People always tell me my books are so dark; I don't think they're particularly dark. I'm not like that. I'm quite a cheerful soul. Ruth Rendell bookcheerfuldark Change image and share on social
Crimes are more often committed out of fear than wickedness. People live frightened, desperate lives. Ruth Rendell commitcrimedesperate Change image and share on social
I never make notes; just a few small details when I'm writing, but nothing much. The plot is never written down. I will tell the story to myself, but I won't plan it. I'll speak the narrative in my head for a while. Ruth Rendell detailheadmake share on social
I often think what it was like not to have much money. I don't think it's good for people to be born into money and not know what it is never to have it. Ruth Rendell beargoodmoney Change image and share on social
I don't like the way young people write and talk about the old. I don't like their attitude, which, if they weren't young and therefore bright and vibrant, would be called outdated. Ruth Rendell attitudebrightcall Change image and share on social
I always write about subjects which attract me because if I didn't, it would be awful, a failure. Ruth Rendell attractawfulfailure Change image and share on social
I was a child, and in 1942, I was evacuated to the Cotswolds with my mother, who was a teacher - she went with her school. I lived in one house in the village, and my mother was in the vicarage. Ruth Rendell childcotswoldevacuate Change image and share on social
I really do literally put myself into a character's shoes. Ruth Rendell characterliterallyput Change image and share on social
Both my parents had strokes. My father had several, but the last one was fatal. It's a horribly disabling bug, a stroke. Ruth Rendell bugdisablefatal Change image and share on social
I don't mind being distracted. I don't want to sit there in utter silence and type. If the phone rings, I usually answer it, speak for a few minutes and return to writing, or go for a walk in and out of the rooms. I don't mind a break. Ruth Rendell answerbreakdistract share on social