Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little away from his need or desire to write at all. In the end he knows all the tricks and has nothing to say.

Quote by Raymond Chandler

Topics: Raymond Chandler Quotes

Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third...

Alcohol is like love. The first kiss is magic, the second is intimate, the third...

When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his...

When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his...

Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little...

Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little...

The streets were dark with something more than night.

The streets were dark with something more than night.

I certainly admire people who do things.

I certainly admire people who do things.

A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.

A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.

However toplofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalize his right to...

However toplofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalize his right to...

The overall picture, as the boys say, is of a degraded community whose idealism even...

The overall picture, as the boys say, is of a degraded community whose idealism even...

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...

The moment a man begins to talk about technique that's proof that he is fresh...

The moment a man begins to talk about technique that's proof that he is fresh...

If my books had been any worse, I should not have been invited to Hollywood,...

If my books had been any worse, I should not have been invited to Hollywood,...

The moment a man sets his thoughts down on paper, however secretly, he is in...

The moment a man sets his thoughts down on paper, however secretly, he is in...

Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside an...

Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside an...

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject; bad critical...

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject; bad critical...

The more you reason the less you create

The more you reason the less you create

From 30 feet away she looked like a lot of class. From 10 feet away...

From 30 feet away she looked like a lot of class. From 10 feet away...

I do a great deal of research - particularly in the apartments of tall blondes.

I do a great deal of research - particularly in the apartments of tall blondes.

He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.

He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.

A really good detective never gets married.

A really good detective never gets married.

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...