Mika Wickström

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Interview : Mika Wickström

Do you remember when you first decided to become a writer?
It was not my first favourite job. I was maybe seventeen-eighteen when I was interesting in literature and then writing. First I thing to write a youngsters novel and I succeed in it 1991 when my first book called Hienoosokeria was published.

Was it an easy choice to make?
No, I have never made "the choice". When the first book was published I didn't know what is coming next. There was only one book, the whole writer's world were somewhere faraway.

What writers did have a major influence in your work / life?
It's not easy to tell, but my first important novelist was Mika Waltari, maybe biggest Finnish writer. But my style is not same than Waltari's style. There is many many books that mean much to me like Sinuhe Egyptian or Turms Immortal, Dorian Gray or Lord of the Lies, but it is hard to say how them influences in my work.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a writer in Finland?
Positive - not so many. Is them? Too little readers, too little money... That are the biggest negative points, of course.

What are the themes that you like to explore in your books?
I have explored many themes in my books. Every books have it's own theme, like rights of animals, when a young guy lose his mind, one story on gang and some different stories from sport.

How could you define your style?
Every stories and themes needs different way to tell. I don't have my own style, in this mean. But my all books have some similarity, of course. I thing that my readers can better know it.

Have you ever considered the possibility to totally change your style?
Yes, I think so with my every book, and I had done so many times. But it's no aim to me. I only like to write different stories.

How do you write? Do you try to follow some strict rules or do you only write "when it comes?
I work hard before I start to write. I read books, articles and use internet. Then I plan to characters, plot, way to write and then I can start.

When you're working on a book, what is the stage / moment that you prefer?
Best Moment? Maybe then when I have started and I write the first round.

What books or authors have you read recently?
Some Finnish writes like Kjell Westö, Mikael Niemi, Hannu Raittila and Kari Hotakainen. Just now I write my next book and because of that I don't read other writers books.

If there is one...what is your favourite book? For what reasons?
Favourite books are so many. And every years them are different... One very peculiar is Das Parfym written Patrick Suskind.

How do you consider Internet as an author?
Internet is really important instrument to me. I need it much but library is important otherwise.

Do you think that Internet could somehow change the traditional publication
process?
I don't think so. I like books, that's why, and I think that most people like it too.

What are your actual and future projects?
I am writing novel that happens in Middle East. Year is 1989-90, when I was UN-soldier in South Lebanon.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003