Annika Nerf

What was your favorite book as a child?

My favorite books as a child were a series of novels written in the form of a diary, by Swedish writers Anders Jacobsson and Sören Olsson. The series consists of many different books, which I devoured in their German translation, but the overall title of them would be Berts Tagebücher or Berts dagbok (Bert's Diary). Bert helped me navigate puberty, both the awkwardness and the excitement. And the books laid the foundation for a (hitherto) life-long love of fictional diaries. (As I got older, I discovered Adrian Mole’s Diaries, by the wonderful Sue Townsend, which after decades still move me to tears of both kinds.) I think there is great loveliness in the everyday, and profundity in the familiar.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I like the beauty one can find in literature. I also like the feeling of intimate connection that is established between writer and reader, across time and space. There is so much to write about in a lifetime, so much to notice, so much to feel. I want to put words to all that magic, to capture it, immortalise it.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

I have emigrated twice in my life so far. At the age of 21, I moved myself to Scotland, and in my early thirties I emigrated to the United States. Both were adventurous decisions that demanded great courage — and the hopeful trust that I would be welcomed as an immigrant. 

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I usually do not listen to music while reading or writing. The words themselves already make so much sound!