Bjork is one of my oldest friends so we share the friendship and common roots. That is what we build on when we work together.

I followed the launch of the library with Margaret Atwood and then David Mitchell. I just sat quietly at home secretly envying them. Then just over a month ago she asked me if I would like to be the third author to join the library.

[Bob Dylan] builds his lyrics, of course, from personal experience, but it's also a literary work. He draws heavily on his knowledge of American lyric tradition as well as European modernism. But he should let the Nobel Prize Committee know if he is accepting it or not.

Much of my time is taken up by reading, researching and trying out ideas.

One thing for sure is it will be written in the Icelandic language. All of my literary work is.

I'm not one of those writers who writes everyday.

I have to face questions like, "Do I simply write the best text I possibly can? Do I specifically engage with contemporary issues? 'Do I consciously try to write something that is timeless?"