CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE.

CHRISTOPHER'S darkly comic tales have made him one of the most respected authors in Scotland.

The 37-year-old's first novel Quite Ugly One Morning scooped Crime Novel of the Year and was made into a TV movie. The Glasgow author has just released his tenth book. How I did it: I have been writing short stories for my own amusement from the age of six. In secondary school my essays were always the longest in the class but I had some indulgent teachers who supported me. One told me she kept mine until last so she had something to look forward to. It was the first time I was made to believe I could write in the outside world.

I studied English and drama at Glasgow University but I didn't decide to write a novel until I left. I was working for Screen International in London and doing sub-editing shifts for newspapers when I decided to get serious. I wasn't surprised when my first three novels got rejected. They were ropey in different ways but I was getting closer to knowing what I was doing with each one.

With Quite Ugly One Morning I decided to write with more humour. I'd spent too long thinking what would a publisher go for rather than writing for myself. I got a very powerful agent and signed a two-book deal in 1995. Perks: Winning the Wodehouse award for A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil was a great surprise.

Five-year plan: I have written a screenplay for a horror film and would love to do something like that again. My next book, Attack Of The Unsinkable Rubber Ducks, is all about the paranormal and is due out next year.

Tips Don't ape styles that are not your own or write about subjects you don't know enough about.

A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil is available from Little Brown.

Christopher appears at the Edinburgh Book Festival on August 13 and 19.

You can also catch him at the Stirling Book Festival on September 26. Tickets from 01786 432383 or email [e-mail].

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Write on: Christopher has already penned 10 novels