MARIA ENGSTRAND Författare

Portrait/ becoming a writer

My name is Maria Engstrand, I am an engineer in physics, a patent attorney, and a mother of two and I really should not be here.

As an engineer in physics, a patent expert, and a mother of two I spend my time with well-defined tasks to a clear purpose and a fixed salary. All in order, weekly routines and yearly vacation.

At least until the day when I discovered my wings. Ignored and forgotten they rested on my back, a pair of pale wrinkled things, never used. I secretly examined them. Stretched them. Flapped around a little: a distance writing course, a date with aspiring writers, brief writing sessions on early mornings and late evenings.

I told myself that this was enough. Wings have no use. Wings are not a vital organ for a human being. At least not for an engineer in physics, a patent expert and … well, you know.

But the wings grew. One Monday morning in April, just before the coffee break, they broke through the seams of my tailored job suit. I was as shocked as anyone else. What to do when you are standing in the midst of an open office space with a ripped-up jacket and the roaring sound from beating wings in your ears?

There was no turning back, no way of hiding my wings behind my back again. I simply had to enjoy the situation. And I do, I enjoy it a lot.

I enjoy writing for children and teenagers because I like the requirement for speed and focus that comes along with it. I like that no issues are too big. I like that you can have fun.

I enjoy exploring. Things, places, ideas. I always want to know more.

I enjoy technology, especially if it is visible and tangible and if there are cog wheels. Lots of cog wheels.

I enjoy great forests and dark lakes, that is where I have my roots.

I enjoy thinking about time, about now and then, about what disappears and what remains.

My first novel “Code: Orestes” is for middle grade children, or for anyone who likes thinking about how things are connected. It contains a lot of things that I enjoy: mysteries, codes, drawings, maps and machines.

The plot with codes to be solved may be similar to “the Da Vinci code”, but it all takes place in a suburban area between the motorway and the forest, and it involves mystic and science, engineers and star gazers, parents and chosen children.

I wish that those who read “Code: Orestes” shall be curious. That they will be inspired to find out more and to think about things, different things. I think that people who are curious and fascinated by the world will continue building it, that they will be able to create new things, and also that they will be needed to bring the world towards a better future.

And finally, most of all I wish that those who read my books have fun. I have very fun myself. Addictively fun. So much fun that it ought to be illegal.

My name is Maria Engstrand. I am still an engineer in physics, a patent attorney and a mother of two. But when I stretch my wings I have no name, no age, no background and no face. I just fly.