I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want readers to feel: OK, this probably didn't happen, but it might have.

Quote by Ken Follett

Topics: Ken Follett Quotes

James Bond is quite serious about his drinks and clothing and cigarettes and food and...

James Bond is quite serious about his drinks and clothing and cigarettes and food and...

World War II is the greatest drama in human history, the biggest war ever and...

World War II is the greatest drama in human history, the biggest war ever and...

Movies have influenced all writers, not just thriller writers.

Movies have influenced all writers, not just thriller writers.

We all now tell stories by cutting from one dramatic scene to the next, whereas...

We all now tell stories by cutting from one dramatic scene to the next, whereas...

I don't think there's any great mystery to writing female characters, so long as you...

I don't think there's any great mystery to writing female characters, so long as you...

The research is the easiest. The outline is the most fun. The first draft is...

The research is the easiest. The outline is the most fun. The first draft is...

There was a very serious communist strain among American intellectuals before the war. America was...

There was a very serious communist strain among American intellectuals before the war. America was...

I use a professional researcher in New York who does all the legwork, all that...

I use a professional researcher in New York who does all the legwork, all that...

The thriller is the most popular literary genre of the 20th century.

The thriller is the most popular literary genre of the 20th century.

Thrillers have been traditionally very masculine books; the women characters often rather decorative.

Thrillers have been traditionally very masculine books; the women characters often rather decorative.

When I'm writing a woman character, I don't think, 'What would a woman do?' I...

When I'm writing a woman character, I don't think, 'What would a woman do?' I...

Most of my stories have some basis in fact.

Most of my stories have some basis in fact.

I enjoy learning technical details.

I enjoy learning technical details.

An awful lot of thriller writers write women rather badly. So just doing it OK...

An awful lot of thriller writers write women rather badly. So just doing it OK...

For success, the author must make the reader care about the destiny of the principals,...

For success, the author must make the reader care about the destiny of the principals,...

A very good editor is almost a collaborator.

A very good editor is almost a collaborator.

It was the most romantic plane ever made.

It was the most romantic plane ever made.

The CIA's research program is described in a book called The Search for the Manchurian...

The CIA's research program is described in a book called The Search for the Manchurian...

With hindsight, we see that the Soviet Union never had a chance of world domination,...

With hindsight, we see that the Soviet Union never had a chance of world domination,...

My favorite period is World War II, and I'm in the middle of writing my...

My favorite period is World War II, and I'm in the middle of writing my...