Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“Write the book the way it should be written, then give it to somebody to put in the commas and shit.” — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I once saw Dizzy Gillespie at a live show, and it made me want to go home immediately and start writing. — 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
“I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.” — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, 'You got to have fun at this, or it'll… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
At the time I begin writing a novel, the last thing I want to do is follow a plot outline. To know… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
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,… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I don't have any of the modern electronics at all. I know the Internet would be a distraction. I would see things… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I think the best advice I give is to try not to write. Try not to overwrite, try not to make it… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“The one thing Leonard won't tolerate is fancy prose. As he states in his 10 Rules of Writing: "If it sounds like… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I can write anywhere. But I don't use a computer, and I could never write on a laptop. I hate the sound… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I really - I don't take my work that seriously, and I think that's what keeps me loose. If I try to… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
A friend of mine who is in the publishing business knew I was writing a book, and he said, 'Have you said… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
The truth is that the writers who most influenced me weren't people categorized as crime writers. I'd say I learned more from… — 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
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
I never know what I'm going to write next. If I'm still writing the book but I'm very near the end, and… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
Never use an adverb to modify the verb 'said' . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I would say just start writing. You've got to write every day. Copy someone that you like if you think that perhaps… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book with weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3. Never use a verb other… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I'm not going to write for posterity. I'm going to write to make a buck. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
Everyone has his own sound. I'm not going to presume how to tell anybody how to write. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
To me, a book is a book, an electronic device is not, and love of books was the reason I started writing. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I don't believe in writer's block or waiting for inspiration. If you're a writer, you sit down and write. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
People ask me, 'Why are you still writing books?' Like I'm still only writing to make money and as soon as I… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I don't want to write any more screenplays, I'll tell you that right now. It's a waste of time. You've got too… — 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
