Quotes by Alexander McCall Smith

About Alexander McCall Smith:

R. Alexander is a British writer and Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. In the late twentieth century, McCall Smith became a respected expert on medical law and bioethics and served on British and international committees concerned with these issues. He has since become internationally known as a writer of fiction. He is most widely known as the creator of the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. "McCall" is not a middle name: his surname is "McCall Smith".
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Every novel presents a slice of life. A noir policier for example presents one slice, one that perhaps addresses social dysfunction or some sort of pathology, while mine present a slice that is more upbeat and affirmative.

Alexander McCall Smith

If you lose sight of the smaller accomplishments, you end up with an imbalance in your life.

Alexander McCall Smith

I write four books a year. I'm very fortunate that I write quickly; around 3,500 words a day. Being strict about delineating my writing time and personal life, as well as keeping distractions at bay, is the only way I can accomplish this.

Alexander McCall Smith

Oh I love gadgets and I pride myself on keeping at the cutting edge of technology.

Alexander McCall Smith

One of the most destructive things that's happening in modern society is that we are losing our sense of the bonds that bind people together - which can lead to nightmares of social collapse.

Alexander McCall Smith

It seems to me that we're in danger of losing sight of certain basic civic values in society by allowing the growth of a whole generation of people who really have no sense of attachment to society.

Alexander McCall Smith

Manners are the basic building blocks of civil society.

Alexander McCall Smith

The point of opera is that people are moved by the emotions and music.

Alexander McCall Smith

As a writer I've learned certain lessons. One of them is to be careful about how you put a view, and to bear in mind how easily and readily you'll be misinterpreted.

Alexander McCall Smith

Serial novels have an unexpected effect; they hook the writer as well as the reader.

Alexander McCall Smith

Painters aren't expected to paint bleak pictures, are they?

Alexander McCall Smith

Wherever I go in the world, people all know about Scotland Street and are always asking me about what's going to happen to the characters next.

Alexander McCall Smith

Edinburgh used to be a haughty city.

Alexander McCall Smith

I would certainly never consider myself a Renaissance Man; I'm not fit to look at the dust from the chariot wheels of many of those who have gone before me.

Alexander McCall Smith

Fiction is able to encompass books that are bleak and which dwell on the manifold and terrible problems of our times. But I don't think that all books need to have that particular focus.

Alexander McCall Smith

Botswana is actually very peaceful. It's democratic. It never was in debt. They've been fortunate, they've had diamonds.

Alexander McCall Smith

As a writer, I have readers who will have a range of political views. I don't think they look to me for political guidance.

Alexander McCall Smith

The wider your readership, the greater the chances of offending your readers.

Alexander McCall Smith

I'm very interested in tea. I wouldn't mind being involved in some aspect of the tea industry.

Alexander McCall Smith

Any author of fiction will tell you that characters don't need to be told what to do.

Alexander McCall Smith

I'm interested in character and dialogue and exchange of ideas.

Alexander McCall Smith

Author Bio

  • NameAlexander McCall Smith
  • DescriptionBritish writer
  • BornAugust 24, 1948
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionWriter
  • WorksThe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
  • AwardsCommander Of The Order Of The British Empire; Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize