Thomas Perry Quotes

Reading a novel in which all characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification could be a pretty dull experience.

I do try not to spend much time reading in the suspense genre.

I don't have dry seasons, because I don't allow them.

Much of what we do in life has a huge component of luck.

I do want to write about Jane Whitefield again, but only when I have a good enough idea - something I've figured out about her that's news and that's worth a reader's time.

Yes, in my books I do edit myself to keep from becoming the Village Explainer.

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something - a character sketch, a monologue, a description of some sight, or even just a list of ideas.

I had been writing fiction since I was in eighth grade, because I loved it.

It's important, I think, for a writer of fiction to maintain an awareness of the pace and shape of the book as he's writing it. That is, he should be making an object, not chattering.

Contrary to what many writers imply about the process, nobody forces a writer to sell his work to the film industry.

What I look for in any character, good or bad, is whether I can hear him speak. If I can imagine him that clearly, then I can write about him.

When I write a book, I'm making it the best book I can.

Tod Goldberg has long been one of the most interesting writers around, and Gangsterland is his biggest and best book so far.

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities - and kept on writing.

If you'll think about various series you've read, can you think of any instance in which, say, the tenth volume of the series is notably better than the first nine? I can't.

I don't think the problem is that people don't read enough mystery books, but that people don't read.

All writers are mimics, and I'm not interested in picking up somebody else's style or voice.

Being comfortable isn't the way to learn to expand your abilities.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I don't consciously do anything to maintain a unique voice.

I do have to earn a living, so I'm conscious of probable reactions from readers, but the most important one is still the awareness that if I'm not enjoying a story, the reader won't either.

There are days when I intentionally don't write. For instance, I never write when I'm traveling, because travel is a situation where I can learn more by looking and listening than by working.