I collect and read as many books about music and film as I do fiction. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
Until a book starts forming in your head, you always wonder, 'Am I going to be able to do this again?' — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
Incarcerated individuals want what most people want in a novel: good, honest writing and a story well told. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
Sometimes I think 'The Wire' said it all, and I might as well not write any more crime novels. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I've seen firsthand how books can change people's lives. It happened to me. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
'True Grit' is one of the few books my sons let me read to them - and paid attention to - when… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I love writing books, but it's a solitary experience. When I'm on a film set, I'm with a bunch of other artists… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I read 'The Washington Post' every day from a very young age. Reading the newspaper taught me how to organize my thoughts… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
'The Turnaround' isn't even really a crime novel. But you need conflict to make a novel, any kind of novel, and I… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I want to be read. When you write a TV show like 'The Wire,' you've got three to four million readers watching… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
It would probably surprise people how prevalent reading is in institutions - and the degree to which some states discourage reading by… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
If I had my druthers, I wouldn't have anyone's words in my script but my own, but if you want complete autonomy,… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I do have shout-outs to bands and musicians I like in my books, but the musical references can be misunderstood. Often, I… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I'm a better writer now because I've worked very hard at getting better. My long-range goal will always be to write better… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I can write any kind of novel I want, any time, and sell it, but there's not that many people watching it.… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
The reason some crime writers have a chip on their shoulder about the label is because their good books are shelved beside… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I don't believe that murders can be "solved." I think that this is the big lie of the mystery novel, that you… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
There's a room in my house where my stereo, records, CDs, and books are housed. I spend a lot of time in… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
When I was a teenager, I thought if any of my friends or people at school see me reading a book, they're… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
After college, I spent a decade working the kinds of jobs that I write about - bartender, shoe salesman, kitchen man -… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
But when I do book signings and personal appearances, the audiences are mostly white. Growing up here, I expected that and understand… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I was really rudderless at one point my life. And once I started reading books, then I got the idea that maybe… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
My senior year at College Park, University of Maryland, I took an elective class in crime fiction taught by Charles C. Mish.… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
The worst kind of novel is one that blames other people for the racial problem in order to make the reader feel… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I want to be read. When you write a TV show like 'The Wire,' you've got three to four million readers watching your work.… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
My goal is to get a real film industry started in Washington. An actual one, not where features come to town and shoot second… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I do have shout-outs to bands and musicians I like in my books, but the musical references can be misunderstood. Often, I have people… — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I've just been very interested in the living side of Washington, rather than the federal side, since I was a kid. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
I've seen firsthand how books can change people's lives. It happened to me. — George Pelecanos Copy Share Image
