What compelled you to write a story about mathematical monsters?

I am not sure if it is any story. I tried to ponder about the essential differences between artificial and so-called natural. It was a pleasure to describe such digital beings, which are so odd and so beautiful. But I also tried—and am still trying—to understand the relation between the inner secret world and the external self, biological or non-biological.

“Gorgonoids” is far from your only look into the subject; do you think you’ll ever tire of exploring the connections between ideas and the material world?

But writing is exploring the very connections between ideas and the material world. And yes, when I tire of living, I’ll tire of writing and vice versa. Perhaps pretty soon, actually.

You’ve written before that you like to write your novels from short chapters; when you’re composing a shorter piece, what does that process look like?

I try to be short and clear and rich in my writing. These were the three virtues of a writer, which H. C. Andersen talked about. (I love Andersen, because he knew that everything in the world is living.) Our life is consisting of short fragments, which our consciousness tries to unite. Our selves are the integral part of all happenings. There are no incidents without an observer, and where there is an observer, there are incidents. Writing is uniting.

You’ve written everything from children’s novels to essays; do you have a favourite medium?

An essay novel, perhaps . . . I am seeking my path on border zones of different genres. And I am staggering on my way.

“Inconceivable that something that has existed in some place can no longer exist in any place. How can we help asking, when someone dies, ‘Where has he gone?’” Loneliness threads itself through this work; what was it about the gorgonoids that allowed you see the opportunity to look at loneliness this way?

Through a language you can break the circle of loneliness. And gorgonoids do not have any language. Actually, when you write, you are not alone. On the contrary, you are together with all the mankind.

What’s next for you, Leena Krohn?

I am writing to children about a patient and conscientious postman. He is a character of Hieronymus Bosch.

Author photo by Laura Böök.