Alexander’s Comments (group member since Apr 23, 2010)

Alexander’s comments from the Q&A with Alexander McCall Smith group.

Kathy wrote: "How much input did you get in the making of this series, and which episodes do you especially like, if any?

I like the casting and the fact that I can hear pronunciation of African words(i.e. ..."

Dear Kathy, I read the scripts, but I had very little input. That's the way it tends to work with the film industry - the author is rarely consulted very much. All best, AMcS

Suzanne wrote: "Hello Mr.Smith. When you created Precious and her series, did you intend to write a simple plot and simple cast of characters that would seduce the contemporary reader...or did Precious lift hersel..."

Dear Suzanne, When I wrote the first book I don;t think I had any particular ideas in mind - it more or less wrote itself. That set the tone, so to speak, and the subsequent books have followed it. All best, AMcS

Jamie wrote: "Hi Mr. McCall Smith,

I was just wondering, what does it mean at the end of the books when you write Africa, Africa, Africa, ect.?

I love these books!

Jamie"
Dear Jamie, It's mainly decorative. AMcS

Anna wrote: "Dear Mr McCall Smith, I am the person to whom you kindly answered for an interview published on a Italian Review of Books. Just a question: have you planned a new book of the Sunday Philosophy Clu..."

Dear Anna, I am currently writing the next novel int he Sunday Philosophy Club series. This is called "The Charming Quirks of Others" and will be published later this year. Yes, I think it is a very good idea for Isabel to visit Italy, as she is a great enthusiast for all things Italian.All best wishes, AMcS

In the next book, The Importance of Being Seven, Bertie goes fishing with his father. They have various adventures and he gets a glimpse of what might be, if life were otherwise. All best, AMcS

Pam wrote: "...in your work. Do you know by heart or do you have to look them up?

Please also extend my compliments to the narrator of the 22 Scotland series. She' wonderful too.

Good Health and Happy..."
Dear Pam, Thanks very much! AMcS

Barbara wrote: "Dear Mr. McCall Smith, I was wondering if you had an address where something could be mailed to you, or a publishers address and perhaps they could forward it to you? I realize you don't just give..."

Dear Barbara, Please contact my publicist, Jan Rutherford at the following e-mail address: jan.ppw@blueyonder.co.uk She will give you details. All best, AMcS

I seem to have run out of time. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to answer everybody's message, but I assure you I read every one of them. I shall try to answer more later today: please forgive me for being so slow! AMcS

Annie wrote: "Dear Mr. McCall Smith,
When visiting a library in Denver I was surprised to not find your books right away. It wasn't until I did some tricky searches that I found they had filed you under "M". Ou..."

Dear Annie, I omitted to answer your question about what J.L.B. stands for in Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's name. The answer is

Alice wrote: "Whenever I despair at humanity's unkindness, I pick up a book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Series. For some reason, these whimsical mysteries never fail to encourage my heart. There is a poignanc..."

Dear Alice, Thank you for these generous sentiments. All best, AMcS

Annie wrote: "Dear Mr. McCall Smith,
When visiting a library in Denver I was surprised to not find your books right away. It wasn't until I did some tricky searches that I found they had filed you under "M". Ou..."

Dear Annie, Thanks for this message: I send you my very best wishes. As for the talking shoes: yes, I love writing those scenes. They are ridiculous, of course, but I can just picture Mma Makutsi engaged in those conversations with her shoes. And the shoes have such strong opinions! All best., AMcS

Cecilia wrote: "Hi Sandy, It's been many years, I wonder if you remember us, Peter and Cecilia Durkin. We ran Mokolodi for a short time in 2003. Shortly after returning to the USA in 2005, we opened a Fair Trade s..."

Dear Cecilia, Of course I remember you! It is very nice to hear from you, and to hear that you are still doing your ambassadorial work for Botswana. I'm sorry that my trip to the US was called off because of the travel disruption caused by the volcano - hardly an expected problem! I shall, however, be back. Please keep in touch.
Mokolodi seems to be in good shape. I was there last year and was very pleased to see how it was thriving.
All best, Sandy

Andrea wrote: "I am just writing to add my voice to all those who are fans and friends of Mma Ramotswe and her family. My husband is from Kenya, and we would love to live there or at least be there more often, b..."
Dear Andrea, Thanks very much for this. All best, AMcS

Barbara wrote: "Alexander wrote: "Barbara wrote: "My name is Barbara Soloski Albin. I am the person on the internet who has been writing 1000's of emails to bring back the series in some form, I have been doing th..."

Dear Barbara, You will have seen that others have asked to join the Order - so it's catching on. You, of course, are the Head of the Order (a lifetime appointment, I should have mentioned). All best, AMcS

Prudence wrote: "Dear Mr McCall Smith,
I just want to tell you that I really enjoyed all The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Thank you for writing them!

I love the simplicity and the wit. It never fails to br..."

Dear Prudence, Thank you so much for this very nice message. I am very glad that you are enjoying the books. You ask about a visit to Singapore. Yes, I do go there. I was there in February and did an event at the National Library - I also did various interviews. I love visiting Singapore and I shall certainly come back. All best wishes, AMcS

Linda wrote: "Hello,
I absolutely love this series of books. Mma Ramotswe is so wise. I can feel my blood pressure lowering as I read. I think it's the pace, humanity, and wisdom on the pages which does this. I..."

Dear Linda, Botswana is a very calming country, for some reason - they have the right attitude, I think. All best, AMcS

Linda wrote: "May I please be the second member of THE ORDER OF THE FRIENDS OF MMA RAMOTSWE. I want her to be my friend!
Thanks for all the wonderful stories."

Dear Linda, Of course you may! Mma Ramotswe welcomes you. AMcS

Celeste wrote: "I have read all the books in the series and have enjoyed following the characters as they develop. I have often wondered: Are any of the people or businesses in the books are based on any actual pe..."

Dear Celeste, Places, yes. People - I tend not to be base my characters on real people, although occasionally I bring in a real person as a guest character, so to speak. All best< AMcS

Faith2 wrote: "I love this series and in my mind I have developed a vivid picture of life in Botswana. I love the way each of the characters has developed over time. [I must pause here for a cup of bush tea:]. I..."

Dear Faith2, You can never drink too much redbush tea - official! AMcS

Barbara wrote: "As far as I know Michael Lombardo emailed me on Thursday May 14th and said they (HBO) are working on two movies. I am still crossing my fingers and I still send emails every week into Mr. Lombardo..."

Dear Barbara, Thank you for all the support for the series. Let's hope they do something. All best, AMcS