There is a famous bookish podcast that asks a question to the authors appearing on each episode; which three writers they would invite, living or dead, to a fantasy dinner party. I thought I would steal that idea for this month’s blog, but greedily choose four.
1 – Dame Agatha Christie
I don’t this will come as a surprise to anyone, given I named the main character in my crime series after her. She famously enjoyed drinking cream at the dinner table, but I’m sure that if she was to share how she came up with so many clever plots, this can be excused. I would be intrigued to discover how she planned her novels and what her writing routine was like.
2 – William Boyd
Many people are surprised that my favourite living author is not actually a crime writer, although he has dipped his toe in thriller type novels, including his excellent James Bond novel, Solo. I’ve heard him speak often about his approach to writing and his number one tip is to know how a novel will end before you begin to write it. What I would most like to learn from him over the meal, is how he develops his characters. The characterisation of his novels is astounding, and I doubt there are many better at this than him.
3 – Anthony Horowitz
I feel that I could learn so much about the craft from Anthony, including how I could develop into screenwriting. In my opinion, Foyle’s War is one for the greatest crime TV series ever created. Add to that, his screenplays for the early Midsomer Murders, the numerous Poirot episodes he developed, and his record speaks for itself. As for his novels, I loved his three James Bond books, his Magpie Murder trilogy, but I would love to talk to him about the exceptional Hawthorn series that he continues to write. His ‘breadcrumbs’ (which is what I call the little clues a crime writer leaves for the reader to let them try and work out the solution for themselves) in the series are so clever. I may need a big notebook for a conversation with him.
4 – Sir Billy Connolly
Yes, I know this is a bit of a cheat, however, he has written a number of books and any excuse to have Billy Connolly, in his prime, at a dinner party could not be resisted. I think he would be the spark that would bring everyone in attendance out of their shell. From a writing point of view, I think he could help me develop the humour in my books. I tend to use DS Mike Lyle for this within the Christie series and I love when an idea pops into my head about something funny for him to say, so it would be good to hear how the best in the business does this. If there was ever a lull in the conversation, I’m sure Billy would be able to share some of his brilliant stories with us…
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Ross Alexander Writer 