Elmore Leonard

Novelist

1925-10-11

Quotes by Elmore Leonard

• If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it

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• There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees; and there are cities like Detroit that have to work for a living, whose reason for being might be geographical but whose growth is based on industry, jobs. Detroit has its natural attractions: lakes all over the place, an abundance of trees and four distinct seasons for those who like variety in their weather, everything but hurricanes and earth-quakes. But it's never been the kind of city people visit and fall in love with because of its charm or think, gee, wouldn't this be a nice place to live.

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• At the bottom of the hill they came out of the trees to a busy street and Antwan said, We cross here. Ain't no lights here, Antwan said. Just look out for the ones trying to hit you. There's a nice-looking blonde-haired female human lives around here - any time she sees me she tries to run me down.

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• It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing.

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• My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

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• I started out of course with Hemingway when I learned how to write. Until I realized Hemingway doesn't have a sense of humor. He never has anything funny in his stories.

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• If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

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• I started out of course with Hemingway when I learned how to write. Until I realized Hemingway doesn't have a sense of humor. He never has anything funny in his stories.

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• There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees; and there are cities like Detroit that have to work for a living, whose reason for being might be geographical but whose growth is based on industry, jobs. Detroit has its natural attractions: lakes all over the place, an abundance of trees and four distinct seasons for those who like variety in their weather, everything but hurricanes and earth-quakes. But it's never been the kind of city people visit and fall in love with because of its charm or think, gee, wouldn't this be a nice place to live.

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• If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

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• If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it

  Read quote

• My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

  Read quote

• It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing.

  Read quote

• At the bottom of the hill they came out of the trees to a busy street and Antwan said, We cross here. Ain't no lights here, Antwan said. Just look out for the ones trying to hit you. There's a nice-looking blonde-haired female human lives around here - any time she sees me she tries to run me down.

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• It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the keys. I'm doing action stories, so that's the way I like to do it.

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• I try to leave out the parts that people skip.

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