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Ask the Author: Alexander McCall Smith

“I am trying to get through all these questions and to answer them all. Please forgive me if I take some time to do so! AMcS” Alexander McCall Smith

Answered Questions (69)

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You are an extremely prolific writer, how do you structure your day to keep up with the writing? How do you make sure the quality of your work doesn't suffer (and it certainly hasn't so far!) with an output that would make a lot of other authors green with envy?
Alexander McCall Smith I often get up very early in the morning to write. I find that I can be very productive at that time as it is so quiet and I can write without any disturbance. I travel a great deal and often find myself writing on planes and trains, and in hotel rooms!
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I love the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and have read each book at least twice. Is Mma Ramotswe based on a real person you have met in your travels? She is a real gem! Thank you for this series - for taking me places I will probably never get to see with my eyes, but, can see in my head, because of you...
Alexander McCall Smith Thank you - I am delighted to hear that you have been enjoying the books in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, and I greatly appreciated your kind remarks. Mma Ramotswe is not based on any particular person, but she shares the warmth and resourcefulness of many of the people I have met in Botswana.
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If you were on the wrong side of Mma Ramotswe, how would you elude her?
Alexander McCall Smith I wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of Mma Ramotswe. I think that if you were to find yourself in that position, then the best thing to do would be simply to throw your hands up and sit down with her for a cup of tea!
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How much of your own life do you weave into your stories? What advice would you give to someone writing their first fiction book?
Alexander McCall Smith I generally try not to be autobiographical, but observations about things I am thinking about do sometimes appear in the books.

My advice to someone writing their first fiction book is to always persist - and don’t get too caught up in the first book. The second book you attempt will often be better. Never lose faith in what you want to write.
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I don't actually have a question for you but I want to say I love your books especially those about Precious and her friends. Thank you for writing. They insist I ask a question so here goes. Is there any chance you'll take part in the library talks when your next book appears? 0 My library is Kensington Central and I'd be happy to request your participation if you are agreeable to that.
Alexander McCall Smith Thanks - I'm glad you enjoy the books. I do a lot of public appearances - unfortunately I can't get to all the libraries I should like to visit. Generally, requests for a visit are made to my publishers. All best, AMcS
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You are my favorite writer, and I love all of your series. Do you have a favorite? Can we expect more books in all of the series?
Alexander McCall Smith Thank you or the generous comments. I think I like all my series pretty equally. Yes, there will be more books in them all. AMcS
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Have you visited Canada? What is your impression of Canadian People, Persons? Some many months ago I enjoyed "The No. l Ladies.....: Hope to read the following #2,3,4,5.etc. 6,8,9,10 Should place them in the library of Legion Manor, a pleasant Seniors residence near Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island . Doris Bergbusch
Alexander McCall Smith Dear Doris, I have visited Canada many, many times. I have two sisters who live in BC and nephews too. I am in Canada every year. I shall be in Victoria in November - see my web site for details. AMcS
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I feel such a sense of place in the No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency series. What is your favorite part of Botswana, and how is it fairing economically and socially on the world stage?
Alexander McCall Smith I like Northern Botswana. Generally speaking, the country is doing well. AMcS
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How does one pronounce Mma and Rra?
Alexander McCall Smith MAR and RAR. AMcS
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Any plans to tour Singapore again and will you ever consider adding an Asian character to any of your books?
Alexander McCall Smith I do plan to come back to Singapore at some stage, but do not know when. Yes, I should like to include an Asian character. Thank you for the suggestion. AMcS
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Are you taking GOOD CARE of yourself? A lot of us were faced with the loss of another longtime favorite, Elizabeth Peters, she was older so it was not a shock but I am surprised at how many times a day it crosses my mind that we will not hear from her again. When your name crops up my mind goes to that place where I hope you are taking good care of yourself!! I hope to make it through Bertie's teen years!
Alexander McCall Smith Thank you for your concern. I make sure that I get some exercise every day - I go to the gym. I have a healthy diet. So, I hope I carry on for a while yet! AMcS
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Hello Mr. Smith, You write such beautiful, refreshing stories about the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency, and I've read them all. It was exciting to see it on television, but it was short-lived. Are there any plans to continue the series on television? Best Regards, Dana Gabriel, California
Alexander McCall Smith Thanks for your kind words. There are no plans at present to continue the television series - unfortunately. AMcS
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Are any of the main characters from your series based upon real-life people you have known?
Alexander McCall Smith The fictional characters are usually not - but sometimes I put real people in as themselves. AMcS
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Is there a point in sequential novels that you feel your characters have said everything you want them to say? How does an author decide when enough is enough and go on to the next big idea? I wondered if your process, as a writer, thinks about that eventuality and you plan accordingly.
Alexander McCall Smith That's a very interesting question. I suspect I'll know when it;s time to stop a particular series - I don't feel that way yet. I don't plan beyond the next book int he series. AMcS
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Wanting to be as wise, trusting, and kind as Isabel, which philosophers would you say most influenced her nature so that I might benefit from reading them? Thank you, Louise Michels
Alexander McCall Smith I think that she has been influenced as much by literature as by philosophy. I think her main influence was Auden. AMcS
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What prompted the story line regarding past lives? Do you have intentions to weave your spiritual beliefs within a novel? Regarding the delicate balance of past live regression do you feel your treatment of this issue was so important as to make it a central theme in this novel.
Alexander McCall Smith It;s an interesting issue. I don;t think one can go into these things too deeply in a novel, but I wanted at least to mention the issue. AMcS
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Dear Professor McCall Smith, It has been long since we heard from the delightful people of Corduroy Mansions. Are you planning a new Corduroy Mansions book any time soon? Really curious about the Yeti's story, the new version of Oedipus Snark and how Freddie de la hay is getting along with Marcia, among other things. Thank you, Indu Muralidharan
Alexander McCall Smith Dear Indu, The Yeti seems to have disappeared. I'd like to bring him back some day, as I rather liked him! I hope I'll write more Corduroy Mansions books. AMcS
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Isabel is interesting in that she's such an intellectual, pretty conservative, and yet she landed a younger desirable man (wasn't my dream when I started reading Dalhousie, is fast becoming mine now, years later!). What did you hope to demonstrate about her in writing this particular fortune into her life, or rather, what does this bond mean to you?
Alexander McCall Smith I wanted her to experience romance. Hence Jamie! AMcS
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I love that your characters live such examined lives. I've become a fan of all things 'fox', thanks to Brother Fox. I'm not sure, but feel he's pretty introspective too. We don't have foxes where I live, but I wonder if they aren't typically more aggressive. I like that he's not when in their yard, though. What does he represent to you in these books?
Alexander McCall Smith Brother Fox represents nature.The foxes round us here in Edinburgh are not aggressive - they tend to be quite shy. AMcS
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What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new author?
Alexander McCall Smith Read a great deal. And then practise, practise, practise! AMcS
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