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I thought this was interesting if you like Ian Rankin’s books
60 SECONDS: Ian Rankin
by ANDREW WILLIAMS – Friday, September 7, 2007Ian Rankin is Britain’s best-selling crime writer, selling millions of copies of his novels starring Inspector John Rebus. At one point, six of his novels were in the Scottish top ten best-seller list and he received an OBE in 2003 for his services to literature. His final Rebus novel, Exit Music, is out now published by Orion.
Is it a relief to see the back of Rebus?
No, it hasn’t sunk in yet. You’ve got to retire from the CID when you’re 60 in Scotland, so he’s basically been shoved out. It would make him difficult to write about in the future but we’ll see.Can you identify with JK Rowling over saying goodbye to your lead character?
I spoke to her about this. It was quite devastating for her because she was dealing with this whole universe she’s dreamt up that enchanted millions of people worldwide. It wasn’t like that for me. I can still write about Edinburgh and Rebus’s colleagues. It wasn’t the same full stop. He’ll also continue to exist on TV. They can make up their own storylines for as long as Ken Stott wants to play him.Are you going to be happy seeing your character written by other people?
If they suddenly make him a drug-addicted cross-dresser, I’m sure fans will soon abandon the series – they’ll have to stay true to the books. When I first signed the TV deal, I spoke to other crime writers who told me you either get totally involved with it or take the money and run. My feeling is TV people know what they’re up to.Are there any disadvantages to being so closely associated with one city like Edinburgh?
No, it accommodates a huge range of writers. There’s Irvine Welsh, Alexander McCall Smith, Kate Atkinson, me and dozens of others all writing about contemporary Edinburgh. It’s a small city, only half a million people, but has an inexhaustible number of stories written into the stones. I’m writing Hellblazer for DC Comics just now which is set in hell; that’s not at all like Edinburgh.How are you getting on with it?
It’s harder than I thought it would be. You have to write a page of detailed instructions to the artist of what you want the picture to look like, then you’ve got one line of dialogue and you’re on to the next. It’s a challenge. I’ve always loved comic books, so the opportunity was too good to miss. Anything can happen: superheroes, demons, all sorts.
Crime fiction is about the world we live in, how screwed up it is and is there a way out of this messYou worked as a literature tutor. Were you writing fiction at the same time?
Yes, I was a postgraduate student and part-time tutor when my first book was published. I wrote poems and short stories while I was at university. The short stories started winning competitions and, from that, I started writing novels.Why is crime fiction so popular right now?
We’ve moved on from Agatha Christie. We’re writing about contemporary urban life. We’re asking questions like how do teenagers get hold of guns and why do they shoot people. The public have these big questions and the best crime fiction tries to answer them. It’s about the world we live in, how screwed up it is and is there any way out of this mess. Fiction provides the satisfaction of having an answer to why these things have happened and you get a sense of justice being done, which isn’t always the case in real life.Have any real-life crimes inspired your stories?
There’s a case going on in Edinburgh about the World’s End murders. It’s about two teenage girls who disappeared from a pub in Edinburgh called the World’s End in the late 1970s. They turned up dead the next morning and they’ve finally charged someone 30 years later due to DNA evidence. I was arriving in Edinburgh as a student when that case first happened. It reminds you what a dangerous place Edinburgh can be. The irony of the name of the pub stayed with me. I’ve referred to it on and off throughout the Rebus series.What have you spent the cash on?
Booze, CDs and books. I still live like a student. I’ve got piles of CDs now. I’ve just bought a USB turntable so that I can plug it into my computer and download my 45s on to my iPod. I was terrified of it at first but it’s very easy.What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I was a swineherd in France. It came to a disastrous end when I accidentally killed a pig by giving it an overdose of alcohol. It was a farm attached to a vineyard so, after the grapes had been trampled, I was supposed to give the skins and the pips to the pigs. I was a bit late though and it had all started to ferment. The pigs got drunk and one died of alcohol poisoning.What advice would you give to budding authors?
It’s not an easy career path. Get lucky and know the market. There’s no point sending a horror novel to Mills & Boon. Right now is a great time to be writing crime fiction – it’s regarded as being very sexy by publishers because it sells well. Scottish crime fiction seems to be very popular. Write a crime novel and get lucky.have been trying to read ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ for about 3 years – I’m told it’s brilliant but can’t really get into it. I know people say to give up on a book, life’s too short, but it’s annoying me. Reading ‘Spanish Steps’ one man and his ass on the pilgrim way to santiago, because I’ve wanted to do the walk for years [hedgeing my bets…get to heaven, right, ‘do you go to chuch err no do you pray err no well, bugger off….excuse me…what?? I have done a pilgrimage….well, come on in!!!] and Jane Smileys ‘Horse Heaven’ is really good, but a bit girlie. glad someone mentioned Oryx and Crake, because I was advised to read it years ago and had forgotten….mo
Samuel Beckett – Ill Seen, ill said
13 essays on Beckett’s Oeuvre by various writersAny Beckett fans here?
Faced with an upcoming 8 hour flight I will be taking Dan Brown’s Deception Point to read on the plane.
I am hoping it will be better than The De Vinci Code which I found to be an anti-climax after having read the excellent Angels and Demons first.
I don’t know why but when I fly I tend to take totally different books than I would normally read. Does anyone else do the same?
I always remember one flight where I picked up a collection of Jeremy Clarkson musings to read on the plane – big mistake – I think my fellow passengers were getting fairly hacked off with this bloke who kept laughing out loud throughout the flight.
I am currently reading "The Secret". I love these think and grow rich type books – I find them very motivational. One chapter left. Who knows Rodney… this time next year….
I have also just started Java 2 : A beginners Guide. It’s all a mystery!!
Authors and books I’ve enjoyed over the last couple of years include…
The Jigsaw man about the profiler who was called in to help on the Fred & Rose West case amongst many other infamous cases. Fascinating. Highly recommended.
I’ve read a few by Agatha Cristie, John Grisham, John Case, Jeffrey Deaver, Kathy Reichs (who is a superb writer imo) and the ex-jockey whose name escapes me for the moment.
I particularly enjoyed the Dan Brown books (Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Deception Point). Also, I’ve read Brian Cloughs autobiography, and Andy McNab’s Bravo two zero.
if you’re interested in Cloughie my partner has just read ‘The Damned United’ about his time at Leeds – think it’s being turned into a film soon – he said it was brilliant…
I am currently reading "The Secret". I love these think and grow rich type books – I find them very motivational. One chapter left. Who knows Rodney… this time next year….
I read The Secret too !! I have my visualisation board up in the apartment! It’s going to work
I just know it is Thanks for that moehat. The autobiography was excellent, so I’ll look out for it. One particular funny moment I remember was this: he was lying in bed with his wife and (for some reason) she said "Oh God", to which old big ‘ed replied something like "you can call me Brian in bed dear".
Ah Kingston. So it’s just you and me that know it!
Not one for the boys but am quite into Catherine Alliott. She’s very witty and funny, tells it how it is for us parents.
Quite like Martine Cole too, not the best of writers but her books are interesting and an easy read.
I found two recently! (well 3 if you include Dick Francis…..
)
Simon Kernick (new to me) and
Simon Beckwith
Has anyone read Beckwith’s Written in Bone and Chemistry of Death?
Absolutely sensational reads!
He said he got ‘pithy’ emails about the ending of Chemistry but I thought it was super! Can’t wait for book 3
Also Kernick’s Restless ( I was out of breath at the end)…and it’s not like I lost Dick Francis but I’d never read him – he’s brilliant!
I have about 25 of the 40 to go, I can’t get enough of the man. I think Sid Halley is his best recurring characterWelcome back KT – I was only thinking yesterday that we haven’t heard from you for a while.
I hope you are keeping well?
Hi Paul
Very well thank you for asking, now I am back in civilisation! Papiano is an interesting place……….. like about 1830 in some ways… so 2 months was a longgggg time to be there and I was quite glad to get the hey ho outta there!
Now all I need is work…….I read ‘I am Legend’ – Richard Matheson the other day, I wanted to get it in before I saw the film. Needless to say the film was a bit of a let down.
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