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
The condition of rage is one in which I find myself starting my day - once I see the news headlines. Val McDermid conditiondayfind Change image and share on social
One of the reasons we all still read Jane Austen is because her books are about universal things which still matter today - love, money, family. They haven't gone out of fashion, so it's not throwing the baby out with the bathwater to rework her in a contemporary style. Val McDermid austenbabybathwater 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
I am the despair of my accountant; I am the plastic bags of receipts. Val McDermid accountantbagdespair Change image and share on social
Why do the police need to know where I am? In the hands of a benevolent government, they could be looking after your interests, but what if the next government isn't so benevolent? Val McDermid benevolentgovernmenthand Change image and share on social
We all present versions of ourselves. The person you are at work is not the same person you are at home. The face we present in our most intimate relationships is not the face we present to the world. Val McDermid facehomeintimate Change image and share on social
