Elmore Leonard Quotes

I won't read a book that starts with a description of the weather. I don't read books over 300 pages, though I'll make an exception for Don Delillo.

I don't believe in writer's block. I don't know what that is. There are just certain little areas that I know I'm going to get through. It's just a matter of finding a way.

Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.

I get letters. I get several a week, I think. A lot of people want a picture, a lot of people just want an autograph.

I don't have any of the modern stuff. I don't have e-mail. I don't have a computer!

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 than tell what's taking place in the story.

Really, when I write a book I'm the only one I have to please. That's the beauty of writing a book instead of a screenplay.

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

I left advertising as fast as I could in 1961. And I haven't ever thought about going back.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it

And she thought if you don't have the desire to fight or wait for something there's no reason for being on earth.

Psychopaths... people who know the differences between right and wrong, but don't give a shit. That's what most of my characters are like.

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