Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .
What drew you to the genre you write?
Crime fiction was always my go to reading so I guess it was natural that was what I wanted to write. My mother read me Agatha Christie as bedtime stories from the age of one, so the path to the dark side was set early.
Tell us how you got into writing?
I was a journalist for 20 years so writing was my daily bread. Writing fiction was something I’d always had ambitions to do, but it was learning my craft through news stories and columns that gave me the confidence and the tools to make it a reality. There’s no better training for writing than writing, so all those years expressing myself through words paid off.
What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
Journalist was the main one and it was a job that took me across the world and into the company of people from all walks of life – Prime Ministers, royalty, Death Row inmates, Hollywood stars and people going through the worst days of their life. It was an education and a privilege, and I’m glad I don’t do it anymore.
How many books do you have published?
The Grapevine is out on June 23 and it will be my 12th published novel. If you’d told me that was going to happen when I started out, I’m not sure I’d have believed it. There’s another two finished and awaiting publication, plus a bunch of others queued up in my head waiting their turn to be written.
Where do you write?
Anywhere. It’s one of the benefits of having been a newspaperman that you don’t always have the luxury of being fussy about where you write. So I’ve written on trains (as I’m doing right now!), planes and in automobiles, and often have to as we travel a lot. At home, most often and most comfortably, I work lying on the bed as long as it’s not occupied by cats.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Crime, thriller, mystery. I don’t get anywhere as much time to read as I’d like and sometimes I forget just how great it is. But when I get back into it, I remember how many terrific and innovative writers there out there, producing some truly excellent work.
Who is an author you admire?
Are you trying to get me into trouble?! I have far too many friends in this business to fall into a trap like that. This will sound like a cop out – and it is – but I genuinely admire anyone who puts themselves on the line by writing a novel. There are also many authors whose books cause me to think “I wish I’d written that” but I’ll save both them and me the embarrassment of naming them.
Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
Finish the book. It sounds simplistic but it’s the key piece of advice I offer when asked. The difference between published authors and aspiring writers is that the published ones have finished the book. It’s daunting, it’s difficult, it’s hard work, but don’t doubt yourself and don’t give up on the dream. Finish the book and see where the adventure takes you.
What is next for you?
The Grapevine is the first in the Lost Highway series which I’m writing with my wife Alexandra Sokoloff and it is published on June 23. It’s a California-set road trip thriller about a middle-aged mom who travels the state in the family RV, desperate to find her missing teenage daughter, or kill the man who took her. Book 2 is already written so I’ll be starting on a new solo book next.
Where can we find you?
Right now, I’m on a train between Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia. Outside the fields are thick with fresh snow as Estonia is happily oblivious to the fact that it’s supposed to be spring. Tomorrow is Monday so we’ll be in Oslo, Norway. Home is Stirling in the heart of Scotland where the sun is shining and our cats are turning increasingly feral in our absence. (Don’t worry, they are being fed and looked after!)
Now to have some fun . . .
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner
Fruits or vegetables
Fruits
Sweet or salty snacks
Sweet
Ice cream or cake
Ice cream
Cooking or baking
Cooking
Dining in or dining out
Both
City life or country living
City life
Beach or mountain
Beach
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
All you gotta do is call. Spring
Extrovert or introvert
Shy extrovert
And even more fun . . .
What is your favorite movie?
It’s probably It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s certainly the movie I’ve watched most often, and I see something new each time I do.
You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A wi-fi signal, a fridge, and a butler.
My bio:
Craig Robertson had a twenty-year career as a journalist with a Scottish Sunday newspaper before becoming a full-time author. He is the author of twelve novels, most set on the mean streets of contemporary Glasgow. He has been longlisted and shortlisted for the main UK crime fiction prizes on nine occasions. A Sunday Times and international bestseller, his latest solo novel is The Trials of Marjorie Crowe.
He is on the board of Bloody Scotland, Scotland’s premier crime writing festival, and is the festival director of Bute Noir. Three of his novels are currently in development for film and television, and he is married to American crime and thriller writer Alexandra Sokoloff.