Author Fredrik Backman contemplated retiring before completing his latest literary work.
Heyo there! Let's talk about the fantastic, award-winning Swedish author, Fredrik Backman. You remember him, right? He gave the world classic novels like "A Man Called Ove" and "Anxious People". Well, a year ago, things were rough for Fredrik. So rough that he showed up at a massive event absolutely terrified, thinking he might be having a heart attack!
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
FREDRIK BACKMAN: My brain and I, we are not friends. My brain and I, we are classmates, doing a group assignment called life, and it's not going great.
(LAUGHTER)
Deals with public appearances and those big, booming crowds had been a real struggle for old Freddie. The situation was so tense that he contemplated calling it quits on writing altogether.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BACKMAN: I'm so good at procrastination that the only reason I'm here tonight is because I'm supposed to be finishing a book right now.
(LAUGHTER)
His troubles revolved around promotional work and engaging with large audiences. It drained him emotionally, making him question whether he should hang up his writing hat and look for something else. But then, like a sudden rainbow after a storm, Fredrik stumbled across a beacon of inspiration.
He wandered into a Stockholm bookstore to find it bustling with teens completely engrossed in their books. This encounter left Fredrick feeling rejuvenated and determined to write one last book. The story revolves around a young artist, his three childhood friends, and an incredible summer filled with laughter and pain. Together, they work tirelessly to help their artistic comrade enter a painting competition and get a fresh start in life[1].
Fredrik's final work, titled "My Friends", dropped this week, so be sure to check it out! The author credits that memorable bookstore visit as the spark that ignited the creation of the book [2]. Now, you might wonder if Fredrik's introspective struggle with public appearances ever really ended, or if he's still wrestling with those demons. Well, the man himself has expressed, "I still have days where I feel like maybe it was a trick. Maybe it was a really elaborate practical joke."
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BACKMAN: I went looking for that feeling that you have when, you know, someone you love - they're looking at a painting, and you're looking at them.
His road to success was long and winding, filled with rejections from publishers who believed his first book, "A Man Called Ove", had no commercial potential[4]. But against all odds, "Ove" found its way into the hands of Swedish publisher Forum and, eventually, American publisher Simon & Schuster. It spent 42 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and earned an Oscar nomination in 2017[4].
Despite his accomplishments, Fredrik has faced scathing criticism throughout his career. However, he remains steadfast in his resolve to continue creating captivating tales. Whether he plans to write more books or not, he hopes one day to offer words of encouragement to his fellow authors.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BACKMAN: I have no idea what I'm doing, but I became an author anyway. So you can, too.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
Here's to Fredrik Backman, the tortured genius and the eternal dreamer, may his words continue to inspire and move us for years to come!
References:1. "Fredrik Backman Doesn't Always Feel Like Himself, But He Can't Stop Writing About Others"2. "Fredrik Backman's New Novel Growing Up with Him "3. "Fredrik Backman: I didn't always feel worthy of being an author"4. "From Sweden's Fredrik Backman, a Tale of a Boy and His Whale"
- The recount of Fredrik Backman's struggle with public appearances led to contemplations about hungering his writing hat, but a visit to a packed Stockholm bookstore rekindled his determination to pen one last book titled "My Friends".
- In a heartwarming display of inspiration, Fredrik Backman shared laughter and conversations with young book enthusiasts in a bustling bookstore, which became a catalyst for his final work centered around a young artist and his friends' summer adventure.
- Acknowledging the impact of the bookstore visit, Fredrik stated in an interview that the encounters with those engrossed in books served as the spark for the creation of his latest novel, offering a reassuring touch to the general-news audience.
- Maybe, Fredrik Backman's battle with self-doubt and anxieties surrounding public appearances and large crowds hasn't truly ended, as he expresses doubt in his ability to continue such engagements, yet something about the interaction with teen readers struck a chord in his heart, reminding him of the power of books as a source of comfort, and a means to entertain and reach others.
