Whether you like Rowling's writing or not, one thing she excels at is plot. I can see how a crime novel would be a perfect fit for her. In fact, the Harry Potte

Whether you like Rowling's writing or not, one thing she excels at is plot. I can see how a crime novel would be a perfect fit for her. In fact, the Harry Potter books were quite brilliant in the way they threaded clues throughout the story - all of which unravelled so cleverly at the end of the final novel. In fact, this skill for storytelling or narrative is something shared by many "children's authors". Plot sometimes seems to be a dirty word in adult fction, especially literary fiction. You can have a good plot and good characterisation - they are not mutually exclusive. Another British writer, Philip Pullman, has also acknowledged the importance of story. I like this extract from Guardian article in 2000 on Philip Pullman [1] he...is not afraid to acknowledge the importance of plot in his work. 'When you are writing for children,' he told the Bookseller in 1996, 'the story is more important than you are. You can't be self-conscious, you just have to get out of the way.' Because it is easier to write description and dialogue than tell a good story, very many contemporary novelists write bad plots...Pullman seems to know this... It's in the importance he attaches to narrative that sets Pullman apart from all those highly-praised contemporary writers who cannot plot for toffee. [1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/oct/22/whitbreadprize2001.costabookaward http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/oct/22/whitbreadprize20...