Born in 1958, Welsh is the Bookershortlisted author of the notorious debut novel
Trainspotting and later books which enter the netherworld of Scotland’s working class, teeming with football hooligans, nightclubbers and yep, filthy-mouthed junkies. His latest novel is Crime.
Describe yourself with three words starting with the same letter.
Idiosyncratic, introspective, international.
When/where do you write?
All the time/anywhere.
Your favourite character?
The one I’m writing at the time is the only one alive to me.
What’s more difficult – starting or finishing a book?
I’m sure 99 percent of writers will tell you it’s finishing.
Complete this phrase: “I got off the train in Berlin and standing on the platform was…”
…Dean Cavanagh dressed in a bear suit with the head under his arm.”
Choose a famous person and recommend to her/him any reading available today.
Michele Bachmann, Last Exit To Brooklyn.
Your favourite literary character?
Renton, from Trainspotting. He’s the one who made me the most money.
‘Berlin’ rhymes with…
Merlin. A magical town, for sure.
Sep 14, 19:00, “Irvine Welsh and his gruff´hero, Lennox, who transcends himself in Crime”