Elmore Leonard's Rules of Writing

Read the expanded rules over at NYTimes or buy the book of rules here.

My favourite rule:

4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ''said'' . . .

. . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances ''full of rape and adverbs.''

This sprung to mind since Leonard's currently promoting his new book Road Dogs.

During one interview (with Charlie Rose), he said that a while back he was offered to write a review on a new Tom Clancy military spy book, but passed. "I don't read books that are more than 300 pages."

A man after my own heart (and attention span).