Am Quote by Elmore Leonard
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing writing style, Elmore Leonard, 1990s
He suggests focusing on strengths and using character perspective to convey description, avoiding personal weaknesses.
In simple terms: Use character voice for description, not personal skill.
Key Takeaway
Leverage character viewpoint for vivid description.
Themes
writing
character development
strengths
voice
Mood
reflective
pragmatic
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- character sketches
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
narrative technique
character perspective
self-awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance character voice with personal narrative?
- When is it beneficial to step out of character?
A Different Perspective
May limit exploration of author’s own descriptive abilities.
