Writer's Routine Imran Mahmood, author of 'Finding Sophie' - Crime writing lawyer discusses our changing attention span, pursuading a jury, and getting the words down
Feb 28, 2025
Imran Mahmood, a criminal defence lawyer with three decades of experience, talks about his career as a crime writer. He shares how his work in law influences his storytelling, particularly in persuading a jury, and why he dedicates his precious free time to writing. The discussion delves into the evolving attention spans of modern audiences and the challenges of emotional storytelling, especially around themes of grief. Additionally, he explores how being a barrister enhances his ability to meet writing deadlines while balancing family life.
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Workspace Items
- Imran Mahmood's study, converted during lockdown, houses proofs, a Shard picture, and a clapperboard.
- A model chopper bike, gifted by Sarah Hillary, sits on his whiskey-colored walnut desk.
Writing Tools
- Use post-it notes for plot points, discarding them once addressed.
- Primarily use a laptop for writing, with minimal other tools.
Font Choice
- Imran Mahmood appreciates font science but sticks to whichever font opens when he starts writing.
- He uses Georgia because it's the house font of a solicitor he drafts letters for.
