If you don't make the best-seller list, if you don't get shortlisted for any prizes, it's goodbye. Val McDermid goodbyelistmake Change image and share on social
I've never wanted to live in a ghetto or write in a ghetto. I want to write about a world that reflects the one most people live in. Gay people are just one aspect of that. Val McDermid aspectgayghetto Change image and share on social
There is still a funny notion that women should not write violent fiction. Val McDermid fictionfunnynotion Change image and share on social
I think that crime is a good vehicle for looking at society in general because the nature of the crime novel means that you draw on a wide group of social possibilities. Val McDermid crimedrawgeneral Change image and share on social
The contemporary crime novel is, at its best, a novel of character. That's where the suspense comes from. Val McDermid charactercontemporarycrime 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
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
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
I think Jane Austen builds suspense well in a couple of places, but she squanders it, and she gets to the endgame too quickly. So I will be working on those things. Val McDermid austenbuildcouple Change image and share on social
I said to Ruth Rendell, 'When you've written as many books as you have, it's easier.' She said, 'No dear, it gets harder'. Val McDermid bookdeareasy Change image and share on social
