Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules
Among all the lists of writing rules and advice, this one ranks high, in my opinion. Simple, yet so important.
- Never open a book with weather.
- Avoid prologues.
- Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.
- Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said”…he admonished gravely.
- Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
- Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”
- Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
- Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
- Don’t go into great detail describing places and things.
- Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
* Excerpted from the New York Times article, “Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle”
Some of you might agree with these, some might not. Feel free to add links to additional lists/tips in the comment section below.
Let the discussion begin…
Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented:
I use the word “suddenly” often. What’s wrong with it?
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There was definitely a time when many writers overused it. I don’t notice it anymore, but when I was younger I did. Really though, once you know the rules you can break them!
PS: Look, two exclamations! 😉
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Thomas Hardy would fail a lot of this list. Good thing he never read it.
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Ah… Elmore Leonard, having read every one of his books, he remains one of my all time favourite authors.
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Love the no nonsense rules and all true! She uttered despairingly!! Thanks for visiting my humble blog, hope you enjoy the ride.
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Good list. I like the exclamation point point. No adverb admonitions? Hmm. Anyway, thanks for the follow 🙂
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I like some of these tips.
http://www.mainlinepub.com
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I guess I’ll have to rewrite my entire 1st draft, according to Elmore! !!!!
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Read Leonard aloud sometime. It sounds like the kitchen faucet has been left open.
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Pingback: Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules For Writing | lionspotting
Great tips, especially about the detail. There is nothing worse than a book that spends half a page describing the surrounding area. I have an imagination, and like to use it. 🙂
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I think I just liked the number 10 rule,am hoping that from now henceforth I will not fall a victim of breaking that rule
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On a sunny day… Just kidding – the rules are great!
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Reblogged this on Maren Moving Forward and commented:
Are you writing a book? Stick to these rules…
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Excellent advice. Thanks for following humorous interludes. I”m humbled and delighted.
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Sorry, I meant thanks for following photomania. Humorous interludes is my other blog. 🙂
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Reblogged this on mira prabhu and commented:
Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules for Writing…what do you think? Thank you Brian Marggraf!
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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I like a list. It may not always work for me, but he is offering advice that has worked for him and he is a successful author. I can certainly learn from Elmore Leonard. Thanks for the post Brian.
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The ten rules of writing are so true, But I’d like to say that your addition of “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” That’s brilliant.
Thanks for this post.
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Pingback: Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules | Random Thoughts
Elmore Leonard is a genius.
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Great advice! Thanks for following my blog:)
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Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom. I suddenly want to write “all hell broke loose” in my next content piece! 🙂
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Exclamation points are the bane of good writing. I work in magazines and we call them slammers! I have banned the team from using them but they occasionally show up in the Editor’s letter.
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Thanks for the writing tips, would really take note when the writing bug bites and also thanks for the follow in my little corner of the blogspere. Hope I can keep you interested.
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Pingback: Elmore Leonard: 10 Rules | steviawithcream
Reblogged this on Intelligence, Creativity, & Cultural Ferment and commented:
Don’t know if I agree with all of these, but this is certainly a (concise) guide to the art of crafting spare prose.
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