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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

“Don't worry about what your mother thinks of your language.”

Thinking Mother Language Worry Think Of You

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

“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.”

People Thinking Want Week Letters Autographs

Author: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 think will be interesting. But as you write it, other ideas occur - better ideas that have to do with what you're writing.”

Ifs Thinking Writing Ideas Interesting Scene Outlines Making Up

Author:Elmore Leonard

“A man can be in two different places and he will be two different men. Maybe if you think of more places he will be more men, but two is enough for now.”

Ifs Thinking Men Two Different Enough Different Place

Book:Valdez Is Coming: A Novel

Source: Valdez Is Coming: A Novel

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

Thinking Style

Author: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, it's still a pleasure.”

Ifs Thinking Writing Years Stills Pleasure Easier Please Lucky Harder Lucky You

Author:Elmore Leonard

“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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