Max Allan Collins's Blog, page 79

Breaking Elmore Leonard's Rules

Every now and then somebody puts Elmore Leonard's ten rules of writing in a magazine column or up on a blog, and a lot of people rave about what good advice it is. The best advice I can offer writers is not to listen to advice from other writers.

Just the same, here are Leonard's rules followed by my take on each.

1. Never open a book with weather.

An opening describing weather can create mood and atmosphere. See the first chapter of ONE LONELY NIGHT.

2. Avoid prologues.

Prologues can be effective, as for example when the first chapter takes place some years later and the prologue sets up back story. A prologue can (a) suggest a certain sweep to the narrative, and often (b) sets up something that will be paid off later.

3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.

"Said" is the preferred verb for carrying dialogue, but an occasional specific verb – like "insisted" or "demanded," when the dialogue itself isn't suggestive – can break things up a little. Also, "asked" is perfectly acceptable and even preferable for dialogue that poses a question.

4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said."

Said can be effectively aided by an adverb when the dialogue itself doesn't convey the tone. The suggestion that the tone should be inherent in the words spoken by the character doesn't acknowledge the variation between characters and/or the mood of a character. ("I love you," he said hatefully. "I love you," she said sarcastically.)

Leonard's general dislike of adverbs takes to the extreme the common sense notion that adverbs should be used sparingly. Better to choose verbs strong enough not to require an adverb (which is why "said" sometimes is not enough). Sometimes an adverb provides just the right seasoning.

5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.

Exclamation points should be used sparingly, but the notion of limiting yourself in the way Leonard suggests makes little sense, unless he's just being cute. Any story, and its needs, will determine how many exclamation points you might use. You might use none. You might use twenty.

6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."

"All hell broke loose" should be avoided as a cliche, but not necessarily in dialogue, because characters are allowed to use cliches in their speech, particularly as a point of characterization. While "suddenly" should be used sparingly, instances where it's useful do turn up ("Suddenly he knew he was a fool.").

By the way, if I dropped the adverb "sparingly" from the previous sentence, the sentence would advise the use of the word "suddenly."

7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.

This would depend on the story and the characters therein. I think we can agree Mark Twain did all right with Huckleberry Finn.

By the way, Leonard just used an adverb again ("sparingly").

8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.

A typical Leonard "rule" that is fine for him, because it's part of his style and a preference he developed over years of writing (and reading). It derives chiefly from Hemingway, a writer he admires, and screenwriting, a reductive form Leonard has practiced through most of his career. You omit detailed character description in a screenplay not as an artistic choice, but because producers don't want to limit casting possibilities.

Leonard's notion that readers should essentially decide what a character looks like based upon dialogue and other action strikes me as absurd or even lazy – often physical characteristics are at odds with behavior. Like the description of a room, clothing reveals character. Reporting grooming, age, weight, height, and other physical aspects of characters is a vital part of the writer's tool kit.

9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.

Again, this borders on laziness and puts onto the reader responsibilities that are rightly the author's. Of course, "great detail" is a subjective term, and I would agree that one shouldn't overdo. But that is according to the taste and technique of the individual writer.

10. Try to leave out the parts that readers tend to skip.

Write well and they won't skip anything. If they have ADD, let them go to You Tube for their entertainment.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Elmore Leonard is a terrific and distinctive writer. He developed these rules for himself and no doubt means well sharing them. But you should follow his rules only if you want to write like Elmore Leonard. And there seems to be an Elmore Leonard out there already writing perfectly good Elmore Leonard novels.

I like Elmore Leonard's writing very much. But wouldn't the world of books be boring if everybody wrote like him?

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Kindle

The Top Suspense group (of which I'm a part) has a new e-book anthology out, FAVORITE KILLS. The theme is stories that were either award winners or otherwise were successful for authors. My contribution is the Quarry story, "A Matter of Principal," which launched both the new cycle of Hard Case Crime Quarry novels and the Quarry movie "The Last Lullaby." Read about the new anthology here.

I finished SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT last Friday (Barb and I took Saturday and Sunday off with a Chicago getaway). I say "finished," but I will be re-reading today and tomorrow, looking typos and tweaking. Should be in Charles Ardai's hands by Wednesday.

M.A.C.

[Quick note from Nate: ANGEL IN BLACK is on sale for the Kindle through the end of the month. Don't miss it!]

Coming Down The Pike

This will be another fairly short update, because I am coming down the pike on the new Jack and Maggie Starr mystery, SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT. I have about a week and maybe a day or two left, assuming all goes well.

I admit to it being a strange experience, because at Berkley Prime Crime, I had to keep myself somewhat in check where the ol' sex and violence is concerned – the series was conceived to be my Rex Stout tribute, so that seemed in keeping, though Rex did more in the sex and violence department than many seem to notice or recall (or I should say Archie Goodwin did). But writing this for Hard Case, my concern is the opposite. Is it tough and sexy enough? Can I push the envelope a little, and do things Prime Crime would have bridled at, without violating the integrity of the series? We'll see.

One fun thing: the Des Moines Register called me (well, a reporter did – the paper itself just never calls) and asked me to weigh in on a real-life Iowa mystery. Check it out.

Here's a nice review of STOLEN AWAY. I love that Amazon making these books available again is stirring new interest in Nate Heller.

Here's a rare negative review of THE CONSUMMATA. It's from the very good site, The Violent World of Parker, and you may want to have a look. I responded to the review, and this began an exchange that you may find entertaining. I only respond to negative reviews when I think there's something unfair or inaccurate in a review. I might note that I may be a rare example of somebody who adores both Richard Stark's understated style and Mickey Spillane's over-the-top one. I know I'm the only writer who had those two men as mentors. But I am never surprised when a Stark/Westlake fan does not care for Mickey. (In this case, to be fair, the reviewer liked THE DELTA FACTOR but not the sequel.)

Lynn Myers and I (mostly Lynn) have put together a new Paul Cain collection with a biographical sketch about this mysterious BLACK MASK writer. I haven't seen the book yet (it's a limited edition expensive number) but it's starting to be reviewed, for example here.

And here are some nice comments (if you scroll down the list) on my CRIMINAL MINDS novel KILLER PROFILE. Matt Clemens co-wrote that one.

We had our first public Crusin' performance with new bass player, Brian Van Winkle, at a fun club called Ducky's Lagoon ourside Andalusia, Illinois. How well did we do? Immediately got two book-backs for March and May.

See you next week, and I hope to report that SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT has been completed.

M.A.C.

Raymond Burr Isn't In It

Nathan has a new book that's just out from Viz, MM9 – his translation of Hiroshi Yamamoto's fun novel about Godzilla-style monsters, which I really enjoyed.

Here's the official description:

"Japan is beset by natural disasters all the time: typhoons, earthquakes, and…giant monster attacks. A special anti-monster unit called the Meteorological Agency Monsterological Measures Department (MMD) has been formed to deal with natural disasters of high "monster magnitude." The work is challenging, the public is hostile, and the monsters are hungry, but the MMD crew has science, teamwork…and a legendary secret weapon on their side. Together, they can save Japan, and the universe!"

If you like Japanese monster movies, you do not want to miss this.

Here's a really nice QUARRY'S EX review from Bookhound.

And check out this short but sweet KISS HER GOODBYE review.

Jon L. Breen is a reviewer who has always been kind to me, but really doesn't care for Mickey Spillane much. But he's very good to KISS HER GOODBYE in this multiple review article (looking at continuations of famous series) in the Weekly Standard.

Another piece that compares the graphic novel and film versions of ROAD TO PERDITION has popped up, favoring the former. I like the movie myself, but this writer does sort out the relative strengths and weaknesses of both. Worth taking a look.

Vince Keenan has done a nice piece on the posthumously published Don Westlake novel, THE COMEDY IS FINISHED. It talks about my role in bringing this excellent lost book to print, finally.

I am at the half-way mark of SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT. For those wondering, I'm deep in the bunker and often blow off phone calls and e-mails – Barb does all the driving when I'm in this much of a daze, much more in the world of the novel than the (so-called) real one.

But I will be emerging like a ground hog seeking his shadow this coming Saturday night (January 28) at Ducky's Lagoon in Andalusia, Illinois (near the Quad Cities). It will mark the first public appearance of the band with new bass player Brian Van Winkle, guitarist Jim's brother (we have played one private party with Brian). The performance will be dedicated to the memory of founding member, bassist Chuck Bunn.

M.A.C.

Short But Sweet

A brief update this week, as I am immersed in writing the new Hard Case Crime novel, which is also the new Jack and Maggie Starr mystery. I'm very pleased to be returning to this series after Berkley Prime Crime unceremoniously ended it after the second book, STRIP FOR MURDER. The title of the third Jack and Maggie is SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT (don't I have a way with a phrase?) and it has to do with the comic-book controversy of the 1950s. Terry Beatty has already done much of the art for the novel (each chapter has an opening illo and there's also an Ellery Queen-style "Challenge to the Reader").

A very nice review of KISS HER GOODBYE appeared at Spinetingler – short but sweet (like this blog entry).

You might like to check out this review of the film version of ROAD TO PERDITION, as well.

See you next week.

M.A.C.