Pernille Redder: I’ve found my home in stories and in Odense

The city comes alive between the lines of my books

These days, Odense feels like home. It has the diversity and opportunities of a big city, but it’s also a place where you bump into people you know in the street. I like that the city can surprise me and still feel familiar and reassuring.

I write about Odense because it has become a natural part of both my life and my stories. When readers open my books, I hope they can feel the atmosphere of Vestergade, Vintapperstræde or the paths along the river. That’s why I still draw on my journalistic curiosity when researching the city’s little details, places and stories.

I find inspiration everywhere. In cafés, out on the streets or in chance conversations between strangers. In fact, I have far more ideas than I have time to write down. So I don’t actively look for inspiration. It comes naturally.

The first book in the series, Vanilledrømme, begins with Tina taking the plunge and opening a café in Odense’s charming Vintapperstræde. She’s pursuing a dream that might seem ambitious and a little unrealistic, but that’s exactly the kind of story that fascinates me. I’ve always been drawn to stories about people who dare to take chances, start afresh and follow a dream. It’s something I can relate to myself, and I hope it inspires my readers too.

I want readers to fall in love with the characters, the family’s story and Odense, where the series is set. The city isn’t just a backdrop. It’s part of the story, just as the people are.

I also love visiting the places in Odense where you can always just pop in. One of my favourite spots is Rosa Lundberg – partly because I love the colourful, vibrant clothes and partly because the shop constantly changes, which I find inspiring.

Then there is Vintapperstræde, which is always beautifully decorated and changes its appearance several times a year. Here, small speciality shops sit side by side with creative workshops, cafés, bars and restaurants, and I always feel inspired to look around. Especially when darkness falls and the lights hang above the street – it feels like a completely different world in the middle of the city. Sometimes we continue towards Brandts, which is also very special and full of culture.

These are the kinds of places that remind me that Odense holds many small experiences – you just have to take the time to discover them.

From the Jutland heathlands to Odense

I’m originally from Hejnsvig, a small town in the Jutland heathlands. Even when I was young, I had a strong desire to explore the world. I lived in Paris, worked on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and spent time in the US as an exchange student. I’ve always been curious about the world and the people who live in it.

Yet Odense has been a presence in my life in its own special way. When we visited family who lived here, the city felt big, exciting and almost magical. Something about Odense stayed with me.

Later, I moved here to study journalism. Although my career eventually took me to Copenhagen, I never stopped longing for Odense. When I became a mother, I began to think seriously about moving back. I wanted a different kind of everyday life for my son and myself. In 2016, I finally made the move, and I haven’t looked back since.

Following your dreams

I often write about women around the age of 40. It’s a stage of life when many people pause and ask themselves: is this the life I want to live? Or is it time for something new? I know that question well. A few years ago, I chose to leave my steady job and commit fully to my dream of becoming an author. So I also hope my books can inspire others to rediscover old dreams or find the courage to dream new ones.

I also love Christmas. I’m the kind of person who spots IKEA’s Christmas display almost before they’ve finished putting it together, and who delights in Christmas stories, festive lights and everything that makes December special. That’s why I also enjoy writing Christmas audiobooks alongside my longer novels.

Above all, I write to tell stories about relationships, belonging, love and the dreams we never quite let go of. I still feel just as proud every time I finish a book. And as long as the characters keep knocking inside my head, I’ll keep writing.

My perfect day in Odense

My perfect day in Odense actually begins with writing. I write every day, so a good day always starts with a couple of hours at the computer, letting the stories unfold.

Once I’ve done some writing, I like to take the dog for a walk through Bolbro. I particularly enjoy walking in Pulsparken, where there’s always something going on and people to watch. It’s a place people really make use of, and I like that.

For lunch, I’d probably find a table outside at Gertruds, ideally with the dog beside me and something delicious on my plate. I’m also always on the lookout for a good slice of cake, so I might head on to Vintapperstræde, where I often find a quiet moment and a little treat.

In the afternoon, I could happily settle into a café and watch the city go by. People are my greatest source of inspiration. I love sitting by a window, watching life unfold outside. That’s why a window seat upstairs at Starbucks and Winthers on the pedestrian shopping street are among my absolute favourite spots.

If my son had the day off too, we’d probably end the day at Pincho Nation. There’s something fun and cosy about the place that we both love.

The best thing about the day isn’t really how much I manage to fit in. It’s spending time with the people I love, walking the dog, eating good food and getting a little writing done. I’m quite easy to please that way. For me, a good day means having time for the things that make me happy. And luckily, Odense is a city where there’s room for just that.