Caroline Graham - In Conversation at the NFT

CAROLINE GRAHAM IN CONVERSATION WITH RUSSELL JAMES
AT THE NFT IN LONDON - 9TH JULY 2004

With the phenomenal success of Midsomer Murders on TV it is sometimes forgotten that the characters and the whole concept of Midsomer was originally created for books by Caroline Graham.

Caroline actually makes few public appearances so it was interesting to discover her recent interview in July as part of the NFT's 'Crime Scene Festival' where she was interviewed by crime writer and former CWA Chairman, Russell James. She was more than happy to talk about her career, Midsomer and the TV series. Afterwards she signed copies of her books, including her new 'Barnaby' novel 'A Ghost in the Machine'.

Caroline opened by talking about her early life which was highly varied including attending ballet school in Paris, work with WRNS, running a marriage bureau, in rep and as a freelance radio journalist before turning to writing. One of her first breaks occurred when she wrote a TV comedy 'The Common Lot' whilst attending writing classes. She recalled with amusement how at the commencement of this project, which it was hoped would develop into a successful series, she was wined and dined by the producers and chauffeured to and from the studio in limousenes. However, when it became apparent that the project would not do well (a fact that Caroline put down to casting and director) the enthusiasm began to evaporate and she was reduced to travelling to and from the set by bus and eating burgers in the studio canteen! Only one episode was ever transmitted which went out in April 1977 on ITV.

In the late 70s Caroline wrote for the long running daily TV series 'Crossroads', famed for rickety sets and fluffed lines. She compared this with the highly professional production values of 'Midsomer Murders'. Caroline also commented that one of the problems writing for 'Crossroads' was ensuring previous plot lines were followed as well liasing with other writers for future episodes.

In the early 80s she was approached by Fontana to contribute a book for a series of Gothic horror stories they had high hopes for. Accordingly she wrote the novel 'Fire Dance' subsequently published in 1982. The unusual plot concerning a girl who falls in love with an effigy of Lord Byron! Unfortunately, again the series was not a success and was dropped by Fontana.

Casting around Caroline surveyed the market in order to establish what type of novel was actually selling. Accordingly she wrote a novel based on a Celtic theme but by the time this was completed the market had passed so the book remains unpublished though Caroline still has the manuscript.

Realising that crime was now hitting the best selling charts Caroline turned her attention to this theme, creating the Barnaby novels. Her first book in this series was 'The Killings at Badger's Drift' which was highly successful and has since been voted into the 100 best crime novels of all time. Considering the many thousands of works in this genre this is a feat of which is justifiably proud.

The following are an outline of some of the questions Caroline was asked about the Midsomer books and TV series and her responses.

Q

How do you compose your Barnaby novels?

CG

I plan them all out in advance so I know who the murderer is unlike Ruth Rendell who claims she sometimes alters her plots as the book develops. I could never do that. My son, David also helps with ideas for plots.

Q

Do you feel your books are violent?

CG

There is always an element of violence in a crime novel but I feel my characters are more emotionally violent.

Q

How do you feel about the TV series?

CG

I'm really chuffed that the novels have been made into a TV series. I even had cameo roles in the first few episodes. I was actually in the church congregation in the pilot episode.

Q

How do you feel about the changing of some of the characters from the novels?

CG

Well, Troy for example is a very different character but this was necessary because John Nettles is the star of the series and it was important that Troy did not overshadow him. Consequently he became a softer character.

Q

Have you bent your charcters to fit the TV series in subsequent novels?

CG

No, although on the last two books I have visualised Daniel more as Troy.

Q

Did the debut of the TV series increase your book sales?

CG

After the first few episodes appeared on TV the books were reissued in paperback with pictures of John and Daniel on the covers. However, this did not make a great deal of difference to sales in the UK but led to significant sales increase abroad.

Q

How do you think up the names for your villages such as Forbes Abbott in 'The Killings at Badger's Drift'.

CG

Abbott & Costello! (laughter). I look in the back of an atlas and frequently join up two names. The character of Troy was actually named after 'Troy' in Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. I actually used the village where I lived at the time as the basis for 'Forbes Abbott' in 'The Killings at Badger's Drift'.

Q

How do you feel about Troy leaving the TV series?

CG

I really liked Daniel in the role but understand that as a young actor he wanted to try other things. The producers actually considered a woman as a replacment for Barnaby's side kick for a while but this idea was thankfully dropped. The new character, Scott, is different in many ways to Troy, being more of a street-wise cockney and they have left their options open regarding his development.

Q

Do you have any control over the TV scripts?

CG

In the early days I did adapt 'Death of a Hollow Man' for TV and was pleased with the results but I've no plans to write any further screen plays. Nowdays I don't have any control over the scripts but understand that the writers need to develop and take the scripts in their own direction.

Q

Will there be any more Barnaby novels. It has been noticed that Barnaby is 6 months from retirement in the current book 'A Ghost in the Machine'.

CG

Yes, I think there may be another Barnaby novel in me yet.

Caroline then outlined what may be the opening for a new Barnaby novel. It sounds a blockbuster and a must adapt for TV!

Incidentally 'A Place of Safety' has not been adapted for TV as Caroline feels that the murderer is obvious from the outset and wouldn't fit into the 'who dunnit' format of the series.

She has recently completed a radio play, a comedy about animals but she is not sure if it will be produced. She also has an idea for a sitcom set in a garage. Surprisingly, for such a successful crime novelists she prefers writing comedy.

Caroline proved to be a humorous and affable lady and it was a great pleasure to meet her.

Q	How do you compose your Barnaby novels?
CG	I plan them all out in advance so I know who the murderer is unlike Ruth Rendell who claims she sometimes alters her plots as the book develops. I could never do that. My son, David also helps with ideas for plots.
Q	Do you feel your books are violent?
CG	There is always an element of violence in a crime novel but I feel my characters are more emotionally violent.
Q	How do you feel about the TV series?
CG	I'm really chuffed that the novels have been made into a TV series. I even had cameo roles in the first few episodes. I was actually in the church congregation in the pilot episode.
Q	How do you feel about the changing of some of the characters from the novels?
CG	Well, Troy for example is a very different character but this was necessary because John Nettles is the star of the series and it was important that Troy did not overshadow him. Consequently he became a softer character.
Q	Have you bent your charcters to fit the TV series in subsequent novels?
CG	No, although on the last two books I have visualised Daniel more as Troy.
Q	Did the debut of the TV series increase your book sales?
CG	After the first few episodes appeared on TV the books were reissued in paperback with pictures of John and Daniel on the covers. However, this did not make a great deal of difference to sales in the UK but led to significant sales increase abroad.
Q	How do you think up the names for your villages such as Forbes Abbott in 'The Killings at Badger's Drift'.
CG	Abbott & Costello! (laughter). I look in the back of an atlas and frequently join up two names. The character of Troy was actually named after 'Troy' in Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. I actually used the village where I lived at the time as the basis for 'Forbes Abbott' in 'The Killings at Badger's Drift'.
Q	How do you feel about Troy leaving the TV series?
CG	I really liked Daniel in the role but understand that as a young actor he wanted to try other things. The producers actually considered a woman as a replacment for Barnaby's side kick for a while but this idea was thankfully dropped. The new character, Scott, is different in many ways to Troy, being more of a street-wise cockney and they have left their options open regarding his development.
Q	Do you have any control over the TV scripts?
CG	In the early days I did adapt 'Death of a Hollow Man' for TV and was pleased with the results but I've no plans to write any further screen plays. Nowdays I don't have any control over the scripts but understand that the writers need to develop and take the scripts in their own direction.
Q	Will there be any more Barnaby novels. It has been noticed that Barnaby is 6 months from retirement in the current book 'A Ghost in the Machine'.
CG	Yes, I think there may be another Barnaby novel in me yet.