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. Elmore Leonard beautybookscreenplay Change image and share on social
My purpose is to entertain and please myself. I feel that if I am entertained, then there will be enough other readers who will be entertained, too. Elmore Leonard entertainfeelpurpose Change image and share on social
I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, 'You got to have fun at this, or it'll drive you nuts.' Elmore Leonard agodrivefun Change image and share on social
I'm not aware of a cadence when writing, but I hear it after. I write in longhand, and that helps. You're closer to it, and you have to cross things out. You put a line through it, but it's still there. You might need it. When you erase a line on a computer, it's gone forever. Elmore Leonard awarecadenceclose share on social
The bad guys are the fun guys. The only people I have trouble with are the so-called normal types. Their language isn't very colorful, and they don't talk with any certain sound. Elmore Leonard badcallcolorful Change image and share on social
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. Elmore Leonard dayideainterest share on social
Never open a book with weather. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways to describe ice and snow than an Eskimo, you can do all the weather reporting you want. Elmore Leonard barrybookdescribe Change image and share on social
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. Elmore Leonard autographletterlot Change image and share on social
Sometimes female characters start out as the wife or girlfriend, but then I realize, 'No, she's the book,' and she becomes a main character. I surrender the book to her. Elmore Leonard bookcharacterfemale Change image and share on social
I still read Hemingway. I still read his short stories because they're so good. He doesn't waste any words. Elmore Leonard goodhemingwayread Change image and share on social
