What I look for in any character, good or bad, is whether I can hear him speak. If I can imagine him that clearly, then I can write about him.

Quote by Thomas Perry

Topics: Thomas Perry Quotes

Contrary to what many writers imply about the process, nobody forces a writer to sell...

Contrary to what many writers imply about the process, nobody forces a writer to sell...

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,...

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

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

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

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...

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 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.

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 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...

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 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...

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.

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...

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 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.

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...

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...

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

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