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 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
It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to… — 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
When people ask me about my dialogue, I say, 'Don't you hear people talking?' That's all I do. I hear a certain… — 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
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
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
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
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 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 show rather… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“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 Image
The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. — 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
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 Image
I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style. — 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, it's still… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“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 Image
I'm not going to write for posterity. I'm going to write to make a buck. — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
“A wife's faithful to her husband, subject to him. It's in the bible.” — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
