Ian Rankin, the bestselling crime writer behind the Inspector Rebus series, takes us on a journey through his writing process while working on 'Midnight in Blue.' He shares insights on escaping to Cromarty for inspiration amidst a crime fiction festival. Rankin also discusses his intricate drafting techniques, the challenges of meeting deadlines, and the evolving relationship with editors. With humor, he imagines Rebus on a cruise and reflects on balancing joy and productivity in writing.
Ian Rankin finds Cromarty's remote and distraction-free environment essential for nurturing his creativity and enhancing his writing routine.
Through an iterative writing process, Rankin emphasizes the importance of feedback and character evolution in crafting compelling narratives for the Rebus series.
Deep dives
The Creative Process in Cromarty
Cromarty serves as a unique creative sanctuary for the writer, providing an ideal environment free from distractions. Rankin appreciates the remote nature of this location, where mobile phone reception is minimal, and he intentionally chose to eliminate both a TV and a phone in his house to focus solely on writing. His routine consists of enjoying local cafes while observing nature, such as watching dolphins, which further enhances his writing experience. Cromarty's beauty and quietude foster a productive atmosphere, allowing him to immerse himself fully in his work, such as crafting the 25th installment of the Rebus series.
Drafting Midnight in Blue
The writing process for Rankin involves multiple drafts, with significant revisions to ensure the narrative meets his standards. After completing a short first draft, he realized the need to enrich the story by incorporating additional subplots and character development. Rankin meticulously reviews notes from various sources, including feedback from his wife and editors, which he considers essential for enhancing the quality of his work. This iterative process reflects his dedication to producing a polished final product while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining creativity and managing expectations.
Evolving Rebus and Future Projects
The Rebus character continues to evolve as Rankin explores ways to depict him in a contemporary context, including adaptations for television. Producers aim to portray a younger version of Rebus, which presents unique storytelling challenges as they adapt the character's age and situation. Despite wrestling with the demands of writing and the pressures of public expectation, Rankin contemplates the future of his writing career, including the possibility of exploring new genres. He acknowledges a desire to reclaim the joy of writing, indicating a potential shift away from the Rebus series to pursue other creative endeavors.
Ian Rankin is on a deadline to complete his next Inspector Rebus thriller. He is happy with the first draft: “at the moment, it is perfect!”. But what will others make of it? In the second of two episodes recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow the bestselling crime writer to the remote, coastal town of Cromarty. He comes here to escape reality, and to write without distraction. But on this occasion, there is a crime fiction festival taking place. Will he get any work done?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode