I love sitting at my desk and facing a quiet day with a pen in my hand, and putting myself into a story. It's kind of weird, isn't it? I mean, to absent myself from real life and make up stories is strange, but I started doing this when I was ten years old. It was all I wanted to do. Philip Kerr absentdaydesk share on social
I was a member of Corstorphine Library in Edinburgh, and every Friday night, my parents took me there to borrow books. I also used to spend nearly all my pocket money on books. Philip Kerr bookborrowcorstorphine Change image and share on social
History asks us to imagine ourselves in a period, but it's a very different situation when you're in that period and faced with those situations. Philip Kerr askfacehistory Change image and share on social
I think the context of an hour-long drama gives breathing space that you don't get in a film. Philip Kerr breathecontextdrama Change image and share on social
Publishers just want you to write the same book over and over again. But why would I want to do that? It would be like putting on a threadbare dressing-gown day after day. Philip Kerr bookdaydress Change image and share on social
There's a great tradition among the English of writing about Berlin. It's kind of a state of mind, almost. That even translates in terms of music. A lot of people go to Berlin with the idea that it's a state of mind. Philip Kerr berlinenglishgreat share on social
After a while, you get tired of being the official Scot and defending everything Scottish. Philip Kerr defendofficialscot Change image and share on social
I think John le Carre is, at 77, the greatest living writer alive. He is a master craftsman. Philip Kerr alivecarrecraftsman Change image and share on social
Being British, we tend to think of ourselves as America's best friend. And as your best friend, that gives us a little bit of license to point out things that could have been handled better. Philip Kerr americabitebritish Change image and share on social
I used to play quite a good lead guitar, R&B style. Clapton and BB King are heroes. Philip Kerr claptongoodguitar Change image and share on social