"Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip."
This quote by Elmore Leonard emphasizes the importance of writing concisely, focusing on the essential elements of a story that engage readers, and avoiding unnecessary details or repetitions. A well-crafted narrative keeps readers engaged, and a clear, concise style is more likely to achieve this than a lengthy, convoluted one. It encourages writers to be mindful of their audience's attention span and to prioritize the presentation of story elements that captivate and move the plot forward effectively.
"The best writing is rewriting."
Elmore Leonard's quote "The best writing is rewriting" emphasizes the importance of revising and refining work to achieve a polished final product. It suggests that the drafting process should not be considered as a one-time effort, but rather an iterative cycle where ideas are developed, revisited, and improved upon multiple times. The quote implies that quality writing often arises from careful attention, patience, and persistence in refining one's work.
"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."
This quote by Elmore Leonard emphasizes the importance of simplicity and naturalness in literary expression. By saying "If it sounds like writing", he means that the language should not draw attention to itself but rather convey a clear, straightforward message that feels authentic and organic. The advice is to rewrite anything that appears stilted or overly polished, aiming for a more conversational style that resonates with readers.
"Never open a book with weather."
Elmore Leonard's quote, "Never open a book with weather," is an advice for writers suggesting that the reader should not be immediately presented with descriptions of the weather when starting a story. Instead, the focus should be on engaging the reader with characters, dialogue, or plot to quickly immerse them in the narrative. The weather can certainly play a role in the story, but it's more effective when woven organically into the broader context of events and interactions between characters.
"When you create a character, he or she should be able to walk off the page."
This quote by Elmore Leonard emphasizes the importance of creating vivid, well-developed characters in literature. A character who can "walk off the page" is one that feels real, tangible, and engaging to readers. They possess depth, idiosyncrasies, motivations, and dialogue that make them seem authentic and memorable, drawing readers into their world and making them care about their fate. Essentially, Leonard's quote underscores the role of character development in crafting compelling stories, as characters who come alive on the page help transport readers to another time or place.
When you are developing your style, you avoid weaknesses. I am not good at describing things, so I stay away from it. And if anyone is going to describe anything at all, it's going to be from the point of view of the character, because then I can use his voice, and his attitude will be revealed in the way he describes what he sees.
- Elmore Leonard
I really - I don't take my work that seriously, and I think that's what keeps me loose. If I try to write, if I catch myself trying to write, I'll fall right on my face. I'll see it. If I see in the prose that I'm - 'Boy, look at me writing,' I rewrite it. I rewrite it because I don't, because I think it's distracting.
- Elmore Leonard
I think any writer is a fool if he doesn't do it for money. There needs to be some kind of incentive in addition to the project. It all goes together. It's fun to sit there and think of characters and get them into action, then be paid for it. I can't believe it when writers tell me 'I don't want to show my work to anybody'.
- Elmore Leonard
A friend of mine who is in the publishing business knew I was writing a book, and he said, 'Have you said anything yet about the good guy? Because I know you spend so much time with the bad guys.' Because they're fun. So then you have to make the good guy fun, in order to compete. That's the challenge.
- Elmore Leonard
I would say just start writing. You've got to write every day. Copy someone that you like if you think that perhaps could become your sound, too. I did that with Hemingway, and I thought I was writing just like Hemingway. Then all of a sudden it occurred to me - he didn't have a sense of humor. I don't know anything he's written that's funny.
- Elmore Leonard
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