--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1…" description: "\"“Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book with weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3. Never use a verb other than \"said\" to carry dialogue. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/864/elmore-leonard-3471_books_elmore-leonard-s-ten-rules-of-writing-1_1873796.jpg" --- # Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book… ![“Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book with weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue. 4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely. 5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than…” quote by Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/864/elmore-leonard-3471_books_elmore-leonard-s-ten-rules-of-writing-1_1873796.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/864/elmore-leonard-3471_books_elmore-leonard-s-ten-rules-of-writing-1_1873796.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/864/elmore-leonard-3471_books_elmore-leonard-s-ten-rules-of-writing-1_1873796.jpg) > ““Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book with weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue. 4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely. 5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. 6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose." 7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly. 8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters. 9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things. 10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. My most important rule is one that sums up the 10. If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”” [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing should be clear, concise, and avoid unnecessary flourishes; let dialogue speak naturally. **In simple terms:** Write simply and let dialogue drive the story. Key Takeaway Eliminate excess words and adverbs. Themes clarity dialogue writing technique Mood practical direct Type instructional inspirational When to use this quote - novel drafting - scriptwriting - editing workshops Key Concepts narrative economy voice editing Questions to Reflect On - Which rule feels most restrictive to you? - How can you balance simplicity with style? A Different Perspective Strict rules may stifle creativity for some writers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Leonard Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leonard-rules-2603233/) [Prologues Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prologues-use-2603234/) [Prose Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prose-use-2316767/) [Rules Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-writing-429122/) [Words Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-prose-247033/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/keep-your-exclamation-points-under-control-you-are-allowed-no-more/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [There are some simple maxims which I think might be commended to writers of expository prose. First: never use a long word if a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/there-are-some-simple-maxims-which-i-think-might-be-commended-to/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The definition of good prose is proper words in their proper places; of good verse, the most proper words in their proper places.The propriety…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-definition-of-good-prose-is-proper-words-in-their-proper-places/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The words in prose ought to express the intended meaning, and no more; if they attract attention to themselves, it is, in general, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/the-words-in-prose-ought-to-express-the-intended-meaning-and-no-more/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“I’m a man of music as much as I am a man of words and prose. One could even possibly say that they, music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-trandahl/i-m-a-man-of-music-as-much-as-i-am-a-man-of-words-and-prose-one-could/) [Nicholas Trandahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-trandahl/) > [One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/one-merit-of-poetry-few-persons-will-deny-it-says-more-and-in-fewer/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Words in prose ought to express the intended meaning; if they attract attention to themselves, it is a fault; in the very best styles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/words-in-prose-ought-to-express-the-intended-meaning-if-they-attract/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I have made three rules of writing for myself that are absolutes: Never take advice. Never show or discuss work in progress. Never answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/i-have-made-three-rules-of-writing-for-myself-that-are-absolutes/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [“The three rules to writing a novel; 1) Write 2) Write more 3) Keep writing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/the-three-rules-to-writing-a-novel-1-write-2-write-more-3-keep-writing/) [SciFurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scifurz/) > [There are no rules to writing a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-castillo/there-are-no-rules-to-writing-a-song/) [Randy Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-castillo/) > [There are no rules in writing. There are useful principles. Throw them away when they're not useful. But always know what you're throwing away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-shetterly/there-are-no-rules-in-writing-there-are-useful-principles-throw-them/) [Will Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-shetterly/) > [Writing for videogames is really unique. You learn all the rules of writing, but there's a whole other set of rules for game writing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/writing-for-videogames-is-really-unique-you-learn-all-the-rules-of/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [“three rules for writing as a spiritual practice: (1) Don’t write what you know; (2) Don’t write what you don’t know; and (3) Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rami-shapiro/three-rules-for-writing-as-a-spiritual-practice-1-don-t-write-what/) [Rami Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rami-shapiro/) > [When you are in WWE, you're really strapped down by their rules and writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-omega/when-you-are-in-wwe-you-re-really-strapped-down-by-their-rules-and/) [Kenny Omega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-omega/) > [“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. —W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wax/there-are-three-rules-for-writing-a-novel-unfortunately-no-one-knows/) [Wendy Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wax/) ## More by Elmore Leonard > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me show rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/these-are-rules-i-ve-picked-up-along-the-way-to-help-me-remain/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“There’s something happening here, I know it. It’s right in front of my face, but I just can’t see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/there-s-something-happening-here-i-know-it-it-s-right-in-front-of-my/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/the-line-of-dialogue-belongs-to-the-character-the-verb-is-the-writer/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-try-to-leave-out-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-have-fun-writing-i-don-t-make-it-a-chore-i-don-t-have-to-struggle/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/if-it-sounds-like-writing-i-rewrite-it-or-if-proper-usage-gets-in-the/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-don-t-think-writers-compete-i-think-they-re-all-doing-separate/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/after-58-years-you-d-think-writing-would-get-easier-it-doesn-t-if-you/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“He saw Harvey and Edgar catch each other's eye as he looked off toward the strains of "Alley Cat," Jesus, hoping they'd rush it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/he-saw-harvey-and-edgar-catch-each-other-s-eye-as-he-looked-off/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I'm not going to write for posterity. I'm going to write to make a buck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-m-not-going-to-write-for-posterity-i-m-going-to-write-to-make-a-buck/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“A wife's faithful to her husband, subject to him. It's in the bible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/a-wife-s-faithful-to-her-husband-subject-to-him-it-s-in-the-bible/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Using adverbs is a mortal sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/using-adverbs-is-a-mortal-sin/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Try not to write the parts that people skip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/try-not-to-write-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I want the reader to know what's going on. So there's never a mystery in my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-want-the-reader-to-know-what-s-going-on-so-there-s-never-a-mystery/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) [Explore all 130 Elmore Leonard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing 1. Never open a book with weather. 2. Avoid prologues. 3. Never use a verb other than \"said\" to carry dialogue. 4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb \"said”…he admonished gravely. 5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. 6. Never use the words \"suddenly\" or \"all hell broke loose.\" 7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly. 8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters. 9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things. 10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. My most important rule is one that sums up the 10. 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