As a child, she was often ill, which led her to spend a lot of time learning and reading. The stories and legends told by her grandmother had a significant impact on the development of her imagination. She had already begun writing various pieces at that time, but they did not immediately see the light of day.

At the age of 20, she moved to Stockholm to train as a teacher. She later taught for some time at a school in Landskrona. In 1890, she won a prize in a literary competition. It was then that excerpts from her work, which would later become her debut novel, were published for the first time in the newspaper Idun.

The novel was titled Gösta Berling's Saga. Set in 18th-century Sweden, the book primarily revolves around the life of the titular character, Gösta Berling—a former pastor who, after the downfall of his career, becomes an eccentric and controversial figure. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of landscapes and characters and features numerous romantic, adventurous, and social themes. Its narrative is enriched with legends and fairy-tale elements.

This story, created by Selma, boldly broke away from the prevailing literary realism of the time. Gösta Berling's Saga quickly became a huge success. After some time, with financial support from the Swedish Academy, Lagerlöf was able to leave her teaching career and fully dedicate herself to writing, leading to the creation of many more works and stories.

During the 1890s, Selma traveled extensively. It was during this period that she wrote other well-known works such as Antikrists mirakler and Jerusalem.

After receiving highly positive recognition from readers and critics alike, the author published a novel in 1906 titled Nils Holgersson’s Wonderful Journey Through Sweden. It became an instant success. In Poland, it was available just four years after its Swedish release—an incredibly fast turnaround for that time.

In 1909, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “the lofty idealism, vivid imagination, and spiritual perception that characterize her writings.”

Lagerlöf had an extraordinary ability to tell moving stories. Her works frequently incorporated elements of folklore and fairy tales. Her protagonists were often complex individuals with both strengths and weaknesses, their own struggles and joys. She richly described Swedish landscapes, traditions, and childhood memories, giving the events an authentic character.

Due to her values and beliefs, Lagerlöf did not shy away from difficult topics. She sought to weave explorations of human nature, emotions, and moral lessons into her narratives. Her social engagement and advocacy for equality and justice were often reflected in her work.

"She valued people who could think independently, who stepped beyond the conventions of their time—those who took themselves and their lives seriously and engaged in what they believed in and were capable of. In social life, she sought both seriousness and depth, but also ‘strawberries with cream’ and ‘champagne.’ For her, seriousness was the opposite of irresponsibility and cowardly recklessness, but it did not exclude the joy of life. The ability of a person to be both good and joyful became the central theme of her work.” — as described by the authors of her biography, Selma Lagerlöf: A Modern Swede, Anna Nordlund and Bengt Wanselius.

Without a doubt, Selma Lagerlöf possessed immense talent, passion, and creativity. Even today, the works of this outstanding and timeless Swedish writer continue to be read and cherished by people of all ages around the world.