'Right story, right time . . . and a bit of luck'

“I think writers have to beproactive: they've got to use new technology and social media. Yes, it's hardto get noticed by traditional publishers, but there's a great deal ofopportunity out there if you've got the right story.” –Ian Rankin

 

Born in Scotland on this date in1960, Rankin is best known for his “Inspector Rebus” novels.  But, he said he did not set out to be a crimewriter and, in fact, didn’t think he had “the right story” atfirst.  

 

His first novels – Knots andCrosses and Hide and Seek – he listed as“mainstream,”keeping in the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson and MurielSpark.   But the publisher disagreed and listed them as crimefiction and the rest, as they say . . .  

 

So far, he’s had nearly 50 bookspublished in the genre and 15 of them have not only been best sellers but alsoadapted for television movies – a record most writers would love.  

 

Celebrating his birthday at his homein Edinburgh, where he sets most of his novels, Rankin enjoys “schooling” hisreaders on the nuances of his home town, weaving little  details about the city throughout each book.

 

Rankin, whose first job was in hisdad’s grocery store, has had lots of “life experiences” (always a plus fora writer).  He’s worked as a grape-picker, swineherd, taxman, alcoholresearcher (I’d definitely like to hear more about that job), hi-fi journalist,college secretary, and punk musician in a band called The Dancing Pigs.

 

As for writing, he said, “You need agreat idea, but then you've got to carry it through. If you get it right,you're going to be a critical success. But not everyone who works hard gets itright, or has the success they deserve: there's an element of luck.”