Cultural guest Antti Tuomainen’s path to becoming a writer has been a tortuous one. The turning point was getting sober. Tuomainen likes starting something new these days, especially when it comes to writing.
Now it begins. New life. Writing a novel.
Most of all, he was bored with his own affairs. The ones where, night after night, he said he would write a novel one day.
The time had come to act.
The decision paid off, because now 21 years later, Antti Tuomainen has published 11 novels. And best of all, they are liked. Tuomainen is an exceptional Finnish writer, as his books are especially successful abroad.
His works have been published in more than 30 countries, and the greatest popularity is in Britain. In a country whose book market has been difficult to conquer.
– Something in the black humor of my books strikes the British consciousness. I’m a bit slow to judge the reasons.
Tuomainen is humble about his popularity. He searches for a long time for a suitable word to describe the situation. Finally he gets to say:
– I have been successful abroad. I guess you can say that.
Yes, you can say that, because in addition to a solid readership, Tuomainen has a contract for the film adaptation of the *Jänikerroi* novel in his back pocket. And it is not a domestic production, but a Hollywood film.
Writing is the most important thing
Tuomain’s modesty is understandable. The path to becoming a writer has been anything but straight, even though he already knew at the age of 18 that he would become a writer.
– I had certain information about this matter. Only an 18-year-old is capable of such certainty. Today, such a feeling is impossible to achieve.
Writing has been the red thread of his life. He has done various things with it.
– That has been the most important thing. Always.
After high school, Tuomainen studied English philology for a few years. He liked university studies and, above all, literature courses.
– I started with poems, because they seemed to be born quickly, in one sitting. Today, of course, I understand that that’s not how poems are born.
During his studies, Tuomainen ended up working as a copywriter in an advertising agency. In that job, he got to use his writing skills.
– It was an excellent way to make a living by writing. But the thought of a novel was pounding in the back of my head all the time.
During his years as an advertising agency, Tuomainen began to spend more and more time in the cabins, until almost all of his free time was spent in them. It was not a good life by any standards.
– Now that I look back, getting sober is definitely the most turning point in my life. The best solution of my life.
When his thoughts had cleared, Tuomainen really wrote a novel. *Killer, I hope* was published in 2006.
Happiness fired
But one more new beginning was needed before the author’s career began. It was fired.
At the time, Tuomainen worked at Bob Helsingi, which was considered one of the best advertising agencies in our country. It had been noticed in the office that Tuomainen was no longer giving his all to work.
Writing took my thoughts elsewhere, because another novel was already in the works. When it came time for the renovations, Tuomainen was allowed to leave.
– I was so happy! I finally got to do what I wanted full-time.
New style
Tuomainen’s first novels are crime fiction, more specifically dark noir literature. He already gained a foothold in foreign markets with them.
Tuomainen is also familiar with starting something new in his writing work.
After his fifth novel, Tuomainen wanted to challenge himself. He wanted to bring a new element to his writing: black humor.
Others weren’t as excited about the idea.
– When I told my Swedish agent about it, he said \”interesting\”. I sensed terror in his voice.
However, the change of style paid off, because it started the rise of an international career.
Nowadays, Tuomainen is in daily contact with his publishers and translators in different parts of the world.
TV scripts also take some time. For example, the novel *The Man Who Died* has already been made into a domestic TV series.
– The days are quite broken, but I try to arrange at least two good sessions for writing every day.
A memorable call
And then the biggest lottery win: information about a possible Hollywood production.
– When my agent called and told me that Hollywood wanted to make a film based on the *Rabbit Factor*, I was completely speechless.
– I said that of course I knew, but now there are just no words.
For those who don’t know who Steve Carrell is, let it be known that he is a Hollywood star. He has appeared in films such as *Irresistible, The Big Short, Eva’s Gift of Heaven, Little Miss Sunshine* and the Yankee version of the TV series *Office*.
– I thought I would never get a call like this again. Nothing can top this.
Almost a couple of years have passed since that phone call. The film is in development and the script is being refined over and over again. Tuomainen has a great-sounding title in production, executive producer.
– In practice, I can say my opinion and view, but I don’t know if anyone really listens to me.
– I am well aware that when it comes to Hollywood productions, anything can happen. I’m prepared for everything.
Humor is a difficult genre
No matter what happened in Hollywood, writing is still the most important thing for Tuomain. This fall saw the release of *Beaver Theory*, which is the last part of the trilogy that *Jänikerroin* started in 2020.
Originally, Tuomainen did not intend to make a series, but for the first time he liked his character so much that he wanted to continue with it.
The main character of the trilogy is actuary Henri Koskinen, who against his will gets involved in the adventure park business. Even the basic setting is ticklish: a rational and logical mathematician in an amusement park world.
In Tuomainen’s books, the fun is often based on opposites – things colliding. The books don’t offer any outcry, but rather giggling.
Tuomainen edits and refines every sentence and every page until the rhythm and thought are just right. One page may take several days.
– Humor is a difficult sport. You never know how it will be received. I always hope that there is even one person in the world besides me who finds my book funny.
It’s also easy to kill humor by explaining too much. Tuomainen recalls a seminar held in Britain, in which he participated. The title of the panel discussion was \”Kuliaaaksiratattaj\”.
– Oh, that was the most boring conversation ever! Humor can’t just be disassembled once and for all.
A new world awaits
The adventure park trilogy has ended, but Antti Tuomainen already has a new book in the works. He doesn’t stay long to recover or say goodbye to the previous book. On the contrary, he has to keep himself in check so as not to start a new book while the previous one is still in progress. New images and impulses begin to appear in my thoughts.
– It encourages you to finish the current book, knowing that you can then start a new one.
Tuomainen likes to challenge himself. In the next book, he wants to do something new again, but he doesn’t give up on black humor. It will be in the future book in one way or another.
In Tuomainen’s opinion, jumping into a new, fictional world is almost the best thing about writing.
– It’s like a prize.