Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting and Filth, has fielded questions in an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit.

The notorious Scottish writer, who has seen four of his novels adapted to film, was online to promote his new novel, The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins, and fielded dozens of questions from anonymous webizens.

The AMA session provides an interesting look into Welsh’s life, his views on music and party culture, as well as the inspiration behind his work.

Below is a selection of the best and most interesting questions and answers.

On drugs:

Have you had experience before with addiction?

I always felt I was just dabbling in drugs but I suppose when you are trying to tear your mum’s purse out her hands you need to re-evaluate.

I can’t really handle them now. You spend so much of your life fucked up that being sober feels quite trippy. If something new and mind-blowing came on the market though…

On his book to film adaptations:

What are your thoughts on the film adaptations of your novels?

Win-win. Crap movie – they fucked up my lovely book. Great movie – they had the material to work with.

On Trainspotting:

When you were writing some of the scenes in Trainspotting, did you ever think they were a bit fucked up?

Not at the time. But you look back and think, what will people think of you, family, close friends etc. Now I won’t write anything unless I get that uncomfortable feeling.

How much Chocolate was used while filming Trainspotting’s “worst toilet in scotland” scene?

There was quite a few Yorkie bars melting in the Glasgow heat that summer.

On Music:

What’s your favourite album and artist? Love your work.

I would say Station to Station by David Bowie is my favourite album, but there are so many great ones, and so many artists I like and admire.

What are your thoughts on EDM?

Dance music has become very widespread in the USA. However the term EDM is more commonly used in the sunbelt. It’s interesting how many dance people in the Northern cities still use ‘house’ and ‘rave’. At the last Miami Winter music Conference, my mate Dave Beer from Back to Basics started stopping people in the street asking them what EDM was. Few understood the term compared to dance music, house and rave. But I think its great that the USA now has its own dance music stars.

On his chances of becoming a professional tennis commentator:

Your twitter commentary on the Murray game in the Aus Open was top notch, is this something you would be willing to go into full-time?

They couldn’t afford me at the BBC, and I’m not on the sex offenders register so probably wouldn’t qualify.
via Reddit