I wanted to write at school - to write funny stories which the teacher might ask me to read out to the class. It's all basically about showing off. Mark Billingham basicallyclassfunny Change image and share on social
A good agent will sometimes need to be a scrapper, and that's the one you want. Mark Billingham agentgoodscrapper Change image and share on social
I am trying to give the best performance possible in 400 pages. I want readers to be scared; I want them to be moved. Entertainment doesn't necessarily mean something trivial, but it does mean people wanting to get to the end of a book. Mark Billingham bookendentertainment share on social
As I write each new Thorne novel, I'm determined that whatever is happening plot-wise, a new layer of the onion will be peeled away and reveal something about Thorne that is surprising to me as much as anyone else. If I can remain interested in the character, then hopefully the reader will stay interested, too. Mark Billingham characterdeterminehappen share on social
I'm completely absorbed by Peter Guralnick's definitive, two-part biography of Elvis Presley: 'Last Train To Memphis' and 'Careless Love.' Meticulously researched, this is a compelling mix of history, myth-busting, and, of course, some timeless music. Mark Billingham absorbbiographybust share on social
You throw the kitchen sink at your early books. You put everything in there. It's like when you meet a new girlfriend or boyfriend, you tell them all your best stories. By the time you have been married for 10 years, they are crying, 'Shut up!' Mark Billingham bookboyfriendcry share on social
While the subject matter of my novels could not be further removed from the stuff I used to trot out at the Comedy Store, the delivery of the material employs many of the same techniques. Mark Billingham comedydeliveryemploy Change image and share on social
More than 100 years after he first appeared, Holmes remains the template for the fictional detective. Mark Billingham appeardetectivefictional Change image and share on social
Like my fictional protagonist Tom Thorne, I love country. My tastes go back a bit further than his do, and I still listen to stuff from the late '70s and early '80s. Mark Billingham 70s80sback Change image and share on social
I find traveling anywhere very stressful. If I ever have to go on tour, I tend to find it all a bit too stressful. I am too much of a control freak with traveling, and nothing is ever on time. The one thing I can't stand is being late. Mark Billingham bitecontrolfind share on social