Elmore Leonard's Writing Tips | WRITING ADVICE FROM FAMOUS AUTHORS

Do you agree with Elmore Leonard's writing tips? This is the first in my series looking at writing advice from famous authors.

Whatever kind of stories you write, I think it's useful to look at other writers and see what we can learn from them.

Some of the most useful advice about writing I've ever come across was from famous writers I hadn't read beforehand.

Let me know what you make of Elmore Leonard's tips in the comments!

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[opollitico]

I'm often cautious of prescriptive writing advice, but honest - these seem pretty spot on

[film_magician]

Hey dude. I'm a screenwriter, and i'm loving your videos. This play list. Huge help. Took Gaiman's masterclass too. your summary of him was great

[tommorrisey]

Elmore and I taught at the same writers' conference many years ago. During the opening night book-signing, we exchanged copies of our latest novels and, at breakfast the next morning, he told me he'd read the book and loved it. Okay, his actual assessment was (holding up my book), "Tom! This is good s__t!" I pointed out that the novel in question violated every one of his rules, and he said, "Yeah. But you knew what you were doing."

[transformationgeneration]

In the 4 minute area - you're advising against adverbs but making clear you're here to lift writers, no squish them...THANK YOU :)

[ADSmallAuthor]

I agree with you on the minimal description regarding places and things.

[writeitdown]

oh wow these are good! I have to agree with most of these. I feel like Leonard's attitude is that a writer shouldn't try to make the reader notice that the writer is trying really hard.

[chuckwieser]

'Just don't use adverbs to create meaning.' That's the of the best pieces of piece I've heard on the subject. Thanks
And the other piece of advice which I live by is don't use adverbs to 'tell' the emotions.

[opollitico]

I also agree with the said thing. After a while, it just flows

[Fisherpriest]

I used work as a musician in Detroit. We won an award in 99. Elmore Leonard was the presenter. Pretty cool getting handed an award from Leonard!

[ADSmallAuthor]

I try and describe a character through actions, for example describing a character reaching the top shelf with ease, infers the character is tall.

[TheMagicalGateSeries-ctmz]

Hey, i'm a young adult/children's writer. this really helped me loads

[Tardis]

'If it sound like writing, I rewrite it.' That's a good one.

[NicoleWilbur]

Awesome video!! Totally agree with your thoughts on “never use anything but said” and “no adverbs.” I think there are good reasons for these rules but there are always scenarios where it makes sense, as long as its done intentionally!!

[opollitico]

"get a person in your opening" hahahaha! as always, your videos are entertaining. I laughed out loud right then

[Tardis]

Good video. (Like you mentioned already, no need for an exclamation point.) As for he said/she said, you can avoid it if the conversation is well written so it is already clear who is saying it. I almost never use it when writing dialogues. edit: I trim he said/she said to the bare minimum: only if there could be confusion about who is uttering that sentence, for example if more than two people are talking to each other.

[robwin]

Hello, I really enjoyed the video's content. The segment #6, “Suddenly” at 05:50, particularly stood out to me. It brought to mind Edgar Allan Poe's unique style, notable for his subtle approach to foreshadowing trouble.

{Poe didn't write post signs of trouble ahead.}

[authordetroit]

I agree with alot here. One author said dialogue tags are not really needed at all. He wrote a book without even using he said or she said. Good writing flows.

[Riurelia]

7:33 For some reason, this advice reminds me of a story I recently wrote. The story is in English, but the dialog is in the characters' native language.

[opollitico]

Suddenly? Wow. Now I think about it, the extracts that include this could be improved in terms of subtext and dialogue