I actually love crime shows and films, and I won't hear a bad word about Quentin Tarantino... but if my characters have a dig, that's nothing to do with me! In fact, there's no dig at Tarantino. Reservoir Dogs was from the gang's point of view and the cops were expendable extras. I just liked the idea of reminding Marvel of that at a crucial moment; I enjoyed watching him wobble...
I love the idea you attribute to Ronnie, namely he steals cars, yes, but then he improves the cars before they are returned to their rightful owner. Where did you come up with that great idea? Did it really happen somewhere?
Ronnie doesn't steal cars because he's a hooligan. He steals cars because he loves them, and loves driving fast. Therefore it seems logical to me that he'd want to keep those cars for as long as possible, and make them as good as he can while he has them. Why dump them or burn them? I really enjoy cars and motorbikes, so I guess Ronnie is the kind of car thief I would be!
What are you working on next?
Book 4 is set in a university medical school. It's essentially a two-hander with a really nice twist, so it will be something of a return to the spirit of Blacklands for me.
I often end my interview with what I call my bonus question - what question do you wish interviewers would ask that they always fail to ask? Here's your chance to ask then answer it.
Nice idea!
Q) If you could have your life over again, knowing what you know now, what would you be?
A) A jockey.
Article comments