Anthony Horowitz's journey into screenwriting began with what he calls pure desperation - not his own, but that of the producers of Robin of Sherwood who needed someone to write for their show. With no television writing experience whatsoever, Horowitz literally bought a "How to Write Television" book and taught himself the craft. His background in myths and legends made him a natural fit for the show, and before he knew it, he was writing for 13 million viewers. It's a classic example of how sometimes the best opportunities come when you're least prepared for them.
What makes Horowitz particularly fascinating is his chameleon-like ability to adapt his writing voice to different universes. Whether he's channeling Arthur Conan Doyle for his Sherlock Holmes novels or stepping into Ian Fleming's shoes for James Bond, he's mastered the art of hiding his own voice while maintaining the essence of these iconic characters. As he puts it, this skill of writing "in the style of somebody else" became incredibly useful throughout his career, allowing him to work across multiple genres and intellectual properties.
When it comes to his creative process, Horowitz describes himself as a "radio receiver" for ideas, believing that good concepts will persist and demand to be explored. He's particularly passionate about murder mysteries, though not for the reasons you might expect. For him, "Murder mystery is not about murder. Murder mystery is about people. It's about emotion and it's about situations." He's critical of the "cosy murder" trend, preferring stories that dig deep into genuine human emotions and community dynamics.
Looking at the current entertainment landscape, Horowitz isn't entirely optimistic. He observes that studios are increasingly focused on reproducing past hits rather than creating original content, making it harder for writers to break through with fresh ideas. Despite these industry challenges, his advice to aspiring writers remains refreshingly simple: believe in your work, enjoy the process, and remember that "if you can't surprise yourself, how can you surprise your reader?" His philosophy is all about maintaining that sense of excitement and originality that has driven his remarkable four-decade career.
