Ruth Rendell

Monday 21st July 2008

The best-selling author of crime novels, who also writes as Barbara Vine, shares her expert writing advice

Author Ruth, 78, lives in London and also writes under the pseudonym of Barbara Vine. Her novels were adapted into ITV's The Inspector Wexford Mysteries.

Ruth Rendell on writing
I used to say I came into crime writing by accident because, out of the many novels I wrote, the detective story was the one that my publishers took.

They asked if I had done anything else. I had – From Doon with Death, which became the first Inspector Wexford novel.

I never make charts and notes when I write. I think about it, tell myself about the characters and have a basic plot in my head, but as I write it all changes, so I might as well just write from scratch.

My novels are based on true stories, that is, stories people have told me. But they've always told me without any idea that I might use them as bases for novels.

I'm fairly unusual among crime writers in that I write about petty crime as well as murder.

I won't write about torture or child murder. Most crime in my books takes place off-stage or occurs in reported speech. In general, the crime novel shows chaotic things and disturbed people, with order finally restored.

Crime novels in Britain are works written by people who hate the violence and mayhem in video games and on TV. They are written to enlighten and entertain a public who appreciate the backgrounds, series characters and psychological analysis.

Read interview with more crime novelists - Kathy Reichs and Donna Leon.

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