Fekk svar frå verdskjent forfattar

Dei siste vekene har storskulen (5., 6. og 8. trinn) hatt leseprosjekt med bokserien om Damenes detektivbyrå som tema. Undervegs på ideen opp om å senda nokre spørsmål til forfattaren av serien, Alexander McCall Smith. Me hadde vel ikkje store trua på at me ville få svar, men det var nå uansett god engelsklæring å formulera spørsmål til denne verdskjende forfattaren.

Me blei derfor litt himmelfalne då det låg ein e-post og venta på oss etter leirskulen på Mballang.  Avsendar: Alexander McCall Smith. Mottakar: The Norwegian School in Cameroon.Han avslutta mailen på denne måten: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your interesting questions” (takk for at eg fekk høve til å svara på dykkar interessante spørsmål).Stor stas, sjølvsagt, og i går ettermiddag laga storskulen til ein ”pressekonferanse” på bokkafeen i biblioteket, der to av elevane var ”McCall Smith” og dei andre ”journalistar”. I e-posten fekk me også vita at han nå skriv på ei ny bok som kjem ut neste år. Den skal heita ”The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party” (Laurdagens store teltbryllaups-fest).Me tar me nokre av spørsmåla her. Heile serien med 24 spørsmål og svar er å finna på Den norske skulen sin blogg, www.dns-kamerun.blogspot.

Questions for Alexander McCall Smith from
The Norwegian School in Cameroon.

1)      Why did you start with the No. 1 Detective Agency?

I thought that basing the books in a detective agency would give plenty of

opportunity for new characters to walk through the door. My books are not

really crime novels, but are more to do with the problems which people

have in their lives.

2)      When did you get the idea?

I got the idea for the books while visiting friends in Africa. I saw a

woman chasing a chicken in her yard. This woman, who was wearing a red

dress, impressed me with her cheerfulness and her dignity, and I thought

then that I would one day write a short story about her. Many years later

I sat down to write such a story - and Precious Ramotswe was born.

3)      What are you working with when you are not an author?

I was, for many years, a Professor of Medical Law at the University of

Edinburgh - but I wrote books at the same time.

4)      How old are you?

I am 62 years old.

5)      Where do you live?

I have lived in Edinburgh, in Scotland, for most of my adult life. I was

born in Africa, in what is now Zimbabwe, and spent my childhood there.

6)      Do you have any hobbies besides writing?

Yes, I play the bassoon, very badly, in an amateur orchestra called The

Really Terrible Orchestra!

7)      Have you been to Botswana?

I first went to Botswana in the 1980s, when I helped to set up the Law

Faculty at the University there, and I have visited the country every year

since then.

8)      Why did you write about Botswana?

I write about Botswana because I think that it is a very inspiring country.

9)      What is your favourite thing about Botswana?

The kindness of the people, and the beautiful landscapes.

10)   Are you married and do you have kids?

Yes, I am married to my wife, Elizabeth, who is a doctor, and I have two

grown up daughters - one has just qualified as a doctor, and the other is

in her final year at medical school.

11)   What is your favourite book?

My favourite book is a book of poetry, called 'Collected Shorter Poems',

by the poet W H Auden.

12)   Why is it your favourite book?

W H Auden's poems have been a source of great inspiration to me.

13)   What do you think about when you are writing?

I'm not sure! I actually tend to go into a trance when I am writing, and

the words come out very easily.

14)   Do you know anybody who is like Mma Ramotswe?

I have met many people like Mma Ramotswe in Botswana - women who share her

cheerfulness and generosity of spirit.

15)   Why did you think you only should write one book?

I had no idea when I wrote the first book that I would continue to write a

series - but I am enjoying my conversation with Mma Ramotswe very much.

16)   Is it only one female detective in Botswana in reality?

I am sure that there are more female detectives in Botswana in real life!

17)   Do you know anybody who is like Mma Makutsi?

I have encountered people who share some of Mma Makutsi's characteristics.

18)   Is it funny to write books?

It is certainly most enjoyable. Writing brings me great pleasure.

19)   Where do you get the inspiration from?

From observing people and listening to their conversations.

20)   Why do you write books?

I think I write books because I have to. I can't stop the words coming out.

21)   Are you famous?

I don't feel as if I am famous, but many people come to my events when I

do my book tours. I sometimes get recognised at airports!

22)   Are you rich?

I am comfortably well off as a result of my writing.

23)   Where do you live?

I live in a house in Edinburgh.

24)   Can you write more The Ladies Detective Agency books?

Yes, I am planning to write more books in the series.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your interesting questions.

Alexander McCall Smith