Do you remember when you first decided to become a writer?
It has been there always; my desire to write – or actually to tell stories. As a child I told stories to my little sister on our way to school. When I was alone I made up stories for my own fun.

Was it an easy choice to make?
I always thought to become a writer some day. I’m surprised and happy it happened so soon.

What writers did have a major influence in your work / life?
Well, to be honest, New Moon’s Emily by L. M. Montgomery was the first and that’s why also the most impressive book I’ve ever read. I even started to write poems after reading the book… (I was 9 years old). I am also a big fan of Mika Waltari, Donna Tart, Henning Mankell, John Fowles, John Irving and Edgar Lee Masters.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a writer in Finland?
One of the most positive aspects of being a writer in Finland is of course a possibility to write in Finnish. It’s my mother tongue and I am happy to be able to express myself with it. It may seem to be an axiom but however it’s important to me. I wonder what would happen to my language if I moved abroad. Maybe nothing but who knows… On the other hand we are only 5 million people in this country and the amount of readers is small.

What are the themes that you like to explore in your books?
Humanity with its positive and negative aspects.

How could you define your style?
I just heard a reader’s definition about my last book: melodic pop. That’s not a bad definition.

Have you ever considered the possibility to totally change your style?
All my four novels are quite different. I’m sure that my style is still recognizable in each of them. I don’t know if it’s possible to change the style totally. My stories are part of me in a way.

How do you write? Do you try to follow some strict rules or do you only
write “when it comes?
Writing is my job. I can’t do it only when it comes. Sometimes it comes more easily. Those days I concentrate on telling the story. When it’s harder I try to be critical and concentrate to sharpen the language.

When you’re working on a book, what is the moment that you prefer?
I like writing on every stages. Only the days before you have to leave the manuscript are painful. However, writing first lines of the story is maybe the most exciting; there is feeling of adventure in the air!

What books or authors have you read recently?
Hmmmm…. I’ve read The Cloud sketcher by Richard Rayner and The Rights of Desire by André Brink, lots of magazines and different kinds of web pages. Recently I got Donna Tartt’s The Little Friend and like to start to read it. My uncle borrowed me Jean Genet’s Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs and I’d like to get some time to read it soon also.

How do you consider Internet as an author?
Internet is an effective way to inform readers. It also helps them to give feedback to me. I find Internet a very useful media. I have had web pages for several year. I hope that people would write poems and stories and have fun with the language on my web pages: www.sammalkorpi.net

Do you think that Internet could somehow change the traditional publication
process?
Not Internet, no, but new technical inventions like e-paper will certainly effect on the idea of the book. Maybe in the future we don’t carry the traditional books any more. But I am not afraid of the development.

What are your actual and future projects?
My latest novel Metsän keskellä maja was published in this autumn. Now I concentrate on enjoying sauna, books, movies, good food with red wine, candles… I trust on my brains. Subconscious is working. Soon it’s time to start to write again.