An evening with Colin Dexter

Tuesday was a good evening. The library had organised an author visit and myself and Steve went along to meet Colin Dexter, author of the Inspector Morse books. We had a great time. Unlike some previous authors, he could hold his audience's attention, and was really entertaining. Although we both got the feeling the talk he did was a well practiced one, it was still thoroughly enjoyable. He was full of tales of his exploits during his promotional tours around the UK, which sounded like quite an experience.
I found the bits where he talked about how he approached writing more interesting though. Every author goes about it differently, and his approach, to write in the pub with a couple of pints of real ale each night seemed a thoroughly sensible one! It obviously worked for him as all his novels have been bestsellers! His idea of taking a real life experience and then twisting it was good. His first three novels in the Morse series seemed to be based around experiences he or one of his friends had had, with the lip reading in The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn being quite a personal one for him since he is deaf in the left ear (and not far off in the right)
Everyone seemed to have a great time. It was a shame there wasn't really more time, as he barely touched on his involvement with the TV series, as the audience seemed to want to hear more about the writing. We'll have to try and catch him again, so when he asks what we want to hear we can shout for TV anecdotes!
One of the best visits the library has organised so far. There's rumours of Iain Banks visiting later in the year... now that will be one night I wouldn't miss.

Current Book: A Life of Surprises: short stories
Current Music: Paddy Kingsland: Doctor Who: Full Circle
Current Illness: Lousy stinking cold