Thomas Perry Quotes & Sayings

“Reading a novel in which all characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification could be a pretty dull experience.”

“I do like to explore evil characters in my books.”

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

“Much of what we do in life has a huge component of luck.”

“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.”

“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.”

“The characters you refer to as predatory and unsavory are useful. They're the ones who make a novel into a thriller. They're active, and most of the common virtues, the signs of a good person, are not.”

“Once you have invented a character with three dimensions and a voice, you begin to realize that some of the things you'd like him to do to further your plot are things that such a person wouldn't, or couldn't, do.”

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

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