Begin Quote by 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 I begin to think of what I'd like to do next, then I'll know that what I'm writing is in hand. I'll think of an ending and it will be fine.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Writing Process, Elmore Leonard, 1990s
Uncertainty about future writing is resolved when the ending feels right, guiding the rest.
In simple terms: Knowing the ending helps shape the story.
Key Takeaway
Trust your intuition about the ending.
Themes
creativity
process
intuition
confidence
Mood
contemplative
determined
Type
creative
process
When to use this quote
- drafting a novel
- screenwriting
- planning a project
- overcoming writer's block
Key Concepts
narrative structure
authorial instinct
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discover the ending?
- What if the ending changes midway?
A Different Perspective
Relying on an ending may limit exploration of alternative plots.
