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As regular readers of this newsletter may know, Minette is currently engrossed in writing her next book. However, she kindly took some time out of her schedule to share her thoughts on 2004 and her predictions for 2005! Enjoy!
Holiday wishes and a look ahead to 2005
Dear all,
As 2004 draws to a close, may I wish you a Happy Christmas, whatever your religions or beliefs. I'm told by the newspapers that this is politically incorrect, and that I should offer "Season's Greetings" instead, but I refuse to add another madness to a world gone mad! Pretending that Christmas isn't happening is like trying to hide an elephant in the fridge. Unrealistic.
 In return, I look forward to receiving good wishes on everyone else's festivals. My favourite "good news" story of the year was the "peace-bombing" in Thailand when 100 million origami birds were dropped across the Muslim south, carrying hand-written messages of support from the Buddhist north. It may not bring an end to the insurrection, but it was a gallant expression of hope and solidarity.
I have some fine personal memories from the year – my family's achievements, my trip to Sierra Leone with MSF, the success of Disordered Minds – but I'm particularly touched that so many of you have written to the web site. I read all your messages, and I’m flattered to have such intelligent and thoughtful readers, even if some of your questions require a thesis by way of answer! To all of you who have ambitions to be published, I shall keep fingers crossed that it happens for you in 2005.
My two most confident predictions for next year are: 1) my new book - a first-person narrative that explores the fringes of war, and what happens when life is so cheap that murders go unnoticed - will be on sale next autumn (a blistering woman-in-danger story!); 2) George W and T Blair will NOT win the Nobel Peace Prize (a blistering reality-check!).
My least confident prediction is that the world will have an attack of common sense and try origami birds instead of bullets. But, hey! Who knows? Perhaps miracles can happen.
All my best, Minette
Police procedural: New interview with Minette
 Minette hasn't given many interviews lately, so we're happy to have this interesting piece from the Strathclyde Police department's magazine. In it, Minette discusses her prison visits and drops a clue about the new Acid Row adaptation!
Read article > >
(NOTE: This link will open a browser window containing a page from the Strathclyde Police Department's web site. We are not responsible for the content of third-party web sites.)
 New Scribbling video clip now online
While working on The Shape of Snakes in 1999, Minette took part in a television documentary, SCRIBBLING. Originally broadcast in 2001, the programme was an unflinching look at the writing process. We've just added another clip in which Minette discusses the process of "writing what you know". You can now view this clip, along with others from the show, in your choice of formats. Access video clips > >
Minette
answers your questions
Q:
I have only recently begun to read your works and must say that I have been extremely pleased. I notice that recently you have included "people of colour" in your books. For me, this has been a refreshing change. In my minimal knowledge of mystery writers (who are not black), authors tend to allude to one's race, whereas you address some of the issues associated with race. Why do you do this? Is this a deliberate choice or just something that has evolved? -- Rosemarie
A:
All my books deal with different kinds of prejudice, so it was inevitable that I would write one about racism. That book was The Shape of Snakes. It was followed by Acid Row, which has a rather splendid black character, Jimmy, as one of the heroes. I chose him to balance the somewhat negative image of Annie Butts in The Shape of Snakes, whom I painted throughout as a victim. Fox Evil has no black characters but because racism isn't always a clear-cut issue, I returned to it in Disordered Minds where Jonathan, half-Jamaican/half-Chinese, is more racist against blacks than most white people. So, in answer to your question, my choice of colour for characters is deliberate!
-- Minette
Minette answers more readers' questions in the Q& A section > >
Signed books by mail
We have had such a positive response to the book signing offer that we've decided to make it a regular feature! Send us a copy of your favourite Minette book (hardcover or paperback), and Minette will sign it for you. We will only charge the cost of return postage.
Find out more > >
It's been an amazing year here at MW.co.uk - we've been thrilled with the number of visitors to the site, and we appreciate all the kind comments! We hope you continue to find the newsletter informative, and we would love to hear any suggestions you have for improving the site!
--The Editor
MinetteWalters.co.uk
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