My characters have to talk, or they're out. They audition in early scenes. If they can't talk, they're given less to do,… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“Psychopaths... people who know the differences between right and wrong, but don't give a shit. That's what most of my characters are… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
The bad guys are the fun guys. The only people I have trouble with are the so-called normal types. Their language isn't… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
Sometimes female characters start out as the wife or girlfriend, but then I realize, 'No, she's the book,' and she becomes a… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
If I just sit here, what am I going to do? I don't have a trade. I don't teach or anything. I… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
When you are developing your style, you avoid weaknesses. I am not good at describing things, so I stay away from it.… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
When I get an idea for a book, something appeals to me, it's usually a character. I'll see a picture of a… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I do this a lot with names. I'll start with a name, and then for some reason he won't talk much, or… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I think any writer is a fool if he doesn't do it for money. There needs to be some kind of incentive… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
If I have several bad guys and I only want to end up with one of them, then I have to decide… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I've quit writing screenplay [adaptations]. It's too much work. I don't look at writing a novel as work, because I only have… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me show rather… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
“There’s something happening here, I know it. It’s right in front of my face, but I just can’t see it.” — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
“He saw Harvey and Edgar catch each other's eye as he looked off toward the strains of "Alley Cat," Jesus, hoping they'd rush it… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
I want the reader to know what's going on. So there's never a mystery in my books. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share
![“I've quit writing screenplay [adaptations]. It's too much work. I don't look at writing a novel as work, because I only have to please myself. I have a good time sitting here by myself, thinking up situations and characters, getting them to talk - it's so satisfying. But screenwriting's different…” quote by Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/396/elmore-leonard-3471_adaptation_i-ve-quit-writing-screenplay-adaptations_2640851.jpg)
