Leena Leskinen-Myller

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Interview : Leena Leskinen-Myller

Do you remember when you first decided to become a writer?
When I was ten years old I remember confessing to my diary: "I want to become a writer." But the idea was buried under other interests - eg art and painting, studing - until I really started to practice writing at the age of 30 and, finally, became a writer when I was over 40. Before this I had written critics and short stories to a newspaper for 15-20 years.

Was it an easy choice to make?
It wasn´t a choice, it was "a must" and was to happen anyway I think. I also have another profession - as a teacher(Finnish&literature)in a night school.

What writers did have a major influence in your work / life?
There are many, but if I mention just a few: Margaret Atwood, Marilyn French, Henry Miller, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Anja Kauranen(Snellman), Märta Tikkanen, L.M. Montgomery, Rauha S. Virtanen...

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a writer in Finland?
I don´t know if there´re any negative aspects. Generally the media´s interest in some writers´life and image and not their books is a little bit negative.

What are the themes that you like to explore in your books?
Love - between a man and a woman, a mother and a child, growing as human beings. I´d like to have a social aspect, too.

How could you define your style?
My style is quite fluent. I use a lot of metaphores - perhaps too much. I like to describe feelings through all five senses. It´s not just "realism", there has to be a touch of mystery you can´t see.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to totally change your style?
Not totally. But somehow...cut the sentences.

How do you write? Do you try to follow some strict rules or do you only
write "when it comes?
I try to follow some rules, that is, to write every week day when I have started a new book, and I have a deadline for the work.

When you're working on a book, what is the stage / moment that you prefer?
I like noons when my three sons are at school - to write in my tiny writing chamber in the basement. In the evening I go to teach...

What books or authors have you read recently?
Kari Hotakainen´s Juoksuhaudantie and Astrid Lindgren´s Pippi Longstocking with my youngest son.

If there is one...what is your favorite book? For what reasons?
To mention one of tens? "Women" by Charles Bukowski. It is honest.

How do you consider Internet as an author?
It is useful but not so important to me.

Do you think that Internet could somehow change the traditional publication
process?
No, I don´t. It is something that comes in addition to the traditional publication.

What are your actual and future projects?
I´m going to take my short stories out of the drawer and work on them. I also have an idea for a book for the young ones.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003