Using a first-person narrator is simply a matter of hearing the voice inside yourself. James Lee Burke More Quotes by James Lee Burke More Quotes From James Lee Burke I think the "crime novel" has replaced the sociological novel of the 1930s. I think the progenitor of that tradition is James M. Cain, who in my view is the most neglected writer in American literature. James Lee Burke crime-novelsviewsthinking Hackberry Holland's greatest fear was his fellow man's propensity to act collectively, in militaristic lockstep, under the banner of God and country. Mobs did not rush across town to do good deeds, and in Hackberry's view, there was no more odious taint on any social or political endeavor than universal approval. James Lee Burke greatest-fearmencountry Neither our own passing nor the passing of an era is a tragedy, no matter how much we would like to think it is. James Lee Burke tragedymatterthinking My experience has been that people who die for causes have few friends in death. James Lee Burke few-friendscausespeople I looked at Lucas with the pang that a parent feels when he knows his child will be hurt and that it's no one's fault and that to try to preempt the rites of passage is an act of contempt for the child's courage. James Lee Burke parenthurtchildren THE ALLURE OF Montana is like a commitment to a narcotic; you can never use it up or get enough of it. Its wilderness areas probably resemble the earth on the first day of creation. James Lee Burke montanausecommitment I wouldn't write anything autobiographical. If you've lived a life like Laurence of Arabia, it might be a consideration, but otherwise it's a little bit vain, it seems to me. James Lee Burke arabiawritinglittles We all end up in the same place. Some sonner than others. James Lee Burke ends What's the worst thing about getting old? Getting old. James Lee Burke getting-oldworst-thingsworst Success, like fashion, is a fickle companion and can leave one in the wink of an eye. James Lee Burke ficklefashioneye Don't undo a brave and noble deed. Don't rob yourself of your own virtue. James Lee Burke nobledeedsbrave The best thing about being a best-selling writer is being a best-selling writer. More seriously, today I can write full time and pay the bills. James Lee Burke billswritingpay I could only wonder again at the white race's naïveté in always sending forth our worst members as our emissaries. James Lee Burke vetsracewhite Don't let anyone tell you that age purchases your freedom from fear of death. James Lee Burke your-freedomfear-of-deathage Is there a design in the events of our lives? Or do things just happen, much like a junk yard falling down a staircase? If it's the latter, how do you deal with it? James Lee Burke junkdesignfall Never read bad stuff if you're an artist; it will impair your own game. James Lee Burke artistgamesstuff Why do I always feel like you're trying to staple my umbilical cord to the corner of your desk? James Lee Burke umbilical-cordlike-youtrying A lie is an act of theft. It steals peoples faith and makes them resent themselves James Lee Burke theftstealinglying Louisiana is a fresh-air mental asylum. James Lee Burke louisianaasylumsair You do it a day at a time. You just put your rejection slips in a shoebox and tell yourself one day you're going to autograph them and sell them at auction. James Lee Burke rejectionone-daywriting
