Thijs Bisschop

Thijs Bisschop (he/him, 1999) is a writer of prose and poetry. In July 2025, he will graduate from Creative Writing with his fragmented novella "Tomorrow I'm Going to Cook." In his work, Thijs explores themes such as contemporary masculinity, internet culture, and the beauty of everyday life. Thijs is also a member of the writing collective De Laarpoerlaar.

Tomorrow I'm Going to Cook

"Tomorrow I'm Going to Cook" is about:

- Not being able to cope with losing in Mario Kart

- A gold tooth

- Having to go to IKEA with your mother when you're really hungover

- Not wanting to cycle in the rain because you might get wet

- A friendship bracelet given to you by a stranger

Excerpt:

We were playing Mario Kart Wii. S. had chosen the worst character (Koopa) and the worst car (Booster Seat). She kept arriving last and laughing out loud about it, which I found really annoying. That's because I take Mario Kart very seriously. I knew it was childish. But I wanted to play a competitive game. I wanted to beat her and for her to find that really annoying. I might have been really good at this game, but it didn't feel like it was worth much. MK is my territory. An environment where I have control. If I don't finish first, I ragequit. If I'm by myself, that is. I have just enough self-respect not to do that in front of others.

But the fact that S. could laugh so carefree about the fact that she consistently ended up in the guardrail made my blood boil. I couldn't express it, because then she would leave immediately. But I was really angry. That's why I started pinching myself with my nails. Thumb and index finger dug into my left forearm. Hard and painful. I left deep grooves in my skin. I had the time to do that because I had already finished and S. was still miles behind. I pinched myself under a couch cushion and pretended to laugh along with her at the same time.