Disclaimer

Disclaimer: I am providing the content on this blog solely for the reader's general information. This blog contains my personal commentary on issues that interest me. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this blog are mine alone, and not the views of any law firm with which I am in any way associated or any other member of any such law firm. Nothing on this blog is intended to be a solicitation of, or the provision of, legal advice, nor to create an attorney-client relationship with me or any law firm. Please view my "Full Disclaimer" statement at the bottom of the page for additonal information..

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Elmore Leonard, RIP



We lost one of the best crime novelists of his generation today.  Elmore Leonard passed away at age 87.  He left behind 45 novels, a number of movies, and one TV series airing now based on his last book Raylan.  The obituaries are rolling in.  Most mention his short, terse writing style.  

What I loved most was his ability to let characters explain themselves, form themselves and show themselves almost completely through dialogue.  Leonard never spent four lines describing how a woman looked.  He let the reactions of her counterparts do it for him, so she formed in your mind.

He left behind ten rules for writing.  He broke some of them.  He noted great writers who broke some.  He knew they were his rules for his writing, which was its own distinct style. It wasn’t everyone’s style.  It was and is good advice. 

I’m going to go read Out of Sight again and enjoy this great writer once more.

No comments:

Post a Comment