Thrillers have been traditionally very masculine books; the women characters often rather decorative.
quote by Ken Follett
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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
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With hindsight, we see that the Soviet Union never had a chance of world domination, but we didn't know that then.
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When I'm writing a woman character, I don't think, 'What would a woman do?' I just think, 'What would this character do in this situation?'
quote by Ken Follett
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For success, the author must make the reader care about the destiny of the principals, and sustain this anxiety, or suspense, for about 100,000 words.
quote by Ken Follett
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We all now tell stories by cutting from one dramatic scene to the next, whereas Victorian novelists felt free to write long passages of undramatic summary.
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James Bond is quite serious about his drinks and clothing and cigarettes and food and all that sort of thing. There is nothing wry or amused about James Bond.
quote by Ken Follett
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I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want readers to feel: OK, this probably didn't happen, but it might have.
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I use a professional researcher in New York who does all the legwork, all that stuff which would take me days and weeks of calling, waiting for people to call back.
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The research is the easiest. The outline is the most fun. The first draft is the hardest, because every word of the outline has to be fleshed out. The rewrite is very satisfying.
quote by Ken Follett
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