Why Scandinavia and how it inspired me to write my debut novel?

Why I chose Scandinavia as an inspiration?

Why I chose Scandinavia inspiration

People often ask me why I chose Scandinavia as the setting for my first novel, The Runes of the North.

The answer is actually quite simple.

Because it's part of who I am.

Being half Swedish, I wanted to explore more than just the landscapes. I wanted to understand the history, mythology and folklore that shaped part of my own heritage. Writing this book became more than creating a story—it became a journey of discovering where part of me came from.

I think it all began when I was little. I remember walking into my grandparents' house and seeing pictures of trolls hanging on the walls. To many people they were just unusual decorations, but to me they became a symbol of home, comfort and the stories I grew up with.

As my daughters grew up, I passed some of those traditions on to them. I would sing them a traditional Scandinavian lullaby about a troll mother gently tying her children's tails together while they slept, so they wouldn't wander away. I still sing it today because it's a song that has always brought us comfort.

As I got older, my fascination with Scandinavian folklore only grew. I spent countless hours watching documentaries, reading books and learning about Norse mythology, archaeology and the legends that have been passed down for generations.

At university, I explored that passion even further. One of my first film projects was based on the Huldra, reimagined as a psychological thriller. Looking back, I think that project planted the seed for everything that followed.

After years of writing scripts and creating stories, I realised I wanted the freedom to explore every detail without the limits of a screenplay.

That's when I decided to write a novel.

That decision eventually became The Runes of the North.

This book has never been just about creating a mystery. It's about sharing the history, mythology and folklore that have inspired me for as long as I can remember.

In many ways, this book became more than a novel.

It became a journey back to my roots.

I'm not simply writing a story set in Scandinavia.

I'm writing about a history that is part of me.

- R. D. Holmstedt

#firstnovel #scandinavianhistory #mythology