Beginner’s Pluck: Anna Smith
“In my 30 years I covered Kosovo, Somalia and Romania, as well as the underbelly of life in Glasgow. I wouldn’t swap my life, but I woke up at 43, and felt, Christ! Was that it?”
After two coming of age tales, Ann has exploded onto the crime scene.
“Crime feels natural to me. I spent a lot of my working life with prostitutes and gangsters.”
Early ‘50s, but feels much younger.
Mining village in Scotland.
High school in Lanarkshire. Straight into newspapers at 18.
Mhuirioch in the Dingle Peninsula. “I spend time between here, Spain and Scotland.”
Not married.
Full-time writer, and columnist with the News of the World in Scotland.
Keeping fit. The gym, cycling and walking.
Paulo Coelho; Harlan Coben.
Starring journalist Rosie Gilmour again, it’s called To Tell the Truth, because none of the characters can afford to be truthful.
“It’s set in Spain and Morocco, with the last part in Glasgow. I’ve finished the book, and am now working on number three.”
Top Writing Tip: Write something every day, even if it’s only a few hundred words. And don’t let anyone tell you it’s not going to happen.
www.annasmithscotland.com
The Dead Won’t Sleep. Quercus €17.15. Kindle €8.
When a young prostitute is found drowned, it’s assumed she’s another victim of heroin abuse. But journalist Rosie Gilmour gets a tip off suggesting there is more to the 14-year-old’s death. She uncovers a tale of corruption and child abuse involving the establishment.
“I’m hoping people will emphasis with the character so they will want to hear what happens next. I hope they will like the authenticity. Everything that happens in the book, I have seen.”
A compelling, concisely written page turner, with a feisty heroine. A natural for TV adaptation.
