He had an amazing process as a writer, to produce about one book a year (alternating mainstream novels as Iain Banks and science fiction as Iain M. Banks).

He’d spend nine months of the year not writing. He’d think about the next novel, but not write anything, instead driving around Scotland to distilleries, making music, whatever. Then, having heavily thought through the book, he’d sit down and write it in three months. Then back to nine months off. Pretty much a dream schedule!