Elmore Leonard's Writing Advice

I once had the pleasure of spending a weekend with Elmore Leonard. He was headlining a writing conference in Maryland and I was doing PR for the event. I was privileged to attend his welcoming reception, have dinner with him, and then spend the conference day listening to his writing advice. 

From 3:10 to Yuma and Out of Sight to Get Shorty and Rum Punch (adapted into the movie Jackie Brown), his books, stories, and the movies based on them are masterclasses in getting to the point and keeping it real.

Elmore Leonard, renowned for his crisp prose and dynamic storytelling, offered invaluable advice to writers aiming for clarity and impact. Here are some of his key writing principles:

1. Leonard cautioned against beginning stories with weather descriptions unless it's essential to the narrative. He believed that overemphasis on setting could detract from character and plot development.
2. He advised writers to steer clear of prologues, suggesting that essential background information should be woven naturally into the story.
3. Leonard emphasized simplicity in dialogue tags, recommending the use of "said" exclusively to maintain the reader's immersion.
4. He discouraged the use of adverbs in dialogue tags, suggesting that strong dialogue should convey the intended tone without additional qualifiers.
5. Leonard recommended using exclamation points sparingly, allowing the narrative to convey excitement or emphasis through context and word choice.
6. He believed that such phrases as “suddenly” and “all Hell broke loose” are unnecessary and can undermine the story's impact.
7. While authentic dialogue is important, and something Leonard was a master at, he  advised moderation in using regional dialects to ensure readability and avoid alienating or distracting readers.
8. He suggested that minimal character descriptions allow readers to form their own images, enhancing engagement. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Leonard recommended focusing on essential details, allowing the story to flow without unnecessary elaboration or descriptions of places and things that don’t directly impact the story.
10. He advised writers to omit sections that don't advance the story, keeping the narrative concise and compelling. “Leave out the parts readers tend to skip,” he quipped.

Leonard's overarching principle was, "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it," emphasizing the importance of natural, unpretentious prose.

For a deeper dive into his writing philosophy, you can explore his book, Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing. Even better, check out one of his many novels. 

https://www.elmoreleonard.com/