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.

Quote by Thomas Perry

Topics: Thomas Perry Quotes

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

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

Reading a novel in which all characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification...

Reading a novel in which all characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification...

You have very accurately described the difficulty of presenting my books on film: many of...

You have very accurately described the difficulty of presenting my books on film: many of...

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

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

I do hope to bring Jane Whitefield back before too long.

I do hope to bring Jane Whitefield back before too long.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I do want to write about Jane Whitefield again, but only when I have a...

I do want to write about Jane Whitefield again, but only when I have a...

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is...

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is...

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

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

Once you have invented a character with three dimensions and a voice, you begin to...

Once you have invented a character with three dimensions and a voice, you begin to...

There are days when I intentionally don't write. For instance, I never write when I'm...

There are days when I intentionally don't write. For instance, I never write when I'm...

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

If you'll think about various series you've read, can you think of any instance in...

If you'll think about various series you've read, can you think of any instance in...

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

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

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

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...

It's important, I think, for a writer of fiction to maintain an awareness of the...

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

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