Writing Quotes by Elmore Leonard

A pen connects you to the paper. It definitely matters.

— Elmore Leonard

I don't want the reader to be aware of me as the writer.

— Elmore Leonard

Try not to write the parts that people skip.

— Elmore Leonard

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

— Elmore Leonard

All the information you need can be given in dialogue.

— Elmore Leonard

Using adverbs is a mortal sin.

— Elmore Leonard

“Write the book the way it should be written, then give it to somebody to put in the commas and shit.”

— Elmore Leonard

I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style.

— Elmore Leonard

I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it.

— Elmore Leonard

“I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.”

— Elmore Leonard

The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.

— Elmore Leonard

It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing.

— Elmore Leonard

I'm not going to write for posterity. I'm going to write to make a buck.

— Elmore Leonard

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

— Elmore Leonard

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

At the time I begin writing a novel, the last thing I want to do is follow a plot outline. To know…

— Elmore Leonard

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

Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she…

— Elmore Leonard

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

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

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

Writers - all writers, even screenwriters - like to make their mark. I don't think many screenwriters can write. They pass as…

— Elmore Leonard

A friend of mine who is in the publishing business knew I was writing a book, and he said, 'Have you said…

— Elmore Leonard

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

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

Never use an adverb to modify the verb 'said' . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or…

— Elmore Leonard

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

I'm very much aware in the writing of dialogue, or even in the narrative too, of a rhythm. There has to be…

— Elmore Leonard

Writing screenplays is not my business. I've written half a dozen, and maybe half of those were made. But it was never…

— Elmore Leonard

“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

Everyone has his own sound. I'm not going to presume how to tell anybody how to write.

— Elmore Leonard

To me, a book is a book, an electronic device is not, and love of books was the reason I started writing.

— Elmore Leonard

I don't believe in writer's block or waiting for inspiration. If you're a writer, you sit down and write.

— Elmore Leonard

There are some people who have been reading me for years, and they keep saying kind things about the writing. That's what…

— Elmore Leonard

If you take a few days to write an outline, you're just making up scenes that you think will work, that you…

— Elmore Leonard

I don't judge in my books. I don't have to have the antagonist get shot or the protagonist win. It's just how…

— Elmore Leonard

I used to be able to write five pages a day, every day, no problem. Now a good day is five or…

— Elmore Leonard

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I…

— Elmore Leonard

I started out of course with Hemingway when I learned how to write. Until I realized Hemingway doesn't have a sense of…

— Elmore Leonard

Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.

— Elmore Leonard