“My most important rule is one that sums up the 10. If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” The legendary author passed away today at the age of 87. The following is from Leonard’s New York Times piece ” Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle .”
Never open a book with weather.
Paul Sancya, File / AP
If it's only to create atmosphere, and not a character's reaction to the weather, you don't want to go on too long. The reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people.
Avoid prologues.
Carlos Osorio / AP
They can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword.
