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Elmore Leonard Quotes

Novelist

Elmore Leonard, born on October 11, 1925, was a renowned American novelist. Known for his hard-boiled detective novels and Westerns, his distinctive style and concise writing have won him a dedicated following.

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All Writing Ifs Want Book Thinking Reader Stories Way Character Dialogue Fun Knows People Said Sound Please Scene Skip Use Verbs

Famous Elmore Leonard Quotes

“I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even narrative passages take on the character's sound. I don't want the reader to be aware of me, writing.”

Writing Character Individual Attitude Focus Scene Point Of View

Author: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 in addition to the project. It all goes together. It's fun to sit there and think of characters and get them into action, then be paid for it. I can't believe it when writers tell me 'I don't want to show my work to anybody'.”

Ifs Thinking Want Needs Believe Kind I Can Character Shows Action Together Fun Fool Projects Paid Incentives

Author:Elmore Leonard

“My characters have to talk, or they're out. They audition in early scenes. If they can't talk, they're given less to do, or thrown out.”

Ifs Character Given Scene Thrown Auditions

Author:Elmore Leonard

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

Writing Character Lines Dialogue Noses Verbs

Book:Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing

Source: Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing

“I've quit writing screenplay [adaptations]. It's too much work. I don't look at writing a novel as work, because I only have to please myself. I have a good time sitting here by myself, thinking up situations and characters, getting them to talk - it's so satisfying. But screenwriting's different. You might think you're writing for yourself, but there are too many other people to please.”

About the Author

Born: October 11, 1925
Died: August 20, 2013
Known for: Novelist
Quotes: 76

Books & Sources

Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of WritingRelated source material

10 Rules of WritingRelated source material

A Coyote's in the HouseRelated source material

BanditsRelated source material

Get ShortyRelated source material

Get Shorty: A NovelRelated source material

Labrava: A NovelRelated source material

Last Stand at Saber RiverRelated source material

Valdez Is Coming: A NovelRelated source material

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