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.

Quote by Thomas Perry

Topics: Thomas Perry Quotes

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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 do have to earn a living, so I'm conscious of probable reactions from readers,...

I do have to earn a living, so I'm conscious of probable reactions from readers,...

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

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

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

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...

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

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 do hope to bring Jane Whitefield back before too long.

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

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...

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

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

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...

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.

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.

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 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 -...