Elmore Leonard on Writing - Enough Said.

If you haven’t read an Elmore Leonard novel, you are probably still familiar with his work and recognize his name as a great American author. His works have been made into such movies and TV shows as Out of Sight, Get Shorty, Be Cool and Justified. Two of his characters in particular have emerged as household names, Karen Sisco from Out of Sight and Raylan Givens of Justified.

One of the trademarks of Leonard’s work is great characters. They are compelling, layered and always interesting. I have read a lot of “how to” articles and books on the subject of writing, but I may have just learned more from this quick video from Elmore Leonard. The biggest thing I walked away with was the importance of your characters. You may think that’s an obvious point, but listen to it the way he explains it. It will take on a whole new meaning.

Whether you are just starting out as an author or a seasoned pro, I highly suggest checking this out. Then go read Elmore Leonard novel, for goodness sakes. (And watch Justified... it's one of the best shows on TV.)