Emma Ångström is a woman of many talents. She’s an architect, journalist, songwriter and author. She’s turned her passion for writing into a career as a crime novelist. Her books include “And All Is Distorted,” “The Man in the Wall” and “The Last Experiment.” Learn more about her in Viking magazine’s February issue and see more from the interview below.
 |
|
How did you discover your passion for journalism?
Growing up in Västerås, Sweden, the local newspaper had an editorial staff with teenagers writing for teenagers. I started working there when I was 16. I later worked on the “normal” culture section as an editor, reporter and columnist.
What is one of the biggest challenges of the book writing process?
I developed my own process, and I know which steps to take and in which order. But each book has its challenges. I’ve been working on one particular book for more than 10 years, and it just doesn’t seem to want to be finished.
Exploring human behavior is a frequent theme in your writing. What draws you to include this element in your work?
To not include it would be impossible. It’s what I’m interested in, and it’s the main reason why I write.
You’ve also published two pieces of nonfiction — “Light in Your Home” and “Kvarnholmen – a Unique History.” What was the process like for writing these?
The lighting design book was collaboration with my boss at the time, Kai Piippo, a renowned Swedish lighting architect. I did a series of interviews with him about the dos and don’ts in lighting your home. The Kvarnholmen book is a historical exposé of an island in Nacka, Stockholm, so I had to do a lot of digging in city archives. It was very exciting!