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
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
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
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
When people ask me about my dialogue, I say, 'Don't you hear people talking?' That's all I do. I hear a certain type of individual, I decide this is what he should be, whatever it is, and then I hear him. Well, I don't hear anybody that I can't make talk. Elmore Leonard decidedialoguehear share on social
I used to be able to write five pages a day, every day, no problem. Now a good day is five or four pages, and that's from 9:30 A.M. until 6 P.M. Elmore Leonard daygoodpage Change image and 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
I don't want to write any more screenplays, I'll tell you that right now. It's a waste of time. You've got too many people who think they have the answer to a good screenplay and they don't. No one knows. Elmore Leonard answergoodhave share on social
I don't have any of the modern electronics at all. I know the Internet would be a distraction. I would see things that interested me and never get back to writing. Elmore Leonard backdistractionelectronic Change image and share on social
If work was a good thing, the rich would have it all and not let you do it. Elmore Leonard goodrichthing Change image and share on social
