As much as I transferred my mother to Elizabeth Shore of The Black Dahlia, as much as her dad mutated into an obsession with crime in general, well, I have thought about other things throughout the years.

Quote by James Ellroy

Topics: James Ellroy Quotes

I like to be alone so I can write. But focus can hurt you. I...

I like to be alone so I can write. But focus can hurt you. I...

I am conservative by temperament. I disapprove of criminal activity. I am very solidly and...

I am conservative by temperament. I disapprove of criminal activity. I am very solidly and...

I don't know anybody in the underworld. I make this stuff up. I don't know...

I don't know anybody in the underworld. I make this stuff up. I don't know...

I love thinking about American history, thinking about LA history. I love brooding on crime.

I love thinking about American history, thinking about LA history. I love brooding on crime.

Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose.

Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose.

I am a writer. I could not afford to take 15 months off from my...

I am a writer. I could not afford to take 15 months off from my...

I haven't been to a movie in a year and a half.

I haven't been to a movie in a year and a half.

I've been tremendously moved by a bunch of odd books. Ross McDonald is very important...

I've been tremendously moved by a bunch of odd books. Ross McDonald is very important...

Noir is dead for me because historically, I think it's a simple view. I've taken...

Noir is dead for me because historically, I think it's a simple view. I've taken...

As a kid, I sensed history going on all around me, but the basic thrust...

As a kid, I sensed history going on all around me, but the basic thrust...

As critical acclaim and response has built up, every interview I give is a chance...

As critical acclaim and response has built up, every interview I give is a chance...

I would like to provoke ambiguous responses in my readers.

I would like to provoke ambiguous responses in my readers.

The truth of the matter is, you lose a parent to murder when you're 10...

The truth of the matter is, you lose a parent to murder when you're 10...

Rock and rollers can get you the youth buzz, and younger people are fanatical readers.

Rock and rollers can get you the youth buzz, and younger people are fanatical readers.

Every one of my books is written from the viewpoint of cops, with the exception...

Every one of my books is written from the viewpoint of cops, with the exception...

I was a WASP kid going to a high school that was 99 percent Jewish...

I was a WASP kid going to a high school that was 99 percent Jewish...

I have a very intense marriage.

I have a very intense marriage.

I put on such a good show, the story is outrageous, and people don't want...

I put on such a good show, the story is outrageous, and people don't want...

I'm getting a wider circle of fans now. More women, more middle class people.

I'm getting a wider circle of fans now. More women, more middle class people.

I'm clenched down, I'm locked in on it, which is my general approach to life.

I'm clenched down, I'm locked in on it, which is my general approach to life.