I was thinking things had changed: that the next generation of men weren't as institutionally misogynist as the previous were. And then, suddenly, the Internet came along and gave them a platform to voice their feelings anonymously. And boy, did the bile come out. Val McDermid anonymouslybileboy share on social
I was always writing the books that I wanted to write, books that demanded to be written at the time. But, like most writers, you start off feeling your way. Val McDermid bookdemandfelt Change image and share on social
It was a bit unimaginable when I began that I'd ever get to 25 books. But it was also unimaginable how much crime-writing would have changed. Val McDermid beginbitebook Change image and share on social
Back in the day, when I started, you were still allowed to make mistakes. You got to make your mistakes in public, in a way. I think the world was a more forgiving place when I started my career, in the sense that we got time and space to develop as a writer. Val McDermid allowbackcareer share on social
I don't think many of us launched ourselves into the world of writing books fully formed. Val McDermid bookformfully Change image and share on social
We weren't dirt poor, but there was no spare money kicking around. While it was very much understood that the way to a better life was through education, books were a luxury we couldn't afford. But when I was six, we actually moved opposite the central library, and that became my home from home. Val McDermid affordbookcentral share on social
I am the despair of my accountant; I am the plastic bags of receipts. Val McDermid accountantbagdespair Change image and share on social
A lot of reality TV is repellent, but that doesn't diminish the qualities of some of the people who take part. There are decent people in there who have no alternatives. Val McDermid alternativedecentdiminish Change image and share on social
I came from a working-class family, but I was supported by a grant system and had my fees paid, so I came out of Oxford with a debt of something like £200. Val McDermid classdebtfamily Change image and share on social