Иэн Ранкин признался, что его творческий кризис и усталость приближают выход на пенсию

Ian Rankin has revealed that he sees retirement from writing being “just over the horizon” as he admitted spending too much time focusing on his next book instead of his family. Rankin, who turned 66 earlier this year, has told his fans he is now getting “knackered very quickly” when he is trying to work. The creator of the Inspector Rebus novels admitted it was “getting harder” to write new novels because ideas were not coming as quickly and he was struggled to “contain” a book in his head the way he could previously. Read more: - Ian Rankin reveals he has 'unfinished business' with Rebus - Rebus returning to TV screens as BBC renews show for a second series - Is new Rebus play a worthy successor to Rankin’s detective novels? The writer has expanded on a previously-published short story for his next, London-set novel, which does not feature any of the characters from his Rebus series. The author suggested he was running out of ideas for what to do with his much-loved character as he was now 80 years old. He has previously hinted that the character was likely to make another appearance in 2027 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of his first appearance. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Rankin said his wife, Miranda, had been urging him to focus on travelling rather than writing. The author admitted he was now “always worried” he was going to die before he finished writing his next book. Rankin, who was appearing at an in-conversation event at The Stand Comedy Club, told of his regrets at having no memories of certain holidays, birthday parties and key school occasions for his two sons because he was too focused on his next book. Interviewed by fellow author Caro Ramsay, Rankin said he had come to realise that he had spent “an awful lot” of his life “not living in the moment” because he was too busy with a book. The author, whose first novel, The Flood was published 40 years ago, has gone on to sell more than 35 million books. Asked if he could ever imagine retiring, Rankin said: “I am slowing down as I get older. “My wife is saying: ‘Look, while we have still got the use of our limbs and our heads we should be traveling, you shouldn't be writing. I have got the state pension now, so I'm in clover. “The ideas are not coming as quickly. It is getting harder to write the books. “I can’t contain a book in my head the way I used to. I can see that point. Rebus is 80 years old now. I can imagine it. I think it's just over the horizon.” Rankin recalled how his Rebus books had gradually expanded in length before becoming shorter in recent years. “They are getting skinny again because I get knackered very quickly. I'm always worried I'm going to die before I finish writing a book.” Ramsay asked Rankin to explain the best thing about being a writer. He said: “It's not really a day job, is it? That's the thing I like about it. “I'm a full-time writer. I do a lot of p***ing about and call it research. Every time I go to the pub I say I am researching. When I go and buy a record I am doing research. You get to just loaf around a lot. “I've worked in chicken factories. I've worked in frozen veg factories. I've worked as a tax man. I've worked in an office. It beats having a job. It definitely does. That's the best thing about it. “But there are things that are not good about it. I am now 66. I have come to realise that I have spent an awful lot of my life not living in the moment. “Inside my head, I was busy with a book, which meant that although I was present for my kids' birthday parties, I don't remember them. “There are holidays that my wife tells me we went on that I don't remember because in my head a book was consuming me. First days at school, last days at school, an awful lot. I was there. I was present, but I was not present. I kind of regret that. “Having said that, it is brilliant to have all these invisible characters inside your head having adventures. “My wife knows. When I am writing a book, which I’m doing now, and I come back for lunch or dinner or whatever she is taking to me, then suddenly pauses, waves and says hello.” Earlier this year, Rankin suggested he had "unfinished business" with his Rebus character, who has inspired a new BBC TV adaptation. Outlander star Richard Rankin, who is unrelated to the author, is currently filming a new storyline penned by award-winning Fife-born playwright and screenwriter Gregory Burke.