Do you remember when you first decided to become a writer?
I have written in my childhood diary about the desire of becoming a
writer. I was then about ten years old. But I forgot this desire for many years, and it became actual again when I was adult. Then I really decided to become a writer.

Was it an easy choice to make?
It was not a choice: writing was something I had to do and I wanted to do. It was more an obsession than a choice, but a positive obsession.

What writers did have a major influence in your work / life?
There are so many good writers and books, so it´s difficult to say. But maybe the books that one reads in her childhood and in teenage are most important because they lay down the ground for the future.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a writer in Finland?
We Finns are so little nation, so there aren´t very many readers in Finnish (though we are real reading people). And it seems to be difficult to get Finnish books translated into other languages. Good aspects are that literature is valued in Finland and the state and many foundations subsidize the literature and the writers.

What are the themes that you like to explore in your books?
I`m interested in people in extreme conditions. I don´t mean with extreme some mountain climbing, but those situations in our commonplace life. For example how we react when we meet death, illness, birth, evil and so on; the things that are so common but always so unexpected for us. And different persons react in different ways in different situations. I like to explore that.

How could you define your style?
The language is important for me, the rhythm of the language; of course the story and the language should support each other. I can´t say more about my style.

Have you ever considered the possibility to totally change your style?
It happens if it happens. I can`t make such plans.

How do you write? Do you try to follow some strict rules or do you only write “when it comes?
If I start to wait for some inspiration, it won´t ever come. So I write, when I´m home alone.

When you’re working on a book, what is the stage / moment that you prefer?
I like to explore things. It´s always so exciting to find new things, that you haven´t known before. Also the moments when you find the right direction in the text and writing just flows.

What books or authors have you read recently?
I have read some new Finnish books by authors like Heikkonen, Kiiskinen, Lintunen, Siirilä. But I`ve also read Donna Leon`s books.

If there is one…what is your favorite book? For what reasons?
No, there are so many favorite books.

How do you consider Internet as an author?
It helps my work: information is easily available and it´s also easy to be in contact with many people with e-mails.

Do you think that Internet could somehow change the traditional publication process?
Maybe in the future books are readable in Internet, so the role of the publishers will change.

What are your actual and future projects?
I´m writing my fourth book. It´s a novel, and hopefully I´ll get it finished the next year (2004).