Not all of crime writer Ian Rankin's inspiration comes from Edinburgh's mean streets. When it came to writing a Quick Read--one of the short, fast-paced books for reluctant, returning or emergent readers--the Beach Boys provided the unlikely germ for an idea. Despite his success and obvious delight and energy for writing, Rankin admits to being a frustrated rock star. He compares song lyrics to poetry and believes people should write and read whatever they want. In this article, the author explores the reasons why best-selling author Ian Rankin write a Quick Read and gets a glimpse into the mind of a writer who retains a childlike appetite for new ideas.