Bethel - Writing is liberation for her

Klara is 20 and a witch. "A good witch," Christine Jeep clarifies when she talks about the main character of her story. Klara's life could be so good if it weren't for her wicked aunt Walpurga. Christine Jeep repeatedly writes about the difficult and even dangerous relationship between women. For the 55-year-old, who lives in a Bethel residential centre for people with mental illness in Bielefeld, writing is therapy.

When Christine Jeep put her first stories on paper a good ten years ago, she realised how good it was for her. At the time, she was living in Haus Leontes in Bethel and just started writing. At a culture and theatre workshop, she not only received valuable tips, but also confirmation of what she was delivering. "That's when I realised that I could do it," says Christine Jeep. A milestone for her.

In the meantime, the Bielefeld native has written several fantasy stories such as "Klara", as well as several crime novels. "When I write, it feels good," she says, "and when I've finished something, it's liberating. I then have the feeling that I've been able to process the past, come to a better conclusion with negative things and move on." As Christine Jeep reveals, "Klara" contains autobiographical parts. "But the title and the character's name go back to my maternal grandmother. The story is dedicated to her."

As a girl, Christine Jeep was "a bookworm", as she says. She finds inspiration for her texts in books, as well as in music and films. However, writing is not always easy for her, and she never knows what will come out at the end, says Christine Jeep: "It's like giving birth." She has been using pen and paper since her laptop gave up the ghost two years ago.

Anke Arendt is often the first to hear about new stories. Christine Jeep likes to read to her carer at the Wittekindstraße home. The stories have enabled her to develop a better understanding of and for Christine Jeep, says Anke Arendt: "I have the feeling that I'm not just looking at her forehead, but behind it. It's as if she's opening a window to herself through her writing." She also finds the change in Christine Jeep herself pleasing and exciting: "When she writes, she blossoms. A facet of her personality comes to light that has something light about it."

Christine Jeep has previously published in a neighbourhood magazine. One of her crime novels appeared there. Some of her works have also been sold at various events. "The fact that people buy my stories is unreal for me," says Christine Jeep, "but I'm very proud of it."

Text: Philipp Kreutzer | Photos: Christian Weische