Writing with Ruth Dudley Edwards

The Mysterious Writing Habits of the World's Top Crime Writers

Oct 14, 2008

Writing a novel requires more than an idea and the right words. Mystery writer Ruth Dudley Edwards shares the secrets of her approach to writing, from idea to execution.

Are writers obsessive-compulsive? Overly superstitious? Or do habits and rituals provide security for writers who never know where the next idea, or the words to write it, will come from? Searching for clues to the secrets of writing, Suite 101 has an exclusive interview with Ruth Dudley Edwards.

Q: What books and characters are you best known for?

A: Robert Amiss has appeared in my twelve mysteries, however Jack (now Baroness) Troutbeck arrived in the fifth and has become so dominant the series is often known as the Troutbeck series.

Q: How much research and plotting do you do before you're ready to write a book?

A: I choose the ambiance (e.g. Cambridge, the House of Lords, the Church of England, a literary prize and, now, contemporary art) and begin collecting relevant material and thinking about the subject in a low-key way. I do very little plotting in advance of writing, as I greatly enjoy letting the characters decide what to do with themselves.

Q: What hours do you devote to your writing and what time of day do you prefer to write?

A: Once upon a time, when my life was simpler, I could write for 12-14 hours a day and finish a novel in a few weeks. Now, because of journalism, my non-fiction, email and the internet, it’s a very good day when I can write for 4 or 5 hours. I write best in the morning and late afternoon/early evening.

Q: Do you take breaks, and if so, what do you do during them?

A: I have interruptions rather than breaks, but I treasure a routine that allows me to listen to the BBC 1pm news programme while I tidy up and make and eat lunch. Real luxury is then to read a newspaper sitting on the sofa that gets the afternoon sun.

Q: Where do you write?

A: In my study usually, but – as a result of being a journalist - I can write almost anywhere.

Q: What do you write with?

A: For a long time, because I had an acute case of repetitive strain injury (or carpel tunnel syndrome), I used to dictate into a tape recorder while wandering around the cemetery across the street. These days the condition seems to be at bay, so I use a computer .

Q: ...and why is that your preference?

A: Because I have become a slave to the computer, not least because it makes editing so easy.

Q: Describe what you like to keep within arm's reach while you're writing.

Q: Describe the things you can see when you look up from your writing.

A: In my study: a picture of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth dancing; a cartoon of two concerned burghers looking at a man with a big beer tankard. Caption: ‘That’s Beethoven’s ninth. Any moment now he’ll start singing.’ And other odds and ends my friends give me to amuse me.

Q: What was the first thing you wrote which was published?

Q: What is your latest book?

Ruth Dudley Edwards was born in Dublin, Ireland and now lives in London, England. Find out more about her at her website.

The copyright of the article Writing with Ruth Dudley Edwards in Writing Techniques is owned by Janice Hally. Permission to republish Writing with Ruth Dudley Edwards in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.