Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

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LarsMac
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by LarsMac »

One of my favorite 20th Century writers died.

Elmore Leonard wrote some of the most entertaining "Pulp Fiction" of the late 20th Century.

His first book was turned into a movie. 3:10 to Yuma.

Many of his books were made into movies, including Hombre, Get Shorty, Pulp Fiction, Rum Punch (Jackie Browne), and several others.

In an essay he wrote for the New York Times, in 2001, he laid out his "Ten rules for 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.

Advice to be taken to heart by the aspiring writer.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
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Snooz
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by Snooz »

I think I've read everything he's ever written and I'm obviously a big fan but I have to disagree with his rules. I also love James Lee Burke and he's HUGE on descriptions. I can actually feel the Louisiana heat and humidity, smell the swamp and hear the bugs whirring by when I read his books.
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YZGI
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by YZGI »

Great author, he also created my current favorite character on TV, Raylan Givins. Justified.
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Snooz
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by Snooz »

Yep, that's a great show. Have you ever seen Jackie Brown? It's a Tarantino movie based on a Leonard novel. I bet you'd like it.
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YZGI
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by YZGI »

SnoozeAgain;1434058 wrote: Yep, that's a great show. Have you ever seen Jackie Brown? It's a Tarantino movie based on a Leonard novel. I bet you'd like it.


Oh yeah, love that movie
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tude dog
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by tude dog »

Hate to admit, don't know of the guy, but seems I watched and enjoyed several movies based on his books.

RIP
What happened to Kamala Harris' campaign?
She had the black vote all locked up.
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tude dog
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by tude dog »

LarsMac;1434037 wrote: One of my favorite 20th Century writers died.

Elmore Leonard wrote some of the most entertaining "Pulp Fiction" of the late 20th Century.

His first book was turned into a movie. 3:10 to Yuma.

Many of his books were made into movies, including Hombre, Get Shorty, Pulp Fiction, Rum Punch (Jackie Browne), and several others.

In an essay he wrote for the New York Times, in 2001, he laid out his "Ten rules for 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.

Advice to be taken to heart by the aspiring writer.


I've tried my hand a writing. What I thought from his suggestion are several as a reader I grade the author.
What happened to Kamala Harris' campaign?
She had the black vote all locked up.
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LarsMac
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by LarsMac »

tude dog;1434093 wrote: Hate to admit, don't know of the guy, but seems I watched and enjoyed several movies based on his books.

RIP


Find "The Hot Kid" and give it a read.

I think you'd like it.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
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LarsMac
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Elmore Leonard - Crime novelist, extraordinaire Dies at 87

Post by LarsMac »

Also, Elmore Leonard talks about 3:10 to Yuma
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
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