Ian Rankin's case of the disappearing detective Documentary

[Gary Compton]

Just watched this on BBC1

If you didn't, you missed a treat.

30 books later and Ranking is still acting like Ursa, TJ. Springs, Alc, PM, me, Harebrain, Boneman, Peter G, Crispy, TJ, Bowler, CTG, Hope, the list goes on and on.

If I havent mentioned you -

The bad news is, success doesn't get rid of the demons.

Watch it on BBC IPlayer!

 

[Ursa major]

I didn't miss the treat.


(But what are these demons? Perhaps they don't arise in SF... or not without the aid of ethanol....)

 

[Gary Compton]

I didn't miss the treat.


(But what are these demons? Perhaps they don't arise in SF... or not without the aid of ethanol....)

The demons are...trumpet fanfare. Feeling like your book is a load of tosh!

And then like all good fairy stories - everything ends happily ever after

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Well, i have just spent the past hour flapping myself and thinking at least my process is validated.

No demons excised, but seeing someone that good getting the sort of feedback i do early on ( your plot is dodgy, your characters dont quite do what they should) and seeing them making the same sort of notes ( this makes no sense, this scene needs expanded in next draft, what am i doing here...) is like a lightbulb.

It actually made me feel, perhaps for the first time, that maybe, just maybe, if i get a ton better at managing the process and the skills, i might have a chance.

So, given a statement of such confidence, and a lack of demons.... Oh, bugger, 666 just appeared on my forehead, so there must still be a demon or ten in there....

 

[Gary Compton]

Everything I have done in my life has been self taught. I once watched a plumber connect a sink when I was 21 and I thought, "If that thick headed t... can do it - so can I."

That sentiment is ingrained in my psyche and it is what drives me!

Everything I have achieved, I have worked out the nuts and bolts myself.

So with writing, I have applied the same belief. Off course I have had a lot of help from Chronners but I do think the one and only ingredient you need to succeed, and that's not from a budgie's perspective is BELIEVE

Go on Springs. You will be published. It is only a matter of time and it couldnt happen to a nicer Irish woman

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Ty Gary. It is called stickability and you have bags of it! Go, you ( and you will!)

Seriously, since i was being demonesque last night.... I found it really interesting, and he was much more personable than i expected. I found the fact that he didnt know the end at the start both surprising and refreshing - i thought for crime writing you would need to.

 

[crystal haven]

I watched it, and found myself thinking, Oh that sounds just like me - lost!

Seriously, it was great to see the same uncertainty and the process of writing without knowing the ending. I'm not so strange after all. Please don't reply to that last bit ...

And I also listen to music while writing - it surprised me to see the same.

 

[C. A. Mitchell]

Caught last ten mins - will try and get the whole thing off the iPlayer. I don't know if what I saw inspired or depressed me!

 

[Boneman]

Saw Ian at a mini conference at Sussex University, and he was a brilliant speaker. Will trek to iplayer tonight, as I missed this one. Thanks, Gary!

 

[Delboy]

Great documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nw51c

Kind regards,
Derek

 

[prizzley]

I watched it last night. No idea to finished novel in less than six months, that's inspiring. I must try harder, I mean faster.

 

[Interversus]

Just watched it on iplayer, thanks for the heads up. I really enjoyed the insight into how he tackles his writing. 7 Rebus novels though before any success, I admire his determination. Craving a pint now though....

 

[Boneman]

Finally caught up with this, and really enjoyed it. He comes over as a thorougly decent bloke, and very self-deprecating in his speech. What tickled me was the critic he was reading out, and I loved his put-down of the twit who wrote it.

 

[allmywires]

Watching now. I just love that he has a manila folder with all his inspiration inside. That's what I used to do! Now I just bookmark Internet sites I find useful.

 

[ctg]

Thank you uncle Compton. It was good. And yeah, I go through a lot of same emotions as he does. Thank you.