Quotes by James Patterson

About James Patterson:

James Brendan Patterson is an American author. He is largely known for his novels about fictional psychologist Alex Cross, the protagonist of the Alex Cross series. Patterson also wrote the Michael Bennett, Women's Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, and Witch and Wizard series, as well as many stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction and romance novels. His books have sold more than 300 million copies and he holds the Guinness World Record for being the first person to sell 1 million e-books.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

People always come up to me and say, 'you should do standup.' It's nice to discover things about yourself. That keeps everything lively and fun.

James Patterson

It's our job - as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles - to find books our kids are going to like.

James Patterson

If I'm writing and a chapter isn't coming, I just move ahead.

James Patterson

What I'm really addicted to is getting people to understand that if their kids aren't competent readers coming out of middle school, it's really going to be hard for them in high school.

James Patterson

Every once in a while, I'll have a 'Do you know who I am?' moment, at least in my head. I hate that.

James Patterson

I guess I write four or five hours a day, but I do it seven days a week. It's very disciplined, yes, but it's joy for me.

James Patterson

Hollywood is a peculiar beast - people in Hollywood are nuts.

James Patterson

I'm big on having a blistering pace. That's one of the hallmarks of what I do, and that's not easy. I never blow up cars and things like that, so it's something else that keeps the suspense flowing. I try not to write a chapter that isn't going to tu...

James Patterson

I didn't care for most of the books I was being asked to read in school. I started reading like crazy right after high school when I got a job in a mental hospital. I was working my way through college, and I did a lot of night shifts, and there was ...

James Patterson

My favorite books are actually very complicated - 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', 'Ulysses'.

James Patterson

My style is colloquial storytelling. It's the way we tell stories to one another - it's not writerly, it's not overdone.

James Patterson

I don't believe in lecturing people. It's much more effective to present reading as a fun, rewarding pastime.

James Patterson

I'm very emotional. I do feel stuff, for better or worse.

James Patterson

The fact is that our kids aren't reading books - or frankly, much of anything lately. Schools are under funded, some schools even closing their libraries. Parents have to realize that it's their job, and not the school's job, to get kids into the hab...

James Patterson

The more you read, the better you get at it.

James Patterson

This summer, I'll be bringing out a mystery that involves a young lawyer and a court scene the likes of which I don't think you've ever seen. Hollywood said this is James Patterson meets John Grisham.

James Patterson

The vampire underworld is much larger than most people could imagine. It exists in all the cities mentioned in the book, but also in many, many more. Teenagers, especially, seem to like to act out vampire fantasies.

James Patterson

In my office in Florida I have, I think, 30 manuscript piles around the room. Some are screenplays or comic books or graphic novels. Some are almost done. Some I'm rewriting. If I'm working with a co-writer, they'll usually write the first draft. And...

James Patterson

There is a lot to be said for collaboration, and it should be seen as just another way to do things as it is in other forms of writing, such as for television, where it is standard practice.

James Patterson

I did know that the book would end with a mind-boggling trial, but I didn't know exactly how it would turn out. I like a little suspense when I am writing, too.

James Patterson

I have a folder in my office with about 400 ideas in it. So it will take me another 40 years to get through those.

James Patterson

Author Bio

  • NameJames Patterson
  • Descriptionnovel by James Patterson
  • BornMarch 22, 1947
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionWriter; Novelist; Children's Writer
  • WorksMaximum Ride
  • AwardsEdgar Award