Elmore Leonard citations

“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”

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

“It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.”

“I spent most of my dough on booze, broads and boats and the rest I wasted.”

“It's like seeing someone for the first time, and you look at each other for a few seconds, and there's this kind of recognition like you both know something. Next moment the person's gone, and it's too late to do anything about it.”

“For a long time I've been walking down life's road with my two pals, Bad Luck and Bad Choices. Fortunately I'm a big believer in new beginnings, new friends, and running from my problems. So one day I decided to head for the island. Aloha, my name is Jack.”

“What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he's already been told twice.”

“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.”