Instant fan...

[alexpgp]

Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
-- Elmore Leonard

His essay outlining ten rules of writing can almost be memorized, it's so short.

I picked up a copy of Mr. Majestyk, and it is uncanny how the man implements his rules. I'm sitting there going, "Wow, look at that!"

Over and over again, you dig?

(It is also interesting to note how some other writers can break the rules, and to muse on how they are able to do so.)

Cheers...

Comments

[bdunbar.livejournal.com]

Awesome essay.

My wife gets sacks full of books at the thrift. At least one or two in each sack will be worth reading.

It is amazing how many books that are not worth reading break the rules he outlined. And how really truly bad they are.

[furzicle.livejournal.com]

Know what the WORST books to read are? Ones that purport to be teaching you some newly minted educational claptrap. In those the author just goes on and on. The whole book is frequently the part you want to skip. I always end up saying, (after glancing a a few pages) " This must be this guy's doctoral thesis."