Quotes from Thomas Perry

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

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.

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is the hero of his own story. Each has a justification for his actions that is convincing to him. It's fun to give these people voices.

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.

It was a lot of fun, and writing a series is comfortable. It's almost like having a secure job.

Once you have invented a character with three dimensions and a voice, you begin to realize that some of the things you'd like him to do to further your plot are things that such a person wouldn't, or couldn't, do.

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

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I think we did a great job of putting together a program that would have made good e-books available had people been buying e-books in any real numbers.

You have very accurately described the difficulty of presenting my books on film: many of my characters are alone most of the time, and when they do talk, what they say is mostly lies. That can make for a pretty confusing film.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 do hope to bring Jane Whitefield back before too long.

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

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

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

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

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.