You need a great idea, but then you've got to carry it through. If you get it right, you're going to be a critical success. But not everyone who works hard gets it right, or has the success they deserve: there's an element of luck.
I took the first James Kelman novel, 'The Bus Conductor Hines', home to my dad. I thought, 'My dad will like this; it's written in Scots.' But my dad… - Ian Rankin
I took the first James Kelman novel, 'The Bus Conductor Hines', home to my dad. I thought, 'My dad will like this; it's written in Scots.' But my dad…
- Ian Rankin
Was it all inevitable, John?" Reeve was pushing his fingers across the floor of the cell, seated on his haunches. I was lying on the mattress. Yes," … - Ian Rankin
Was it all inevitable, John?" Reeve was pushing his fingers across the floor of the cell, seated on his haunches. I was lying on the mattress. Yes," …
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 character… - Ian Rankin
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 character…
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a record shop. Still, it's not a bad life, is it? You … - Ian Rankin
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a record shop. Still, it's not a bad life, is it? You …
I've always written. At the age of six or seven, I would get sheets of A4 paper and fold them in half, cut the edges to make a little eight-page book… - Ian Rankin
I've always written. At the age of six or seven, I would get sheets of A4 paper and fold them in half, cut the edges to make a little eight-page book…
Rebus was eating breakfast in the canteen and wishing there was more caffeine in the coffee, or more coffee in the coffee come to that. - Ian Rankin
Rebus was eating breakfast in the canteen and wishing there was more caffeine in the coffee, or more coffee in the coffee come to that.
My first novel was turned down by half a dozen publishers. And even after having published five or six books, I wasn't making enough money to live on… - Ian Rankin
My first novel was turned down by half a dozen publishers. And even after having published five or six books, I wasn't making enough money to live on…
I love short stories - reading and writing them. The best short stories distill all the potency of a novel into a small but heady draught. They are p… - Ian Rankin
I love short stories - reading and writing them. The best short stories distill all the potency of a novel into a small but heady draught. They are p…
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… - Ian Rankin
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…
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