For those interested in reading an English excerpt from Hannu Luntiala's text-message novel Viimeiset Viestit (The Last Messages), Lola Rogers has translated a 35-page section of it from the Finnish. It is available for download here (PDF format). A complete English translation may be available soon — Lola is showing this excerpt to publishers.
If you missed my interview with Finnish author Luntiala, click on Part 1 and Part 2 to read it.
Photo: the interview by Stitch
When your story's characters start to speak to you, how do you respond?
Do you keep on typing anyway, muttering, "Not now! Not now! I'm in the middle of an important scene!" Do you get up and call a friend on the phone? Do you get up and turn on the TV?
When a main character in a story first began to tell me about her life, I was shocked. I didn't believe what was happening to me. It's not that I heard a voice in my ear or a whisper over my shoulder. I did not feel her actual presence with me in the room. But my fingers began to fly with an intense focus that I hadn't experienced before, and her story poured out of me through the ends of my hands. I felt electricity rush through my shoulders and neck as I typed madly to keep up with what seemed to come from the air around me, stopping briefly in my brain, and rushing quickly out to be recorded via keyboard.
I do believe in magic, and this felt magical. I'm a spiritual person, and this felt spiritual. I live thinking that the Universe is conspiring in our favor, somehow, and I felt like a gift given from someplace alien and kind was unwrapping itself before me.
And at first, I tried to ignore it. To have a character speak so strongly as I wrote felt overwhelming. It felt extremely overwhelming because I didn't have to think my story anymore at that point. I didn't have to force it or worry over it. And I was very used to thinking about it, and forcing an awkward scene, and worrying that it didn't work. I wasn't used to writing in flow.
This character helped me experience "flow," which feels almost like a rushing river of nothingness. It is fast moving yet surprisingly empty, except for all the words — the words that appear as mysterious phrases, or that describe strong flashes of images, or that can be a simple narrative tale or song or poem that is supposed to somehow fit into the story. It often doesn't make sense, but its presence cannot be denied. It has to be accepted in the moment. Some may call it inspiration, or some think that muses or creative faeries set up a tent and start telling their campfire stories under endless stars until the sun rises. I call it "being in flow." For me, it happens occasionally, and I've learned to ride with this flow whenever I'm treated to a visit.
This brings me to my primary point. When a character begins to speak to you, stop what you are doing and listen. (If you're driving a car, pull over to the side of the road. If you're operating heavy machinery, safely empty your load and turn off the motor. If you're in a boring meeting, slip out quietly for a moment. Stop safely — you get my drift.)
After you've safely stopped, listen and get ready to take notes. You can even ask your character questions, but only if you're really going to listen — and hear — the answers.
Much like a real interview with a living, breathing person — but who's not to say that your characters don't live and breath? — a successful one is about listening. If you love telling stories or writing stories or creating music or making art, then you definitely enjoy the expressing part. I recommend enjoying equally, if not more, the taking-it-all-in part. Drop any agendas you have, let all preconceived notions go, and, with complete, rapt attention, listen.
After I first listened to my character, and I listened well, she returned every time I sat down and continued the tale. A main narrative of this novel draft began to appear consistently, and other characters chimed in. It's as if she told her friends, "Hey! Go to her! She'll actually listen to you." And I did. I listened to all of them. At the end of the novel, it looked completely unlike what I thought it should be. I didn't recognize about 80% of my original plan or outline in it. But it felt so strongly "right" and real. This was it.
At the final wrap-up of this storytelling, when I punctuated that last sentence, ending this draft, my character had a question for me. "Did you get all that?" she asked with a laugh, acknowledging that I had to let a lot go within myself to keep up with her light-speed pace.
"Oh, yes," I replied, nodding my head. "Thank you for this." I closed my eyes and exhaled.
Obama posters by the Date Farmers (left) and The Mac (right)
My latest article about new media, technology and the U.S. presidential elections is now live as part of The Huffington Post's ground-level election coverage, OffTheBus.
A group of visual artists are mobilizing for Barack Obama, and his campaign has shown an appreciation for and understanding of artists, designers, and other creative types. In doing so, it has reached out to groups usually ignored by most presidential candidates (and most national-level politicians, in general).
A fascinating aspect of these artists' support of Obama is that they are sharing posters, t-shirts, buttons and prints that they've created using new media and technology — via Web sites and blogs — thereby attaining mass reach.
No matter who you support in this election, it's fascinating to see one way a candidate is building a voting base using Internet-based tools. To read more about this unique combination of art, technology and politics, click here. My article includes interviews with some of the artists and organizers behind these works, Web sites and online communities. It's getting interesting feedback and comments already; check it out — you may want to join in the conversation.
Related posts:
° It's time to get on "OffTheBus"
° Will the next U.S. President be a blogger?
° Politweets — Political expression, in 140 characters or less
UPDATE: This article is now cross-posted at techPresident. tP's motto is "How the candidates are using the Web, and how the Web is using them." If you're interested in tech and politics, 2008 is truly unlike any previous election year because of the Web, and techPresident is following it all. Put some time aside and get ready to read their relevant, timely site.
I have some great news to report regarding Hannu Luntiala's text-message novel The Last Messages.
1. An English excerpt is in progress. Translator Lola Rogers contacted me to let me know that she is working on it now.
2. The current issue of Foreign Policy features an article about The Last Messages. From "Finland Gets the Message":
In a very modern twist on the epistolary novel, Hannu Luntiala, a Helsinki-based civil servant, in his second book, has produced the world’s first novel composed entirely of text messages. Viimeiset Viestit (The Last Messages), which debuted in Finland in January, is a voyeur’s peek into the life of an ordinary man who puts himself in an extraordinary situation to ease human suffering.
I'll post information on how to get the English translation as soon as it's available. (I hope a full translation of the novel follows shortly...)
If you missed the inspiring Hannu Luntiala interview, click on Part 1 and Part 2 to read it.
Finnish author Hannu Luntiala's novel Viimeiset Viestit (The Last Messages), written entirely in SMS, or "text messaging", will soon be translated into English. Read on to find out more about when it will be available, how Luntiala became a published author, and his sage advice for aspiring writers.
1. Will The Last Messages be translated? If so, into what languages?
It will be translated and published at least in Estonia, in Germany and in Russia. All this happened very fast, within two months after the publishing in Finland. Quite a lot of other countries have also been interested, but so far the deals have been signed with publishers in these countries only. My hope naturally, is that it will be translated into English, French and Spanish; as of now, no deals have been signed.
Actually, I don’t know if the publishing houses in U.S.A. or Great Britain have noticed this book. I hope they will, and of course, my dream is that they would be interested in translating and publishing it. I have noticed on many web sites and blogs in the U.S.A. and G.B. that readers are seriously interested in the novel.
Update: I heard last week that the Information Centre for Finnish Literature (Fili) has given monetary support to promote the translation of some parts of the book in English for those who are interested in it. Unfortunately I don't yet know the exact time frame, but of course, I hope it will be published as soon as possible, perhaps before this autumn...
2. What feedback are you getting?
Most of the feedback has been positive. I would estimate that 75% has been positive, even ecstatic, and about 25% has been clearly negative. The opinions have been strongly divided. Some readers and critics almost hate it, but more than that, it has been mostly loved. In an Internet book shop in Finland, the readers can evaluate it by giving 1-5 stars. The average is nearly 4 stars.
Even those who didn't like the new format say that the story itself is impressive. Some experts have suggested that the story could be a manuscript for a movie. As a matter of fact, one offer concerning the novel to be used as a movie manuscript has been sent to the publisher, but so far I haven't accepted it. I'll wait. Now if they were interested in it in Hollywood…
3. Do you have any stories you'd like to share about your novel's progression from dream to reality?
I got this idea, a text message novel, five years ago. I was afraid that somebody else would have the same idea. Before sending the text to the publisher, I had to convince them of my ability and talent to write in a traditional way. That's why I had to write short stories first for them. When I had delivered the text message novel to the publisher, they said they would comment on it within two months. After just two weeks, they informed me that the book would be published. They informed me about their decision by sending me a text message, early on a Sunday morning. They have a sense of humor...
4. Will you do other works in text message format?
No, I think this was the first in the world and the last for me. There are many other different, interesting ways to re-form literature.
5. How quickly do you text?
I am not a professional… I think I text as quickly or as slowly as anybody else. I would say five to ten words in a minute.
6. How can people purchase the book?
This is a bit of a problem outside Finland. In Finland, you can buy it in every book store. Elsewhere, you can try to order it on the Internet in a book shop called Bookplus, but so far only in Finnish. If somebody is really interested in it, perhaps they can contact me.
7. What do you think about technology's role in our lives? Does it help communication or hinder it?
Both and. It is easier than before to communicate by e-mail or text messages. But it could be a threat, if you believe that you can take care of all your social relationships by using only these. It is even more important today than ever before to meet each other face to face, use the telephone in a traditional way, hear the voice of your friend, and see them near you.
8. What are your other works?
My first book was a collection of short stories, called Hommes ("males" in French), published last year. Before that, my poems had been published in several anthologies, and also my short stories in some anthologies. I was one of the ten winners in the biggest poetry competition in Finland, arranged by the Finnish Fund of Culture, in 1999. I was also the winner in the biggest competition of short stories in Finland in 2002. These achievements encouraged me to send some manuscripts to publishing companies.
9. Where did you first get your love of writing?
When I was young, I read a lot of poems. I loved them and tried to write the same way as my idols did. I sent my texts to some companies, but they didn't want to publish them. I was disappointed and stopped writing for almost twenty years. In 1998, I found my poems again, revised them, and succeeded in winning the Fund of Culture competition.
10. What authors and novels inspire you?
There are quite many, but I don't read very much. I noticed that, when reading, I started unconsciously to “imitate” the style of other authors. I read a little bit of poetry. There are some authors who I admire quite a lot: Philip Roth, Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut…
11. Do you have any advice for aspiring novelists?
Try to find your own voice. Try to get feedback from some authors or friends. Take part in competitions. Send the manuscript to the publishing company only after you have done your utmost with the text. Never give up.
For me, it took almost thirty years to be approved and accepted. It has been worthwhile trying. So, I want to repeat this: never give up.
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If you are interested in contacting Hannu Luntiala and finding out more about The Last Messages, its translation into English, or his future works, please leave a comment so that he receives your information.
To read part 1 of this interview, click here.
Finnish author Hannu Luntiala has written his well-received novel Viimeiset Viestit (The Last Messages) entirely in SMS, or "text messaging." In this first part of my interview with him, Luntiala describes his novel, the inspiration behind it, and why the SMS format works so well.
1. What inspired you to write a novel entirely in TXT messages?
My novel The Last Messages tells about a man who travels away from Finland and all around Europe. It is typical for us Finns nowadays that instead of sending postcards, we send text messages when we travel abroad. I placed some text messages in the beginning of the story and it worked. Then I realized, why not tell the whole story that way. I tried that, and it looked great. Writing that way was at the same time fun and demanding. I had to limit every incident to 160 marks (characters).
Fortunately, Finnish text messages can be that long. I suppose that in most countries, one can use only 20 marks. In that case, it would have been impossible to create enjoyable language, which was very important for me.
2. What is the basic plot?
The story tells about an IT executive who leaves his job and family, without giving any reason, to revisit his youth. He sends text messages to his wife, his son and some friends, and receives messages from them. Step by step, it becomes clear that he perhaps is escaping from something, hiding something, and that he is not coming back at all. He doesn't reveal his plans to anybody, but in the end he tells what is doing. His motive dates back to the old philosophy of Confucius: If you know what is right, but you don't do it, you are a coward.
3. Is the story based on real events?
In the beginning of 1980's, I traveled in Sri Lanka (an island south of India, formerly Ceylon) and I was sitting in a bus. Then I noticed a young blind man begging for money. When he received a bank note from an American tourist, he went to buy some boiled rice and ate it immediately. If he had not received the money, he would have starved. That event changed my life. I promised myself that some day I would tell about that touching event to as many people as possible. Now I have kept that promise. I have described this brief moment in the novel, but I don't want to spoil the story by revealing which "role" this event has in the narrative.
4. How long is the novel? Pages? Characters? Chapters?
There are 332 pages in total, which is about 1000 text messages. The book has been divided into days. The story starts on the 27th of April and ends on the 19th of June the same year. So the time frame is about 50 days, and the number of text messages is, on average, 20 per day.
5. How does the TXT message format contribute to the novel's plot?
The main-character is traveling away from his home, wife and friends. It is soon obvious that he is running from something, and he has not enough courage to admit this to his wife and friends. It is easier to communicate by text messages in that situation rather than meet the people face to face or discuss with them in the phone. It is also easier to act out different roles by using new media and technology.
The story is a mystery, and by telling it with text messages, the atmosphere slowly becomes more and more puzzling. The reader has to fill the empty lines in the messages and also the empty space between the messages. An appreciative poet commented on the book by saying: "The messages in the novel are like windows; you can see part of the landscape, but not the entirety, the whole landscape. You can't see the horizon, and you have to guess what lies around the frames of the windows."
6. How is The Last Messages like a traditional novel?
It is a printed book, it has a clear story, intrigue and some parallel tales. There is a main character and 5-6 side characters as well. It is more difficult to define the "type" of novel it is. Some readers think it is a thriller, some people consider it "social commentary", and some people say it is a story of deep human interest. I would say, it is all that, and besides, it also tries to challenge the morals of modern human beings.
7. Any advice on how to approach reading the novel?
It is not difficult. The text messages, which the main character Teemu receives, are printed on the left side of every page, and the messages which he sends are on the right side. The messages are in chronological order. It is also easy to see who sends the message and when, or to whom Teemu sends his messages. After reading the first 2-3 pages, the idea is clear for most readers.
8. Were you surprised at the worldwide recognition of your novel? It has gotten quite a lot of press.
Yes, it was a total shock for me. My son sent me a text message stating that by the end of January, just one week after its publishing in Finland, my name could be found in 22,000 Internet pages. I didn't believe, until I tried the search myself. It was true! Also, the interviews requests from around the world were a total surprise to me. I didn't always quite know, from which country and to which media they were interviewing me. Many took place in the middle of the night.
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In part 2 of our interview, Hannu Luntiala discusses his other works, his road to becoming published, and what might be next for The Last Messages. He shares some striking insights into technology's influence on literature and modern life, and inspiring advice for aspiring authors.
See you next Tuesday, May 22nd.
