Thursday, February 12, 2026

EDITING A GREAT NOVEL

The Maltese Falcon | The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of | Warner Classics

FROM DASHIELL HAMMETT'S THE MALTESE FALCON: When the last pocket had been turned out he returned to his own chair, rolled and lighted a cigarette, and began to examine his spoils. He examined them with grave unhurried thoroughness.

There's a quicker way to say this:

When the last pocket had been turned out he returned to his own chair, rolled and lighted a cigarette. He began to examine his spoils with grave unhurried thoroughness.

With apologies to Dashiell Hammett.

><


ENTRIES FROM THE DOG BLOG

BLOG ENTRIES FROM THE AUTO RACING JOURNAL
(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)

No comments:

Post a Comment