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Crime writing...Val McDermid Q&A

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sunseeker Wed 23-Oct-13 10:23:42

Do you set aside a specific time for writing or do you write whenever the inspiration strikes?

Do you use a computer or stick to a typewriter?

Do you do a rough outline of where you want the story to go or do you let the characters lead you?

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Anne58 Wed 23-Oct-13 00:20:48

Hello Val,

Both my husband and I very much enjoy your books. We read a lot of crime fiction, and have (on occasions!) spotted flaws in the story, but never with yours.

I expect you have been asked this so many times that it has become boring, but how do you plan each novel? Do you start with a sort of plan of events and then build it from there or what?

PS Enjoyed your Desert Island Discs!

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annodomini Tue 22-Oct-13 17:06:27

Me again, being greedy. Who is your own favourite crime writer?

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louella Tue 22-Oct-13 16:32:04

I have always imagined it takes a particular type of mindset to write crime. Do you agree? What is it about the genre that so appeals?

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milkybar Tue 22-Oct-13 16:28:39

I just looked on your website and saw you have written your first children's book - called My Granny is a Pirate. I want to know more. I think my grandchildren would be very impressed if I could be one too

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annodomini Tue 22-Oct-13 16:12:55

Hi Val. I hear that you are going to re-work Northanger Abbey in a modern setting. What did you think when you were first asked to do this? Do you think Jane Austen's gentle mockery of the Gothic genre will suit your particular style?

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CariGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 22-Oct-13 15:43:09
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Award-winning crime writer Val McDermid is a Number One bestseller, translated into more than 30 languages, with over two million copies sold in the UK and over 10 million worldwide. She has written 26 bestselling novels.

In 2010, she was awarded the prestigious CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger. This followed her induction into the Hall of Fame at the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards in 2009, the same year in which she was elected to an Honorary Fellowship at St Hilda's College, Oxford. She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award.

The popular ITV series Wire in the Blood, based on McDermid’s books and starring Robson Green as Tony Hill ran for an impressive six series. She was born in Kirkcaldy and graduated in English at St Hilda’s College, Oxford – the first from a Scottish state school to do so - before going on to be an award winning journalist for sixteen years. Her first novel was published in 1987. She's a lifelong Raith Rovers Football Club supporter and at the start of June 2011 was appointed as a Director on the board.

We are delighted to be able to offer a copy of her latest book - Cross and Burn, the eagerly awaited new Carol Jordan and Tony Hill thriller - to someone who posts on the thread.

Add your questions for Val before Tuesday 5th November - and we will be publishing her answers shortly after.

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