My name is Joy Florentine
and I’m a writer and creative writing teacher.
I’ve consistently been three things throughout my life: A creative, a dreamer, and a yapper. That basically means I don’t ever shut up, and I sometimes put my talents to use to craft gifts for my friends.
When I wrote my first story on a floppy disc, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Next to dolphin trainer (yikes), fashion designer, and a neighbour (aim high, kids). I figured if I spread my ambitions, I’d make at least one of those a reality one day.
In 2016, I started taking writing seriously. For a while, I practised through writing fanfiction, which I owe a lot of my skills to. I’ve since made the full transition to original works only. Yes, I wholeheartedly believe fanfiction writing is real writing. But oof no, I don’t want my work to see the light of day.
Though I don’t have one favourite genre, I’m drawn towards the dark, surrealistic, and unsettling. I love emotion that pierces your heart, eeriness that makes you wince with discomfort, and thought-provoking stories that turn the dusty cogs in my brain. Some of my favourite books are The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Changing Planes and The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin, and the manga Uzumaki by Junji Ito.
In Amsterdam, I teach creative writing at the International Writers’ Collective in Amsterdam. I’m also a Professional Amateur in drawing, singing, photography, and making out of pocket jokes that mostly I find entertaining.
Joy Florentine 