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 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
I decided to write Westerns because there was a terrific market for Westerns in the '50s. There were a lot of pulp… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I'm not aware of a cadence when writing, but I hear it after. I write in longhand, and that helps. You're closer… — Elmore Leonard Copy Share Image
I still read Hemingway. I still read his short stories because they're so good. He doesn't waste any words. — 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
