A message from the webmistress
For the last week, Ann has been guest-blogging at Moments in Crime, the weblog of her American publisher, St Martin's Minotaur. Click this link to read what she has been writing about there!
Posted by Jean on Friday, September 5th 2008 @ 09:08 PM GMT [link]
Mid-book blues
With RED BONES finished, copy-edited and the proof copies expected very soon, I've been working on the next and last book in the Shetland Quartet. It started very easily. The first part of the book is set in Fair Isle, a place I feel I know, though it's more than 30 years since I lived there. I'd dropped out of university and like Jane, one of the characters in the book, I took on the post of observatory cook there to give me time to consider what I might do as a career. I arrived in the spring; the island was covered in flowers and the cliffs were home to thousands of seabirds. I'd never been anywhere like it and that first visit began a relationship with Shetland, and particularly with Fair Isle, which has lasted ever since. I can still hold the landscape in my head, imagine I'm walking south down the island with Ward Hill on one side and Sheep Rock on the other.
Now, 35,000 words in, I'm struggling to maintain the momentum. I'm not quite sure what the book is about any more. It started off as a study of self control, or the lack of it. About stormy emotions. And of course it plays with the idea of the locked room mystery. This is a book about homecoming in lots of senses - Jimmy Perez takes Fran home to meet his parents, I'm returning to the world of birdwatching that provided material for my first crime fiction and I'm enjoying again the form of the Golden Age detective story that was my first introduction to the genre.
But I'm stuck. I'm not sure what should happen next. The plot is there, somewhere in my head, but foggy and unplanned, without any sort of definition. I know there will be another murder and I know who will die, but I'm not ready to write the scene. So today I'm going to take time away from the computer. Instead I'll be washing the kitchen floor and starting the mound of ironing. After a day of housework writing seems a fantastic alternative so I can't wait to get back to the novel, and boring practical work often sparks an idea, changing the course of a book and bringing new life to it.
Posted by Ann on Monday, August 11th 2008 @ 08:49 AM GMT [link]
Harrogate 2008
I said I'd tell you how it went, so here goes...
The first day of the festival for me was the children's event on Thursday. 'Kids, spies and private eyes' was a Leeds Met University sponsored project involving 125 very excited 8 - 12 year olds, a smattering of crime writers, a senior CSI, a bunch of wonderful Festival staff and volunteers and a lot of exhausted-looking teachers. (It was the end of term after all). I worked with Martin Waites, Cath Staincliffe and Helen Pepper to devise a live Cluedo scenario that allowed the kids to take fingerprints, compare footwear impressions, look at a crime scene and write a press release. At times I wasn't sure my voice would hold out but everyone seemed to have a great time. Kat from the Festival office made a wonderfully seductive murderer. Thanks to her, and especially to the Sun Pavilion manager who smiled even when she was trying to get fingerprint powder mixed with orange juice off her bar...
But the best thing about the whole event was the magnificent Mark Billingham, who has just written a book for young people under the name of Will Peterson. He kept the room spell-bound for an hour with his readings and the Dad, the teacher and two children who performed a scene from his book had us in fits of laughter. Any children's librarians who are reading this - book him now!!!
The remainder of the Festival was only marginally more sedate. My role as reader in residence is to talk to readers, introduce them to authors they'd like to meet and suggest new writers for them to try. It was good to catch up with the group of Americans I last met in Shetland and to see people returning for their fourth or fifth year. One woman said to me: 'I came for the first time last year. Until then I thought I was a sort of freak in my reading taste. Now I realise there are loads of people like me, so I formed a crime book group.'
This year there were more overseas publishers at the Festival and I found my role had extended to introducing them to authors - it would be lovely to think that some writers had been offered a translation contract through chatting to European editors in the bar. It would be sad though if Harrogate turned into another trade fair. Its strength is that readers, publishers, agents and writers all mix.
Certainly all those categories were present at the Festival Book Group discussing Nordic Crime. Again we had an amazing turn-out and the group raved about Stieg Larsson, Leif Davidsen and Jo Nesbo. Johan a new Transworld author from Sweden gave a real insight into the history of Scandinavian crime-writing. Later I was interviewed by BBC4 about Henning Mankell's writing - there will be a documentary on his work in the run-up to the new adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh. The producer said that when they'd filmed in Sweden there was a pile of my books next to Henning's. It would be nice to think that they sold as well.
I'm off now to do an event in South Shields Central Library with fellow Pan Macmillan author Chelsea Cain. I won't be going out with them after though. Chelsea was at Harrogate and kept her editors up in the bar until 5.00 am...
Posted by Ann on Monday, July 21st 2008 @ 04:36 PM GMT [link]
CWA Duncan Lawrie Daggers
On Thursday evening the winners of the Duncan Lawrie Daggers were announced at the Four Seasons Hotel in London. I wasn't there in body - we'd planned a few days holiday on Holy Island - but I was certainly there in spirit. Like most crime writers I enjoy reading the genre too and I knew who I wanted to win.
On the Tuesday before the big day I chaired a panel of shortlisted translators at the Lit and Phil library in Newcastle. The new International Dagger recognises the translator as well as the author and Ros Schwartz, Peter Millar and Stephen Sartarelli provided a fascinating insight into the craft of taking a writer's work, transforming it into a completely new form and still maintaining the spirit and voice of the original. Ros Schwartz translates Dominique Manotti, one of my favourite authors, and I was delighted to hear, over a crackly mobile phone on Friday morning, that Manotti's THE LORRAINE CONNECTION had won the Duncan Lawrie International Dagger.
I've loved Frances Fyfield's books since she started writing. It's her courage that I admire the most. Each book is different, a new adventure for the reader. I still carry around in my head scenes that I read year ago and characters that I met. She's been nominated for dozens of awards, so it was fantastic to hear that this year she'd won the big one, the Duncan Lawrie Dagger.
Last year the short story awards were announced on a separate occasion - a mistake I think because the crime short story is difficult and worthy of proper recognition. Martin Edwards had been a friend since I joined the Crime Writers' Association in the 80s. I enjoy his novels but I think he's a truly great short story writer and THE BOOKBINDER'S APPRENTICE is one of the creepiest tales I've ever read. I knew it deserved to win, but would the judges share my opinion? They did and I'm thrilled. It's fitting that Martin, who has encouraged British short fiction through his work as editor of the CWA anthology, should have his own work recognised.
Tomorrow morning I'm off to Harrogate for the crime-writing festival. A chance to catch up with old friends. My Scandinavian agent and German publishers will be there this year, so I'll be interested to know what they make of the third Shetland book. I'll let you know...
Posted by Ann on Tuesday, July 15th 2008 @ 06:24 PM GMT [link]
Crime Fest
I hadn't intended on going to Crime Fest this year. It was too close to my trip to Shetland and I was itching to start writing the last book in the Shetland Quartet. And I'm quite shy. While it's always lovely to catch up with old friends, I never feel really at ease with the crowds in the bar. I think it's called the impostor syndrome - that sense that everyone else has the right to be there, but I don't quite. Eventually, I think, I'll be caught out.
Then Adrian Muller offered me the chance to interview Karin Fossum and it was impossible to turn that down. I've enjoyed her books since the first Inspector Sejer novel, DON'T LOOK BACK. There's a clarity in the writing that I love, and a courage in the issues she tackles. Besides anything else doing the interview would give me the excuse to re-read her work. Adrian also asked me to moderate a panel on translated fiction and I'm interested in that too, in the process of turning one work of art into another. At the end of that process who does it belong to? And who is the translator's client? The author? The reader? Or the publisher paying the wages? Should the translator stick to the original even if it isn't terribly good? I wanted to hear what other writers thought. So of course I signed up for Crime Fest.
And of course I was glad to be there. Karin was a serious and thoughtful interviewee. These weren't stock answers trotted out on every occasion and the audience recognised her honesty. It was great to meet Chris Fowler - who's books I've admired for a long time - and Louise Penny, whose deceptively simple crime novel STILL LIFE has won a heap of prizes.
One of my crime in translation panel members, Ros Schwartz was fascinating on her craft, entertaining and illuminating at the same time. We'd emailed and I'd met her briefly at the announcement of the Dagger shortlist in London, but it this was the first time I'd heard her speak. She translates another of my favourite writers - Dominique Manotti. I'm delighted that she'll be joining me and fellow Dagger shortlisted translators Peter Millar and Stephen Satarelli in a discussion at the Lit and Phil Library in Newcastle on July 8th. Come along too. You'll be in for a treat.
Posted by Ann on Monday, June 23rd 2008 @ 04:02 PM GMT [link]
Sunny Shetland
I've just returned from more than a week in Shetland and I've realised again what a magic place it is, especially in good weather. I went with an old school friend and perhaps the visit was so special because I was seeing the place through her eyes, as if for the first time. This was my chance to promote WHITE NIGHTS - appropriate just as the days are growing longer - and to thank Shetlanders for all their help and support.
Perhaps it was a mistake to tell Karen, the enthusiastic librarian in Lerwick, to fix up as many gigs as she liked for me, because I ended up with a whirlwind of ferry crossings, reading groups and writers' workshops. But I enjoyed every minute. We arrived on the Northlink with the calmest crossing I can remember and that Sunday was my only free day. Three of us headed down to the south to show my friend Sue puffins, St Ninian's Isle and Sunday Teas. Sunday Teas are a Shetland tradition (which feature in WHITE NIGHTS), a way of fund-raising for the organisers and of sampling the very best home-bakes for the people who come along. We all left Quarff hall full of meringues and scones and sticky chocolate cake.
Monday took us to the North Isles, driven by Silvija the head of the library service. I ran a school workshop in Baltasound, in Unst, followed by an open event for the community library there. Then we had a discussion with the writers' group in Yell. Thanks to Wendy Gear for letting us into her home and providing a delicious supper. Tuesday was Bressay - a new island for me. The reading group hosted an informal evening with wine and more home baking. (Food, you'll have noticed is a common factor in the trip). Music was provided by two young people, one of whom is the grandson of Margaret, an old Fair Isle friend. Shetland's that sort of place!
Wednesday gave me the chance to hook up with my French translator Claire and her partner Laurent. I was astounded at how much of the islands they'd managed to see in a week. And to hear that there's no way of translating 'cattle grid'... I was pleased to introduce them to the fantastic couple from Cornwell Inernet who look after my website. Jean is a linguist too. She and Roger know Orkney very well and used my Lerwick launch as an excuse to explore further north.
The formal launch was held in the library on Wednesday night and the evening was shared with archivist Brian Smith who talked about a real Shetland crime. The place was packed. We heard a sombre story of a father who killed his family and then himself. Although the events happened 150 years ago, the tale had a very contemporary feel. It's tempting to think of this sort of domestic tragedy as the result of modern stress or family breakdown, but it seems there have always been sad, sick individuals. After the break, two local actors, Melvyn and Catherine, read a short piece from WHITE NIGHTS, then we caught up with friends over supper in the Grand. Claire and Laurent went on to the Lounge to try to hear some local music; they would be flying south the next day.
Thursday was a day of writers' workshops. In the afternoon I worked with a group of 15 year olds in Aith. Afterwards, Sue and I were invited to a grand Shetland high tea by local writer Marsali Taylor. We sat in her conservatory, looking out over the voe, talking about publishers and mutual friends. Then it was a session with adults in the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick, which produced some remarkably fine writing.
All this time we'd been staying in Ingirid's house in Whitenes, but Ingirid wasn't there. She'd been at a harbour master's conference in St Petersberg. (There is obviously a wonderfully interesting story here, but unfortunately it's not mine to tell). She arrived on Friday, just as we were on our way out to the Whalsay to speak to the readers' group. I was a little anxious about this gig. I created a character in RAVEN BLACK called Sandy Wilson, who just happened to come from Whalsay. Sandy's a bit stupid and I'd heard that Whalsay folk had taken offence. In fact, this turned out to be one of the most interesting discussions of the trip, and we ended up talking about all stereotypes, political correctness and language.
Back in Whiteness Ingirid was creating puddings for a party the next day.
On Saturday I signed copies of the book in the tourist office in the Market Cross, then there was the last gig of the week - a writers' workshop in the museum. In the evening we gate-crashed a party in Voxter House, near Brae. A slightly surreal evening, which one day I'll turn into a short story. It was James' 60th birthday party and there were family members from the south as well as locals. At one point there was singing accompanied by a skilfull pianist who had to cope with a number of silent keys. James is Shetland's forestry officer - which again seems a little surreal. As we went back to Brae at midnight, the sky was still light.
I had a tremendous time in Shetland but throughout the week there was an under-lying sadness that we encountered wherever we went. Some friends' teenage daughter was very ill and the whole family was by her bedside in the hospital in Aberdeen. Shetland is a small and close community and this was a personal tragedy. Since returning home, we've been told that she died. Our thoughts are with her sisters, her parents and her very many friends.
Posted by Ann on Sunday, May 25th 2008 @ 05:07 PM GMT [link]
Paris in the Springtime
I've been writing for more than twenty years, most of the time without much success. There was a gap when the books weren't available in paperback in the UK for instance. RAVEN BLACK made a huge difference. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger helped of course, but I think serious reviews in the broadsheets were even more important and I'm still grateful to those reviewers. I might not be in the bestseller list now, but I can make a reasonable living from my writing and I'm widely translated overseas.
Because it's been a long time coming I can't take any of this for granted. I LOVE seeing the translated copies on the shelves in my kitchen. So when Francoise, my wonderful French editor from Belfond, invited me to Paris to help promote DES VERITEES CACHEES (Hidden Depths) by talking to journalists, of course I agreed. My French publisher paying for me to go to Paris! How exciting was that!
It didn't matter that I was only there for one night and it rained continually. I felt like a star. There was a driver to meet me at the airport. I tried to be cool and sophisticated, but couldn't keep it up when we drove across the Place de la Concorde, saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance, crossed the Seine. There was a lovely little hotel, with a log fire and a walled garden, close to the Luxembourg Gardens. And the chance to talk about books to people who'd read DES VERITEES CACHEES and had interesting things to say about it. More serious journalists.
That evening I went out for dinner with Marie-Jeanne my publicist and Claire Breton my translator. I was already well-disposed to Claire because she'd decided she wanted to visit Shetland before completing the translation of RAVEN BLACK. We had a great meal and I left the restaurant with two new friends.
Next weekend I'm off to Shetland for a week - maybe not quite as glamorous as Paris but it'll be great fun. And Claire will be there too.
Posted by Ann on Monday, May 5th 2008 @ 10:09 AM GMT [link]
