I used to have a strict creative routine, and it was essential for me to follow it in order to be able to write. On the office chair and at my study's desk, at a keyboard, picking over every syllable and synonym, and absolutely no outside distractions.  However, Something Happened which changed not only the routine but also my perspective on many things. The following piece was written shortly after Something Happened. I wrote it in longhand, fast. In a comfortable armchair.

The whodunit, ‘Murder in the House of Commons had an innovative marketing ploy — the ending was sealed off...

Back to the ‘Write Cut Rewrite’ exhibition at Oxford’s Weston Library, which includes pages from detective fiction writer Raymond...