Elmore Leonard (1925—2013)

[pokerfan]

Always enjoyed his writing...



Leonard will also be well-remembered for his 10 Rules of Writing. :

1. Never open a book with weather.

2. Avoid prologues.

3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.

4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said."

5. Keep your exclamation points under control.

6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."

7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.

8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.

9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.

10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/20/213790688/crime-novelist-elmore-leonard-dies

[NYC_SKP]

1. He would have not been a fan of Raymond Chandler, I suppose...

.

There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.

—Raymond Chandler, "Red Wind"

[OriginalGeek]

2. Aww man that's too bad

I've read more than half his books I think - still haven't read one I didn't like. Here's to you, Mr Leonard - thanks for all the good stories.

oh I almost forgot - he wrote the book series on which is based one of the best TV shows ever: Justified

[Benton D Struckcheon]

3. I think I have every book the guy ever wrote,

going all the way back to the days when he wrote Westerns. He was great. Enjoyed all his books and stories. Sigh.

[Demoiselle]

4. I love this guy, I love his work. And the ten rules are spot on.

[malthaussen]

5. He joins good company.

So few of the truly great craftsmen left in literature.

-- Mal

[Duer 157099]

6. Regarding rule #4

What if someone says something sarcastically?

[pokerfan]

7. I think Elmore would say

that a writer should show and not tell. You shouldn't have to tell the reader that the speaker is being sarcastic, pensive, angry, etc.

[bluesbassman]

9. Except in GD...

Many a flame war has resulted in that case of ambiguty.

Other than that, I agree.

[pokerfan]

11. GD will never be confused with great literature

But, then again, there is always this: ⸮ (Irony mark.)

[bluesbassman]

12. Good point. At times it can't even be compared to coherent thought.

[Duer 157099]

10. So how would you show this?

"He said, with a wry smile/smirk" ?? I guess that would work. Or is that also not ok? A forbidden workaround?

"...he said."

"Why the sarcasm?" she asked.

[shenmue]

8. Just heard about this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23765850

Here is another article.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. I don't understand Rule #1

1. Never open a book with weather.

what does that mean exactly

[pokerfan]

14. "It was a dark and stormy night."

The rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. got it. Thanks.

He is right

[ok_cpu]

16. Was very sad to read this

One of my favorites. Although I've never read any of his Westerns.

It's been a rough few weeks if you're a "Get Shorty" fan.

[In_The_Wind]

17. Rest in peace Elmore Leonard

[Quantess]

18. I have not read any of his books.

What is his best one?

[pokerfan]

19. Hard to say

Get Shorty is probably his most famous.

Three-Ten To Yuma was so good, it was made into a movie. Twice.

SWAG is probably my personal favorite.

[lame54]

24. I loved Swag...

also:
Kilshot and 52 Pick-up

[Demoiselle]

20. I think they're all great.

Start at the beginning of the list and work your way through it.
He's very consistent, and has an unmistakeable, utterly self-effacing style.
That said, I've never read any of his Westerns.
"Maximum Bob" is my favorite title and as good a place to start as any...

[7wo7rees]

21. If you don't write, or even read, see his movies!

Torn between Jackie Brown dir. by QT and Out of Sight dir. by Soderbergh




My grandpa was a friend of Leonard's and he shared with me that he received a letter every year from him, nine months before his birthday, wishing him a Happy Conception Day. True story.

RIP E.L.

[ConcernedCanuk]

22. I remember reading his books decades ago

.
.
.

Can't remember any of the titles though I even checked what he wrote online.

I do remember that I loved his style though.

When I found a book of his in the library

I read it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmore_Leonard

CC

[grantcart]

23. Ya know he looks a lot like the guy I picked up just outside Yuma about 3:10 one day.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5449098

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

25. Joe Kidd starring Clint Eastwood, directed by John Sturges and written by Elmore Leonard

is my favorite western. I loved the edgy, cruel humor in that film so typical of Leonard's work like his wonderful crime novels. May he RIP.