Sari Vuoristo

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Interview : Sari Vuoristo

Do you remember when you first decided to become a writer?
At the age of seven or eight, when I was writing these romantic "adventure books". Seriously speaking; after I quit school.

Was it an easy choice to make?
Yes.

What writers did have a major influence in your work / life?
I cannot name one or two. There have been so many during different times.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a writer in Finland?
The positive part is the very good scholarship-system which allows you to concentrate on writing only. Bad thing is, that not many people understand Finnish, so you don´t have a very big public.

What are the themes that you like to explore in your books?
Relationships between people. ALL kinds of them I mean. And the small things that make us behave like we do. Coincidences.

How could you define your style?
I leave that to others. I don´t much think about that.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to totally change your style?
I don´t think of writing like that at all. I don´t think about style when I write. It just comes the way it does.

How do you write? Do you try to follow some strict rules or do you only write "when it comes"?
No rules. But when I have a deadline I sometimes have to force myself a bit.

When you're working on a book, what is the stage / moment that you prefer?
When the idea just flows onto the paper and I have the feeling I´m just holding the pen...

What books or authors have you read recently?
Annie Proulx. A Finnish writer called Daniel Katz. Just starting Yann Martel.

If there is one...what is your favorite book? For what reasons?
John Fowles´s The Magus. It just took my breath away.

How do you consider Internet as an author?
It helps a lot, of course. But I´m very old fashioned; I normally write parts of my books first by hand. And I actually bought my first computer a year ago. I don´t think publishing books by the internet will ever threaten the existence of the real book.

Do you think that Internet could somehow change the traditional publication process?
As I said, not much.

What are your actual and future projects?
I´m in the middle of writing a new novel which hopefully will be released in autumn 2004. I´m also working as a freelance editor.
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003