One of Britain’s most successful writers, Ian Rankin, invited Imagine’s Alan Yentob into his life for six months to follow his journey as he wrote his newest novel and brought back his most prolific protagonist, DI John Rebus.
An inspiring documentary, Imagine: Ian Rankin and the Case of the Disappearing Detective gives an insightful look into the life of successful writer Ian Rankin. With most of the footage shot by Rankin himself, we follow his writing process as he begins his newest novel Standing In Another Man’s Grave.
The Edinburgh based author has written over 25 novels to date and is known for writing at least one book a year. We see his stash of newspaper clippings and hand written notes, collected over time and reviewed every December in search of inspiration for his newest best seller.
This year, much to the pleasure of long time Ian Rankin fans DI John Rebus is returning to the limelight. After a five year retirement for Rebus Rankin felt that now was the time to bring him back and had the perfect plot to re-introduce him to his readers.
The footage begins on the 2nd of January as Rankin is sitting down at his computer typing up and printing out his notes. He stresses the importance of drafting throughout the documentary as it is impossible to achieve complete perfection the first time; he reminds us of Iris Murdoch’s saying “Every book is the wreck of a perfect idea”. Rankin explains how you use the first draft to feel your way, editing and adding subplots later. You don’t have to know where your novel is going right from the start.
Rankin talks about the fear and panic that can overwhelm him during his writing process; the fear of not finishing, the pressure to not disappoint until it becomes a “fear of the next page, fear of the next day”. This fear is something every writer, novice or published, will experience. The need to produce perfection can dishearten and stop the author writing but Rankin shows the importance of pressing on, “you’ve just got to hang on and get through it.”
With input from Rankin’s loving wife, Miranda Harvey, we learn the value of support and understanding. Writing is a very solitary act. You create your own little bubble, your own world, in which your mind seems to permanently reside. Miranda describes how she supports Rankin as best she can, helping him through the “page 65” panic and understanding when he needs his space to write.
Rankin’s editor Caroline Oakley also makes an appearance in the documentary. She explains how Rankin is receptive to her criticism and how much she enjoys working with him. Although Rankin says how it can be frustrating that even at this stage in his career he still requires an editor he also expresses how valuable an asset Caroline is to him.
Imagine: Ian Rankin and the Case of the Disappearing Detective is a motivating documentary that explains that even with the bad reviews, panic and fear, it is important to keep going. If your passion is writing then this rare insight will be inspiring and gives any novice the confidence to try something new.
Ian Rankin’s new book Standing in Another Man’s Grave is now out in shops and available on Amazon.