Back in the day, when I started, you were still allowed to make mistakes. You got to make your mistakes in public, in a way. I think the world was a more forgiving place when I started my career, in the sense that we got time and space to develop as a writer.

Val McDermid

Allowed Back Career Day Develop Forgiving Got I Think Make Mistakes More Place Public Sense Space Started Still Think Time Way Were World Writer You Your

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I was always writing the books that I wanted to write, books that demanded to be written at the time. But, like most writers, you start off feeling your way.

— Val McDermid

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I think Jane Austen builds suspense well in a couple of places, but she squanders it, and she gets to the endgame too quickly. So I will be working on those things.

— Val McDermid

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If you don't make the best-seller list, if you don't get shortlisted for any prizes, it's goodbye.

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I don't think of myself as Scottish or lesbian when I sit down and write. I am glad I have broken out of that limited audience.

— Val McDermid

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On one hand, you've got 'decent' men, and on the other you've got neanderthal misogynist bawbags - and the middle ground is what's disappearing.

— Val McDermid

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