlds lies a story of resilience and transformation.

Cocky shared how her writing became a lifeline during one of the most challenging periods of her life: facing the heartbreak of not being able to have children.

"It was a very challenging time," she told me. "When you struggle personally, it often affects your writing. That's when you need to channel those difficulties into your work".

Fantasy became more than just a genre for her—it became a safe space to process emotions and explore themes of loss and hope.

"Keeping your difficulties inside doesn't help. You need to process them and turn them into something positive, even the suffering," she told me. "In my book, my main character, Fenne, has a baby. The story reflected our struggles."

Writing became a way to deal with the grief and to overcome it. "It allowed me to process those emotions. My books are like my babies."

Talking with Cocky reminded me of the power of storytelling. Whether it’s through writing, reading, or sharing our own experiences, stories connect us. They help us process what we’re going through and remind us we’re not alone.

Cocky’s journey is a testament to how creativity can transform pain into something meaningful.

👉 Listen to the full interview in the podcast!

You can find Cocky's books here: https://wp.zilverspoor.com/cocky-van-dijk/