Episode153
Martin Edwards’ magnum opus, The Life of Crime, is a dream come true for crime readers. Covering the complete history of the genre, analyzing its most successful novels, and even providing crime-writing tips, Edwards makes himself a must-read. Martin is an experienced author of numerous crime and thriller novels, and has received the CWA Diamond Dagger Award, Britain’s highest crime-writing achievement. To purchase The Life of Crime, follow the link below.
From Amazon.com:
Martin Edwards has received the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest honour in British crime writing, given for the sustained excellence of his contribution to the genre. His recent novels include Mortmain Hall and Gallows Court, which was nominated for two awards including the CWA Historical Dagger. British librarians awarded him the CWA Dagger in the Library in 2018 in recognition of his body of work. His eight and latest Lake District Mystery is The Crooked Shore and earlier books in the series include The Coffin Trail, short-listed for the Theakston’s prize for best British crime novel. Seven books in his first series, featuring Liverpool lawyer Harry Devlin, starting with the CWA John Creasey Dagger-nominated All the Lonely People, have been reissued by Acorn in new editions with introductions by leading writers including Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Martin’s crime novel pet peeves
- Why crime-writing’s origins are so important
- How the genre uses crime as social commentary
- Why the genre has persisted for so long
- His personal writing process
Links:
J. D. Barker – http://jdbarker.com/
J. Thorn – https://theauthorlife.com/
Zach Bohannon – https://zachbohannon.com/
Martin Edwards – https://martinedwardsbooks.com/
The Life of Crime – https://books2read.com/MartinLOC
Three Story Method: Writing Scenes – https://books2read.com/threestorymethodws
Best of BookTook – https://bestofbooktok.com/
Story Rubric – http://storyrubric.com
Nonfic Rubric – http://nonficrubric.com
Scene Rubric – http://scenerubric.com
Proudly sponsored by Kobo Writing Life – https://kobowritinglife.com/ and Atticus – https://www.atticus.io/
Music by Nicorus – https://cctrax.com/nicorus/dust-to-dust-ep
Voice Over by Rick Ganley – http://www.nhpr.com and recorded at Mill Pond Studio – http://www.millpondstudio.com
Audio production by Geoff Emberlyn – http://www.emberletter.com/
Contact – https://writersinkpodcast.com/contact/
*Full disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links.
Christopher Wills
2 years ago
Enjoyed the interview today as lovely wifey and I read crime and we have a couple of crime history books and some Martin Edwards books. I’ve ordered his history book and it’s quite cheap (UK) for a 600+ page hardback.
One takeaway today is the idea that a blog doesn’t have to be based on narrow sales and customer driven output like some writers believe. Blogging regularly produces a lot of content that over the years can be selected, collected, ordered, edited and converted into books and courses. It’s also writing, so it’s great practice.
My main takeaway today is the endless revisions. A multiple revision process makes one look more deeply at the story one has written. It allows one to add microtension on every page a la Donald Maass. It allows time to edit dialogue for voice and subtext and look at theme and character arcs. It lets one consider how setting can be used as part of the story, maybe even giving setting a story arc. And it allows time for other improvements one hasn’t time for whilst getting words on the page. Not a route for rapid release, but the effort could prove a long term investment.
Great show today.
J. Thorn
2 years ago
Good point on revisions! I thought LIFE OF CRIME was the name of your memoir? LOL!
Christopher Wills
2 years ago
I’m innocent, as any witnesses the Crown could produce would be able to testify… if they hadn’t mysteriously disappeared…