All writers are mimics, and I'm not interested in picking up somebody else's style or voice.
Thomas Perry

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

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is the hero of his own story. Each has a justification for his actions that is convincing to him. It's fun to give these people voices.
Thomas Perry

Contrary to what many writers imply about the process, nobody forces a writer to sell his work to the film industry.
Thomas Perry

I do have to earn a living, so I'm conscious of probable reactions from readers, but the most important one is still the awareness that if I'm not enjoying a story, the reader won't either.
Thomas Perry

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

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.
Thomas Perry

I do try not to spend much time reading in the suspense genre.
Thomas Perry

I do want to write about Jane Whitefield again, but only when I have a good enough idea - something I've figured out about her that's news and that's worth a reader's time.
Thomas Perry

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


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

I don't think the problem is that people don't read enough mystery books, but that people don't read.
Thomas Perry

I had been writing fiction since I was in eighth grade, because I loved it.
Thomas Perry

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities - and kept on writing.
Thomas Perry

I think we did a great job of putting together a program that would have made good e-books available had people been buying e-books in any real numbers.
Thomas Perry

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something - a character sketch, a monologue, a description of some sight, or even just a list of ideas.
Thomas Perry

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.
Thomas Perry

It was a lot of fun, and writing a series is comfortable. It's almost like having a secure job.
Thomas Perry

It's important, I think, for a writer of fiction to maintain an awareness of the pace and shape of the book as he's writing it. That is, he should be making an object, not chattering.
Thomas Perry

Much of what we do in life has a huge component of luck.
Thomas Perry