I've worked for law firms, I've worked for corporations, and for the past 20 years, I've been writing working for myself, and believe me it's a lot better. That's a big part of the James Bond panache, that you're responsible, 100 percent responsible, for the success or failure of your mission in life, whatever it is.

Jeffery Deaver

Categorized in : Past Believe Writing

She believed not in divine salvation but in the proposition that we poor mortals are fully capable of saving ourselves, if conditions and inclinations are right, and the evidence of this potential is found in the smallest of gestures, like the uncertain resting of a large hand on a bony shoulder.

Jeffery Deaver

gestures saving hands

I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block; the problem is idea block. When I find myself frozen-whether I'm working on a brief passage in a novel or brainstorming about an entire book-it's usually because I'm trying to shoehorn an idea into the passage or story where it has no place.

Jeffery Deaver

block inspiration book

You think publishing is tough but the music world is ten times tougher.

Jeffery Deaver

tough world thinking

When it comes time to write the book itself I'll shut the lights out, picture the scene I'm about to write then close my eyes and go at it. Yes, I can touch type.

Jeffery Deaver

eye writing book

I like the way words go together and I like the gamesmanship of writing poetry. It is such a challenge.

Jeffery Deaver

challenges together writing

My books are primarily plot driven but the best plot in the world is useless if you don't populate them with characters that readers can care about.

Jeffery Deaver

plot character book

People with children and people with their own business always pick up a ringing phone.

Jeffery Deaver

phones children people

If you have a craftsman's command of the language and basic writing techniques you'll be able to write - as long as you know what you want to say

Jeffery Deaver

technique writing long

Ideally, I like to integrate the human issues into the suspense story itself.

Jeffery Deaver

suspense issues stories

Readers are paramount. I live to write books for them.

Jeffery Deaver

reader writing book

I spend eight months outlining and researching the novel before I begin to write a single word of the prose.

Jeffery Deaver

eight months writing

I write pretty much anywhere - on planes, in hotel rooms, anywhere in my house.

Jeffery Deaver

house writing rooms

I was editor of my high school literary magazine and a reporter for the school newspaper.

Jeffery Deaver

magazines editors school

I also try very hard to create characters - both heroes and villains - with psychological depth.

Jeffery Deaver

firefighter hero character

Of course, all writers draw upon their personal experiences in describing day-to-day life and human relationships, but I tend to keep my own experiences largely separate from my stories.

Jeffery Deaver

day-life draws stories

Hardcover books are fairly expensive these days and to read one requires a significant commitment of time in our busy society. So I want to make sure that when readers buy one of my books they get something they're familiar with.

Jeffery Deaver

want book commitment

I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block, the problem is idea block

Jeffery Deaver

block writing ideas

Collins masterfully blends fact and fiction...transcends the historical thriller.

Jeffery Deaver

historical facts fiction

So I work hard to present the human side of my characters while not neglecting the plot.

Jeffery Deaver

plot hard-work character

It means working harder to do the research but I don't really mind - I don't think I have what it takes to chase criminals through back alleys and wade through blood at crime scenes.

Jeffery Deaver

back-alleys mean thinking