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 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 hope to bring Jane Whitefield back before too long.

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

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...

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

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...

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.

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...

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 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 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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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.

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.