This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6948230.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rankin slated over lesbian claims Rankin slated over lesbian claims
(about 20 hours later)
Author Ian Rankin has been criticised by a fellow writer for suggesting lesbians write the most violent crime novels.Author Ian Rankin has been criticised by a fellow writer for suggesting lesbians write the most violent crime novels.
Val McDermid, 52, who is gay, described Rankin's comments as "offensive" and suggested his books were among the most violent she had read.Val McDermid, 52, who is gay, described Rankin's comments as "offensive" and suggested his books were among the most violent she had read.
She was speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.She was speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Edinburgh-based Mr Rankin, 47, made his original comments during a newspaper interview last year.Edinburgh-based Mr Rankin, 47, made his original comments during a newspaper interview last year.
He said: "The people writing the most graphic novels are women. They are mostly lesbians also, which I find interesting."He said: "The people writing the most graphic novels are women. They are mostly lesbians also, which I find interesting."
I find that statement so offensive, I can't even begin to start Val McDermidAuthorI find that statement so offensive, I can't even begin to start Val McDermidAuthor
Ms McDermid, originally from Kirkcaldy, Fife, launched her tirade while speaking at the festival this week. Ms McDermid, originally from Kirkcaldy, Fife, made her comments while speaking at the festival this week.
Describing Mr Rankin's remark as "arrant rubbish", she said: "I find that statement so offensive, I can't even begin to start, apart from the fact that a lot of what is being written by the very talented young Scottish male writers is not shying away from depicting violence very directly. Referring to Mr Rankin's remarks, she said: "I find that statement so offensive, I can't even begin to start, apart from the fact that a lot of what is being written by the very talented young Scottish male writers is not shying away from depicting violence very directly.
"But there are certain kinds of books in which the only way you can be honest is to write about violence in a very direct way, to say, 'That is what it is'."But there are certain kinds of books in which the only way you can be honest is to write about violence in a very direct way, to say, 'That is what it is'.
"It's not something that is amusing, it's not something that is a cheap thrill, it's not something that is a groovy pornography to get off on."It's not something that is amusing, it's not something that is a cheap thrill, it's not something that is a groovy pornography to get off on.
"It hurts, it damages the lives of everyone it touches.""It hurts, it damages the lives of everyone it touches."
'Profound disassociation''Profound disassociation'
Ms McDermid said Mr Rankin had himself written some of the most violent crime passages.Ms McDermid said Mr Rankin had himself written some of the most violent crime passages.
She said: "Have you forgotten the chilling opening to Mortal Causes, for example?"She said: "Have you forgotten the chilling opening to Mortal Causes, for example?"
In the book, a man is shot through the ankles, knees and elbows before being killed and dumped in an Edinburgh alleyway.In the book, a man is shot through the ankles, knees and elbows before being killed and dumped in an Edinburgh alleyway.
Val Mcdermid criticised the opening to one of Ian Rankin's booksVal Mcdermid criticised the opening to one of Ian Rankin's books
Ms McDermid went on to say there is generally a lot of sexism against female crime writers.Ms McDermid went on to say there is generally a lot of sexism against female crime writers.
"Have you ever heard a male crime wrier being asked, 'As a man, how do you feel about writing about violence?' "Have you ever heard a male crime writer being asked, 'As a man, how do you feel about writing about violence?'
"There's a profound disassociation, it seems to me, as if somehow it's wrong for us to be writing about violence against women, as though somehow we need permission to write about violence against woman.""There's a profound disassociation, it seems to me, as if somehow it's wrong for us to be writing about violence against women, as though somehow we need permission to write about violence against woman."
Ms McDermid is best known for her Lindsey Gordon series which focuses on a lesbian journalist. Ms McDermid is famous for her Lindsey Gordon series which focuses on a lesbian journalist, and big TV successes, The Mermaids Singing and Wire in the Blood.
Mr Rankin, from Cardenden, Fife, is one of the best-selling crime writers in the world and was awarded an OBE in 2002.Mr Rankin, from Cardenden, Fife, is one of the best-selling crime writers in the world and was awarded an OBE in 2002.
He is best known for his Inspector Rebus series, the last instalment of which is released this October.He is best known for his Inspector Rebus series, the last instalment of which is released this October.
Mr Rankin declined to comment.Mr Rankin declined to comment.