Between Good and Evil
Bestselling author Dora Heldt on her latest Sylt crime novel
Dora Heldt in an interview
For two decades, Bärbel Schmidt, also known as Dora Heldt, has delighted her readers with humorous and suspenseful novels. With her new book, "Between Good and Evil," she returns once again to Sylt, a setting that is inextricably linked to both her works and her life. In this interview, the successful bestselling author, podcaster, and Sylt native talks about her writing process, beloved characters, and why stories with heart and entertainment are so important, especially in these turbulent times.
Ms. Heldt, you're celebrating your 20th book anniversary this year, is that right? And with a new Sylt crime novel, no less! It feels like a gift to the island. Congratulations!
Thank you so much! To be honest, I didn't even know that myself. My editor or someone from the publishing house's marketing team pointed it out to me: twenty years of novels and now ten years of crime fiction. We're holding a small press event at the Hamburg Harbor Club to celebrate the book launch. Afterwards, of course, there will be a bit of a party.
Do you also celebrate yourself when you've finished writing a book?
Once I've written the last sentence, the work is far from over. Then there's revision, editing, and many other steps. And when all that's finished, I often feel a certain sadness at first: the story is over. But shortly after, the thought comes: "Thank goodness it's finished, and what do you do now?"
What was the writing process like for your latest novel, "Between Good and Evil"? Do you tend to work intuitively or do you plan the story beforehand?
Writing a crime novel is different from writing my women's fiction. You need a concrete case, so I have to do some preliminary work and know the ending. I also have to know when things will be discovered. I had to learn the craft and a different way of working. With crime novels, there are narrative threads, and I plan each chapter in advance. My brother supports me with his strategic thinking, and it's become the perfect way for me to work.
Is this really Sönnigsen's very last case?
I've often been asked when the next Sönnigsen book will be released. "Between Good and Evil" is the third and final installment in the crime series. Because you always need a good case and a reason why someone forms a special task force. I just don't have the necessary gory imagination for further installments.
I really enjoy writing on Sylt. I automatically slow down here; mentally, I'm traveling at about 30 km/h less. That helps with my writing.
Between reality and fiction:
How Dora Heldt creates her characters
Could a new reader jump in at the last part? And is the story surrounding the main protagonist, Karl Sönnigsen, purely fictional, or are there real-life models behind the characters?
Yes, you can jump in at any point. I'm writing about Sylt because I know the island and it's important to me not to make any mistakes. For example, I even went there myself to see exactly which bend in the Elbow was the best place to kill that sheep. Karl believes it was the "rich kids," and that's how the story begins. The protagonists, including Karl Sönnigsen, are a mix of different men I know from my own circle: friends of my parents, relatives, or acquaintances. They're that typical type of man: they've lived their lives, have an opinion on everything, and are convinced that everything would be perfect if they were just left to their own devices. I really like the mix of arrogance and wit they possess. They were real know-it-alls, but they also knew a lot.
Where do your ideas come from – more from everyday life or from your own experiences?
I visit my mother on Sylt every month, so I get a good sense of what's going on on the island. Her birthday often falls around Pentecost, which is why I've noticed the partying habits of the "rich kids." And then I wonder: What would Karl Sönnigsen, the former police chief, think of their behavior? That's how the ideas come about. Experiences and encounters from my island life find their way into my books. Recently, I met another special Sylt visitor: the swaggering guy who loves the sound of his own voice and bragging about what a big shot he is. Someone like that gets the literary treatment at the right time.
You've written many bestsellers and are very successful in what you do. Do you remember the moment when you thought: This could really work, this writing thing?
That really did take a long time. I worked two jobs simultaneously for ten years and only stopped when everything had already been filmed. I was a field representative for the dtv Verlag I was traveling and wrote in my free time. I deliberately chose the pseudonym Dora Heldt, my grandmother's name, because I was already known in the publishing world as Bärbel Schmidt. I wanted a fair chance and didn't want to hear that I'd been given preferential treatment. Only about five percent of authors in Germany can actually make a living from writing; you need very high print runs, and it all depends on the contracts. That's why I always advise aspiring authors: Don't put all your eggs in one basket right away. It's important to have two things up your sleeve that work. In my case, the podcast was added to the writing, which I was very happy about.
From everyday work life to bestselling author: A life with books
What has changed the most since your breakthrough as an author?
Above all, it's the freedom. I can choose which projects I work on now and don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore. I could quit tomorrow and even write a bad book. My daily life used to be filled with more appointments and stress. Now I have more routine and peace of mind. That's a real luxury.
They could already read at the age of seven and were registered at the library by eight. What role does reading still play for you today?
Reading still plays a big role. I read books constantly – also for my Podcast “Dora Heldt meets”, which is published every two weeks. For that, I have to prepare for the guest and also give book recommendations. The publishers send us books, so I learn a lot and read a lot, which is incredibly fun. Basically, I've spent my whole life with books: first as a bookseller, then as a publisher's representative, and finally as an author and podcaster. In retrospect, that's been incredibly lucky, because writing, reading, and talking have always been my thing. My brother could do everything; I was only good with books and wasn't interested in anything else.
Is there a character from your books that you are particularly fond of?
That's difficult. I like the Johanne Johansen With pleasure. She's in her mid-60s and in a novel takes over her grandparents' barge company, even though they always believed women didn't belong on the bridge. When her cousin runs the business into the ground, she has to step in. She's tall, has gray hair, is pragmatic, speaks her mind when something doesn't suit her, and comes across as a bit gruff. In the book, she softens, which I like. But I also like my pensioner gangs, like in my new novel, or Ernst Mannsen in "Love or eggnog".
Were there times when you would have preferred to give up writing altogether?
I experience this with every book. Sometimes I sit in front of the computer for days and can't get a single word out. Then you think, "What a load of crap: I can't do this anymore, I'm completely out of the running. I'm going to terminate the contract and give the money back." And the next day you suddenly write something and think, "Wow, this is really good." This process repeats itself with every book. Sometimes you have a lot of things on your mind, but you need a certain lightness to write. Something I always notice: By the middle of every book, my closets are tidy.
Her real name is Bärbel Schmidt. Would Bärbel Schmidt also write a novel set on Sylt?
No – Bärbel Schmidt enjoys reading Sylt novels, Dora Heldt writes them.
The island of Sylt as a source of inspiration
Do you also write on Sylt? And apart from the elbow, what else do you love about the island?
I really enjoy writing on Sylt. I automatically slow down here; my mind is about 30 km/h slower. That helps with writing. Maybe it's the water, the beach. Here in Hamburg, there are thousands of people. On the island, my brain starts working independently. I prefer writing on Sylt.
I love the Braderup Heath, the Rantum Basin and I am very pleased that the Bath time has reopened. I love the west side between Kampen and List, which Stage 16My favorite place is the Beach sauna In List, I'd rather not tell anyone, otherwise the whole world will go there.
Why do you think people today are particularly longing for humorous and heartwarming stories like those in your books?
Because the world is so crazy. We've never lived in times like these. The pandemic has changed a lot, I think. Many people are uncertain. In times like these, it's good to laugh for a few days over a conversation between retirees and not have to worry about what autumn will bring. It's important to create pockets of peace and quiet for yourself and occupy yourself with other things so you can maintain your resilience.
And finally: What are your hopes for the future of the island of Sylt?
I wish people would give more thought to how the island is developing and take a broader view. More and more vacation apartments are being built; Sylt has limited space, but people just keep building. I've known Sylt since I was born, and I'm genuinely concerned. I hope someone will come to their senses and start thinking in time about how to keep the island livable. I'd also be happy if people had better manners, if there was less complaining, and if dog poop bags were used and disposed of properly. Anyone who throws their bag into the Sylt rosebush in front of me will be featured in my next book.