Interview with Mikael Krogerus, Writer
Mikael Krogerus is a freelance creative person and co-author of a number of intriguing and best-selling self-help books including The Question Book, the Decision Book, and The Test Book.
Thank you so much Mikael for taking a few minutes to answer some questions about art, creativity, writing, etc.
In one sentence, what does your writing process look like?
First I make a mess, then I clean it up.
What was a highlight from the Marina Abramović show at the Serpentine Gallery in London UK?
What I will always treasure is the memory of painfully standing in line for two hours in order to stand in an empty room for one hour. A true Abramović experience: you’re anxiously waiting for nothing. Disturbing, and at the same time uplifting (which by the way is a great description of my life so far). The actual encounter with her reminded me of spiritual stalking. People were all over her, hoping for guidance, insight, help, even sex.
What advice would you give to someone trying to write a book?
This is how I write: I take a friend out for drinks and after the second, or say the third drink, I start telling my friend what I am planning to write about. And then I run home and desperately try and write it down in the same way I told it. Now, what kind of a stupid advice is this? Well, I learned that I am more daring, more fun and more myself when I talk about what I want to write than when I actually write. Also, my philosophy when it comes to writing is something like this: defeat is bad for your soul, but good for your writing. So treasure every moment where you fail. In the end it will make a good story.
What lesson have you learned from having kids?
Suicide is no longer an option.
What one single word (in any language) would you use to describe yourself?
Jester. To always be serious provokes irritation. To always be witty, contempt. To philosophize always, sadness. To jest always, uneasiness. But at the end of my life, if you tell my story, it will not have been a comedy but, rather, a fine tragedy.
Have you ever caught a glimpse of God?
I'm not sure. But I do believe I catch a glimpse of something, every time I do something that I don’t profit from. In other words, I believe: character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.