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.

Quote by Thomas Perry

Topics: Thomas Perry Quotes

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

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

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.

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...

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something...

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something...

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...

What I look for in any character, good or bad, is whether I can hear...

What I look for in any character, good or bad, is whether I can hear...

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...

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...

The characters you refer to as predatory and unsavory are useful. They're the ones who...

The characters you refer to as predatory and unsavory are useful. They're the ones who...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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

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

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

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...

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities -...

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities -...

I think we did a great job of putting together a program that would have...

I think we did a great job of putting together a program that would have...

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...