Writer McIlvanney sets sights on three or four new projects
NOVELIST William McIlvanney hopes to write “three or four new things” before the end of his career as he prepares for the screening of a documentary about his life and influences.
The 78-year-old still has a compulsion to write and said he has ideas “that matter very much” to him.
The author of the Laidlaw trilogy and numerous other Glasgow-based works is the focus of the film William McIlvanney: Living With Words to be screened at the Glasgow Film Festival today.
The republication of some of his best-known novels has introduced him to a new generation of readers and he hopes to add to his body of work.
He said: “I get shifty when I talk about it but there are three or four things I’d like to write before I ‘cash in’, but whether I will or not I don’t know.
“I write from compulsion, I have to generate a compul- sion, I have probably four ideas that matter to me very much and I hope to realise them, but if you’re a betting man don’t put a bet on it, just wait and see what happens.
“There’s things I’ve started – I’m a great starter, not so good at finishing – I’ve started several things and would like to write maybe three of four things that matter to me.”
The wave of political activism sweeping Scotland is something that has caught the attention of Mr McIlvanney and could influence future work. Part of the film shows the writer visiting George Square on the evening of the referendum vote and the scenes captured his imagination.
He said: “As an outsider I’ve always been politically interested and I suppose it connects up with the writing because it’s a celebration of Scottish life.
“I get involved because I care, not because I think I’m particularly well informed or anything.
“I voted Yes so there was an element of disappointment in the result but I went into George Square on the night of the referendum and it was a sensational experience.
“It was full of song and laughter and young people, I thought, whatever the result, the referendum animated young Scots to such an extent, and that was marvellous.”
T he 3 0 - m i nut e film directed by Maurice O’Brien will also be broadcast on BBC Two on Friday.