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Ian Rankin Quotes

Scottish - Writer | April 28, 1960 -

Right from the very beginning, I knew I wanted to write palpably Scottish fiction.

Beginning Write Right Fiction Knew

I wrote my first short story for a competition and won second prize. Another competition came up and I won first prize. The first story was published in a newspaper. The second went out on radio.

Competition Story Short Newspaper Up

A lot of writers, especially crime writers, have an image that we think we're trying to keep up with. You've got to be seen as dark and slightly dangerous. But I'm not like that and I've realised that I don't need to put that on. People will buy the books whether they see a photo of you dressed in black or not.

People Black Think Trying You Dark

The most difficult part of any crime novel is the plotting. It all begins simply enough, but soon you're dealing with a multitude of linked characters, strands, themes and red herrings - and you need to try to control these unruly elements and weave them into a pattern.

Red Control Enough You Try Need

I don't think I have one particular favourite writer. I have many whose works I will always buy or reread - Muriel Spark, Anthony Powell, Robert Louis Stevenson, Ruth Rendell, James Ellroy, William McIlvanney, Kate Atkinson, John Burnside, Louise Welsh, Iain Banks.

Think Spark Will Always Buy Whose

I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a creative writing class, all I could say to them was 'I tend to make it up as I go along.' I'm not sure that's brilliant advice.

Creative Writing Think Advice Go

At all times, think like a writer, and keep those antennae twitching - that way, you pick up new ideas.

Ideas Think You New Way New Ideas

I don't have many friends. It's not because I'm a misanthrope. It's because I'm reserved. I'm self-contained. I get all my adventures in my head when I'm writing my books.

Writing Friends Head Because Get

I wanted to be able to support myself without begging for handouts from the state. All of the writers I knew when I was a student were all getting grants from the Scottish Arts Council.

Myself Support Student Without Arts

I dunno whether it was to do with my parents - we were working-class - but it was important to me to be self-sufficient.

Parents Me Important Self-Sufficient

I don't want the books to become PR exercises for the police; I want to have the freedom to write about cops who cross the line: bad cops.

Freedom Police Bad Want Become Line

I don't hang out with cops.

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