Writer. Story-Maker. Thing-Finder.
The short and simple version: I use words and imagery to create worlds on paper, screen, and in-store.
Some of My Writing...
Jun 19, 2024
We simply must introduce ourselves. It’s the rule. Hello, bonjour, bon giorno, it’s us, Frederick & Sophie!
Jun 19, 2024
If you are from everywhere-and-nowhere-in-particular, are you from somewhere? What are the coordinates of that place called home for a family that seems to be constantly in transition?
Jun 19, 2024
We simply must introduce ourselves. It’s the rule. Hello, bonjour, bon giorno, it’s us, Frederick & Sophie!
Jun 19, 2024
If you are from everywhere-and-nowhere-in-particular, are you from somewhere? What are the coordinates of that place called home for a family that seems to be constantly in transition?
Writing for Kids
My son Indy became an online school student at a U.S. private online school in 2016. He had finished pre-school and Grade 1 at a private brick & mortar IB school in Berlin, and we had just arrived in our new home in Milan. It was the beginning of a great adventure as an online school family.
Indy was given wonderful teachers for each and every subject, but a lot is required of online school parents too. Markus and I became Indy's academic coaches, and I coached and tutored Indy through Language Arts & Reading, Biology and Physical Science, World Geography, Social Studies, Art History, and Health; extracurricular activities like Coding and Space, and World Languages: Mandarin, French, and German...while also learning how to teach young learners, finding ingredients for Science projects and craft tools for American History and Literature projects. My husband Markus, a former professional skier and youth soccer player, took on Math and PE until Grade 6 whereafter I also took over these subjects so that Markus could concentrate on the expansion of his ever-expanding global trade business.
At the end of Grade 5, Indy was asked to join the school's exclusive college preparatory Academy for curious, driven, and talented learners which he did. He finished Middle School with AP classes in European and U.S History and high school Economics through which he deepened his passion for Global History, Politics, Geography, and International Relations. So far, it's a joy and privilege to walk next to Indy on his academic journey towards himself.
Throughout my ongoing teacher-parent experiences, I deepened my interest in early childhood development and story-and-play-based learning. As a third-culture parent, I noticed the importance of toys as keepsakes in Indy's globally mobile life. And as a "story-merchant", I wished for a curated toy retail experience reflecting the glory days of retail's past.
For my story-driven retail store, Frederick & Sophie, I conceptualized, created, and wrote Frederick, Sophie and Co., and used my inner child to "become" their voices. I continue to develop my craft and deepen my knowledge through writing courses and workshops. Past courses have been Children's Book Writing I & II with Erik Kraft at Gotham Writers Workshop in New York City; Writing Fiction for Young Adults at Oxford University; Writing Memoir and The Novel at Amsterdam Writing Workshops by Lisa Friedman. I am currently working on a picture book and a Fantasy Middle-Grade novel.
20 Fun(-ish) Facts About Me
I lived and worked in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Berlin, Milan, Vienna, Dubai, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur with my husband, Markus, and our son, Indy. We also traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, U.S.A., and the Middle-East. Yes, just like the nomadic conquerers of the past. Or a circus act.
Indy was named after Indiana Jones because Markus and I wanted his life to be an adventure.
When he was 4, Indy crowned himself King of New York while sitting on a tower of pillows on his bed at the Park Lane Hotel overlooking Central Park. Maybe we should have named him Napoleon.
Our globally mobile family-and-work life turned Indy into a Third Culture Kid, the three of us into a Third Culture family, and the answer to the question where I'm from into a Shakespearean monologue.
I was born in Indonesia, but at age 5-weeks-old, before I could really even open my eyes, I moved to the Netherlands, where I grew up in a Dutch-Indonesian-American family. I spent many summers, some falls and winters in New England. I consider myself a preppy mishmash.
The couple of Indonesian words I know are all food related.
When I was 2, I found out that my mom read words and I -gasp- only pictures. I demanded to gain immediate access to this secretive readers-society, and my mom complied by teaching me how to decode stories. It was then and there that I fell in love with letters and words.
At age 4, I was a fervent bookworm who read books to her classmates (character-voices included), lived in the local library, and walked into lantern poles while reading. I also became a lousy friend who said, "No, thank you" to play dates because I had a book (or six) to finish.
I skipped a grade in elementary school because of my obsessive reading and my ability to find connections between seemingly unrelated events. I'm still open to being hired as an obsessive-reader-dot-connector.
When I was seven, my teacher asked my class to prepare a speech about a topic of our choice. My friends chose 'dolphins' and 'tennis.' I chose the Sicilian Mafia and discussed their history and killings in 15-20 minutes. Nobody bullied me that year.
I was eleven when I entered high school which made me the shortest and youngest kid in class. I also was the only one wearing New Kids on the Block t-shirts.
I was 5 when I started horseback riding. I loved dressage, but I loved racing even more. My first dream-job was jockey.
I once fainted during a job interview at a private bank.
I made my tv debut in a commercial for Choq, chocolate milk. I also starred in a home-makeover show, a makeover show, and a Kendrick Lamar music video. The makeover show resulted in me saying on national tv that I wanted to look like Britney Spears and also in a writing gig as a ghost writer for a celebrity stylist.
If I could have three fictionally-fabulous friends, they would be Roald Dahl's Matilda, Eloise at the Plaza, and Pippi Longstocking. These three strong, independent, curious, and perfectly-fine-with-being-a little-different girls don’t live by anyone’s rules.
I am fluent in Dutch, and I can order coffee in five languages. This comes in handy because I only wake up like this with the help of at least 5 mugs filled with caffeine.
Mindy Kaling is my spirit animal.
I love not camping.
I wish I had twenty years of experience in controlling the weather or invisibility, or any of the stuff that comes in handy when you want to take revenge or forgot where you put your keys/coffee mug/phone.
I dropped out of law school, so I will never have one of those fancy book jackets highlighting my college years and titles. Instead, it'll say something about me being a dog-person.
For questions about my work or inquiries about my possible participation in your project, or if you wish to send me a billion dollars...please click the button below and tell me more.
Testimonials
On ‘The Gypset World of Akkesoir’ for ELLE:
“I love the article, just read it 2 times. THANK YOU! It really descibes my style and concept of the World of Akkesoir. It has been written with such devotion, so beautiful! The last scentence is so true: ‘k Richt de wereld in, Wiedewiede naar mijn eigen zin’ (Ich mach’ mir die WeltWiddewidde wie sie mir gefällt …. ) That is so exactly like it is! A -for me as well- very inspiring article. And it feels even more special that it has been written from you, a very special Dutchy for our native Elle” – Akke Aimaq, Owner & Designer, Akkesoir, Berlin, Germany
On ‘the Achtland Aqua Babes Presentation’ in ELLE:
“Thank you so much for your kind words! I truly appreciate it and your support means a lot to us during these early stages of ACHTLAND’s development. xT” – Thomas Bentz, Managing Director, ACHTLAND, London, U.K.
On ‘Dodo’ for ELLE:
“Thank you for this great text on the collection and on the Dodo exhibition!” – Dr. Adelheid Rasche, Lipperheide Costume Library/ Art Library Berlin, Germany
On ‘Spring Fever’ for ELLE:
“Thank you so much…it looks amazing.” – Anja Behrendt, Public Relations, Departmentstore Quartier 206, Berlin, Germany
On ‘Priscilla’s Christmas Wish list’ for ELLE:
“Dear Priscilla, thank you so much! Great article, we are very happy about it.” – Laura Koerver, Marketing & Public Relations, KaDeWe, Berlin, Germany
On ‘From Berlin with Style’ for L-ATITUDE:
“Priscilla, I loved reading your emotional fashion reportage from Berlin. I wish I could fly there to-morrow and follow step by step what’s described in your fantastic story. Compliments and warm greetings.” – Diego Pamplona, Horplan SAS (Management Consulting & M&A Strategies for the Luxury Industry), Milan, Italy
On ‘Fabulous Faux’ for L-ATITUDE:
“I enjoyed both your blog and your article, Priscilla. They were well written and beautifully illustrated. Thank you.” – Carole Tanenbaum, Art curator and owner and founder of Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection, Toronto, Canada
On ‘Once upon a time in Moscow’ for L-ATITUDE
“Wow, Priscilla!! Amazing article!” – Christina Omelchenko, Global Communications manager Estee Lauder/Tom Ford at Estee Lauder Group, Moscow, Russia
On ‘Vive La France’ for L-ATITUDE:
“I’m so proud to know someone with such amazing talent! I just read two of your articles and I’m hooked! I adore the Audrey Tautou photos and I completely agree, Clémence Poésy does exemplify that “je ne sais quoi!” I adore her personal style, she can be wearing jeans and white tee and look incredibly chic! You have such eloquent vocabulary when it comes to the fascinating world we love, called fashion.” – Rebecca Paz, Jewelry Designer and Founder BECK Designs, New York
“I chanced upon your webpage and have been stuck to it for the past 3 hours. You have a beautiful expression that reflects in each of your articles and illustrations. I have been a student of Fashion Management and have closely worked with Fashion houses in India, but have never felt the personality of Fashion as beautifully, as your writing made me. Thanks a lot for enlightening.” – Rohini Sharma, LVMH Group, Mumbai
“Thank you for allowing me to guest post! I’m glad that I am able to connect with fabulous individuals like yourself.” – Anya Sarre, Hollywood Celebrity Stylist, Chief Accessories and Handbag Stylist for ShoeDazzle, named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight and The Insider.
“Priscilla…now that’s how to write a headline. “The Color of Patience” pulled me right into your article…which is just as captivating. Kudos to you. You…can write!” Judy, U.S.A.
“Your writing is so skilled that one need not be interested in your topics to enjoy your blog. Unaffected, friendly, and gracefully written, it is a pleasure to read”. – John Lowe, Staff Writer at The Daily Jeffersonian, Wheeling, U.S.A.
“Hi Priscilla – It’s around 4 a.m. and I’m chewing away at the thought of getting ready for work! After reading your amusing tale I don’t want to go I would rather glue myself to the chair and just write away! I have lost all enthusiasm for my daily ‘run of the mill’ routine. Loved every word. Very inspiring. Jan. p.s. Dragging myself into the shower!” – Janice Horner, U.K.
“I find myself captivated by your writing and imagery. I am working on a publication dedicated to fashion, architecture and design. Your work is inspirational and vivid”. – Michael J. Young, Managing Partner, Liquid Design Studios, Atlanta, U.S.A.
“I really liked your blog entry ‘Eat, Write, Love’. You write beautifully.” – Graham Howard, Communications Manager, BlueFire Corporation, Sydney Australia
“You’re a brilliant writer with a well-trained eye. A pleasure seeing your blog. Thanks for sharing!”- Ann Halsig, Freelance Writer at Present Pathway, France