In crime fiction, I cut my teeth on early Robert Parker, Elmore Leonard, John D. MacDonald, and Alan Furst. I always loved the writing of Hemingway and Faulkner. Cormac McCarthy’s ‘Border Trilogy’ has been a huge influence; I think I read those novels four times. Nick Petrie Read Quote
I find that I do my best work at the beginning of the day, but I’m rarely in a writing mood when I sit down. I’m usually somewhat sleep-deprived, and I always have a long list of other responsibilities calling my name. Nick Petrie Read Quote
It’s odd for me to compare my stuff to Lee Child’s, because I’m such of fan of his, and also because it’s curiously something I never did until I kept hearing about our protagonists’ similarities. Nick Petrie Read Quote
Character drives the story, and the story drives the book. I don’t think about where the action should go, or how much there should be, until it’s required by the characters. When I find myself adding conflict just because I’m afraid that the reader might get bored, I know I’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere. Nick Petrie Read Quote
I try to write about realistic people doing realistic things. Or as close as I can get, given that I’m trying to write a suspenseful crime novel. Nick Petrie Read Quote
I’m not a big believer in the idea of genre – I’m a fan of any writer who can pull me into compelling characters and stories – but I can’t imagine I’ll start writing domestic dramas any time soon. Nick Petrie Read Quote
I try not to think too much about my writing process – I tend to feel my way forward and find more insights that way. Nick Petrie Read Quote
I’m most interested in people who’ve lived life in the extreme, which is what draws me to crime fiction. Nick Petrie Read Quote
It’s interesting what pops out of an author’s subconscious when he’s not thinking about it. Nick Petrie Read Quote
