My favorite period is World War II, and I'm in the middle of writing my fourth novel set in that era.

Quote by Ken Follett

Topics: Ken Follett Quotes

Culture clash is terrific drama.

Culture clash is terrific drama.

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...

Most of my stories have some basis in fact.

Most of my stories have some basis in fact.

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,...

I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want...

I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want...

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

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

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,...

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...

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...

In my books, women often solve the problem. Even if the woman is not the...

In my books, women often solve the problem. Even if the woman is not the...

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...

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...

A very good editor is almost a collaborator.

A very good editor is almost a collaborator.

Be a perfectionist.

Be a perfectionist.

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...

I enjoy learning technical details.

I enjoy learning technical details.

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...

Movies have influenced all writers, not just thriller writers.

Movies have influenced all writers, not just thriller writers.

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...