Monica Isakstuen - Selected Title Author
Monica Isakstuen has written about what it means, and if it is even possible, to meet your own children where they are. – To think if it was possible to have the same age as one’s own children, if so only for a moment. I am deeply fascinated by (and feel a fear of!) the fact that we as humans are so locked into our age and the role it contains right now, she says.
The Little Girls is one of NORLA’s Selected Titles for autumn 2023. Here, author Monica Isakstuen speaks about the book, who it is written for, what inspired her to write it and where and when she works best.
What is your book about?
The Little Girls is a fast-paced plea to break free from roles and fixed patterns. For the first time in my career as a writer, I can actually give you a so-called “elevator pitch”: my novel is about a mother who, one summer day, gets to meet her own nine-year-old daughter – through suddenly becoming nine years old herself.
What inspired you to write this book?
My longing to meet my own children halfway. What if it were possible to be the same age – even if only for a moment? I am deeply fascinated by (and fearful of!) the fact that humans are so locked into the age and role they are occupying right now. The film Petite Maman by Céline Sciamma was also a tremendous source of inspiration for me in the process of writing this book.
Who is this book for?
Everyone who’s been a child. Everyone who knows (or suspects!) that deep down, there’s still a child somewhere in there.
Where and/or when do you work best?
Early in the morning, when my children are off at school and I don’t have any meetings or appointments in my calendar. Then I set my phone and email aside and write for as long as I can. A couple of times a year, I travel away and work 24/7 for six or seven days, but then I have to know that I’m in a place in my manuscript where that type of manic work mode makes sense. The regular schedule at home is normally the best routine.
Read more
See full presentation of the book here
See all NORLA’s Selected Titles for autumn 2023 here
