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- Never open a book with weather. If it’s only to create atmosphere, and not a character’s reaction to the weather, you don’t want to go on too long. The reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people.
- Avoid prologues. They can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword. But these are ordinarily found in nonfiction.
- Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied.
- Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said” … …he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange.
Jun 14, 2024 · It gives you the framework to practice and discover for yourself what works, and what doesn’t. Elmore Leonard’s 10 rules for writing have outlived the titular book from which they come. The little illustrated hardback I still have at home is now quite a rare find.
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.
Perhaps you'll find some clues in his 10 rules for good writing: 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.
- Never open a book with weather.
- Avoid prologues: they can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword…A prologue in a novel is backstory, and you can drop it in anywhere you want.
- Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.
- Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said” . . . he admonished gravely.
“I always refer to style as sound,” says Leonard. “The sound of the writing.” Some of Leonard’s suggestions appeared in a 2001 New York Times article that became the basis of his 2007 book, Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. Here are those rules in outline form: 1. Never open a book with the weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3.
Oct 11, 2023 · These are rules I’ve picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I’m writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what’s taking place in the story.
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