Why does any novelist keep writing long after they've made money? Because they've failed to write the perfect novel. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
At all times, think like a writer, and keep those antennae twitching - that way, you pick up new ideas. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I wrote 'Knots and Crosses,' the first of the Rebus books, not even realising that I was writing crime fiction. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
Right from the very beginning, I knew I wanted to write palpably Scottish fiction. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
In real life, writers tend to be quite boring, but in our books, we're having exciting adventures all the time. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I still think most writers are just kids who refuse to grow up. We're still playing imaginary games, with our imaginary friends. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I have a strong work ethic, yet I'm incredibly lazy as well. The problem with being a writer is that everything you… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I used to think that: whenever I heard that someone had taken 10 years to write a novel, I'd think it must… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
Punk gave you a kind of chutzpah, so even trying to be a writer, I just thought, 'Well, I'm going to send… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I'm not qualified for anything. I've had lots of little jobs, like picking grapes and being a tax man. I can't imagine… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I wanted to be able to support myself without begging for handouts from the state. All of the writers I knew when… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I think writers have to be proactive: they've got to use new technology and social media. Yes, it's hard to get noticed… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I started writing novels while an undergraduate student, in an attempt to make sense of the city of Edinburgh, using a detective… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
A lot of writers, especially crime writers, have an image that we think we're trying to keep up with. You've got to… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
When I'm writing, I won't know whodunnit until maybe two thirds of the way through. Until then, I know as little as… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I've always written. At the age of six or seven, I would get sheets of A4 paper and fold them in half,… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I love short stories - reading and writing them. The best short stories distill all the potency of a novel into a… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I don't think I have one particular favourite writer. I have many whose works I will always buy or reread - Muriel… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I don't have many friends. It's not because I'm a misanthrope. It's because I'm reserved. I'm self-contained. I get all my adventures… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
My first novel was turned down by half a dozen publishers. And even after having published five or six books, I wasn't… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
You need a great idea, but then you've got to carry it through. If you get it right, you're going to be a critical… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
In 1991, I won the Chandler Fulbright Prize, which came with $20,000 and the stipulation of spending six months in the U.S. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
When I was in my early 20s and still at uni, I won a short-story competition: £200 was the prize. — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
“1446, that's when the foundations were laid. It took forty years to complete." "Sounds like some builders I know," Rebus said. "Can't you feel… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
When I'm writing, I won't know whodunnit until maybe two thirds of the way through. Until then, I know as little as my detective.… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
My mother worked in a school canteen - then worked in the canteen of a chicken factory. Every Friday, the pay packet money would… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a record shop.… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
I don't want the books to become PR exercises for the police; I want to have the freedom to write about cops who cross… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
“...despite rumors to the contrary, you're on the side of the angels. (...) Whether you like it or not.” — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
Rebus was eating breakfast in the canteen and wishing there was more caffeine in the coffee, or more coffee in the coffee come to… — Ian Rankin Copy Share Image
